New Zealand: Land of the Long White Cloud

Welcome to New Zealand! You’ll arrive in Auckland and transfer to the four-star Grand Millennium for one night with breakfast, well-located for all the city’s attractions. 

The rest of your day is at your leisure. 

Departing Auckland we’ll head north over the Auckland Harbour Bridge along the Hibiscus Coast to view giant Kauri trees at the Parry Kauri Park. 

Continuing our journey over the gentle green landscape of North Island we’ll reach Paihia in the beautiful Bay of Islands in the afternoon. Here you’ll take a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty House, where in 1840, Maori chiefs and the original European settlers signed the Treaty of Waitangi, the basis of the future governance of New Zealand. 

Our hotel for the next two nights is the four-star Scenic Hotel, with breakfast. 

This morning we’ll see the Bay of Islands in the best way possible via a boat cruise meandering around the idyllic beaches that make this area so popular. If you’re lucky, there’s a chance you may see wild dolphins which are common in the Bay of Islands. 

We’ll continue on to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, through which the boat will sail slowly, conditions permitting, before we’ll disembark at the historic small town of Russell. The first European settlement in New Zealand and just a 10-minute ferry trip from Paihia (ticket included), Russell is an ideal place for a spot of lunch or a relaxing walk along the waterfront. 

The rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to enjoy many of the activities the Bay of Islands has to offer. 

This morning we leave the Bay of Islands, travelling south on the Twin Coast Discovery Highway through Whangarei and across Harbour Bridge arriving in Auckland for a sightseeing tour of the ‘City of Sails’. See this panoramic city and harbour views from Bastion Point, the trendy Parnell Village, the bays of the waterfront drive and the vibrant Viaduct Harbour area. 

We’ll also visit the Auckland Museum which gives an introduction to the legacy and cultures of the peoples of the Pacific including the monumental carvings, buildings, canoes and taonga (treasures) of the Maori, as well as the diversity of cultures which now combine to form the rich tapestry of race, nationality and creed which is modern New Zealand. 

Leaving Auckland, we'll head south through some of New Zealand’s lush farmlands within the Waikato Valley and journey along the east bank of the country’s largest river – the Waikato – arriving in the rural area of Waitomo. Here, we’ll go underground to explore the famous Waitomo Caves – an ancient labyrinth of caves and grottos famous for their fascinating limestone stalagmites and stalactites formed over thousands of years. You can also enjoy a silent boat ride within the underground waters to the starry wonderland of the magnificent glowworm grotto.  

Back up above ground, the journey will continue across the bush-clad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua.   

Rotorua has the most energetic thermal activity in the country with mud pools, geysers, hot springs and terrace formations created by the hot, mineral-rich waters. Rotorua is also renowned for its Maori cultural activities.  

We’ll visit Te Puia – where our local Maori guide will explain traditional Maori arts and crafts - and we’ll view the famous Pohutu Geyser in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley.  

This evening, you’ll enjoy a visit to a recreation of a typical Maori forest community village, where we’ll be treated to an evening of ceremonial rituals, storytelling, and intriguing insights into Maori life. It ends with a powerful cultural performance in a fully wooden carved Te Aronui-a-Rua meeting house before a traditional Hangi buffet dinner (Maori feast) cooked the traditional Maori way in an earth oven. 

Set in the heart of the Mighty Waikato region, we'll journey through the picturesque Kaimai Ranges with spectacular views on our way to Middle Earth - or as close as we can get - to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set for a guided tour.  

Plucked from the pages of JRR Tolkein’s famous novels - The Hobbit and the Lord of The Rings trilogy - and transformed for the big screen by Peter Jackson, we'll follow our guide around the ten-acre site as they recite fascinating details of how the Shire was created. We’ll see structures made for both the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films including the Old Mill, the Green Dragon Inn and, of course, we won’t leave without seeing the hobbit holes.   

After exploring, we’ll enjoy a complimentary drink in the Green Dragon Inn and return to the Shires Rest before departing to Rotorua for an afternoon at leisure. You can choose not to visit Hobbiton today and spend a full day exploring Rotorua and taking advantage of the hotel facilities, including a spa. 

Departing Rotorua we’ll travel to the charming lakeside town of Taupo, stopping en-route at Huka Falls to marvel as the mighty Waikato River thunders through its narrow canyon. 

Then it’s on to Napier, known as the Art Deco capital of the world. After an earthquake in 1931, the centre of the town was rebuilt in the Art Deco style which was in fashion at the time. On arrival we’ll meet our local guide and take a fascinating walking tour of these beautiful Art Deco buildings.

Our hotel is the excellent four-star superior Scenic Hotel Te Pania, with breakfast, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. 

You’ll continue south to Wellington where we’ll enjoy a night in New Zealand’s capital city, staying at the four-star James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor, with breakfast. You’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington with free time to explore the vibrant waterfront and beautiful gardens. 

We’ll also visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s outstanding National Museum (self-guided), to learn about the shaping of its land, the spirit of its diverse peoples, its unique wildlife, landscapes and its popular culture. 

Today we’ll cruise to South Island, across the Cook Strait by Interislander ferry, through the Marlborough Sounds, including the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound and into Picton. 

We’ll continue to Blenheim and the famous wine-producing region of Marlborough where we’ll stop for some wine tasting. 

Our final destination today is Nelson, New Zealand’s sunshine town, known for its many art and craft galleries, and relaxed atmosphere. 

Our hotel for the next two nights is the excellent four-star Trailways or Rutherford Hotel Nelson, with breakfast. 

This morning we’ll join a catamaran cruise along the stunning shoreline of Abel Tasman National Park. 

En route you’ll learn about the history of the park and view the famous Split Apple Rock, a fur seal colony and the park’s golden beaches and clear waters. For the more adventurous, there is the option of landing ashore at Anchorage and take the Pit Head Loop walk (approx 2hrs), where the boat will pick you up at Anchorage on its return down the coast. 

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure in Nelson. 

A packed lunch is included today.

Travelling south through the Maruia Forest and over the Lewis Pass we’ll arrive at the alpine village of Hanmer Springs for a lunch stop (not included) before joining the upper reaches of the Canterbury Plains to the ‘garden city’ of Christchurch. 

Since the earthquake of 2011, the city’s rebuilding programme is in full swing and there will be an opportunity to visit to the Re-Start Mall, the controversial ‘Cardboard Cathedral’ and the Botanic Gardens. 

Our hotel is the four-star Distinction Christchurch Hotel, with breakfast. 

Today we’ll traverse the Southern Alps aboard the world-famous TranzAlpine train to Arthur's Pass. From your modern panoramic carriage, you’ll see the farmland of the Canterbury Plains give way to the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, crossing bridges and viaducts en route. 

At Arthur's Pass, we’ll be met by our coach for the journey to the West Coast, stopping in Hokitika to visit a Greenstone workshop where the local jade-like stone, highly prized by pre-European Maori, is crafted into exquisite jewellery. 

We’ll continue south through forests and farmland, with views of the Alps to the east and the Tasman Sea to the west, to the village of Franz Josef. 

This afternoon prepare yourself for what will be one of your trip’s highlights!

On arrival you will experience this magnificent glacial alpine environment with a 20-minute scenic helicopter flight. View the incredible phenomenon of the glacier as it winds slowly down the ice-carved valleys from its origin in the mountains high above you. This exhilarating experience finishes with an alpine landing (subject to poor weather conditions. Alternative flights are in Queenstown or Mount Cook). Our hotel tonight is the four-star Scenic, with breakfast. 

Continuing south, we’ll travel past deserted beaches, through vibrant rainforests and settlements. 

This wilderness forms part of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, so designated because South Westland and Fiordland have some of the most dramatic forest, mountain scenery and natural resources in the world. 

We’ll travel over the scenic Haast Pass to the popular Lake Wanaka, and then on to the beautiful year-round resort of Queenstown where our hotel for the next two nights is the four-star Copthorne Lakefront Resort, with breakfast. 

Spend the rest of the day at leisure in the city - the centre of bustling Queenstown is just a short walk away.

Nestled below the rugged Remarkable Mountains, Queenstown enjoys an exceptionally scenic setting and is known as the ‘adventure capital of the world. 

Today is at leisure to enjoy all that this resort town has to offer. 

Experience the thrill of a jet-boat ride along the Shotover River, a 4x4 drive exploring more film locations, scenic helicopter trips, flights, guided walks, a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the 100-yearold vintage steamboat TSS Earnslaw, or ride the Skyline Gondola high above Queenstown for superb views of the area.

Leaving Queenstown we’ll skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and travel via Te Anau through the Homer Tunnel into the spectacular Cleddau valley and famous Milford Sound, arguably the most spectacular fjord in the country within the Fiordland National Park part of the UNESCO South West New Zealand World Heritage Area. 

A boat trip on the deep fjord Thermal pool in Waiotapu, Rotorua waters between sheer granite cliffs rising thousands of feet, affords wonderful views of mile-high Mitre Peak and the 500-foot Stirling Falls. 

There is a good chance of seeing dolphins, fur seals or penguins during our trip before we’ll return to the charming small lakeside resort of Te Anau. A packed lunch is included today. 

Our hotel in Te Anau is the four-star Distinction Luxmore, with breakfast. 

Late in the afternoon there will be time for an optional visit to the nearby Glow worm caves, unique to New Zealand. 

Today we’ll travel back north and visit Arrowtown, a township with a colourful history - in its heyday this was a rough and ready frontier gold-mining boomtown. Nowadays, its popular main street is lined with some excellent art galleries, cafés and boutiques. 

We’ll continue through the rugged Kawarau Gorge, pass pretty Lake Dunstan, cross the distinctive Central Otago countryside (where many scenes from the Lord of the Rings were filmed) and over the dramatic Lindis Pass to the vast Mackenzie Basin.

Your overnight accommodation is the three-star Heritage Gateway Hotel, with breakfast, in the small rural community of Ōmarama.

A day with some more spectacular sights. 

We’ll head north alongside the azure glacier-fed Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook, at 12,316ft New Zealand’s highest mountain and surrounded by jagged snow-covered peaks. 

We’ll continue towards the magnificent blue waters of Lake Tekapo and visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, before crossing Burkes Pass and the Canterbury Plains back into Christchurch, and the Distinction Christchurch Hotel for our last night in the country.