20 Day New Zealand Epic

Haere Mai’ …. Welcome to New Zealand. On arrival, you will be transferred to your downtown city hotel. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink & dinner.

Stay at Hotel Grand Windsor Auckland (2 nights)

After a leisurely start to the day, a brief ferry ride brings us to Waiheke Island, a haven for vineyards, olive groves, art galleries and sandy beaches. Enjoy a tour of the island before sitting down to a special lunch at the beautiful Mudbrick Winery, with its spectacular views over the Hauraki Gulf looking back to the city skyline.

Stay at Hotel Grand Windsor Auckland

This morning, we travel south to Matamata where we experience a guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set, the movie set used in the block-busting ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘Hobbit’ films. Later, we continue our journey on to the geothermal city of Rotorua.

Stay at Millennium Hotel Rotorua (2 nights)

Today’s highlight is an exclusive cruise across the serene, clear waters of Lake Rotoiti. Explore native bays and coves of the lake under sail on our luxury catamaran and bathe in the thermal waters of the Manupirua Pools, accessible only by boat. This afternoon, travel past the Blue & Green Lakes to the famous buried village of Te Wairoa. This evening, we visit  Tamaki Maori Village and are treated to a traditional Maori hangi (feast) and cultural performance.

Say at Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Stop to view the mighty Huka Falls & Wairakei Geothermal project and then take time to wander around the popular lakeside resort of Taupo. Continue on to Napier, one of the world’s finest Art Deco cities. Here, your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon.

Stay at The Crown Hotel Napier

Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific’, this region boasts some of New Zealand’s best wineries. Enjoy a free day to experience some of the many optional activities available or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings. This evening, we visit Mission Estate, New Zealand’s oldest winery established by a group of French missionaries in 1851. Enjoy wine tastings followed by a fine dining experience in the elegantly restored seminary with its sweeping views over the vineyards, city and the coast beyond.

Stay at The Crown Hotel Napier

Travel this morning through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region en-route to Wellington, the nation’s capital, where you enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation.

Stay at The Bolton Hotel Wellington

Named the ‘coolest little capital in the world’ by Lonely Planet, Wellington is nestled between a sparkling harbour and rolling green hills and is renowned for its arts, heritage, culture and native beauty. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended as is a ride on the famous Cable Car up the hill to Kelburn for amazing views over the city. If you like action-packed adventure activities, Wellington has it all along with beautiful walks around the harbour and surrounding hills.

Stay at The Bolton Hotel Wellington

This morning we board the Interislander ferry to cruise across the Cook Strait through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds to the picturesque fishing village of Picton. From there we drive through the Marlborough Region, renowned for its world-class vineyards, to Blenheim. Spend the afternoon exploring the galleries and shops in the charming little town.

Stay at Chateau Marlborough Blenheim (2 nights)

Head out on the water to immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Queen Charlotte Sound. On board your luxury launch, you will enjoy a tasting of Marlborough’s fresh Regal salmon, Cloudy Bay clams and Greenshell mussels, paired with the perfect Sauvignon Blanc. Take in the stunning scenery as we cruise near an aquaculture farm and learn about the Sounds’ key regional industries.

Stay at Chateau Marlborough Blenheim

Stop in picturesque coastal Kaikoura to visit a New Zealand Fur Seal (Kekeno) colony, before travelling on to Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city. This afternoon we’ll board the beautifully restored heritage tram to take in the city sights and learn about the Garden City’s rich history

Stay at Rydges Latimer Christchurch

Travel south across the Canterbury Plains and stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo to view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Then travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery.

Stay at Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook

Today we experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier. Get up close to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Later today, there is time to enjoy one of the many bush walks and optional ski-plane and helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions.

Stay at Hermitage Hotel Mt Cook

Begin the assent over the Lindis Pass to the township of Cromwell, then continue on to the historic village of Clyde, nestled in a sheltered basin at the foot of an immense and crooked gorge. Stop for lunch at Alexandra, located on the banks of the mighty Clutha River, then travel across the farmlands of Central Otago to the township of Gore before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park.

Stay at Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (2 nights)

Today’s highlight is a leisurely nature cruise of the breathtaking Milford Sound, cruising the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. An on-board nature guide will give you detailed information of the region’s history, flora & fauna and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests and towering mountains, including the awesome Mitre Peak. Wildlife includes dolphins, seals, penguins & albatross when in season. Return to Lake Te Anau for the night.

Stay at Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas

Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts an incredible array of adventure and leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. We will arrive early afternoon and your Coach Captain will be happy to advise you on all the activities and options available.

Stay at Heritage Queenstown

Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, an historic village located beside the Arrow River which was once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. It features a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy time to stroll through this historic village, before enjoying a relaxing, sumptuous lunch at Walnut Cottage, the show piece of Akarua Wines and back dropped by the Remarkables mountain range

Stay at Heritage Queenstown

There is time to wander around the resort town of Lake Wanaka before enjoying incredible scenery as we travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park. On to Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers where there is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions).

Stay at Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat

Head north along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800’s. This afternoon, we board the TranzAlpine train for a coast to coast rail adventure through the Southern Alps, rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. This evening, join your friends for a farewell dinner with dinks and relive the many great experiences of the last three weeks.

Stay at Rydges Latimer

Sadly, your holiday ends today and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport to connect with your onward flight. If you choose to stay in Christchurch a little longer, we’ve created a list of optional sightseeing activities to supercharge your holiday – check it out below.