Auckland, Wellington & Scenic South

Haere mai – Welcome! Upon arrival into Auckland you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day and your first evening offer free time for you to explore the local area and find somewhere for dinner.

Auckland – Rotorua. This morning we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Auckland, taking in highlights including the Auckland Museum, quaint Parnell Village and the waterfront. We will also admire the panoramic views from Bastion Point. Then it's on to Rotorua, where we also enjoy a guided sightseeing tour.

This evening we visit Tamaki Maori Village to experience Te Pa Tu. An important date on the Maori lunar calendar, we will feast on local cuisine, sing Maori songs and experience this vibrant culture for ourselves.

Rotorua – Wellington. Today we enjoy an included visit to Te Puia with a private local guide. This active geothermal site is also the nation’s centre for indigenous arts and crafts, as well as being a Kiwi conservation project. Catch a glimpse of New Zealand’s endangered but iconic national emblem.

Our next stop is Lake Tarawera, home to the buried Maori village of Te Wairoa that was devastated by a volcanic eruption in 1886. Now excavated, the village offers an insight into the chaos and destruction of that fateful day.

This afternoon we fly to New Zealand's capital, Wellington. The city clings to steep hillsides and has an iconic harbour at the southern tip of the North Island. We enjoy a city sightseeing tour, taking in the Parliament Building and the famous 'Beehive'.

Wellington – Nelson. Today we embark on one of the world's most scenic ferry rides, as we say goodbye to the North Island and cross the Cook Strait. The boats are often accompanied by dolphins riding the bow wave, a joyful experience. Arriving in Picton on the South Island, we head to Blenheim in the heart of Marlborough wine country. There's included wine tasting at one of the area's best wineries before we complete our journey to the delightful town of Nelson.

Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in.

We spend today soaking up the beauty of Abel Tasman National Park, with its golden coves, turquoise lagoons and forest ranges. Since there are few roads in this national park we see the sights of it by boat instead. Boarding a small cruiser at Kaiteriteri we head out to enjoy the scenery with plenty of stops along the way for swimming and exploring on foot. Arriving back in Kaiteriteri after the cruise, you have three options.

Option 1 is to relax in the town of Kaiteriteri at leisure.

Option 2 is to join a shorter 7km (2.5 hour) self-guided walk to fabulous Anchorage Beach.

Option 3 is to join a longer 10.5km (4 hour) self-guided walk to Anchorage Beach including the scenic highlights of the South Head lookout, the famous Falls River swing-bridge and Cleopatra’s Pool.

After these activities are completed, we transfer back to Nelson for the evening.

Nelson – Punakaiki. Travelling inland from Nelson we head through Nelson Lakes National Park. Take in the rugged peaks, forests and glacial lakes before we make a stop in the quaint village of St Arnaud on the edge of Lake Rotoiti. Heading inland, we follow the incredibly scenic Buller River Gorge to the rugged coast of Punakaiki. This small town is known for its incredible rock formations. Called 'Pancake Rocks, these limestone stacks are an impressive natural feature.

Punakaiki – Franz Josef – Fox. Leaving Punakaiki behind, we journey along the Great Coast Road, recently voted one of the world's top 10 coastal roads by Lonely Planet. We pass through historic Hokitika and stop at the dramatic Hokitika Gorge to admire the view. Continuing through forests and farmland, passing mountains and the Tasman Sea, we reach the small town of Franz Josef, and finally arrive in the village of Fox.

The enormous Franz Josef and Fox glaciers have carved their way down the Southern Alps to sea level, and our accommodation is located near this incredible natural feature. Weather permitting, join an optional helicopter ride over the Fox glacier, a memorable experience (book and pay locally).

Fox – Wanaka. This morning we visit nearby Lake Matheson for a morning stroll. With Mount Cook as your backdrop and the early morning birds chirping, it's a peaceful and relaxing experience. It's then time to depart, as we make our way over the Haast Pass and into Mount Aspiring National Park. Reaching the pretty resort town of Wanaka, the evening is at leisure. Located on the shore of Lake Wanaka, the town is a delightful place to head out and explore.

Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in.

Today we have a choice of two included excursions. Option 1 sees you join an eco tour. Depart Wanaka by boat and escape civilisation as we cruise to an island where we hike through vibrant native vegetation to find a hidden mountaintop lake surrounded by small islands. We trek on to reach the island's summit for a 360-degree view of Lake Wanaka, its mountains and valleys, and the Arethusa Pool. Look out for the rare Buff Weka, a flightless bird extinct on Mainland NZ since 1920, which often joins visitors.

Option 2 is a 4WD adventure. We will explore a perfect mix of stunning scenery, history, and farm life in New Zealand's High Country. We will traverse remote back roads on an authentic farm with Lake Wanaka as our backdrop, surrounded by nature's beauty. We get up close to farm animals and visit historical sites, all while enjoying optional hikes through alpine meadows and lakeside forests, offering a unique insight into Wanaka's history, heritage, modern farming, and breathtaking landscapes.

When we return to Wanaka we have the afternoon at leisure to relax or enjoy the town.

Wanaka – Te Anau. It's time to say farewell to Wanaka as we head towards the most southern part of our trip. We stop for a photograph of the famous Cardrona Pub and visit the gold rush settlement of Arrowtown. Continuing through the Remarkables mountains and past Lake Wakatipu, we eventually reach our destination. Te Anau is the largest freshwater lake on the South Island and our base for the evening.

Te Anau – Milford Sound - Queenstown. Our journey to Milford Sound involves passing through Fiordland National Park, one of the most scenic drives of our trip. One of the greatest wildernesses in the Southern Hemisphere, the scenery is punctuated with lofty mountains and deep glacial valleys. We reach Milford Sound, described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.

Boarding a comfortable cruiser, we head out onto the waters of Milford Sound. Keep your eyes peeled for seals and dolphins, and admire Mitre Peak from the water. Enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. Back on dry land, we complete our drive to Queenstown by retracing our steps to Te Anau and then heading north.

Our tour ends today after breakfast at the hotel in Queenstown. An included transfer will take you to the airport for your onwards flight.