The Best of New Zealand

Day 1 - Christchurch

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Crowne Plaza Christchurch (4.5-star)

Day 2 - Dunedin

We travel south to Dunedin, clustered around an attractive harbour. Known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ for its strong Scottish influence, the city is home to New Zealand’s only kilt shop and produces the country’s whisky. We’ll follow the theme this evening with a grand, Scottish-style dinner.

Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin (4.5-star)

Day 3 - Dunedin

Today you’re free to explore more of Dunedin. Admire the Edwardian and Victorian architecture, visit the botanical gardens or perhaps follow the Street Art Trail in the quirky Warehouse Precinct.

Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin (4.5-star)

Day 4 - Te Anau

We journey across the rich Southland plains to Te Anau. It’s the gateway to Fiordland National Park, known for its spectacular waterfalls, dense native forest and rare birds.

Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas (4-star)

Day 5 - Milford Sound - Queenstown

We’ll make our way through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, one of the most scenic drives in the country. Then, a cruise on spectacular Milford Sound takes us along the fiord, past the spectacular Mitre Peak, out to the open sea and back again. This majestic area was described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. We may catch a glimpse of seals frolicking in their natural habitat. Our drive to Queenstown skirts Lake Wakatipu, the only land-locked lake in the world with its own tide - its name translates as ‘the lake that breathes’.

Millennium Queenstown (4-star)

Day 6 - Queenstown

Queenstown, dominated by the majestic Remarkables, is a favourite with those who love the great outdoors. After a free day, we take an evening cruise aboard the beautiful vintage TSS Earnslaw. We travel across Lake Wakatipu to the high country sheep station of Walter Peak where you’ll dine in the elegant Colonel’s Homestead.

Millennium Queenstown (4-star)

Day 7 - Mount Cook

This morning we visit Kinross Winery and Cellar Door to sample their wine, before journeying into the heart of the Southern Alps. Our first glimpse of majestic Mount Cook, towering 3,754 metres above sea level, reveals why it’s known to Maori people as ‘Cloud Piercer’. The Tasman Glacier, nudging one side of Mount Cook, is one of the longest glaciers outside the Himalayas.

Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook (4.5-star)

Day 8 - Christchurch

We skirt the glacial blue waters of Lake Pukaki and pass Lake Tekapo en route to Christchurch.

Crowne Plaza Christchurch (4.5-star)

Day 9 - Wellington

We head north across the plains to the coastal town of Kaikoura, famous for its crayfish. At Picton, we leave the South Island and steam across the spectacular Cook Strait on the comfortable inter-island ferry. Wellington Harbour offers our first view of the capital city, our home for the next two nights.

Rydges Wellington (4.5-star)

Day 10 - Wellington

We take a morning tour of the ‘Windy City’ of Wellington. The afternoon is free to explore and there are several attractions worth a visit, none more so than New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa.

Rydges Wellington (4.5-star)

Day 11 - Rotorua

We head north, stopping at Huka Falls where the wide Waikato River squeezes through a narrow gorge and tumbles down into a beautiful aquamarine pool. We continue to one of the jewels of the country, Rotorua, known for its awe-inspiring geothermal activity. Later on today, we’ll enjoy a Maori cultural experience, an authentic Maori concert and a traditional ‘hangi’ feast.

Rydges Rotorua (4.5-star)

Day 12 - Rotorua

This morning we’ll visit the Agrodome for a fascinating farm show, where the skills of mustering, shearing and milking and the use of sheep dogs are demonstrated. Then we’ll head to the National Kiwi Hatchery, where you can learn about New Zealand's national icon and if you're lucky, spot a newly hatched chick of this rare, flightless bird. This afternoon, we’ll take a tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, where the Tuhourangi/Ngati Wahiao tribe have opened their doors to share their way of life for over 200 years.

Rydges Rotorua (4.5-star)

Day 13 - Waitomo Caves - Auckland

At Waitomo Caves, we take a boat along the underground river to see the thousands of glow-worms - spectacular in the darkness of the grotto. The tiny blue-green lights shine brighter if the glow worms are hungry! We travel on via the dairy centre of Hamilton to Auckland.

Grand Millennium (4.5 star)

Day 14 - Auckland

Today we introduce you to the ‘City of Sails’, the largest metropolis in New Zealand. Our city tour highlights include Old Customhouse, the shoppers’ delight of Lower Queen Street, and Parliament Street. The remainder of the day is at leisure.

Grand Millennium (4.5 star)

Day 15 - Bay of Islands

Crossing the bridge spanning the Waitemata Harbour this morning, we can look back at Auckland’s famous landmark, Rangitoto Island, before heading to Northland, the birthplace of the nation. We drive along the west coast, passing sleepy harbourside hamlets and native forests. The Waipoua Forest is home to huge kauri trees, the largest of which - ‘Tane Mahuta’ (Lord of the Forest) - stands 30 metres tall. We’ll learn more about these ancient trees at the Kauri Museum.

Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (4-star)

Day 16 - Bay of Islands

We embark on a delightful cruise around the bay to see Cape Brett lighthouse and hopefully spot seals, dolphins or whales. We also cruise into the grand Cathedral Cave and through the ‘Hole in the Rock’. This afternoon, we visit Waitangi Treaty House, where the historic signing between Maori and British formed the nation of New Zealand in 1840. Our visit includes a guided tour of Waitangi.

Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (4-star)

Day 17 - Bay of Islands - Auckland

After some free time this morning, we'll head back down south along the Hibiscus Coast and return to Auckland.

Grand Millennium (4.5 star)

Day 18 - Bay of Islands

Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Bay of Islands