Ultimate New Zealand

Fly with a world-renowned airline from London Heathrow, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham or Glasgow.Why not include an outbound stopover? Please enquire for more details (additional expense). Included on board flight meal service and complimentary bar service.

Relax as you fly towards your destination. Included on board flight meal service and complimentary bar service.

Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland for a two-night stay. Celebrate the wonder of New Zealand at a welcome dinner. Included on board flight meal service and complimentary bar service.

Freechoice: Choose from a range of Auckland’s attractions. Enjoy an exhilarating sail on an authentic America’s Cup yacht and be part of the crew, take the helm or simply sit back and enjoy the ride as you sail Auckland Harbour. Or, explore the wine and cuisine of Waiheke Island and enjoy tastings of olive oil, wine and beer as well as a vineyard tour. Alternatively, take a leisurely morning cruise of Auckland’s beautiful harbour and see highlights including Devonport and the Harbour Bridge, or discover the Waitakere Ranges, as you walk in the lush rainforest and stroll along the black sand beaches. Or, choose to join a small group tour and discover the history and sights of Auckland.

Freechoice Dining: Your dining choices for tonight include a sunset dinner yacht cruise, Degree Gastrobar, Orbit 360 Restaurant at Sky City or dinner at the hotel’s Grand Millennium Brasserie.

Travel north across Auckland’s busy Harbour Bridge, along the Hibiscus Coast towards the Bay of Islands. Visit Matakohe’s award-winning Kauri Museum and gain an insight into the rich pioneering history of New Zealand’s Northland region. The museum specialises in the legacy of the ancient kauri forests, specifically the strong durable timber and the highly prized kauri gum. Continue to the Waipoua Forest, an ancient green world of towering trees and rare birds, and travel past natural gateways created by huge kauri trees and the fringing of colourful ferns along the road’s edge.

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The sense of awe you feel as you see the mighty Tane Mahuta kauri tree for the first time is unforgettable. Listen to the interactive interpretation from your local Maori guide about the importance of the ‘Lord of the Forest’ to both the natural environment and the Maori people.

Sundowners
Watch the sunset on Hokianga Bay with a drink on the terrace of your hotel in Omapere.

Freechoice: Cruise the calm inland waters of the Bay of Islands with lunch included or enjoy a ferry ride to Russell, the birthplace of European settlement in New Zealand. Alternatively, discover the very best of the Bay on a scenic cruise and journey through the Hole in the Rock (weather permitting) or join a Taste of the Bay tour.

Your base for the next two nights is Paihia.

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Travel to the very top of New Zealand – Cape Reinga. Explore the magnificent lighthouse and see where the waters of the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet. Discover this remote and magical place of deep spiritual significance to the Maori then enjoy the thrill of travelling along Ninety Mile Beach and marvel at the immense sand dunes.

This morning discover Waitangi Treaty Grounds with a Ma ori guide.

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Be entertained by an authentic Maori cultural performance inside the beautifully carved meeting house.

Return to your hotel in Auckland for an overnight stay.

Visit the Hobbiton movie set before arriving in Rotorua, home of Maori culture and bubbling mud pools, for a two night stay.

Be amazed by Rotorua’s geothermal activity during a visit to Te Puia.

Freechoice: Witness a sheep show, take an amphibious duck tour or relax in the geothermal pools. Alternatively, enjoy the view from Skyline Rotorua while wine tasting.

Tonight immerse yourself in Maori traditions at an authentic hangi dinner

Optional Flight - Take a flight to Mt Tarawera including a volcanic landing. (Additional expense).

Witness the force of nature at Huka Falls before cruising magnificent Lake Taupo. Enjoy your overnight stay in the home of Art Deco, Napier.

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Meet the makers at a special wine tasting and dinner at Mission Estate Winery.

Freechoice: Take a walking tour of Napier’s Art Deco buildings, view the famous landmarks of Napier during a vintage car tour or discover a diverse range of aquatic animals and wildlife at the National Aquarium.

Continue to Wellington for a two night stay.

Explore Wellington’s sights on your city tour before visiting the National Museum of New Zealand, Te Papa.

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Take an in-depth journey of Te Papa to discover the treasures and stories of New Zealand, told with authority and passion. Concludes with kapu ti – a hot drink and traditionally inspired food.

Travel in the premium lounge on the ferry across the Marlborough Sounds to the South Island.

Freechoice: Enjoy a tasting at the home of Sauvignon Blanc or visit Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

Stay overnight in Blenheim.

Drive along the spectacular East Coast where rugged mountains meet the ocean. At Kaikoura discover the diverse marine life. Experience how Christchurch is recovering during your two night stay.

Freechoice: Go punting on the River Avon, take the Botanic Gardens Tour or enjoy an open top bus ride around Christchurch. Alternatively, visit the seaside town of Akaroa or the International Antarctic Centre.

Freechoice Dining:  Experience a Kiwi home-hosted dinner with a local family or enjoy dinner at the hotel’s restaurant.

Join the TranzAlpine this morning for your rail journey across the Southern Alps. Stand in wonder at Franz Josef Glacier with its ever-changing face before your overnight Special Stay.

Optional Flight - Take a helicopter flight over Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and experience the wonder of a landing in this natural alpine landscape. (Additional expense).

Enjoy a ride on the Haast River Jet boat before you arrive in Queenstown for your three night stay.

Freechoice: Take the Dart River Wilderness Jet, or tour local wineries. Alternatively, feel exhilarated on the Shotover jet, a 4WD Skippers Canyon, or Safari of the Scenes tour exploring The Lord of The Rings filming locations.

Freechoice Dining: Take a steamship cruise on TSS Earnslaw and enjoy dinner at Walter Peak, ride the Skyline Gondola and dine overlooking Queenstown, or simply relax at the hotel’s restaurant.

A free day to discover Queenstown.

In the darkness of the Te Anau caves, see the shimmer of thousands of glowworms. Enjoy an overnight Special Stay on board the Milford Mariner amidst the majesty of Milford Sound.

Awake to breathtaking beauty in Milford Sound. Then immerse yourself in New Zealand’s oldest university city, Dunedin, with a two night stay.

Freechoice: Choose between Speight’s Brewery, Etrusco and the hotel’s Carlton Restaurant.

Freechoice: Tour Larnach Castle or visit the breeding colony of Royal Albatross. Alternatively, cruise Otago Harbour or take the scenic Taieri Gorge Railway.

Visit the Moeraki Boulders, a unique sight featuring huge spherical boulders scattered across a sandy beach. Enjoy a Special Stay at your hotel with Mount Cook view rooms.

Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before arriving back in Christchurch for your overnight stay. Celebrate your adventures during an iconic tram ride and farewell dinner.

It’s time to bid a fond farewell to your new friends and the wonders of New Zealand. After breakfast you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home. If you’re not ready for your journey to end, we can arrange an inbound stopover in one of many exciting destinations, enquire for details. Alternatively, extend your visit and stay in New Zealand for three extra nights, please call for details. Included on board full meal service and complimentary bar service.

Welcome home.