Best of New Zealand

On arrival in Auckland, ‘The City of Sails’, seat in coach passengers will be met by our local representative and privately transferred to your hotel.

Journey through the rolling green hills of Waitomo and enjoy a tour through an underground wonderland of caves decorated with galaxies of glowworms. Continue to Matamata for a charming tour of unique, character Hobbit homes, gardens and the watering hole just as you see in the movies. Finishing off a visually fulfilling day, continue on to Rotorua, a bubbling and steaming destination like nowhere else.

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.  Late afternoon you'll visit one of the local geothermal attractions for a guided tour through the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Kiwi Conservation Centre and the geothermal valley.  Then enjoy a Hangi Dinner overlooking the valley and geyser, followed by a 40 minute cultural performance. The evening culminates with hot chocolate and pudding on the geyser terrace.

There’s a bit of everything on today’s drive past Great Lake Taupo to Napier. Your scenic journey includes volcanic geography, fresh forest plantations, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas.  

Today's travel south may be via the spectacular Manawatu Gorge or through the beautiful Tuki Tuki Valley and Wairarapa Wine region to reach Wellington.  Set between a sparking harbour 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.  We recommend adding a guided tour a Te Papa for a greater insight into New Zealand’s rich history and culture.

New Zealand's North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean fresh air.  Departing Wellington, 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. With its rugged mountain ranges and fertile pains, Marlborough has a lot to offer with its water, wilderness and wine.  A short drive takes you to the compact town centre of Blenheim.

The Pacific Coast Road to Christchurch presents one of New Zealand's most dramatic drives with breath-taking mountains on one side and wild pounding ocean on the other.  The seaside settlement of Kaikoura is set midway and overlooked by majestic mountains.  The unique marine geography at this location provides the perfect environment for Sperm Whales and other marine life.  On to Christchurch, a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. 

Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast.  New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.  Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys. ver. 

Depart across the Canterbury Plains, a fertile patchwork made with every shade of green, through the spectacular scenery of Arthurs Pass National Park and on to the West Coast.  New Zealand’s rugged West Coast is a wild and untamed place known for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures.  Here, mighty rivers of solid white ice, relics of the world’s last ice-age, tumble down the rocky valleys. ver. 

Travel through wilderness towns, waterfalls and river scenery on today’s scenic journey to Queenstown.  We recommend stopping for a break, and to stretch the legs, at Makarora’s Blue Pools.  After settling in at your Queenstown accommodation, make your way to the Skyline Base for a Gondola Ride to the top of Bob’s Peak and enjoy some spectacular panoramic views high above Queenstown. You might also like to add some Luge rides to your bucket list for some extra fun.

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.

Today’s journey takes you to a scenic wonderland with golden tussocks, snow-capped mountains and turquoise lakes.  Hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki to a rugged land of ice and rock, home to Aoraki Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain.

Today you’ll enjoy admission to the Darky Sky Project for a greater understanding of the night sky.  Be sure to stop for a while at Lake Tekapo where the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ takes pride of place against the backdrop of a vivid blue glacier-fed lake.  Then continue north east where braided rivers and familiar plains will signal your arrival back into Christchurch. Make a visit to the International Antarctic Centre, Christchurch either today or tomorrow for an icy insight into this astounding continent.

After breakfast, rest of the day at leisure till your transfer to Airport for your flight back.