Discover the best of New Zealand

Your fare excludes:

Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch

On arrival in the 'Garden City' you'll have time at leisure to explore or relax. Tonight, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a tour briefing and drinks.

Day 2: Christchurch - Franz Josef/Waiau

Your New Zealand tour starts on a high as you jump aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Arthur's Pass, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. From Arthur’s Pass, visit the small town of Hokitika, the heritage and cultural centre of the West Coast well-known for its jade. Things are about to get cool again as you arrive in the town of Franz Josef/Waiau, gateway to Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, a white-out of snow and ice that shimmers like a gem. Get some perspective on a scenic helicopter flight over this natural wonder – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it (own expense).

Day 3: Franz Josef/Waiau - Queenstown

Over the Haast Pass, the alpine scenery of the Southern Lakes spreads before you. First up there’s lovely Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan, where you’ll pause at the Jones Family fruit stall to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. We know you’ll want to linger in Arrowtown’s movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables await on your Queenstown tour.

Day 4: Queenstown Free Time

Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on high-octane jet boat ride, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at Kiwi Park. Wine aficionado? Sip your way through surrounding vineyards (all own expense). Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner.

Day 5: Queenstown - Te Anau

From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley is the entrée to your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they’re a common sight here. Journey back through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and gin-clear rivers, carving up the countryside en route to Te Anau.

Day 6: Te Anau - Dunedin

Soak up the serenity of the South Island’s biggest lake on an early morning walk, perhaps, before leaving the forested slopes of Fiordland behind. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are your new backdrop as you ease into the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin. While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speight’s Brewery (a national institution), or visit grand Larnach Castle, the only one of its kind in the country. You could venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them (all own expense).

Day 7: Dunedin - Omarama

Time is on your side this morning. Sleep in or take a stroll around the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck with a visit to Oamaru, known for its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings.

Day 8: Omarama - Christchurch

Your outlook this morning is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate local specialists, will forever change the way you see the night sky. You'll see for yourself it may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe. Back on earth, you’re becoming reacquainted with Christchurch on a city tour, your in-the-know Travel Director pointing out the city’s miraculous transformation over the last decade. You'll view the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library.

Day 9: Christchurch - Picton

There aren’t many beaches more dramatic than the sands of Kaikoura. Bonus points if you spot a seal or sperm whale frolicking offshore, Kaikoura is the marine wildlife centre of New Zealand. Your onward route skirts the pink tinged crystallisation ponds of the Lake Grassmere Salt Works, before arriving in the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton.

Day 10: Picton - Wellington

Swap wheels for water aboard the ferry for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand’s cool little capital of Wellington. On arrival, enjoy a city sights tour.

Day 11: Wellington - Rotorua

The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupō, the largest of its kind in the country. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, delve deep into Maori culture and traditions at Te Puia. The Te Pō Indigenous Experience begins with an exhilarating cultural performance in a beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua, followed by views of the Pohutu Geyser, one of New Zealand’s geothermal wonderlands, and ends with a delicious buffet dinner of locally sourced hāngī-inspired cuisine - a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience.

Day 12: Rotorua Free Time

Explore at your own pace today, but with plenty of tips from your Travel Director. Want a bit of down time? We wouldn’t blame you for simply blissing out at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans, but a gorgeous countryside getaway (both own expense).

Day 13: Rotorua - Auckland

Set your internal GPS to cross the Waikato River and head towards the Waitomo Caves. This place is radiant – quite literally. While cruising cavernous limestone waterways, your route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. The next thing that glows on your horizon is Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city with not one, but two harbours. And plenty of yachts to decorate both, as you’ll see from the lookout at the Auckland War Memorial Museum.

Day 14: Auckland - Bay of Islands

Say goodbye to the ‘City of Sails’ as you journey north to New Zealand’s dramatic Bay of Islands – 140 islands ringed by turquoise sea. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical significance: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your local specialist, likely a descendant of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house.

Day 15: Bay of Islands Free Time

If there’s a travel destination that inspires wanderlust, the Bay of Islands is it. Today, head off in whatever direction you please. Perhaps travel up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Cruise to the iconic hole in the rock, or join a tour of Russell and learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands (all own expense).

Day 16: Bay of Islands - Auckland

Today, New Zealand’s most northerly city is well and truly on your radar. Whangarei is like the country in a tantalizing snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Take a brief stroll before sinking back into your seat for the mesmerizing commute back to Auckland. Tonight enjoy dinner to toast your adventure.

Day 17: Farewell from Auckland

It’s hard to say goodbye to Auckland – this city is hypnotic. But you have a camera full of New Zealand tour photos to categorise before you get home.

Please note: This itinerary may be subject to change.

T​ravel dates are from 2026, 2027 & 2028

Departing: September to December 2026

• Twin Share - from $8,555 per person
• Single traveller - from $11,460 per person

Departing: January to March 2027

• Twin Share - from $8,845 per person
• Single traveller - from $11,840 per person

Departing: January to March 2028

• Twin Share - from $10,320 per person
• Single traveller - from $13,460 per person

Call our local travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure your seat NOW!

The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:

• Ibis Hotel Christchurch
• Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
• Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown
• Distinction Luxmore Hotel
• Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
• Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel
• Ibis Hotel Christchurch
• Picton Yacht Club Hotel / Picton Beachcomber Inn
• Travelodge Wellington
• Ibis Rotorua Hotel
• Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre
• Copthorne Hotel and Resort

Flight Information:

• Day 1: Flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch Airport
• Day 17: Flights to depart any time from Auckland Airport
• Airport to Hotel transfers are available to purchase on request.
• Flights to and from your tour are not included in the tour price.

Fitness Requirements:

• Medium level of fitness required.

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
• Water bottle
• Warm layers 
• Camera