Kia Ora New Zealand

Kia ora and welcome to Auckland, a city that’s easy to get swept up in. Arrive at your own pace and start exploring when you’re ready. You could wander the waterfront, watch the yachts glide by and grab a bite in the harbourside precincts. Or keep it simple and save your energy for what’s ahead. Tonight, meet your Travel Director who’ll give you the lowdown on the adventure to come. You’ll get the key details, a few handy local tips and a chance to meet your fellow travellers before you hit the road tomorrow.

Wave goodbye to the ‘City of Sails’ and head north to the Bay of Islands, where turquoise water wraps around more than 140 islands. It’s a stunner, with a story to match. At Waitangi, you’ll step into one of New Zealand’s most significant historic sites, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. You’ll be welcomed onto the grounds with a powerful cultural performance. Your Local Guide will bring the place to life, sharing the meaning behind the site, pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and showing you a beautifully carved meeting house.

Today is yours to shape, and the Bay of Islands is the perfect playground. Fancy going big? Choose a full-day Choice Experience up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, travelling via the dreamy sweep of Ninety Mile Beach. Prefer to stay on the water? Jump on a Choice Experience with a scenic cruise among the islands with lunch, plus a visit to the iconic Hole in the Rock (own expense). Or slow things down with another Choice Experience of a tour of Russell to hear stories of early settlement and seaside life. However you spend it, keep your camera close. This place delivers.

On the way back south, you’ll get a taste of Northland’s easy charm. Stop in Whangārei, a coastal city that blends nature with a creative, forward-looking vibe. Stretch your legs, browse local spots and enjoy a little free time to explore at your own pace. Then settle in for the scenic drive back to Auckland, watching the landscapes shift from rural green to city buzz. Tonight, you’re back where it all began, with a chance to recharge and maybe tick off a few last sights, eats and waterfront views.

After a look at Auckland’s highlights, point the coach towards Waitomo Caves for a truly magical ride. Glide through underground waterways as thousands of glowworms light up the darkness like a living sky. Then it’s on to Rotorua, where the earth bubbles, steams and pops. At Te Puia, explore a geothermal valley and dive into Māori culture on a guided experience. You’ll enjoy a stirring performance with a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience inside a carved meeting house, see the mighty Pōhutu Geyser and finish with a buffet dinner of locally sourced hāngī-inspired flavours.

Rotorua is packed with options, and today you can choose your own pace. Want pure relaxation? Slip into holiday mode at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa and soak it all in. Chasing movie magic? Join a Choice Experience to Hobbiton and wander the Shire sets from The Lord of the Rings films. Even if you’re not a superfan, the rolling countryside is worth the trip. Your Travel Director will have plenty of tips, from scenic walks to places to eat. Whether you go full-on or keep it chilled, you’ll finish the day feeling refreshed.

You’ll hear Huka Falls before you see it. Every second, an astonishing 220,000 litres of water roar through the narrow gorge and plunge 11 m (36 ft) down. Next, soak up the wide-open views of Lake Taupō, a vivid sweep of blue that looks almost unreal. Then follow the road south along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington, New Zealand’s cool little capital. This city loves good food, great coffee and a night out, so you’ll want local intel. Luckily, your Travel Director has the tips, from hidden bars to must-try spots for dinner.

Start the day Wellington-style, with a great coffee in hand. Then get to know the city on a sights tour, taking in its harbour energy and creative edge. Next comes one of the trip’s classic journeys as you cross Cook Strait by ferry from the North Island to the South. Find a spot on deck and watch the coastline change as you glide through a maze of arms and inlets. The approach into Picton is a beauty, with calm waters and forested hills all around. Tonight, enjoy the relaxed pace of this harbour town as you settle in.

Travel down the coast towards Kaikōura, where dramatic beaches meet big ocean views. Keep your eyes peeled as you pass through, this is New Zealand’s marine wildlife hotspot. If you’re lucky you might spot seals on the rocks or even a whale offshore. Later, continue to Christchurch, a city that’s rewritten the rulebook after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes. You’ll feel its fresh energy in the buzzing laneways, new architecture and lively dining scene. Chat with your Travel Director for restaurant picks tonight. This is a city that rewards curiosity and a good appetite.

Christchurch is a lesson in reinvention, and today you’ll see how the city is rebuilding with bold ideas. Look out for the Transitional Cathedral, created largely from cardboard, plus Tūranga, the striking gold-clad central library. Then it’s time for wide-open scenery as you cross the Canterbury Plains. Think turquoise lakes, snow-capped peaks and small towns with serious atmosphere. Stop in Tekapo for an Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience hosted by passionate Local Guides. It’s one of the quietest places you’ll visit, yet the sky is bursting with action. Tonight, you’ll sleep in Omarama with starlit memories.

Get your camera ready, today is full of character stops and big landscapes. First up is Clyde, a charming historic town with a centre that’s a designated precinct. Gold mining-era buildings now house cafes, shops and all sorts of local flavour. Then roll on to Gore, proudly known as the country music capital of New Zealand. From here, the scenery shifts again as you head towards Fiordland National Park. By late day you’ll arrive in Te Anau, sitting pretty on the edge of the South Island’s largest lake. Take a slow stroll by the water and enjoy the calm. This is serenity, sorted.

Today is a wilderness day, pure and simple. Travel through Fiordland National Park where beech forests, mirror-like lakes and gin-clear rivers set the tone. The road winds through a landscape that feels untouched, leading you straight to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Then it’s time to get out on the water on an included sightseeing cruise. Towering cliffs rise above you, waterfalls tumble down and wildlife pops up when you least expect it. Seals and penguins are common sights, and you may even spot the curious kea, New Zealand’s alpine parrot. Bring a warm layer and keep your eyes open.

Hit the road along the aptly named Devil’s Staircase, a seriously scenic stretch that hugs Lake Wakatipu with lake and mountain views that keep coming. Then step into history in Arrowtown, a former gold rush village where tree-lined streets lead to character-filled shops and cafes. After that, it’s on to Queenstown, your base for the next two nights in New Zealand’s adventure capital. Tonight is a highlight. Cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. You’ll tuck into a gourmet barbecue dinner and enjoy a farm show before gliding back under the lights.

Today is all about choice, Queenstown-style. If you want adrenaline, your Travel Director can point you towards a high-octane Choice Experience like a jet boat ride that skims across the water at full speed. Prefer animals and nature? Visit Kiwi Park on another Choice Experience to meet some of New Zealand’s unique native wildlife. Or keep it simple with lakeside walks, good coffee and time to browse the shops. Whatever your vibe, Queenstown has you covered. The best part is you don’t have to do it all. Pick what suits you, then enjoy the rest.

Try to keep track of the lakes today, there are plenty. Leave Lake Wakatipu behind, then pass shimmering Lake Hāwea as you head towards the wild beauty of Haast Pass. Waterfalls crash down rocky slopes, mountains loom overhead and the views keep shifting. By late day, you’ll arrive in Franz Josef/Waiau, a small town with a big natural backdrop. Want to level it up? Join a Choice Experience with a scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, and if the weather plays nice you may even land on the ice. Tonight, enjoy the fresh alpine air and a well-earned rest.

This morning brings a change of scenery and a little sparkle. In Hokitika, discover pounamu, native greenstone prized for its beauty and meaning. It’s the kind of place where jewellery dreams take shape. Then comes one of New Zealand’s great rail journeys as you board the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch. Settle in for tunnels, viaducts and huge views of icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and snow-capped peaks. It’s a highlight for good reason. Tonight, celebrate your journey with dinner and drinks, raising a glass to lakes, mountains, glowworms and all the moments in between.

Two islands. Glaciers and glowworms. Thermal valleys and thundering waterfalls. You’ve covered a lot of New Zealand in 17 days, and the memories will travel home with you. After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to your Travel Director and your new travel mates. Haere rā and safe travels.