Enthralling scenery and breathtaking views are found at every
turn in the 'Youngest Country on Earth'. Discover steaming geysers,
mountains, fjords, and forests on this holiday showcasing the
beauty of both New Zealand's North and South Islands.
Highlights
Enjoy immersive tours of the Waitangi Treaty House, Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Queenstown, and the Antarctic Centre
Take scenic rail journeys on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, the Northern Explorer, the Taieri Gorge Railway, and the Coastal Pacific
Experience a traditional Maori evening, including a hangi feast and haka performance
Indulge in local produce with visits to Wellington's chocolate factory and a wine tasting at the Gibbston Valley Winery
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on a vintage steamship before a private BBQ dinner
All rail, coach and ferry travel throughout your tour
Accommodation
3-4* Accommodation
17 Nights' hotel accommodation
Ship
Cruises on Milford Sound and in the Bay of Islands
Excursions & Entertainment
UK Tour Manager from start to finish
Food & Drinks
17 breakfasts
1 lunch
4 dinners
Flights and airport transfers
Flights from London Heathrow to Auckland and Christchurch to London Heathrow, via Singapore
What’s not included
Cancellation & Travel Insurance is not included in the price of the tour but can be arranged
Itinerary
Days 1-3 - London to Auckland
Departing from London Heathrow, we fly via Singapore to
Auckland, arriving mid-morning on Day 3. The rest
of your day is at leisure.
Days 4-5 - Waitangi Treaty House and the Bay of Islands
Today we travel northwards through scenic farmland to Paihia for
2 nights, stopping en route at the Kawiti Glow Worm Caves; a series
of underground caverns illuminated by these otherworldly creatures.
We continue to the Waitangi Treaty House for a tour, where in 1840
the Maori and the British came to an historic agreement which
effectively marked the birth of New Zealand as we know it. On
Day 5, we enjoy a cruise around the Bay of Islands
to rugged Cape Brett, sailing by the Cape Brett Lighthouse,
Motukokako Island, and the famous Hole in the Rock. We drop anchor
on Russell Island, known ominously in the 1800s as the 'Hell Hole
of the Pacific' when it was a bustling base for whalers and seamen.
Here we have free time before making the return journey by local
ferry.
Days 6-8 - Auckland and Rotorua
This morning we drive back to Auckland, the country's largest
city which dates back to around 1350 when it was inhabited by the
Maori people. We head out on a sightseeing tour, taking in the
views from Bastion Point, before stopping off at Parnell Village,
the vibrant Viaduct Harbour area, and the Auckland War Memorial
Museum. We take a ride on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway on
Day 7.
Originally opened in 1922, today the line transports us through
the Bombay Hills and the Waikato Valley to Rotorua, the spiritual
home of the Maoris and our base for the next 2 nights. We visit the
internationally recognised and award-winning Hamilton Gardens in
the afternoon, a peaceful oasis on the banks of the Waikato River.
Day 8 begins with a guided tour that includes the
incredible redwood forest, Lake Tarawera, the Whakarewarewa Thermal
Valley, and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. After
some time to relax at our hotel, we head out on an evening
excursion to the Tamaki Maori Village where we are welcomed in true
Maori style, enjoying the chance to see, and even participate in, a
real-life haka performance.
Days 9-10 - The Northern Explorer and Wellington
Transferring to Hamilton across the Mamaku Mountain Ranges, we
board the Northern Explorer for a rail journey through King
Country. We view spectacular scenery from the panoramic windows,
including the peaks of Tongariro National Park, the famous Raurimu
Spiral, and the Kapiti Coast. On Day 10 we tour
Wellington, which includes visits to the city's chocolate factory
for a tasting, as well as the Wellington Botanical Gardens. After
time at leisure, use your included cable car ticket to make the
return journey back to our hotel.
Days 11-12 - Christchurch, Blenheim and Marlborough wines
Today we take the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait, a
stretch of ocean that serves as a passageway between New Zealand's
North and South Islands. We arrive in Picton where we have a little
free time to explore and grab lunch in one of the many waterfront
cafés. We continue to Blenheim, where we spend the night. Blenheim
is nestled in the verdant Marlborough wine-growing region, and is
known as one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. We're introduced
to the region's most famous export this afternoon as we visit one
of the excellent local wine estates for a wine tasting and a
tour.
Enjoy a free morning in pretty Blenheim on Day
12 before we join the Coastal Pacific Train for a journey
to Christchurch. Our rail journey affords us incredible views of
the Marlborough region and the farmlands of the North Canterbury
Plains, as we travel along a stretch of track where the ocean
stretches out on one side and mountains rise towards the sky on the
other. We arrive in Christchurch, where we spend the night.
Christchurch is known as the newest city in the world, and there's
a distinctly English atmosphere here.
Days 13-14 - Twizel and Te Anau
Leaving Christchurch, we continue by coach for a beautifully
scenic journey to Twizle, seeing many of the highlights of the
area. We journey through Fairlie, an attractive rural town, before
crossing the mountainous Burkes Pass. We arrive in the lakeside
town of Tekapo, where we pause to visit the quaint Church of the
Good Shepherd, a pretty church set against a striking mountain
backdrop on the shores of the lake. We also see Lake Pukaki, an
endlessly beautiful alpine lake with striking, icy blue waters.
We arrive in Mount Cook National Park, a land of ice and rock
that's home to immense glaciers and soaring mountains, including
the highest alpine peak in Australasia. We spend tonight here in
Twizel, a charming town nestled among the stunning
surroundings.
We leave Twizel and travel to Te Anau on Day
14. Known as the gateway to New Zealand's Fiordland, Te
Anau is a gorgeous destination, home to a host of splendid natural
wonders.
Days 15-17 - Milford Sound and Queenstown
Our full-day excursion today starts with a drive through
Fiordland National Park, where we make a scenic stop at the Mirror
Lakes, traversing the Hollyford Valley, crossing the Homer Tunnel,
before descending via the Cleddau Valley to Milford Sound. From
here, we enjoy a peaceful cruise ahead of our journey by road to
Queenstown, a popular destination dominated by magnificent
scenery.
On Day 16, after a free morning, we embark on a
sightseeing tour of the area, which includes historic Arrowtown,
the site of a major gold rush in the 1860s and a 'Lord of the
Rings' filming location, and the Gibbston Valley Winery. After a
look around the cellars and a wine tasting, we cruise nearby Lake
Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamship, TSS Earnshaw. We moor up at
the Colonel's Homestead for a BBQ dinner and sheep shearing
demonstration, ahead of our night-time return sailing. Day
17 is at leisure in Queenstown.
Days 18-19 - The Franz Josef Glacier and the Coastal Pacific
We travel by coach to the Franz Josef Glacier, making a number
of scenic stops along the way. An overnight stay and dinner at the
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, allows us to view the glacier up
close or take a helicopter flight to the snowfield (payable
locally). On Day 19, we visit Hokitika, the centre
for New Zealand jade, before boarding the TranzAlpine for our
scenic rail journey back to Christchurch. The route takes us
through New Zealand's Southern Alps and across the Canterbury
Plains.
Days 20-21 - The Antarctic Centre and London
On our final day in New Zealand, we visit the International
Antarctic Centre for a snow and ice experience, learning how
explorers have survived in such harsh environs over the centuries.
We also get to meet some indigenous, and adorable, blue penguins,
as well as seeing for ourselves the vital role husky dogs have
played in scientific research here. Later, we transfer to the
airport for our flight to London Heathrow, via Singapore, where we
touch down on Day 21.
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature
the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown
above.
Departure times
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be
found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices
& Availability' button. We write to all booked customers
approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise
the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
Mobility information
Please note: This may be suitable for reduced mobility passengers, please call for further information.