New Zealand Explorer

15 days/14 nights - Auckland to Christchurch

Discover both the North and South Islands on our 15-Day New Zealand Explorer. From large cities to secluded towns, there is something for everyone. Experience steaming geysers, World Heritage-listed National Parks, stunning scenery and breathtaking cruises on this exceptional tour. Join the Interislander and cruise across Cook Strait and into the breathtaking natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds.

Enjoy an overnight stay in Wanaka – a place of peace and tranquility – surrounded by Mt Aspiring National Park. Travel to World Heritage listed Mt Cook National Park and spend the evening at the spectacular Hermitage, nestled beneath Mt Cook. Watch the sunrise over the majestic mountain before continuing to Christchurch, renowned as the ‘Garden City’.

Day 1: Arrive Auckland
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 2: Auckland, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it! Choose from an Auckland City Highlights Tour, a trip up to the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower or a visit to Auckland’s Maritime Museum. The choice is yours!
Adventure Options are also available.

Day 3: Auckland, Rotorua Theme Dinner (BD)
We travel south to Waitomo Lime-stone Caves to enjoy a tour of the incredible glow-worm grotto, before continuing to the geothermal city of Rotorua. Tonight is a unique experience as we enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance of song and dance.
 Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua.

Day 4: Rotorua, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
Today you choose the experience and we will include it! Perhaps tour a thermal reserve, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, the Agrodome Sheep Show and Rainbow Springs Nature Park, view some of New Zealand’s native flora and fauna. Visit Rotorua’s Museum or soak in a thermal mineral pool.
Adventure Options are also available.
Accommodation: Choose to stay in a Country Homestay tonight!

Day 5: Rotorua, Wellington (BD)
Today we journey south and view Wairakei Steam Valley, a unique and fascinating geothermal power project and see Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake. Cross the vast volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park to the capital city of Wellington.
Accommodation: Wellington, Hotel Inter-Continental.

Day 6: Wellington, Nelson Dine About (BD)
Our Interislander cruise takes us across Cook Strait to the South Island. In Picton we rejoin our coach and travel through the pretty orchard region of Marlborough to Nelson. Tonight you may choose from two fine restaurants located within your hotel. Miyazu, acclaimed as the best Japanese Restaurant in New Zealand, or Oceano, with its superb fresh seafood menu.
Accommodation: Nelson, The Rutherford Hotel.

Day 7: Nelson, Franz Josef (BD)
Follow the Heritage Highway to the rugged West Coast and view the fascinating ‘Pancake’ rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki. Continue into Westland National Park and see the magnificent glaciers. There may be an opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight over this breathtaking region (own expense, weather permitting).
Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.

Day 8: Franz Josef, Wanaka (BD)
View incredible scenery today as we leave this World Heritage-listed area, traveling through Haast Pass and over the incredible Southern Alps. Continue to Wanaka, originally settled in the goldrush era and surrounded by Mt Aspiring National Park.
Accommodation: Wanaka, Edgewater Resort.

Day 9: Wanaka, Queenstown Dine About (BD)
Depart Wanaka this morning and journey to the delightful village of Arrowtown, an old goldrush settlement. Journey to the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown, situated on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Tonight we explore Queenstown even further with our Dine About dinner. Choose from a wide range of restaurants.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel.

Day 10: Queenstown, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
Today you choose the activity and we will include it! Perhaps a Queenstown Double Decker bus tour or a guided tour of some of the local and distinct wineries.
Adventure Options are also available.

Day 11: Milford Sound, Te Anau (BD)
Today, travel to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner (weather permitting). Journey the length of this ancient fiord, sailing below mile-high Mitre Peak. This afternoon we take a relaxing journey to Te Anau.
Accommodation: Te Anau, Te Anau Hotel and Villas.

Day 12: Dunedin, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
Today we journey to the southern-most coast of New Zealand and continue to Dunedin, the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. On arrival you choose the activity and we include it! Perhaps visit beautiful and historical Olveston House, or Speights Brewery. Alternatively, you may choose to visit the Yellow-eyed Penguin or a Royal Albatross colony on the Otago Peninsula.
Accommodation: Dunedin, Southern Cross Hotel.

Day 13: Dunedin, Mt Cook (BD)
Travel north along the coast to view the unique Moeraki Beach boulders. Continue to Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage-listed area and home to Australasia’s highest mountain, Mt Cook. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (weather permitting, own expense).
Accommodation: Mt Cook, The Hermitage.

Day 14: Mt Cook, Christchurch Dine About (BD)
This morning we visit the beautiful glacier-fed lake of Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel through Burkes Pass to the vast patchwork plains of Canterbury then continue to the charming ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch. Tonight enjoy our Christchurch Dine About dinner, where you choose from three superb restaurants located within your hotel and we will include it!
Accommodation: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 15: Depart Christchurch Exclusive Experiences (B)
You choose the activity and we will include it! Adventure Options are also available. Your tour concludes after sightseeing and a departure transfer to the airport is included.