Inspiring New Zealand

Upon arrival in Auckland spend some time at leisure to relax or explore on your own. This evening meet your Travel Director for dinner and a welcome drink.

A city sights tour will start your morning in Auckland. Travel around the city waterfront to Mission Bay. Prepare your camera for Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial, with stunning shots of Auckland, the North Shore and the Waitemata Harbour. Next up we take a ferry over to Waiheke Island. At Stonyridge Vineyard, enjoy a tour and tastings, plus a light lunch over views of the vineyard. Depart for Rangihoua Estate, which introduces you to Waiheke’s olive growing industry, including tasting award winning olive oils. A stop at Casita Miro will leave you enchanted with the tastes of the Mediterranean. Your tour finishes with wine tastings at the beautiful Mudbrick Vineyard, with spectacular views of the Hauraki Gulf, before returning to Auckland by ferry. Tonight enjoy a free evening; why not try one of the many restaurants in Wynyard Quarter or the Viaduct.

Follow the meandering Waikato River to our Be My Guest Experience at the home of Lance and Bridgette O’Sullivan – New Zealand horse racing royalty. Enjoy a sumptuous country style lunch at the Red Barn on their beautiful Waikato Farm. After lunch we travel to Rotorua, for an orientation tour with views of Lake Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Cultural Experience at Tamaki Maori Village; you’ll gain an insight into local Maori culture and history with our special Maori show and traditional Hangi. Experience the heartpounding wero (challenge) from a Maori warrior during a Powhiri, a ceremonial Maori welcome. In the village, see how Maori lived prior to European settlement. Experience customs like the Hongi greeting, as well as learn some customary phrases. Feast on succulent meats and vegetables cooked in a Hangi, the Maori method of cooking in the earth with geothermal steam.

Included: Breakfast and Local Dining Experiences

Today choose one of our Freedom of Choice sightseeing experiences. Perhaps unwind with a spa treatment at the Polynesian Spa, take a tour of the famed Hobbiton movie set, or why not try zip lining with Canopy Tours. Tonight, dinner is at your restaurant of choice.

Included: Breakfast and Dinner with wine

This morning visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Discover native flora that grows around the crystal clear mineral water springs. You might even spot a kiwi! Next visit Whakawerawera Living Village, where a local guide will show you New Zealand’s biggest geyser, bubbling mud pools and thermal springs before flying to Wellington. This evening why not venture down to Courtenay Place or Cuba Street and dine at one of Wellington’s tucked away bars or quirky cafés?.

This morning venture out into Wellington’s laneways, enjoy culinary experiences as well as the city’s history and architecture. Discover fresh tastes in New Zealand’s cafe and culinary capital, as we introduce you to local tastes, products and people. With a personal guide to tell the local stories, you will taste gourmet products such as coffee, chocolate, gelato, cheeses and other specialties in top food places the locals know. This afternoon we travel to Zealandia, the world’s first fully-fenced urban ecosanctuary. The 225 hectare park is a ground-breaking conservation project that has reintroduced 18 species of native wildlife back into the area, six of which were previously absent from mainland New Zealand for over 100 years. Tonight it is dinner of your choice at one of the local restaurants.

Included: Breakfast and Dinner with wine

A visit to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand will complete your time here in Wellington. Discover New Zealand’s nature, history, art and heritage on a guided walk through its many exhibitions. Later we travel to New Zealand’s adventure capital Queenstown. Airfare is not included and must be booked by you or your travel agent. Upon arrival you’ll board your coach and travel to the delightful gold rush village of Arrowtown, on the sparkling Arrow River, once one of the world’s richest rivers. Afterwards you’ll get a feel for Queenstown and surrounds on an orientation tour. See Lake Wakatipu, the Remarkables mountain range and home of the Bungy Jump at Kawarau Bridge.

Travel to an untouched world deep in the heart of Fiordland National Park. The beauty and vastness of Doubtful Sound will take your breath away as you experience its deep wilderness. Your day begins in Manapouri with a cruise across the picturesque Lake Manapouri followed by a trip across New Zealand’s most expensive road over Wilmot Pass, pausing along the way to experience the dense Fiordland rainforest and view Doubtful Sound glistening far below. In Doubtful Sound cruise through this pristine fiord; look out for the varied wildlife you may encounter like dolphins, fur seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguin. Tonight enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner with wine

Today choose one of our Freedom of Choice sightseeing experiences. You have the option to join a wine tour, take a guided walk through native beech forest or travel on a 4WD minibus tour through spectacular Skippers Canyon. Your Travel Director will assist you in booking all of your chosen Included Choice experiences. This evening join your Travel Director and your new-found friends for a Farewell Dinner with wine at a local restaurant.

Included: Breakfast and Celebration Dinner

Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your journey comes to an end this morning after  breakfast.