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Dramatic peaks, glittering glaciers and geothermal wonders await on a 17-day Premium adventure through New Zealand’s north and south islands. With a passionate local leader to guide the way, you’ll experience a landscape that has been shaped by the elements over thousands of years. Taste wine at picturesque cellar doors, set out in search of kiwis, explore the mythical world of Hobbiton and explore the volcanic landscapes of Tongariro. From the pure spectacle of Milford Sound to the simmering geysers of Rotorua, this adventure is sure to blow you away.

Availability

From 11/04/2024 to 05/07/2026

Departure dates & prices

Dates Availability Price
  • Apr Thu 11 2024 to Apr Sat 27 2024
    Sold Out
    From
    $13,210*
  • Apr Thu 25 2024 to May Sat 11 2024
    Available
    From
    $12,344*
  • Sep Thu 05 2024 to Sep Sun 22 2024
    Available
    From
    $14,040*
  • Sep Thu 19 2024 to Oct Sun 06 2024
    Available
    From
    $14,040*
  • Oct Thu 03 2024 to Oct Sun 20 2024
    Available
    From
    $14,040*
  • Oct Thu 17 2024 to Nov Sun 03 2024
    Available
    From
    $14,040*
  • Oct Thu 31 2024 to Nov Sun 17 2024
    Available
    From
    $14,040*
  • Nov Thu 07 2024 to Nov Sun 24 2024
    Available
    From
    $15,315*
  • Nov Thu 14 2024 to Dec Sun 01 2024
    Available
    From
    $15,315*
  • Nov Thu 21 2024 to Dec Sun 08 2024
    Available
    From
    $15,165*
  • Nov Thu 28 2024 to Dec Sun 15 2024
    Available
    From
    $15,165*
  • Dec Thu 05 2024 to Dec Sun 22 2024
    Available
    From
    $15,750*
  • Dec Thu 12 2024 to Dec Sun 29 2024
    Available
    From
    $15,750*
  • Dec Thu 19 2024 to Jan Sun 05 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,750*
  • Dec Thu 26 2024 to Jan Sun 12 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,750*
  • Jan Thu 02 2025 to Jan Sun 19 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,670*
  • Jan Thu 09 2025 to Jan Sun 26 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,670*
  • Jan Thu 16 2025 to Feb Sun 02 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,670*
  • Jan Thu 23 2025 to Feb Sun 09 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,670*
  • Feb Thu 06 2025 to Feb Sun 23 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,670*
  • Feb Thu 13 2025 to Mar Sun 02 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,090*
  • Feb Thu 20 2025 to Mar Sun 09 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,090*
  • Feb Thu 27 2025 to Mar Sun 16 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,090*
  • Mar Thu 20 2025 to Apr Sun 06 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,090*
  • Mar Thu 27 2025 to Apr Sun 13 2025
    Available
    From
    $15,090*

What's included

Uncover the geothermal wonders of Rotorua during a guided visit to Te Puia, home to hot springs, geysers, mud pools, a Maori art gallery and a kiwi conservation centre.
Sip your way around Waiheke Island off the shores of Auckland during an Exclusive Experience, visiting three cellar doors to learn about their production methods and sample some seriously excellent wine.
Be amazed by Tongariro National Park as you spend the day exploring its volcanic landscapes, then retire to your chateau-style Feature Stay where you can sit back and soak in views of Tongariro’s dazzling peaks.
Experience some of New Zealand’s most spectacular scenery during your second Feature Stay on Milford Sound aboard a purpose-built vessel.
Discover the best of the Otago region during your Exclusive Experiences – a chef-led food and foraging tour, and an adrenaline-pumping jetboat ride down the Shotover River.
Breakfasts Included: 16.
Lunches Included: 5.
Dinners Included: 4.
Hotel (9 nights),Resort (3 nights),Homestead (2 nights),Cruise boat (1 night).
Private vehicle,Catamaran,Flight,Jet boat,Cruise boat.
Age: min 15.
Group Size: 1 - 12.
Auckland - Welcome Dinner.
Complimentary Arrival Transfer.
Waiheke Island - Day Trip by Ferry.
Waiheke Island - Winery Visits with Wine Tasting & Lunch.
Hobbiton - Visit to the Lord of the Rings Movie Set.
Hobbiton - Drink at the Green Dragon.
Waitomo - Ruakuri Glow Worm Cave Visit.
Rotorua - Visit to Te Puia Geothermal Area with Local Guide & Hangi Lunch.
Rotorua - Ahua Gallery & Kiwi Conservation Centre.
Rotorua - Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland.
Tongariro National Park - Taranaki Falls.
Wellington - Evening Cruise on Wellington Harbour.
Christchurch - Welcome Dinner.
Greymouth - Monteith's Brewery Tour & Tasting.
Greymouth - Pounamu (Greenstone) Studio Visit.
Christchurch - Leader-led Orientation Walk.
Lake Brunner - Nature Walk.
Hokitika - West Coast Treetops Walk.
Franz Josef - West Coast Wildlife Centre Visit with Ranger.
Punakaiki - Rocks & Blowhole Visit.
Franz Josef - Glacier View Walk.
Makaroa - Aspiring Biodiversity Trust Lunch.
Makaroa - Guided Flora and Fauna Walk with Local Ornithologist.
Wanaka - Criffel Station Foraging & Lunch Experience with Local Chef.
Milford Sound - Overnight Boat Cruise.
Queenstown - Shotover River Jetboat Experience.
Gibbston Valley - Wine Cave Tour.
Arrowtown - Leader-led walk.
Queenstown - Farewell Aperitivo.
.

Itinerary

  • 1 - Auckland Welcome to the North Island! Your adventure begins in Auckland, New Zealand's most populated city, fringed with beaches, harbours, volcanoes and farmland. You'll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel. A welcome meeting will take place here at 6pm, where you'll meet your local leader and the other travellers joining you on this adventure. If you arrive in Auckland with time to spare, you may like to uncover the story of New Zealand rugby during an interactive All Blacks experience where you'll learn about the heritage of the sport and find out what it takes to wear the famous black jersey. After your meeting, get to know your group over dinner at an atmospheric local bistro in the heart of the city, championing New Zealand producers.
  • 2 - Auckland Leave the bustle of the big city behind and head offshore to Waiheke Island, famed for its sandy beaches and glorious wine. Board a ferry from Auckland - if you're really lucky you may even see dolphins or orcas along the way. The day will be spent sipping your way around the island, stopping off at three unique wineries to learn about their production methods, and of course tasting the goods yourself. You'll also enjoy an included lunch on the island, not to mention a few scenic drives with plenty of opportunities for beautiful photos. Return to Auckland in the late afternoon with an evening free for your own discoveries of the city.
  • 3 - Auckland via Waitomo After breakfast this morning, hit the road and drive to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, an extensive underground network of tunnels and caverns decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and luminous glow worms. Join a local expert for an in-depth tour of the Ruakuri Cave, descending a spiral entrance to a magical world below. Discover fascinating limestone formations, hear the roar of subterranean waterfalls and learn about the glow worms that light up the caves. Continue to Hobbiton, where the epic Lord of the Rings movies were shot. Take a tour around the set with a local guide, hear stories about the production of these iconic films, explore Hobbit holes and enjoy a drink at the mythical Green Dragon Inn. Finally, travel to Rotorua, where you will spend the evening.
  • 4 - Rotorua Wake up in Rotorua to the unmistakable scent of sulphur coming off the town's many geothermal pools. After breakfast, pay a visit to Te Puia, over 70 hectares of land within the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, dotted with hot springs, mud pools and geysers. A local expert will take you on a walk to learn about these geothermal wonders, including Pohutu, the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere. Next experience the Kiwi Conservation Centre where you'll have the chance to observe the beloved nocturnal bird in a darkened enclosure and learn about the sanctuary's efforts to protect them. Swing by the Ahua Gallery and watch culturally significant Maori carving and weaving demonstrations. Lunch is a treat today - a traditional hangi feast cooked beneath the earth in traditional style. In the evening, perhaps consider an optional tour of the geysers by night.
  • 5 - Rotorua to Taupo Say goodbye to Rotorua and drive on to Taupo, sitting on the shores of Lake Taupo - the largest lake in New Zealand. On the way, visit Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland, where you will walk through thousands of years of geothermal history and volcanic features, including New Zealand's largest mud pool and bubbling basins bursting with vibrant colors. The rest of the day is yours to discover all that this picturesque part of the country has to offer. One of the best ways to enjoy the lake is to get on its waters - speak to your leader to find out about the sustainable sailing and cruising options available to you this afternoon. You may like to try your hand at fishing, or perhaps take a flight over the spectacular Tongariro National Park.
  • 6 - Taupo via Tongariro National Park to Ohakune Today will be spent uncovering the natural wonders of Tongariro National Park, as spiritually significant as it is spectacular. Your leader will guide you on a scenic two-hour walk to the Taranaki Falls, an impressive 20-metre cascade tumbling over volcanic cliffs. Later in the day, head to your Feature Stay accommodation at the Powderhorn Chateau and settle in. The chateau provides a stunning base for the evening, surrounded by the soaring peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro - the views are simply unbeatable.
  • 7 - Ohakune to Wellington This morning, make tracks for Wellington, New Zealand's trendy capital city. After settling in, hop aboard a private catamaran and get to know the city on an evening cruise around Wellington Harbour. Return to land after an hour and join your group for dinner at a fantastic waterfront restaurant - the perfect chance to reminisce about your North Island adventure.
  • 8 - Wellington to Christchurch This morning, check out of your hotel after breakfast and head to the South Island. You'll take a 1 hour flight to Christchurch. Characterised by snow-capped peaks, giant glaciers and shimmering lakes, there's no denying that the South Island is one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Once in Christchurch, settle into your accommodation. A meeting will take place in the evening at 6pm to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next leg of your adventure, followed by dinner at a local restaurant which encapsulates the culinary culture of the region. Learn about the ethos behind this unique dining spot and enjoy a delicious three course meal which celebrates local producers.
  • 9 - Christchurch Take a morning stroll with your leader around some of the landmarks of Christchurch. Next set off for Punakaiki, driving through Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill - the spectacular mountain scenery may look familiar, as parts of The Chronicles of Narnia movie were filmed against this dramatic backdrop. After lunch in Moana, enjoy a short stop at Lake Brunner, the largest lake in the northwestern South Island of New Zealand. Spend the afternoon in Greymouth, stopping into a boutique studio to learn about the prized west coast jade known locally as Pounamu (Greenstone). Then continue to Monteith's Brewery, considered the original home of New Zealand craft brewing, for a tour and tasting. Arrive at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon. Situated in Paparoa National Park, the resort is adjacent to the beautiful Punakaiki beach and the magnificent Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - the perfect spot to reflect and relax.
  • 10 - Hokitika After breakfast, explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole before the drive to Franz Josef. Along the way, stretch your legs at the charming west coast town of Hokitika, and enjoy an exhilarating treetop adventure on a walk through the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy. In the afternoon, take a private ranger-guided tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre, home of the official breeding programme for the world's rarest kiwi, the Rowi. Also keep an eye out for tuatara, a reptile endemic to New Zealand. Arrive at your Franz Josef accommodation by evening.
  • 11 - Franz Josef Begin your day with a self-guided walk to see the icy wonderland created by the Franz Josef Glacier, one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. If you're feeling more adventurous, you may like to join an optional heli-hiking tour and get even closer to this incredible glacier. Other optional activities include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika or a soak in the hot tubs at Franz Josef.
  • 12 - Makaroa Depart Franz Josef for the picturesque resort town of Wanaka, the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, located in the Otago region. Stop along the way at Makorora and visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust, an organisation which strives to protect and restore indigenous biodiversity. After lunch, take a guided walk with a local ornithologist and ecologist to enjoy the vibrant hue of the aptly named Blue Pools that feed the Makarora River. Keep an eye out for endangered birds as you learn about how the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust is working to reduce predators and save some of New Zealand's rarest species. Arrive in Wanaka by later afternoon, and settle in to your home for the next two nights - a homestead built on the site of a former sheep station. Located next to the resplendent Wanaka Station Park on the shores of Lake Wanaka, and a short stroll from Wanaka township, you'll be perfectly placed to enjoy all this charming town has to offer.
  • 13 - Wanaka Enjoy a sleep in or perhaps start your day with a hike up Mt Iron for a view over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Today's experience is one of the real highlight's of your trip. Central Otago is a region well known for food and wine, and today you will visit the spectacular Criffel Station for a chef-guided tasting and foraging tour, followed by a delicious lunch, washed down with some excellent Central Otago wines.
  • 14 - Milford Sound Depart Wanaka for the drive to Te Anau. Along the way, take in a spectacular scenic drive across the Crown Range and by the shores of Lake Wakatipu. After lunch, continue on to your embarkation point for your Feature Stay, an overnight cruise surrounded by the spectacular beauty of Milford Sound, also known by its Te Reo (Maori) name Piopiotahi. Aboard your purpose-built vessel, enjoy a full length journey of the fjord out to the Tasman Sea, with the possibility to see wildlife such as seals, penguins and dolphins. You will also have access to a specialist guide with information on the fjord's history and natural environment. For those who are keen, kayaking and/or small boat tours allow a truly immersive experience of this special place. Finish your day with a delicious three-course dinner before settling down in your cosy cabin.
  • 15 - Milford Sound After a leisurely onboard breakfast surrounded by some of New Zealand's most spectacular scenery, you'll disembark and travel to Queenstown with plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs along the way. After another stop in pretty Te Anau for lunch, you'll arrive in plenty of time to check into your boutique hotel in Queenstown.
  • 16 - Arrowtown Today is the grand finale of your trip. In the morning, take an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Kimi Akau (Shotover River), deep into the spectacular Shotover Canyons. Speeding over water as shallow as 10cm, this is an amazing white water experience, operated by the Ngai Tahu, Maori people who have a centuries-old connection with this land. Continue on for a leader-led walk through historical Arrowtown, then enjoy a wine tasting at Gibbston Valley. Perhaps toast the end of your journey with a New Zealand-inspired gin & tonic or glass of Otago wine at a bar & restaurant with arguably the most spectacular views in all of Queenstown.
  • 17 - Queenstown Your New Zealand adventure ends this morning after breakfast. As this trip spends very little time in Queenstown, we recommend you spend an extra day or two here if you want to experience all the town has to offer. Your booking agent will be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability).
  • The following product terms and conditions apply in addition to our Booking Terms and Conditions (available on our website) and terms and conditions of the relevant travel service provider.
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 03 April 2024 for travel during the period specified (if applicable) unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • All prices are per person (unless otherwise stated), subject to availability and may be withdrawn or varied without notice. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Advertised price includes bonus nights and/or stated saving (if applicable).
  • Additional supplier conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Components of the total price including local payments, "resort fees", "national park fees", "trip kitties" and food funds (if applicable) may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel consultant prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at the time of publication.
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