Cruise · AAT Kings · 13 nights

New Zealand Vista

Explore Maori culture with the Te Po Indigenous Experience
Witness the stunning Huka Falls from a panoramic viewpoint
Cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm

$7,015 pp twin share

13 nights

Enquire

Huka Falls

Lake Te Anau

Lake Te Anau Sunset

Cruise Snapshot

13 Nights

Discover New Zealand's natural wonders on this 14-day guided tour, with highlights like Waitomo Caves and Milford Sound cruises

Guided tour of Waitomo Caves with glowworm cruise
Cruise Milford Sound and spot marine wildlife
Journey on the TranzAlpine train through the Southern Alps

Trip Details

Departs: 8 September 2026
Returns: 3 April 2028
Embarks
Operator: AAT Kings

You could spend eons exploring New Zealand’s North and South Islands. But you can also experience a New Zealand tour in two weeks – if you have the right advice. Follow us for Franz Josef/Waiau tours, a ride on one of the world's top trains, Milford Sound/Piopiotahi cruises in the company of fur seals, glowing Waitomo Caves tours… and some down time amid wineries and city restaurants that take home awards.

$7,015

pp twin share

Enquire

Refundable until 90 days before departure. No pressure.

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When & how much

Departures & Pricing

Departs

8 September 2026

Returns

3 April 2028

Duration

13 nights

From pp twin share

$7,015 pp

08 Sep 2026 - 21 Sep 2026
from $8,045 pp twin share *
22 Sep 2026 - 05 Oct 2026
from $8,206 pp twin share *
06 Oct 2026 - 19 Oct 2026
from $7,401 pp twin share *
27 Oct 2026 - 09 Nov 2026
from $8,447 pp twin share *
10 Nov 2026 - 23 Nov 2026
from $8,447 pp twin share *
01 Dec 2026 - 14 Dec 2026
from $8,206 pp twin share *
08 Dec 2026 - 21 Dec 2026
from $8,045 pp twin share *
15 Dec 2026 - 28 Dec 2026
from $8,045 pp twin share *
22 Dec 2026 - 04 Jan 2027
from $8,045 pp twin share *
05 Jan 2027 - 18 Jan 2027
from $8,290 pp twin share *
12 Jan 2027 - 25 Jan 2027
from $7,627 pp twin share *
19 Jan 2027 - 01 Feb 2027
from $8,290 pp twin share *
26 Jan 2027 - 08 Feb 2027
from $7,627 pp twin share *
02 Feb 2027 - 15 Feb 2027
from $8,290 pp twin share *
09 Feb 2027 - 22 Feb 2027
from $7,627 pp twin share *
16 Feb 2027 - 01 Mar 2027
from $8,290 pp twin share *
23 Feb 2027 - 08 Mar 2027
from $8,456 pp twin share *
02 Mar 2027 - 15 Mar 2027
from $7,627 pp twin share *
09 Mar 2027 - 22 Mar 2027
from $7,627 pp twin share *
16 Mar 2027 - 29 Mar 2027
from $8,290 pp twin share *
23 Mar 2027 - 05 Apr 2027
from $7,627 pp twin share *
20 Apr 2027 - 03 May 2027
from $7,227 pp twin share *
07 Sep 2027 - 20 Sep 2027
from $7,015 pp twin share *
21 Sep 2027 - 04 Oct 2027
from $7,015 pp twin share *
28 Sep 2027 - 11 Oct 2027
from $7,015 pp twin share *
05 Oct 2027 - 18 Oct 2027
from $7,015 pp twin share *
12 Oct 2027 - 25 Oct 2027
from $7,625 pp twin share *
19 Oct 2027 - 01 Nov 2027
from $7,625 pp twin share *
26 Oct 2027 - 08 Nov 2027
from $7,015 pp twin share *
02 Nov 2027 - 15 Nov 2027
from $7,015 pp twin share *

* Prices and category availability are subject to change without notice.

Cabin grades, balcony upgrades and pre-cruise hotel options are quoted on enquiry — call 1300 414 198.

Day by day

Itinerary

1
Welcome to Auckland
Auckland never fails to turn on the charm, as you’ll discover while exploring the city before meeting your fellow adventure-seekers. Peruse waterfront precincts filled with yachts or hit up the CBD to discover local designers. Turns out Kiwi creativity is surging. This evening, your Travel Director will welcome you and will brief you on your tour.
2
Auckland - Rotorua
After a morning of sightseeing, set your GPS for the Waikato River to Waitomo Caves. Here, your cruise route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. 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 Māori traditions with the Te Pō Indigenous Experience at Te Puia. It 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 hāngī-inspired cuisine.
3
Rotorua Free Time
We’re leaving you up to your own devices today. But have plenty of North Island tour travel tips, depending on your mood. How about an optional experience? Want a bit of down time? Bliss 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. The choice is yours.
4
Rotorua - Wellington
A staggering 220,000 litres of water thunder over Huka Falls’ 11-metre high escarpment every second. It creates quite the calamity. From here, the road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, its waters so vivid and blue they resemble an Ice Mint. Traverse the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand’s cool little capital, Wellington, where there are so many restaurants and bars to choose from, you’ll need a guidebook. Wait, you have an in-the-know Travel Director to talk to.
5
Wellington - Picton
Forget everything else you have to do today and focus on one thing: getting a cup of Wellington’s amazing coffee. The city is known for its uber-cool cafes, designed to fuel you through a session at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand (entrance fee applies). Wellington sightseeing done and dusted: onwards to the ferry for a cruise across Cook Strait, from the North Island to the South, through a maze of arms and inlets into the sleepy seaside village of Picton.
6
Picton - Christchurch
There aren’t many beaches more dramatic than the sands of Kaikoura. Bonus points if you spot a sea lion or sperm whale frolicking offshore, Kaikoura is the marine wildlife centre of New Zealand. Talk to your Travel Director for tips on the essential restaurants to dine in tonight – Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one.
7
Christchurch - Omarama
From its devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has become one of the most forward-thinking cities in the world when it comes to design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. This Christchurch tour is as eye-opening as it is educational. From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience hosted by passionate guides, 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.
8
Omarama - Te Anau
Your visit to Clyde will have your camera clicking non-stop. This charming historic town may be small, but it’s full of character, with its town centre designated as a historic precinct, featuring buildings from its gold mining past now transformed into cafes and shops. Next, head to Gore, the Country Music capital of New Zealand, before continuing to Fiordland National Park and stunning Te Anau, nestled on the shores of the South Island’s largest lake. Immerse yourself in the serenity - this is as good as it gets.
9
Milford Sound/Piopiotahi Day Trip
From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Venture out into the pristine fiord on an included sightseeing cruise for awe-inspiring scenery with towering cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Seals, penguins and the New Zealand alpine parrot, the Kea are a common sight.
10
Te Anau - Queenstown
Today on your New Zealand tour, travel the aptly named Devil's Staircase. Winding along the edge of Lake Wakatipu, the Devil’s Staircase from Kingston to Queenstown is a breathtaking stretch of road with a combination of lake and Mountain views. Visit the historic gold rush village of Arrowtown, where you can wander the streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques, then continue to Queenstown for your two-night stay in the adventure capital of New Zealand. Tonight, glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner and farm show.
11
Queenstown Free Time
Take today at your own pace; you won’t be lost for things to do in Queenstown. Here are some Optional Experiences*. Like adventure? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane jet boat ride, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the "Adventure Capital of the World". Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at Kiwi Park.
12
Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau
Journey past shimmering Lake Hawea and through Haast Pass with its powerful waterfalls and dramatic mountain backdrops to the pretty town of Franz Josef/Waiau where time is available to experience an optional experience scenic flight (weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
13
Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch
Swap white at Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere for green at Hokitika: the pounamu (native jade) found here is the stuff jewellery dreams are made of. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll board the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Tonight, enjoy dinner and drinks to toast your holiday.
14
Farewell from Christchurch
Two islands, two weeks. It’s remarkable what you can see when you have the right people guiding you.

What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

Guided Tour of Waitomo Caves including Glowworm Cruise Share the Te Po Indigenous Experience at Te Puia See Huka Falls from a panoramic viewpoint Cruise the Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton Spot marine wildlife from Kaikōura Beach Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd Tekapo Indoor Guided Dark Sky &amp.
Astronomy Experience in Tekapo - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience Explore Milford Sound/Piopiotahi on a Nature Cruise Cruise Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak on TSS Earnslaw Steamship Savour a gourmet BBQ dinner and see a farm show at Walter Peak High Country Farm Visit historic Arrowtown See Franz Josef Glacier from a panoramic viewpoint Journey on the TranzAlpine Train through the Southern Alps.
Day 1 highlights Welcome to Auckland: Auckland never fails to turn on the charm, as you’ll discover while exploring the city before meeting your fellow adventure-seekers. Peruse waterfront precincts filled with yachts or hit up the CBD to discover local designers. Turns out Kiwi creativity is surging. This evening, your Travel Director will welcome you and will brief you on your tour.

Where you’ll stay