Itinerary
- Day 1
Auckland
You'll arrive in Auckland and head to your hotel in the city center. Spend the rest of the day at your own pace, walking along the waterfront, checking out different neighborhoods, or just settling in before everything kicks off.
- Start point
- Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand (Auckland Intl (AKL), 00:00 - 23:55)
- Accommodation
- (Sudima Auckland City)
Optional Activities
- Explore Auckland waterfront
- Stroll through vibrant neighborhoods
- Leisurely city exploration
Landmarks Sky Tower - Day 2
Auckland
This is your day to explore Auckland however you like. You might walk the waterfront, catch a ferry over to Waiheke Island for some wine tasting, head to the museum to see Maori culture, climb the Sky Tower for views, or find a quiet spot in one of the parks.
- Accommodation
- (Sudima Auckland City)
Optional Activities
- Stroll along the waterfront
- Ferry to Waiheke Island for wine tasting
- Visit Auckland War Memorial Museum
- View from Sky Tower
- Walk through city parks
Landmarks Auckland War Memorial Museum Waiheke Island - Day 3
Auckland to Rotorua
You'll leave Auckland early for a full day of guided touring. First stop is Waitomo Glow-worm Caves for a 45 minute underground boat ride through the glowing grotto. After that you'll head to Hobbiton Movie Set to see where Lord of the Rings was filmed. Grab a picnic lunch along the way and roll into Rotorua by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Picnic lunch)
- Accommodation
- (Sudima Lake Rotorua )
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Waitomo Glow-worm Caves (45 minutes) with boat cruise through glow-worm grotto
- Guided tour of Hobbiton Movie Set including interior Hobbit Hole experience
- Picnic lunch
- Complimentary Hobbiton ale, cider or ginger beer at the Green Dragon Inn
- Coach travel with driver guide commentary
- Complimentary hotel pickup and drop-off from selected hotels
Landmarks Waitomo Glow-worm Caves Hobbiton Movie Set - Day 4
Rotorua
Rotorua is all about geothermal activity and Maori culture. You'll check out bubbling mud pools, steaming geysers, and colorful geothermal valleys. There's the option to see traditional Maori performances, soak in hot springs, or walk through the Redwood Forest if that appeals to you.
- Accommodation
- (Sudima Lake Rotorua )
Optional Activities
- Visit bubbling mud pools and geothermal features
- View steaming geysers and geothermal valleys
- Traditional Maori cultural performances and storytelling
- Traditional hangi feast
- Relax in hot springs
- Explore Redwood Forest
- Day 5
Rotorua to Wellington
You'll catch a domestic flight from Rotorua to Wellington, the capital. Once you land, head to your hotel downtown. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore at your own pace, whether that's the waterfront, Te Papa Museum, or sampling the local cafe scene.
- Accommodation
- (Naumi Hotel Wellington)
Optional Activities
- Stroll along scenic waterfront
- Visit Te Papa Museum
- Explore café culture
- City exploration
Landmarks Te Papa Museum - Day 6
Wellington
Wellington's yours to explore today. You could walk the waterfront, wander Cuba Street with its shops and street art, check out Te Papa Museum, or take the cable car up to the Botanic Gardens for good views. Plenty of good restaurants and bars scattered throughout if you want to eat well, or just hang by the harbor.
- Accommodation
- (Naumi Hotel Wellington)
Optional Activities
- Stroll scenic waterfront promenade
- Explore Cuba Street boutique shops and street art
- Visit Te Papa Museum
- Cable car ride to Botanic Gardens
- Explore hidden laneways
- Discover local restaurants and cafes
- Relax by harbor
Landmarks Botanic Gardens - Day 7
Wellington to Christchurch
You'll fly from Wellington down to Christchurch on the South Island. The city has an interesting mix of English heritage and modern design. After you settle in at your hotel, the rest of your day is flexible, so explore the parks, walk along the river, check out street art, or try the food scene.
- Accommodation
- (Sudima Christchurch City)
Optional Activities
- Explore city parks
- Riverside walks
- Discover street art
- Experience food scene
- Day 8
Christchurch
You've got the day to discover Christchurch at your own speed. The Botanic Gardens are nice for a walk, or you can take a punt down the Avon River. The Canterbury Museum covers history if that interests you. For something more active, there's the historic tram, the seaside suburb of Sumner, or the gondola for views of the city and mountains.
- Accommodation
- (Sudima Christchurch City)
Optional Activities
- Explore Botanic Gardens
- Punt ride on Avon River
- Visit Canterbury Museum
- Historic tram ride
- Visit seaside suburb of Sumner
- Scenic gondola ride
Landmarks Botanic Gardens Canterbury Museum - Day 9
Christchurch to Tekapo
You'll travel through Canterbury countryside and the Mackenzie district on a guided full day tour. Stop at Fairlie Bakehouse for lunch, see the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo, and head into Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. There are optional walks like the Hooker Valley Track or Tasman Glacier, or you can visit the Mt Cook Information Centre instead.
- Meals
- Lunch (Pre-ordered lunch from Fairlie Bakehouse)
- Accommodation
- (Galaxy Boutique Hotel )
Included Activities
- Guided tour through Canterbury Plains and Mackenzie district
- Stop at Fairlie Bakehouse
- Pre-ordered lunch from Fairlie Bakehouse
- Visit Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- View Lake Pukaki
- Access to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
- Bottled water
- Kiwi snacks
- Driver guide commentary
- Wi-Fi on board
- USB charging
Optional Activities
- Hooker Valley Track (2.5-3 hours)
- Tasman Glacier walk
- Scenic helicopter flights
- Visit Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Landmarks Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Tekapo Lake Pukaki Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Tasman Glacier 
- Day 10
Tekapo to Queenstown
Today you're traveling from Lake Tekapo to Queenstown through Mt Cook on a guided tour. You'll pass Lake Pukaki, explore the national park with optional walks, feed salmon at a farm, go through Lindis Pass and scenic viewpoints including the Kawarau Suspension Bridge, then arrive in Queenstown by evening.
- Meals
- Lunch (Pre-ordered lunch from Fairlie Bakehouse)
- Accommodation
- (Ramada by Wyndham Queenstown Central )
Included Activities
- Guided tour from Tekapo to Queenstown
- Visit Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
- View Lake Pukaki
- Access to Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
- Visit High Country Salmon farm with opportunity to feed and taste fresh salmon
- Pass through Lindis Pass
- View Kawarau Suspension Bridge and Roaring Meg Lookout
- Pre-ordered lunch from Fairlie Bakehouse
- Bottled water
- Kiwi snacks
- Driver guide commentary
- Wi-Fi on board
- USB charging
Optional Activities
- Hooker Valley Track (2-2.5 hours)
- Tasman Glacier walk (2-2.5 hours)
- Visit Mt Cook Information Centre
- Scenic helicopter flights
- Visit Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
- Mrs Jones Fruit Stall (weather dependent)
Landmarks Church of the Good Shepherd Lake Pukaki Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park Tasman Glacier Lindis Pass Kawarau Suspension Bridge 
- Day 11
Queenstown
You'll spend the full day on the famous Milford Road in a luxury glass roofed coach with a knowledgeable driver guide. After exploring scenic locations along the route, you'll cruise Milford Sound for about 2 hours on a large vessel, watching waterfalls, dolphins, seals, and Mitre Peak.
- Accommodation
- (Ramada by Wyndham Queenstown Central )
Included Activities
- Luxury air-conditioned coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound
- Scenic Milford Road journey with driver guide commentary and photo stops
- 2-hour Milford Sound cruise on RealNZ vessel
- English-only live commentary from experienced local nature guide
- Viewing of Mitre Peak and waterfalls
- Wildlife observation (dolphins, penguins, fur seals)
- Return coach journey to Queenstown
Optional Activities
- Food and beverages for purchase onboard (varies by vessel)
- Bring picnic lunch
Landmarks Milford Sound Mitre Peak 
- Day 12
Queenstown
Your last morning in Queenstown. After checking out from your hotel, you'll head to the airport for your flight home or your next destination. Take a final look at the mountains and lake before you go.
- End point
- Queenstown, Otago, New Zealand (Queenstown (ZQN) Airport, 00:00 - 23:55)
