From the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South, from harbourside cities to glaciers and black beaches, New Zealand packs a lot into two islands. You’ll glimpse it all on this full New Zealand tour, not only big attractions – Huka Falls, Milford Sound – but small ones, like meeting farmers or savouring a thermal soak in Rotorua. And Maori culture pervades.
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner Tour Code: ZAAC
640 modern guestrooms and suites convey a sense of understated sophistication with a blend of warm woods, handcrafted furniture and quality textiles. Thoughtful extras and stylish interiors reveal an attention to detail, reflecting the best in modern design. All rooms feature high-speed internet and WiFi. Inside the hotel has a modern interior, an outdoor fire and al fresco courtyard surrounded by leafy native plants, ‘Our Land Is Alive’ is an authentic local bar offering a great selection of exclusively NZ sourced food and beverages.
This hotel is located near to Lake Rotorua and the Polynesian Spa and offers rooms facing the lake, the city or the hotel’s garden courtyard. Facilities include a heated indoor swimming pool, a communal hot tub, a day spa, and a fitness centre.
Rydges Wellington is centrally located on downtown Featherston Street with a unique combination of harbour and city outlooks. This Wellington accommodation is within walking distance to Lambton Quay, Sky Stadium, Queens Wharf and Wellington Railway Station making it ideally positioned in the heart of the capital.
Offering 280 rooms with the benefits of modern facilities including FREE WI-FI throughout, and fantastic leisure facilities. All rooms feature flat-screen televisions and kitchenettes. There are 19 apartment-style suites, perfect for your long-term Wellington accommodation requirements with washer and drier facilities available.
With its superb location on the shoreline close to town, Sudima Kaikōura is blessed with stunning views of both the mountains and sea. It also puts the hotel within easy walking distance of Kaikōura activities, shops, restaurants, and bars. This state-of-the-art waterfront hotel has a 4.5 star rating with an outstanding in-house restaurant, a bar and conference facilities.
The renovated Distinction Christchurch Hotel combines sophisticated smarts and familiar warmth whilst standing proud amongst the buzz of the rejuvenation of Cathedral Square. Ideally positioned in the heart of the city only a few minutes’ walk from the Avon River, Botanical Gardens, Christchurch Casino, Cashel Mall and future Christchurch Convention Centre. The hotel offers air-conditioned hotel rooms out-fitted with the latest technology including large, flat screen Smart TVs. The stylish Gumption Restaurant & Bar is the perfect place to enjoy drinks and delicious cuisine with friends or colleagues. There is complimentary high speed WiFi and complimentary access to a new air-conditioned gym on level 3 of the hotel is also available to hotel guests.
The Mackenzie Country Hotel is located in Twizel in the heart of the Mackenzie Region. Featuring a beautiful garden setting with high country views, the Mackenzie Country Hotel is instantly recognisable by its classic stonework exterior, reflecting the distinctive mountain and river landscapes of the Mackenzie region. The spacious and mature grounds are a key feature of this idyllic country setting. The hotel has comfortable furnished bedrooms, with their own en-suites and private balconies or patios overlooking the gardens with mountain views.
Located in the heart of Dunedin, this hotel has been extensively refurbished and boasts a modern style and provides stylish inner city accommodation, giving the convenience of having entertainment, shopping and restaurants close at hand. Just a short walk from the Octagon, railway station, theatres, shops, and close to Otago university, it is the perfect location from which to explore Dunedin. Dating back to 1883, this landmark building now blends Dunedin’s distinctive charm and heritage with modern styles and comforts.
Conveniently located in the heart of Te Anau’s town shopping centre, a short stroll from Lake Te Anau, the Distinction Luxmore offers 2 on-site restaurants. Enjoy views of the township looking towards Lake Te Anau from Hilights Restaurant which is known for its excellent breakfasts and delicious carvery buffet dinners. Bailiez’s legendary café style menu and bar is popular among Te Anau locals and a great choice for relaxing after exploring Fiordland.
Millennium Hotel Queenstown is just minutes from Queenstown central shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities. The property features a business centre, gym and boasts contemporary city-inspired design. Most rooms offer scenic views of Queenstown city and mountains, providing the perfect backdrop to your trip.
The Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is close to the edge of one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions. In the heart of Franz Josef village and on the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is very close to the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. The hotel offers everything you need to be able to explore this dramatic region in style and comfort. With an exceptional restaurant, serving hearty, West Coast fare, and the Moa Bar with its open fireplace, you are never without choice. Free WiFi is available throughout the hotel.
Auckland, or Tāmaki Makaurau in Maori, is New Zealand’s largest city. It is based around 2 large and picturesque harbours. ‘The City of Sails’ is known as such because of the many yachts often seen on those harbours.
Tāmaki Makaurau is one of the few cities in the world to have harbours on two major bodies of water. The central part of the urban area occupies a narrow isthmus between the Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitematā Harbour on the Pacific Ocean.
The Auckland landscape is also dotted with 53 volcanic centres that make up the Auckland Volcanic Field. And the many volcanic cones are a feature of the city.
In the centre of the city, the iconic Sky Tower dominates the skyline and has views across the city and harbours.
There is lots to see and do close to the CBD. Bustling precincts include Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct Harbour, full of superyachts and lined with bars and cafes. Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park, covers an extinct volcano and is home to the formal Wintergardens. A short harbour-side drive takes you to Mission Bay Beach, which offers a relaxed beachside vibe and a seaside promenade — a wonderful place for a stroll.
A slightly longer drive will take you to the Waitakere Ranges, which surrounding the city to the west, and pristine sub-tropical rainforest.
Rotorua is an inland city that is famous for its geothermal activity, Maori culture experiences, 18 lakes, and three major rivers in a beautiful natural environment.
Rotorua is a major destination for both domestic and international tourists. Its geothermal activity, featuring geysers and hot mud pools, are world renowned. This thermal activity is created by the Rotorua Caldera, over which the town is built.
In Te Puia’s Whakarewarewa Valley, there are bubbling mud pools and the 30m-tall Pohutu Geyser, which erupts many times daily. Its also home to a living Maori village and the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, with traditional wood carving and weaving schools.
Rotorua was one of the first places in the country to host tourists who came to experience the healing properties of the geothermal waters.
Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city and the location of our parliament. Located at the bottom of the North Island it sits on the Cook Strait, which divides the North and South Islands. Strong winds through the Cook Strait give it the nickname “Windy Wellington”.
It is a vibrant and compact city, with a beautiful waterfront promenade, sandy beaches, a working harbour and some lovely turn of the century, timber houses on the steep hills it features. From Lambton Quay, the iconic red Wellington Cable Car heads to the Wellington Botanic Gardens.
Wellington is home to New Zealand’s National Museum, Te Papa, and bespoke art and creative pursuits thrive in this city. Couple this with a strong café and restaurant culture and you have an interesting and unique little city to explore.
Blenheim sits in the heart of the wine-growing Marlborough region. It is known as one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. Mountains frame the area and trap the summer heat (temperatures over 30°C are quite normal in February and March).
Rows of vines thrive in this environment and produce the majority of New Zealand’s famous Sauvignon Blanc.
In and around Blenheim you’ll find an array of cafes, restaurants, wineries, bars, shops, artisan food outlets and golf courses along with popular walkways along the Taylor River Reserve.
Aircraft enthusiast are in for a treat. A 10 minute drive from the railway station and you will be outside enormous airport hangers, about to enter a world of flight and excitement. Omaka Aviation Heritage is home to Peter Jackson’s personal collection of WW1 planes and memorabilia.
Christchurch is an fascinating city to explore. It was once a historic garden city. Since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes it has turned into a fascinating city of regeneration and growth.
The central city is filled with cutting-edge architecture alongside some of the oldest buildings in New Zealand. But Christchurch is constantly evolving, always giving locals and visitors something new to explore. Expect street art and innovative projects, a bustling hospitality scene and established green spaces.
The Avon River runs through the city, bringing a natural landscape to the urban environment. Cruise along the picturesque river on a flat bottomed punt. Take a ride on a historic tram through the city. With wonderful parks and botanic gardens to explore Christchurch is a great place to visit.
Twizel is the largest town in the South Island’s Mackenzie District. It was purpose-built in the 1960s to provide a home for workers involved with the Upper Waitaki Power Scheme. And today’s its location makes it great base of mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking.
The town sits in the basin that characteries the district surrounded by canals, lakes and wide open plains and overlooked by the Southern Alps. The peaks and trails of Mount Cook National Park are just up the road.
Fish for salmon and trout in the stunning aqua-blue local waters. If you don’t have any luck, call into the salmon farm and buy a fish – fresh or smoked.
In summer Twizel’s population more than trebles, as holiday houses and camp grounds fill to capacity with New Zealanders on holiday.
Queenstown is a stunning resort town, renowned for its beauty and wealth of adventure activities, it sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps mountains, Queenstown is also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns.
Iconic adventure activities include bungee jumping off Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge and jet-boating on the Shotover and Dart rivers. And in winter, there’s skiing on the slopes of The Remarkables, Coronet Peak and Cardrona ski resorts.
Queenstown is a hub of adventure, thrumming with adrenaline and an buzzing with a carefree sense of fun. But extreme activities aren’t the only options here. This world-famous resort town and its surrounding area boast many things to see, do, eat, drink and explore. Something for everyone at any time of year.
A two hour drive from Queenstown, Te Anau is a Southland town. A pretty lakeside town, it’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park.
Te Anau offers great views of the lake and mountains beyond and a good range of cafes and restaurants. The awe-inspiring natural beauty of the park’s wilderness, including Milford and Doubtful Sounds is within easy reach.
The region is home to many of NZ’s Great Walks, endangered flightless takahē birds and abundant trout in Lake Te Anau. Te Anau Caves feature a limestone grotto of glowworms and an underground waterfall. To the southwest, the Kepler Track winds through beech forests, glacial valleys and mountains.
Famously described by Rudyard Kipling as the “eighth wonder of the world”, Milford Sound is a stunning fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island.
The “sound” was carved out by glaciers during the ice age like all modern fiords. But it’s majesty and the drama of its surrounding mountains is hard to match. It is known for the towering Mitre Peak, plus rainforests and waterfalls like Stirling and Bowen falls, which plummet down its sheer sides.
When it rains in Milford Sound — and it often does — those waterfalls multiply with magnificent effect. Whatever the weather it really is a breath-taking sight.
Boat tours are a popular way to explore the inky waters of this pristine natural wonder. The fiord is home to fur seal colonies, penguins and dolphins. Milford Discovery Centre and Underwater Observatory offers views of rare black coral and other marine life.
Franz Josef is the name of both the glacier and the nearby village. The small but lively Franz Josef Waiau village is surrounded by lush rainforest with the high snow-capped Alps rising above it.
There are many ways to take in the natural attractions within a short distance of the village. Your options include a cycleway, walks of varying lengths, guided walks, kayaking, and action adventures like rafting or skydiving. You can also visit the white heron colony or see the world’s rarest kiwi.
A short distance from neighbouring Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier is one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. It descends from its origins high in the Southern Alps deep into the lush native rainforest of Westland’s National Park.
The glacier moves faster than your average glacier so no two days are the same. The main ice fall moves an average of 50cm per day, but steep sections can move as much as 10 metres in a single day. This creates some truly incredible features in the glacier such as ice caves, tunnels, seracs and crevasses; and all features are constantly changing and evolving.
Punakaiki is a small community on the West Coast of the South Island, between Westport and Greymouth. The community lies on the edge of the Paparoa National Park.
The Pancake Rocks are a very popular tourist destination. At Dolomite Point south of the main village you can explore a limestone landscape of pancake-shaped rock formations, blowholes and surge pools on a short, paved walk.
This all-weather walk takes you through curious limestone formations of ‘Pancake Rocks’ and blowholes.
The blowholes form from a mixture of compressed water and air from caverns below being forced upwards. They create a huge wall of spray and are at their best around high tide when there is a south-westerly swell.
Spectacular views, geological oddities, coastal forest, rich birdlife and marine mammals are highlights along this walk.
Discover one of New Zealand’s most magnificent geothermal wonderlands near Rotorua at Te Puia. See dramatic geysers, bubbling mud and beautiful native bush.
Enjoy the opportunity to come face to face with the biggest, active geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, Pōhutu Geyser. There are also jumping mud pools and live kiwi in the Kiwi Conservation Centre.
And watch master carvers and weavers at work at the NZ Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, and hear guides share stories passed down from their ancestors.
In 1989, brothers, Doug and Mike Tamaki created a turning point for tourism in Rotorua and forever changed the way people from around the world experienced cultural storytelling. Today Tamaki is an iconic brand in tourism. You will journey back to a time of proud warriors and ancient traditions with the Tamaki Māori Village Evening Experience.
This is a 3.5-hour Māori cultural experience. Beginning at the gathering place, you travel to to Tamaki’s ancient forest village at Tawa-ngāhere-pā. Here their land, people, and spirit come to life.
It takes you from a traditional Māori welcome ceremony, through to an interactive tour of a reconstructed pre-European village where you will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on cultural activities, followed by a delicious traditional dinner and dessert buffet feast.
The Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa is New Zealand’s national museum, located in Wellington. Usually known as Te Papa, it opened in 1998 after the merging of the National Museum of New Zealand and the National Art Gallery.
Rated by Lonely Planet as one of their top 500 places on earth, Te Papa is a museum like no other. This interactive museum is a must-do for any visitor to Wellington. Explore six floors of cutting-edge interactive exhibitions housed in an architectural wonder of a building.
Te Papa’s clever, contemporary and bicultural approach makes it stand out amongst more normal museum experiences. This is a really interesting and interactive experience.
Cruise Lake Manapouri to take in the beauty of “New Zealand’s most beautiful lake”. Enjoy short walks, take a fascinating tour of Manapouri Power Station or access the wonders of Doubtful Sound.
Surrounded by the soaring peaks of Fiordland National Park, Lake Manapouri offers visitors stunning islands, sandy beaches, and stunning short walks. A boat cruise enables you to enjoy otherwise inaccessible short walks on Department of Conservation tracks. It also gives you access to a trip around Manapouri Power Station, a fascinating tour of a hydroelectric underground power station.
And it is your way to access Doubtful Sound. Carved out of granite by glacial action over millions of years, Doubtful is the biggest sound in New Zealand. It offers a chance to see a large variety of flora and fauna unique to the area. This includes tree orchids, ancient beech forests, seals, whales, dolphins and weka. But the most spectacular feature of Doubtful Sound is the waterfalls, which send tons of water cascading down the mountains.
The TSS Earnslaw offers one of the best ways to see Queenstown’s surrounding landscape. Cruise across Lake Whakatipu aboard the iconic century-old coal-fired steamship taking in the views at a leisurely pace.
An iconic piece of Queenstown’s history, The Earsnlaw has been lovingly maintained since 1912. Take time to explore the vessel, view the engine room, and study the historic displays of the steamship’s former life.
Your trip will take you across the lake, past the Remarkables mountain range and Cecil Peak to Walter Peak for a high country farm experience. Then you’ll cruise back to Queenstown Bay with plenty of time to take in that world-famous alpine scenery.
Located in Greymouth on the West Coast, Monteith’s Brewery is the original home of craft brewing in New Zealand. And this tour is a recognised Qualmark Gold visitor experience with beer!
Take a guided brewery experience tour to learn about all the wonders of craft beer and the brewing process in the state of the art, modern facility. Pour your own beer from the tap. Get some great discounts on great West Coast activities. Take home a 6 pack of your favourites. It’s all included in the tour price.
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