A Grand Tour of New Zealand
28 Days North & South Islands from £5,149 per person
Auckland > Bay of Islands > Hamilton > Rotorua > Napier/Tongariro > Wellington > Nelson /Abel Tasman National Park > Kaikoura > Christchurch > Hokitika > Fox Glacier > Wanaka > Te Anau > Milford Sound > Queenstown > Mount Cook > Christchurch
Very much the Grand Tour encompassing the sub-tropical Bay of Islands, Rotorua, the wine region of Hawkes Bay and the highlights of the South.
Day 1 Haere Mai – Welcome!
We meet you on landing at Auckland and take you straight to your hotel. Depending on your journey, relax or start exploring!
Day 2 Auckland
Many city sights are within a stroll of your hotel. Alternatively, take a ferry to Rangitoto Island for a walk and views across the Hauraki Gulf.
Day 3 Auckland to Bay of Islands
Collect your rental car and drive over the Harbour Bridge on your journey to the seaside town of Paihia.
Day 4 Bay of Islands
Enjoy a cruise to the ‘hole in the rock’ or take a ferry across to historic Russell.
Alternatively explore Northland on two wheels and hire a bike and ride some the Twin Coast Cycle Trail.
Day 5 Bay of Islands
Explore the Waitangi Treaty Grounds where in 1840, an agreement was signed between Maori warriors and British settlers, forming the nation of New Zealand.
Day 6 Bay of Islands to Hamilton
Depart Paihia and travel south through rural townships of Warkworth and Wellsford then pass the delightful beaches of the Hibiscus Coast ,by-pass Auckland, and follow along the east bank of the Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest river to Hamilton, home of the enchanting Hamilton Gardens.
Day 7 Hamilton to Rotorua
Continue south, travel across the farmland of the Waikato to arrive at your accommodation in Rotorua.
En Route for Lord of the Rings fans, there is the option to visit Hobbiton (This must be pre-booked)
Day 8 Rotorua
Te Puia offers geothermal features and Maori culture within its reserve. Weaving and carving are demonstrated at the National Arts and Crafts Institute. We can recommend a Maori evening experience combining a traditional welcome, songs and feast (a hangi).
Day 9 Rotorua to Napier or Tongariro National Park
On the road south, make time to see the Lady Knox Geyser at Wai O Tapu Geothermal Park. Stop in Taupo for lunch before entering Tongariro National Park, a starkly beautiful volcanic landscape.
Alternatively head east to Napier. Discover how this seaside resort was reinvented as an Art Deco icon on a guided walking tour.
Day 10 Napier or Tongariro National Park
Napier: Join a wine tasting afternoon in the sun driving through stunning scenery. Meet like-minded people on this small group tour and share an appreciation of this regions fantastic wine. Or head out to see the gannet colony at Cape Kidknappers with a ride on a tractor across the sands.
Tongariro: Often described as the finest one day walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing is a full day traverse of the ‘saddle’ between Mts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. Shorter walks are also possible. A round of golf on an all-weather course, or a soak in a natural hot pool are other options.
Day 11 Hawke’s Bay or Tongariro to Wellington
Travel to Wellington, NZ’s capital. Eclectic cafes, street art, film sets or historic sights: there is something for everyone.
Day 12 Wellington to Picton to Nelson
Drive to the Interislander Ferry for the cruise across the Cook Strait and through the scenic Queen Charlotte Sound to the South Island.
Arrive into Picton and drive across the top of the South Island to Nelson, your base for the next two nights.
Day 13 Abel Tasman National Park
The best way to appreciate the amazing beaches is by boat, so after a coach transfer, hop on a small cruiser for the day. Land on an idyllic beach and walk a section of the famous Abel Tasman Coastal Track, then re-join the boat at Torrent Bay. Return to Nelson.
Day 14 Nelson to Blenheim to Kaikoura
Depart Nelson and drive through farmlands, pine plantations then the Rai Valley to the vineyards surrounding Blenheim in the Marlborough Wine Country. From here travel south down the eastern coastline along the thin ledge of land pinned between the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged ranges to Kaikoura, where the mountains meet the sea.
Day 15 Kaikoura to Christchurch
This morning there is the option to enjoy a Whale Watch experience by modern purpose-built catamaran for an exciting close-up encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment.
The road south follows the wild coastline affording constantly changing seascapes and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean before turning inland and climbing the Hundalee Ranges. Then descend into the rolling farmland of North Canterbury passing through small country towns before entering the city of Christchurch.
Day 16 Kaikoura to Christchurch
Day at leisure to enjoy the ‘Garden City’, which has also been described as “the most English city outside England”. Take a punt on the River Avon, stroll through the Botanic Gardens, and ride the city’s historic tram.
You may also wish to observe the re-building of the Cathedral, browse the shops and stalls of the Arts Centre or visit the Canterbury Museum and the Art Gallery.
Day 17 Christchurch to Hokitika
Enjoy one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world: the Tranz Alpine over the Southern Alps winds up and over Arthur’s Pass then down to the west coast. Detraining at Greymouth, collect another vehicle to continue to the gold rush town of Hokitika.
Day 18 Hokitika to Fox Glacier
There are few places where it is easy to view a ‘river of ice’ and here are two! There are various ways to get close to the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers on foot and by air for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Day 19 Fox Glacier to Wanaka
Today take the Haast Pass through Mt Aspiring National Park to charming Wanaka. Stretch your legs on a lakeside walk or visit a craft gallery before dinner in one of the resort’s highly-rated restaurants.
Day 20 Wanaka
Play time! Wanaka offers a host of outdoor adventures from exhilarating waterfall climbs to jet-boat river rides.
Day 21 Wanaka
Enjoy many leisurely walks or spend an afternoon with eco-expert Chris Riley discovering native flora and flora on the lake.
Visit the eccentric Puzzling World and challenge yourself to find your way out of the great maze.
Day 22 Wanaka to Te Anau
Travel south, around Lake Wakatipu across Southland to Te Anau. Enjoy a walk beside the lake or a boat trip to visit the glow worm caves.
Day 23 Milford Sound Day Excursion
A scenic journey by coach deep into Fiordland National Park before arriving at Milford Sound to board a small cruiser to view the natural wonders, up to Mitre Peak and the entrance to the Tasman Sea. Almost 250 years ago, Captain Cook sailed past the narrow mouth without discovering this amazing place.
Day 24 Te Anau to Queenstown
Surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and unique energy of the Queenstown region create the perfect backdrop for a holiday full of adventure, exploration or relaxation.
Day 25 Queenstown
As well as white-knuckle thrills, Queenstown offers gentle cycling, wine-tasting, a gondola ride and good shopping. A cruise on TSS Earnslaw up to Walter Peak sheep station for dinner is a favourite early evening option.
Day 26 Queenstown to Mount Cook
Drive alongside the shores of Lake Pukaki into the Mount Cook National Park for magnificent views and walks in the Hooker Valley.
Day 27 Mount Cook to Christchurch
After enjoying the view from the Church of the Good Shepherd, step aside to see the statue which celebrates the working sheepdogs of the Mackenzie area, then cross the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Day 28 Christchurch
Time for some final sightseeing or shopping.
Return your rental vehicle to Christchurch International airport to board your homebound flight.
Your New Zealand Holiday
From £5,149 per person*
Please note Payment is by Bank Transfer Only.
*See Inclusions
Flights
Airline prices are usually released 13 months after the date you intend to return to your home base.
(This means if you intend to complete your trip by 25th February, your flights will be available from the 25th March the previous year).
Prices are flexible and based on market demand; they change every day.
A general rule of thumb would be to budget approximately £2,000 plus per person in Economy; £4,000 plus in Premium Economy and £8,000 plus in Business.
These are only guidelines for prices with the major airlines; of course, offers and deals are always coming online.
Stopovers
Unless you are travelling Business Class and find it easy to sleep on a plane, we would suggest a stopover in one of the main gateways; our favourite at present, being Singapore.
It is a long way to travel (23/24 hours) and it makes sense to have a break en route to refresh before the next journey.
A guide price at a well-located hotel for two persons sharing a room with breakfast would be £250 per night for the room
What’s included?
- Meet & greet at Auckland airport
- Private transfer to your Auckland hotel
- 27 nights’ accommodation in quality hotels, B&B’s and apartments
- Breakfast each day
- Intermediate car hire with unlimited kilometres & daily insurance
- Traditional Maori Hangi
- Interislander ferry travel
- TranzAlpine rail tickets
- Milford Nature Cruise
- Coach & boat trip Nelson/Abel Tasman National Park
Optional Experiences
These are activities that need to be pre-booked to ensure availability
- Hobbiton
- Small Group wine tasting tour in Napier or Blenheim
- Whale watching at Kaikoura
- Star Gazing at Mount Cook or Tekapo.
