Remarkable New Zealand

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 – Coromandel Peninsula – Whitianga. Today we leave Auckland behind and drive across the fertile Hauraki Plains to the Firth of Thames – a large shallow bay that is home to a variety of birdlife. We ride the Driving Creek Railway, climbing 120-metres through native forest on this narrow-gauge railway to the EyeFull Tower – a viewpoint with panoramic views over the surrounding area. After our railway ride, we journey east across the Coromandel Peninsula, sampling yet more of the region's spectacular scenery. Reaching the town of Whitianga on Mercury Bay, the evening is at leisure.

Enjoy a free day on the Coromandel Peninsula, exploring all that it has to offer at your own pace. Pay a visit to Hot Water Beach, where warm springs bubble up through the sand. Opt for a walk along the sandy beach at Hahei or visit the beach named after James Cook who arrived in Mercury Bay aboard HMS Endeavor in 1769. Cooks Beach is today a popular holiday retreat for Kiwis, and is sure to amaze you.

From Cooks Beach you can choose to catch the short ferry ride back to Whitianga and walk to our accommodation or travel back with our driver.

Whitianga – Rotorua. Departing Whitianga, we follow the Pacific Coast Highway through the coastal towns of Whangamata and Tauranga before turning inland. We visit a bushwalk with views over majestic Okere Falls before reaching Rotorua, the epicentre of Maori heritage and New Zealand’s geothermal activity. 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 a Kiwi conservation project. You may be able to catch a glimpse of New Zealand’s endangered but iconic national emblem.

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 between two different activities. Option 1 is a visit to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley which is the site of the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886. This monumental event reshaped the landscape permanently, giving rise to the valley we explore today. As we wander through we encounter bubbling craters and brilliantly coloured steaming lakes. We embark on a cruise across Lake Rotomahana to the location of the silica terraces where we witness the gradual formation of new silica terraces.

Option 2 is a Middle-earth experience with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set where we explore the iconic Shire. Our guide will walk us through the ten-acre site, sharing insights on how the movie set was brought to life. We get to see the Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, The Millhouse, and other film structures, witnessing the transformation of this beautiful Waikato farmland into Middle-earth's Shire.

In the evening we head to the Tamaki Maori Village for Te Pa Tu. The experience aligns with the Maori lunar calendar, offering Maori traditions, songs, and seasonal cuisine within the forest village. We enjoy a 4-course fusion feast designed by Maori chefs and served outdoors or in the dining room, depending on the weather.

Return hotel transfers are included, and we join other travellers for this enriching experience.

Rotorua – Napier. This morning we head south, stopping to visit Huka Falls and passing vast Lake Taupo. If clear skies permit, from here we should be able to see the peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, where lays the volcanic terrain that acted as the backdrop of ‘Mordor’ in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. We continue our journey to Napier, a joyful seaside town that was rebuilt in Art Deco style after a 1931 earthquake. We enjoy a walking tour of the colourful town with a local guide.

This evening we are treated to dinner with a glass of wine at the Mission Estate Winery. First set up by missionaries in the mid-19th century, today these vineyards produce award-winning wines and offer sweeping views over Napier.

Napier – Wellington. This morning we make our way to New Zealand’s capital city - Wellington. We ride the Wellington Cable Car for incredible views over the city and enjoy an included visit to the Te Papa Museum, the country's national museum. Here you will learn more about the history, culture and wildlife of New Zealand. The evening is at leisure.

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 follow the Buller River Gorge on a scenic drive through forest, deep river gorges and across single-track bridges. We visit the quaint village of St Arnaud on the edge of Lake Rotoiti, before continuing 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.

Today is a free day for you to relax or explore Queenstown and the surrounding area. The list of possible activities is endless; you could go zip-lining or ride the gondola to at Bob's Peak, enjoy white water rafting or cruise picturesque Lake Wakatipu. Other options include a 4X4 safari to Skippers Canyon, a cruise on the steamship TSS Earnslaw or a visit to a local winery. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on how to spend your time!

Queenstown - Mount Cook - Twizel. Our journey continues north, and the scenery continues to impress. Heading through the rugged Kawarau Gorge, past idyllic Lake Dunstan and into the Mackenzie Basin, we enjoy views of the Southern Alps. We reach Mount Cook village, offering jaw-dropping views of New Zealand's tallest peak, known in Maori as Aoraki. The night is spent in the rural town of Twizel.

Twizel - Christchurch. Today we visit a local home on the shore of Lake Tekapo. We learn how to make a traditional Kiwi pavlova and can taste our creation whilst overlooking the lake. We also visit the Church of the Good Shephard, which is one of the most photographed spots in New Zealand. The Southern Alps tower n the background, making for quite the photograph.

Passing through the rural towns of Fairlie, Geraldine and Ashburton, we finally reach Christchurch. The city has been rebuilt following cataclysmic earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, and is once more a modern, thriving city.

Today we explore Christchurch, a most English of New Zealand cities! The day starts with some punting along the River Avon, and yes, our boatmen will be wearing straw hats and traditional dress! We pass through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and ride a beautifully restored heritage tram through the city centre. To round off our trip, there is an included group dinner this evening at a local restaurant.

Today your adventure in New Zealand comes to an end. A transfer takes you to Christchurch Airport for your flight home.