Auckland - Day 01

Arrive in Auckland. Auckland is a multicultural urban oasis of food, music, arts and culture. It’s where sparkling waters and lush landscapes meet city sophistication. Upon arrival, collect your rental vehicle and self-drive to your accommodation.  Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbors with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here.

Overnight: Auckland

Rotorua - Day 02

Enjoy breakfast at Hotel. Transfer to Rotorua, today's coach tour takes you through lush farmland, to the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set, one of New Zealand’s ‘must-see’ destinations.  See where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed as your tour guide shares behind-the-scenes tales. You’ll see sights like Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and The Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth.  After exploring Hobbiton, tuck into a delicious lunch at The Green Dragon Inn before continuing on to Rotorua. 

Overnight in Rotorua.

Rotorua - Day 03

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends.  This morning you will be transported to Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland for a two-hour visit. Wai-O-Tapu is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction.  This evening you’ll be transported to Te Puia for an Indigenous Evening Experience including a buffet dinner and cultural performance. The evening culminates with hot chocolate and pudding on the geyser terrace.  

Overnight: Rotorua.

Wellington  - Day 04

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. You’ll be transferred to Hamilton to connect with the Northern Explorer train to Wellington.  Experience the extremes of New Zealand’s scenery, from fertile farmlands to the volcanic peaks and sparkling coast. Journey through Tongariro National Park, with its three spectacular volcanic mountains is a highlight, a place of extremes and surprises, where snow-blanketed fields, ancient lava flows and dense beech forests can be seen side by side.  

Overnight at Wellington.

Wellington  - Day 05

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Set between a sparking harbor and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot.  Great shopping, arts culture, cafes and restaurants are all within minutes of the city’s untouched nature spots.   Make your own way around the city to experience a charming cable car ride to enjoy stunning views of the city and harbor, and visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. 

Overnight at Wellington.

Kaikoura - Day 06

Breakfast at the hotel. New Zealand's North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean fresh air.  Transfer to Wellington Ferry Terminal where your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton.   Here, you’ll be met and transferred to the train station to climb aboard one of the most picturesque journeys on New Zealand railways.  

Meandering along the Pacific Coast the Coastal Pacific Train journeys breathtakingly close to the sea, where the roaring Pacific Ocean meets the rising Kaikoura mountains. Explore the stunning Kaikoura Coastline, famous for its marine life and whale watching. Voyage through vineyards and idyllic countryside. The Coastal Pacific train takes you along rugged coastlines, across remote beaches, between mountains and sea, on a timeless journey of breathtaking beauty. 

Overnight:  Kaikoura

Christchurch - Day 07

Depart early morning Kaikoura Dolphin Watching Encounter. Watching Kaikoura's dusky dolphins has a uniqueness all of its own. The opportunity to join the tour as a watcher provides spectacular viewing of these acrobatic and energized dolphins. Also witnessing the interaction between swimmers and dolphins is a fascinating experience and could quite accurately be described as the most incredible dolphin show you are likely to see. This afternoon you’ll be transferred to Kaikoura Railway Station for the next section of the Coastal Pacific Train Journey into Christchurch. Christchurch is set between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps.  This is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. 

Overnight at Christchurch

Christchurch - Day 08

Enjoy a half day city sightseeing tour around the historical and scenic sights of Christchurch.  View grand architecture, beautiful gardens and stunning scenery on a morning or afternoon tour. Later in the afternoon we proceed to enjoy the historic tram ride & punting on the avon river. 

The Christchurch Tram enables clients to step back in time to a grand era of transport. This is a unique, elegant and environmentally friendly way to see the city. Allow yourself to be taken around the must see' central attractions get on and off as you please at any of the 18 stops including New Regent Street, Riverside Market, Avon River, Canterbury Museum, Botanical Gardens and many more. A full circuit takes 50 minutes and the Trams run approximately every 10 minutes in summer and 20 minutes in winter.

Punting on the Avon offers authentic punt rides along the Avon River and has been one of Christchurch's iconic attractions since 1986. An Edwardian-attired punter will guide you on board a classic punt quietly past trailing willows, woodlands and the leafy banks of the Botanic Gardens; through the re-built city centre of Christchurch on a 30-minute shared ride

Greymouth  - Day 09

Today you will be transported to the Christchurch Railway Station for the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Journey. Crossing from coast to coast in New Zealand's South Island, the TranzAlpine is one of the world's most spectacular train journeys. Cross fertile farmlands and enjoy the majesty of the chiselled alpine landscape as you travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River and through miles of unique native beech forests. Witness epic vistas and the striking beauty of the mighty Southern Alps. On arrival in Greymouth, you will be met and transferred to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes for a short self-guided walk to view the fascinating pancake-shaped rock formations before being delivered to your accommodation. 

Overnight: Greymouth

Franz Josef - Day 10

This morning, you’ll be transferred to Shantytown Heritage Park for a sense of what it was like to live in New Zealand during the gold rush before returning to Greymouth for your transfer to Glacier Country.  The temperate climate at a low altitude makes Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world.  Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia and here, the ice age is still underway. 

Overnight: Franz Josef

Queenstown - Day 11

This morning you will be collected from your accommodation for your transfer through wilderness towns, waterfalls and river scenery on the journey to Queenstown.  Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World. On arrival, explore dramatic landscapes, featuring mountains, lakes & forests on own

Queenstown - Day 12

Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses.  Today's stunning tour takes you past mirror lakes and waterfalls into Milford Sound, carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. On arrival, board your vessel for a cruise of the fiord surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs that plunge into the sea.  Feel the refreshing spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces before returning to shore.  After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your coach return to Queenstown.

Overnight at Queenstown

Queenstown - Day 13

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Today we will enjoy the Jet Boating Experience. It offers 60 minutes of unforgettable thrills, spins and exhilaration across two waterways in one of the world’s most stunning locations. The twin engine Jet boat blasts across crystal clear Lake Wakatipu at speeds of up to 95 kph, surrounded by majestic mountains and mesmerizing scenery. Experience a rip-roaring ride under the Kawarau Dam onto the deep green waters of the Kawarau River, complete with lots of 360degree spins. Later in the afternoon, we will also take the Skyline Gondola up to Bob's Peak where you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and Lake Wakatipu. Once at the top, you can hop on the luge—a fun, gravity-fueled ride down a winding track. With the combo package, you'll typically get three luge rides, allowing you to race down the track at your own pace. There are different tracks to choose from, catering to various skill levels, so it’s great for families and thrill-seekers alike. After your rides, you can enjoy dining options and panoramic views from the top. It’s definitely a must-do when visiting Queenstown

Christchurch - Day 14

Today’s journey departs Queenstown through the stunning Kawarau Gorge and fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell.  The journey follows beautiful Lake Dunstan and meanders through the dramatic Lindis Pass.   Travel the vast plains of the Mackenzie district, alongside magnificent turquoise blue lakes, framed by Aoraki Mt Cook and the spectacular Southern Alps to Mt Cook Village where you have some free time.  Leaving Mt Cook it’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed nearby.  Make a stop close to the popular Church of the Good Shepherd sitting in solitude on the banks of Lake Tekapo before continuing through the amazing countryside to Christchurch.

Overnight at  Christchurch.

Christchurch - Day 15

Today it’s time to say goodbye to Christchurch. We will proceed to Christchurch Airport for flight to Onward Destination.