Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Auckland
Auckland- Accommodation
- Hotel (Fable Auckland (or similar))
Included Activities
- Welcome reception with Tour Director and fellow travellers
Optional Activities
- Visit Sky Tower
- Shopping on Queen Street
- Drinks in Vulcan Lane bars and eateries
Landmarks Sky Tower Queen Street Vulcan Lane - Day 2
Auckland to Hamilton
Auckland to Hamilton- Meals
- Dinner (Sunset dinner cruise with classic kiwi Fish 'n' Chips at Raglan)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Hamilton (or similar))
Included Activities
- Northern Explorer Scenic train journey from Auckland to Hamilton (Scenic Plus carriage)
- Zealong Tea Estate tour and tea ceremony
- Zealong Signature High Tea experience
- Raglan dinner cruise with sunset views
Optional Activities
- Explore Hamilton city during free time in early afternoon
- Browse shops and cafes in Raglan before dinner
Landmarks Waitemata Harbour Waikato region Zealong Tea Estate Raglan - Day 3
Hamilton - Waitomo
Hamilton - Waitomo- Meals
- Lunch (Lunch stop in Otorohanga), Dinner
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Novotel Hamilton (or similar))
Included Activities
- Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari two-hour guided tour through ancient forests with indigenous flora, fauna, and Māori herbal medicinal practices
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves guided tour with boat ride
Optional Activities
- Dinner at one of Hamilton's riverside restaurants
Landmarks Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari Otorohanga Waitomo Glowworm Caves - Day 4
Hamilton to Tongariro National Park
Hamilton to Tongariro National Park- Meals
- Dinner (Special dinner with fellow travellers)
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Powderhorn Chateau (or similar) )
Included Activities
- Northern Explorer train journey from Hamilton to Tongariro National Park
- Mini excursion to Tūroa ski field with panoramic views
Landmarks Tongariro National Park Mount Ruapehu Mount Tongariro Mount Ngauruhoe Tūroa ski field Ohakune - Day 5
Taumarunui - Ohakune
Taumarunui - Ohakune- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast at accommodation), Lunch (Full home-cooked lunch at Omaka Lodge)
- Accommodation
- Lodge (Powderhorn Chateau (or similar) )
Included Activities
- Guided visits to two Forgotten World gardens in Taumarunui
- Full home-cooked lunch at Omaka Lodge with garden visit
Optional Activities
- Relaxation in Ohakune's hot tubs
- Explore Ohakune's vibrant energy and dining options
Landmarks Taumarunui Omaka Lodge Forgotten World gardens - Day 6
Tongariro National Park to Wellington
Tongariro National Park to Wellington- Accommodation
- Hotel (Naumi Wellington (or similar))
Included Activities
- Elevated experience up northern face of Mount Ruapehu with panoramic views
- Northern Explorer train journey from Tongariro to Wellington
Optional Activities
- Explore open-air carriage on the train for best views
- Explore Wellington's culinary scene and landmarks in the evening
Landmarks Mount Ruapehu Mount Ngauruhoe Mount Tongariro Porirua Harbour Wellington Railway Station Parliament Buildings The Beehive Queen's Wharf Cuba Street 
- Day 7
Wellington
Wellington- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with fellow travellers)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Naumi Wellington (or similar))
Included Activities
- Wellington City introduction tour
- Dinner with fellow travellers
Optional Activities
- Explore Cuba Street cafés, bookstores, and shops
- Visit Te Papa Tongarewa (New Zealand National Museum)
- Visit Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary
- Botanic gardens
Landmarks Cuba Street Te Papa Tongarewa Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary - Day 8
Wellington to Marlborough
Wellington to Marlborough- Meals
- Breakfast (Seafarer's breakfast in Premium Lounge with mimosa), Lunch (Three-course lunch at Allan Scott Wines Bistro with paired Marlborough wine)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Scenic Marlborough (or similar))
Included Activities
- Interislander ferry journey across Cook Strait in Premium Lounge
- Three-course lunch at Allan Scott Wines Bistro with paired Marlborough wine
- Tastings at two boutique wineries in Marlborough
- Stop at Makana Chocolate Boutique
Optional Activities
- Watch for dolphins and whales during ferry crossing
- Explore open ocean views from ferry deck
- Explore Queen Charlotte Sound from outside deck
Landmarks Cook Strait Queen Charlotte Sound Picton Allan Scott Wines Bistro Makana Chocolate Boutique 
- Day 9
Marlborough Sounds
Marlborough Sounds- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Dinner at Marlborough Sounds resort)
- Accommodation
- Resort (Portage Resort (or similar))
Included Activities
- Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre guided tour featuring WWI and WWII aircraft collection and Weta Workshop exhibits
- Scenic water taxi into Marlborough Sounds
- Dinner at Marlborough Sounds resort
Optional Activities
- Relax in hammock at resort
- Walk through native bush
- Kayak in bay waters
Landmarks Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre Marlborough Sounds - Day 10
Marlborough to Kaikoura
Marlborough to Kaikoura- Meals
- Breakfast (Morning tea during pāua pearl farm tour)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Sudima Kaikoura (or similar))
Included Activities
- Scenic boat ride in Marlborough Sounds (45 minutes)
- Exclusive Pāua Pearl Farm Tour
- Guided visit to pāua hatchery and growing tanks
- Fresh pāua tasting
- Coastal Pacific Scenic Train journey from Picton to Kaikoura
Optional Activities
- Stroll the waterfront in Kaikoura
- Dine on fresh kai moana (seafood) at local restaurants
Landmarks Pāua Pearl Farm Kaikoura - Day 11
Kaikoura
Kaikoura- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner and drinks aboard Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rydges Latimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Dolphin Encounter cruise in Kaikoura with guided commentary
- Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus train journey
- Dinner and drinks aboard Coastal Pacific
Optional Activities
- Upgrade to swim with dolphins
- Fish and chips lunch on the beach
- Browse local artisan stores and souvenir shops
Landmarks Kaikoura - Day 12
Christchurch
Christchurch- Meals
- Dinner (Beautifully curated dinner at a local restaurant)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Rydges Latimer (or similar))
Included Activities
- Hop-On Hop-Off Tram experience in central Christchurch
- Custom walking tour with Great Journeys New Zealand guide
- Visit to Riverside Markets
- Visit to Botanical Gardens
Optional Activities
- Punting on the Avon
- Gondola ride
- Explore boutique cafes in laneways and side streets
- Discover historic buildings
Landmarks Riverside Markets Avon River Gondola Christchurch Botanical Gardens - Day 13
Christchurch to Greymouth - Hokitika
Christchurch to Greymouth - Hokitika- Meals
- Meal (Regionally inspired food included with Scenic Plus experience on train)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Beachfront Hokitika (or similar))
Included Activities
- TranzAlpine Scenic Plus train journey from Christchurch to Greymouth
- Scenic viewing along ice-fed Waimakariri River
- Passage through historic Otira Tunnel
- Custom cultural experience (exclusive to Great Journeys New Zealand)
- Guided walk through Hokitika Gorge
Landmarks Southern Alps Waimakariri River Great Divide Otira Tunnel Greymouth Hokitika Gorge - Day 14
West Coast - Franz Josef
West Coast - Franz Josef- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Multicourse dinner with locally sourced ingredients in rainforest setting)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Legacy Te Waonui (or similar))
Included Activities
- VIP West Coast Wildlife Centre guided walkthrough featuring Rowi kiwi conservation
- Multicourse dinner with locally sourced ingredients in rainforest setting
Optional Activities
- Scenic walk to glacier viewpoint
- Browse local shops
- Helicopter flight over glacier
- Wilderness tour through rainforest
Landmarks West Coast Wildlife Centre Franz Josef Glacier 
- Day 15
Franz Josef to Queenstown
Franz Josef to Queenstown- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Winery dinner)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Resort and Spa (or similar))
Included Activities
- Haast River Safari boat experience
- Scenic drive through Haast Pass with private coach
- Winery dinner in Queenstown
Landmarks Haast Pass Queenstown 
- Day 16
Milford Sound
Milford Sound- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast), Lunch (Lunch)
- Accommodation
- Hotel (Hilton Resort and Spa (or similar))
Included Activities
- Cruise Milford Coach service with custom stops
- Boutique cruise through Milford Sound/Piopiotahi
Optional Activities
- Optional scenic flight for return journey
Landmarks Milford Sound Piopiotahi Bowen Falls Stirling Falls Mitre Peak Fiordland - Day 17
Depart Queenstown
Depart Queenstown- Meals
- Breakfast (Final breakfast with fellow travellers)
Included Activities
- Final breakfast with fellow travellers
