The Best of New Zealand

We greet you on arrival at the airport and take you to your hotel where you can relax before getting to know the ‘City of Sails’.

City Hotel

A great start to city sightseeing is to ascend the Sky Tower: a SkyWalk is optional! Nearby Queen Street is the main strip and you could end your day with a waterfront dinner in the new Wynyard Quarter.

City Hotel

Collect a rental vehicle and head south to Waitomo Glow Worm caves or travel via Matamata to Hobbiton. (This visit must be pre-booked.)

Private Hotel / Apartment

From the Buried Village to Whakarewarewa, Te Puia and Waimangu: all fascinating attractions that blend the two aspects that make Rotorua a must: Maori culture and geothermal activity. We can also recommend an authentic Maori hangi for dinner!

Private Hotel / Apartment

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.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Private Hotel / Alpine Lodge

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.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Private Hotel / Alpine Lodge

Travel through country towns to Wellington, still the ‘coolest little capital in the world’ thanks to its combination of location, architecture, café culture and laid-back lifestyle. Stroll through Civic Square to a Queens Wharf restaurant.

Visit New Zealand’s National Museum, Te Papa to learn more about the country’s history and heritage.

City Hotel

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.

Private Hotel / Apartment

It is easy to gush about the beauty of Abel Tasman National Park! Golden beaches, turquoise water and pristine native bush combine to create a natural paradise you can explore by boat, kayak or on foot. We have plenty of tips for you.

Private Hotel / Apartment

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.

Private Hotel

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.

Private Hotel

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.

Private Hotel

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.

Local Bed & Breakfast

Hokitika, once a gold rush town, is now a haven for craftspeople and a good place to buy pounamu (greenstone) carvings. Arrive in Fox Glacier in time to see the glacier on a guided hike or helicopter trip: landing on the Tasman Glacier is an unforgettable experience!

Country Hotel

Travel south through native rainforest, over mountain streams into the rugged beauty of the Haast Pass. Continue round the shores of glacial Hawea and Wanaka lakes to Wanaka township.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment

One of our favourite destinations, the snow-capped peaks, long river valleys and lush native forest are centred around the beautiful lake. There are ‘tramping’ opportunities for every experience level.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment

A jet boat trip or a waterfall climb are both guaranteed to set the pulses racing. In the evening, take a seat at Cinema Paradiso: they range from slouchy sofas to a modified Morris Minor!

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment

Travel through Central Otago, around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, one of Fiordland’s most beautiful lakes. Round off the day with a lakeside stroll.

Country Hotel

An early start for one of the world’s most scenic coach trips! Travelling through the National Park is integral to the Milford Sound experience. On arrival, a cruise on the Sound reveals vertiginous cliffs, cascading waterfalls and awesome Mitre Peak.

Country Hotel

Drive to Queenstown, sometimes called the ‘Switzerland of the Southern Hemisphere’ and superbly set on Lake Wakatipu.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment / Private Hotel

So much to do, so little time! Stroll in well-kept gardens, cruise Lake Wakatipu or try an adrenalin activity like bungy jumping or an off-road 4X4 tour.

Local Bed & Breakfast / Apartment / Private Hotel

Drive through Mackenzie Country to Lake Pukaki and up to Mt Cook Village. Short walks to Kea Point or into the Hooker Valley offer wonderful mountain views. Descend to Twizel to overnight.

Country Hotel / Apartment

Make an early stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd, whose altar window frames Lake Tekapu. Cross the tussock plains, so evocative of sheep country, through Fairlie and Geraldine to arrive in Christchurch.

Local Bed & Breakfast / City Hotel

Time for some final sightseeing or shopping.

Return your rental vehicle to Christchurch International airport to board your homebound flight.