17 Day New Zealand Wonderland

Welcome to New Zealand. Once you arrive at your Auckland hotel, you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure. You’ll be staying in a central spot, from which you can easily explore Downtown Auckland and the waterfront.

Explore the beautiful Bay of Islands on a catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock – an iconic natural landmark which you can actually sail through. Spend your day weaving between the islands, looking out for marine life and relaxing in secluded bays.  

Meals: Breakfast

Travel back to Auckland and take in the city sights. There are a number of ‘Freedom of Choice’ available here, including the unique All Blacks Experience and a visit to Weta Workshop, where the Academy Award-winning team is best known for their work on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a delicious Pacific-themed dinner with your fellow travellers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Leave Auckland behind and travel south to the Waitomo Caves. These caverns are famous for having thousands of tiny glow worms, which light up the caves like stars in the sky. You can see these magical caves on a guided tour before continuing onto Rotorua – a geothermal city home to natural wonders, sparkling lakes and lush native forests. For dinner, learn more about New Zealand’s heritage as you feast on an authentic Maori Hangi – a traditional dinner cooked in a pit oven.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a free day for you to explore Rotorua. You can take your pick from a range of 'Freedom of Choice' activities here. Perhaps you want to visit the Te Puia geothermal reserve, enjoy a sheep show at the Agrodome, or step into Middle Earth on a tour of the Hobbiton™ Movie Set? The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Your journey south continues along the Thermal Explorer Highway. En route to Wellington, you’ll stop off in Taupo to see New Zealand’s most visited attraction – the spectacular Huka Falls. Witness the power of 220,000 litres of water thundering over this waterfall every second, and then admire scenic Lake Taupo. Later, you’ll journey across the vast plateau of the UNESCO-protected Tongariro National Park, before arriving in New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

In the morning, you’ll head out on a sightseeing tour of Wellington and take in some of the city’s best-loved landmarks, including the waterfront area and Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand's national museum. You can spend the rest of the day as you wish. Why not hunt down some of city’s craft breweries and enjoy a local tipple? Or you could ride the bright red Wellington Cable Car to admire panoramic views of the city.

Meals: Breakfast

It’s time to leave the North Island behind, as you travel on to the South Island. Board the Interislander Ferry and sail across the Cook Strait, before arriving in Picton approximately three-and-a-half hours later. This journey is one of the world’s most beautiful ferry crossings and, as you sail through Queen Charlotte Sound, you’ll soon discover why. You’ll depart Picton and drive through the Marlborough wine region and the scenic town of Kaikoura – famous for its wildlife – before arriving in Christchurch.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, you’ll board the TranzAlpine train for one world’s greatest rail journeys. Admire the views as you pass epic mountain ranges and stunning valleys, before disembarking at Arthur's Pass on the rugged west coast. Then you’ll journey south to one of New Zealand’s cool little towns, Hokitika, where you can see pounamu – jade – being carved into pieces of jewellery. Franz Josef is your final stop, where you'll be able to take in the dramatic surrounds of the imposing glacier. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Marvel at the stunning scenery surrounding Franz Josef and continue down the west coast, before heading over the Haast Pass towards Queenstown. This pretty lakeside town is known as New Zealand’s adventure capital, so you’ll find plenty of thrilling activities to be found here – plus some more relaxing ones. You can enjoy a ‘Freedom of Choice’ dinner. You could sample craft beer at Canyon Food & Brew Co, or ride the gondola to Skyline Restaurant and enjoy dinner with a view. Or perhaps you’d prefer to board a vintage steamboat, TSS Earnslaw, and dine on Lake Wakatipu?

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

How you spend today is up to you. There’s a range of ‘Freedom of Choice’ activities to choose from, including a Safari of the Scenes tour to visit some filming sites from The Lord of the Rings, a rafting adventure in Skippers Canyon, or a cruise along the Dart River.  

Meals: Breakfast

Today you’ll be able to enjoy one of the most scenic drives on your tour, as you head to Milford Sound in the heart of the Fiordland National Park. You'll wind down the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, before going through the Homer Tunnel towards Milford Sound. When you reach Milford Sound, you’ll enjoy a scenic cruise around this pristine fiord, during which you can admire the surrounding waterfalls, mountains and the iconic Mitre Peak. Afterwards, you’ll head to the lakeside town of Te Anau, where a ‘Taste of Fiordland’ dinner awaits.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel through the Southland countryside to the city of Dunedin, known as the “Edinburgh of the South”. In the afternoon, you’ll be able to pick a ‘Freedom of Choice’ activity, such as a beer-tasting at Speight's Brewery, a visit to Olveston Historic Home – which dates back to 1904 – or a trip to New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

You’ll head north this morning and stop off to see the large spherical Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach, before continuing on to the World Heritage-listed Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Be amazed at the sight of New Zealand’s highest mountain and enjoy a range of ‘Freedom of Choice’ activities. You could visit Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or enjoy a spot of star-gazing at the planetarium. In the summer months, you’ll also have the option to get up close to icebergs on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

You’ll leave Mount Cook behind and head to Lake Tekapo – a stunning beauty spot renowned for its milky turquoise waters. You can go for a scenic stroll, admire the incredible views and visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Later, you’ll arrive back in Christchurch for a farewell dinner at your hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

As your New Zealand tour comes to an end, it’s time to say your goodbyes and head to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.

Meals: Breakfast