Itinerary
- Intro
Introduction
- Day 1
Auckland
Auckland- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Hotel Grand Chancellor)
Optional Activities
- Stroll around the city centre and wharf
- Visit Sky Tower for a bird's eye view of the city
Landmarks Sky Tower Mission Bay - Day 2
Auckland to Lake Okataina
Auckland to Lake Okataina- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Lakes Lodge Wilderness Retreat - Okataina Rotorua)
Included Activities
- Auckland city tour including Tamaki Drive and Mission Bay
- Two-hour guided tour of Hobbiton movie set with knowledgeable local guide
Landmarks Hobbiton Movie Set Tamaki Drive Mission Bay Kaimai Ranges - Day 3
Lake Okataina - Māori Cultural Experience
Lake Okataina - Māori Cultural Experience- Meals
- Lunch (Buffet lunch featuring traditional Hangi-cooked food)
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Lakes Lodge Wilderness Retreat - Okataina Rotorua)
Included Activities
- Guided tour with local guide to see ancient Māori rock carvings
- Learn about local history and Ngati Manawa tribal land
- View Māori weaponry and performance art
- Traditional Hangi demonstration and buffet lunch
- Kawakawa tea tasting
- Visit to local carved ancestral meeting house
- Guided walk through Whirinaki Native Rainforest
Optional Activities
- Possible stop in Rotorua town at end of day
Landmarks Whirinaki Native Rainforest Murupara - Day 4
Lake Okataina to Napier
Lake Okataina to Napier- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Quality Inn)
Included Activities
- Self-guided tour of Wai-O-Tapu geothermal park
- Visit to Huka Falls
- Exploration of Lake Taupo
- Tour Leader-led walking tour of Napier's Art Deco heritage
Landmarks Wai-O-Tapu Huka Falls Lake Taupo - Day 5
Napier
Napier- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Quality Inn)
Included Activities
- 4WD exploration of coastal landscapes, working farms, and native bush
- Visit to gannet colony with over 20,000 birds at nature reserve
- Guided tour of Hawke's Bay vineyard
- Wine tasting at the vineyard
Landmarks Hawke's Bay - Day 6
Napier to Wellington
Napier to Wellington- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Bay Plaza Hotel)
Included Activities
- Guided visit to Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre
- Tour Leader orientation tour of Wellington by bus or on foot
Optional Activities
- Visit Te Papa National Museum (if time permits)
Landmarks Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre Te Papa National Museum - Day 7
Wellington
Wellington- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Bay Plaza Hotel)
Optional Activities
- Wellington Cable Car ride
- Observatory visit
- Botanic Gardens stroll
- Parliament Buildings tour including the 'Beehive'
- Museums and art galleries exploration
- Cuba Street cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops
- Zealandia sanctuary with guided day or night tours
- Harbour-side stroll
Landmarks Wellington Cable Car Botanic Gardens Parliament Buildings Zealandia Cuba Street - Day 8
Wellington to Picton
Wellington to Picton- Meals
- Breakfast (Breakfast box or limited selection at the hotel)
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Jasmine Court)
Included Activities
- Public ferry crossing of Cook Strait
- Tour Leader orientation tour of Picton on foot or by vehicle
Optional Activities
- Scenic boat tour of Queen Charlotte Sound
- Water taxi to Kaipupu Sanctuary island nature reserve
Landmarks Marlborough Sounds Queen Charlotte Sound Kaipupu Sanctuary - Day 9
Picton - Marlborough Sounds
Picton - Marlborough Sounds- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Jasmine Court)
Included Activities
- Boat exploration of Marlborough Sounds
- Visit to Motuara Island
- Approximately 11 km/7 miles walk on Queen Charlotte Track through native beech forests with coastal views
Landmarks Marlborough Sounds Queen Charlotte Track Motuara Island - Day 10
Picton to Christchurch
Picton to Christchurch- Meals
- Breakfast
- Accommodation
- Hotel 3* (Bealey Quarter)
Included Activities
- Tour Leader-led orientation walk in Kaikōura
- Visit to Seal Colony
- Orientation tour of Christchurch
Optional Activities
- Farewell dinner in Christchurch (not included)
Landmarks Kaikōura Kaikōura Seal Colony Seaward Kaikōura Range - Day 11
Christchurch
Christchurch
