Great New Zealand Discovery

Our first stop on our New Zealand itinerary is Christchurch. The capital of the South Island is known as the most ‘English’ of New Zealand’s cities. On arrival, you’ll have the remainder of the day free to explore or relax here.

New Zealand has a distinctive European feel wherever you go and while Christchurch’s architecture is reminiscent of England, Akaroa is undeniably French. In fact, the town strives to recreate the feel of a provincial French village - and it’s utterly charming. We head to the Banks Peninsula and, on arrival in Akaroa, take a two-hour cruise of the harbour and learn how the entire Banks Peninsula was created from a huge volcano. Be sure to keep an eye out for adorable fur seals, dolphins and penguins. After, you’re free to explore this French settlement.

Excursions & visits:

Visit Akaroa with harbour cruise (all day)

We travel south to Dunedin. With a strong Scottish heritage, Dunedin is home to New Zealand’s only kilt shop and produces the country’s whisky. We stay here for two nights.

Our excursion today takes us to the Otago Peninsula, home to many species of magnificent marine life including blue penguins, the rare New Zealand sea lion and endangered yellow-eyed penguin. Wander the walkways to get a closer glimpse of the wildlife and admire the views over the sheer cliff edge. Our visit includes the Royal Albatross Centre.

Excursions & visits:

Visit Otago Peninsula (morning)

When you first began dreaming of your New Zealand adventure, it might have been the epic landscapes of the Fiordland National Park that flashed into your mind’s eye. Some of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes can be found here; giant granite peaks, steely blue waters, frolicking penguins and dolphins. Brace yourself for a journey of a lifetime, deep into the Fiordland. We’ll board Fiordland Navigator on Doubtful Sound or Milford Mariner on Milford Sound. The rest of the afternoon is spent gliding through the glorious, unspoilt landscapes. This evening our vessel will anchor in a quiet part of the sound where we’ll spend a truly enchanting night in the wilderness.

Excursions & visits:

Fiordland cruise, Fiordland National Park (afternoon/overnight)

We return to our coach for the journey to Queenstown and our hotel.

These two days are free for you to explore the alpine resort of Queenstown and the sublime wilderness that surrounds it. This cosmopolitan city boasts a great art scene, excellent vineyards and five international-standard golf courses. Keen walkers may like to look into hiking from the city to Queenstown Hill or through the pine forests of Ben Lomond Reserve to Bob’s Peak (with a gondola option available) to enjoy stunning views over the city and Lake Wakatipu.

Departing Queenstown today, we embark on a 4WD off-road safari to explore some of New Zealand’s hidden wonders. Take in stunning mountain and canyon vistas, some of which were used in the Lord of the Rings films, and long abandoned heritage sites. We return to our coach for the journey to the scenic town of Wanaka.

Excursions & visits:

4WD safari through Skippers Canyon (morning)

Enjoy some time this morning to really take in your spectacular surroundings. Late morning we head out to Haast Bridge to join an exhilarating 30km river safari along the crystal clear, glacial Haast River to Billy Falls, tumbling down the untamed landscape of Mount Aspiring National Park. Our journey continues by coach to Franz Josef.

Excursions & visits:

Haast River safari (afternoon)

This morning we travel to Greymouth, where we board a train for the famously scenic TranzAlpine journey. Ascending through thick beech forest, we traverse the mammoth Southern Alps and beautiful Arthur’s Pass National Park to Springfield. On arrival, we board a coach for Kaikoura.

Excursions & visits:

TranzAlpine train journey (all day)

We have a morning whale-watching cruise (weather dependent). The waters off this stunning coast are full of nutrients that attract marine wildlife including the giant sperm whale. The afternoon is free to spend in this quaint coastal town known for its abundant wildlife. Maybe take a leisurely walk along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway with lovely sea views and the chance to see a colony of New Zealand fur seals.

Excursions & visits:

Whale watching cruise (morning)

We’ll continue to Picton and board an Interislander ferry across the Cook Strait, named after Captain Cook who was the first European to sail the route in 1770. We’re heading for the North Island and the city of Wellington, perched prettily on a craggy harbour. It’s compact with a big-city buzz and we’ll whizz round on an orientation tour.

Excursions & visits:

Short orientation tour of Wellington (afternoon)

Enjoy a free day in Wellington where you can relax on the inner-city beach, visit art galleries, or enter Weta Cave to get a look behind the scenes of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. You could visit Te Papa Tongarewa Museum - New Zealand’s national museum, which tells the country’s fascinating history, cultural and natural heritage. The city is also an ideal base for outdoor adventure, with beautiful walks available.

We leave Wellington and travel north to Hawkes Bay, pausing at the highly acclaimed Church Road winery for a tour and tasting - one of New Zealand’s oldest wineries, the first vines were planted here in 1897. We continue to the town of Napier, famed for its beautifully preserved art deco buildings, constructed after a devastating earthquake in 1931. We take a short walking tour of the town before continuing to our hotel for the night.

Excursions & visits:

Visit to Church Road winery (afternoon)
Walking tour of Napier (afternoon)

We make our way to Lake Taupo, formed in a huge volcanic caldera and one of the largest lakes in the world. We’ll stop en route to witness the crashing, crystal blue waters of Huka Falls as they flow from the lake. We’ll stay overnight in the town of Taupo, situated on the north-eastern shore.

Excursions & visits:

Visit to Huka Falls (afternoon)

Today we make our way to Rotorua. Later on today, we’ll get an unforgettable insight into Maori culture at Te Puia Maori Village. Learn ancient Maori customs and protocols as you enter the village, deep in a natural forest, and find out about the distinctive facial tattooing, weaving and carving techniques through demonstrations. You may also have opportunities to participate in warrior training and perform the haka, all before a delicious hangi feast.

Excursions & visits:

Te Puia Maori Village cultural experience (evening)

Today is free for you to explore Rotorua, a town where volcanic activity manifests in many forms. Visit the geothermal area to see the bubbling mud pools and sulphur vents, or just relax in the Polynesian Pools, Rotorua’s hot springs located by Lake Rotorua.

This morning we make a stop at Te Puia and the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, located within Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. Here you can visit a kiwi enclosure, the world-famous Pohutu Geyser, and more than 500 natural geothermal wonders. The Maori people who live here work hard to keep their ancient skills and heritage alive. We then continue along the coastal highway to the Coromandel Peninsula.

Excursions & visits:

Visits to Te Puia and the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute (morning)

A discovery of the stunning Coromandel Peninsula is this morning’s excursion, including Hot Water Beach, before our exploration takes to the water, as we join a ferry from Cooks Beach to Whitianga. There will be free time to explore before we continue to the ruggedly beautiful city of Auckland.

Excursions & visits:

Visit Coromandel Peninsula (morning)

We discover Auckland, known as ‘The City of Sails’ on a morning sightseeing tour. With water lapping its shores from two harbours, it’s hard to imagine a more attractive city setting. This modern city is easy to navigate, so you can enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore under your own steam. Perhaps visit Parnell Village, home to boutiques and Victorian-styled shops. Or choose to ascend Auckland’s Sky Tower, for incredible views over the city, volcanic cones and farmland beyond.

Excursions & visits:

City tour of Auckland (morning)

We say our goodbyes to Auckland today and head north to the Bay of Islands. New Zealand’s subtropical region is also home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where in 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand's founding document) was signed.

After a leisurely morning, we cruise to the Cape Brett Peninsula to visit the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island. According to Maori legend, local warriors used to paddle through the Hole in the Rock in their canoes before departing for battle and drops of water from the cave roof above were a good omen. If conditions allow, we’ll sail through ourselves. Whales and bottlenose dolphins can be spotted in this area, so keep your camera ready.

Excursions & visits:

Hole in the Rock cruise (afternoon)

We travel south along the Hibiscus Coast to Auckland Airport for your return flight to the UK.

Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.