Ultimate New Zealand

Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland for your two night Special Stay. Celebrate the wonder of New Zealand at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Freechoice: Sail on an authentic America’s Cup yacht or explore the wine and cuisine of Waiheke Island. Take a harbour cruise, discover the black sand beaches of the West Coast, or join a small group sightseeing tour of Auckland. Alternatively, visit Auckland’s latest attractions the Weta Workshop Unleashed and the All Blacks Experience. Freechoice Dining: Choose between a sunset dinner yacht cruise, Orbit 360 at Sky City, or dinner at the hotel’s Grand Millennium Brasserie.

Travel north towards the Bay of Islands and visit the Kauri Museum to learn about the history of the local pioneers. Enrich The sense of awe you feel as you see the mighty Tane Mahuta kauri tree for the first time is unforgettable. Listen to stories from your local M aori guide about the ‘Lord of the Forest’. Sunset Drinks Relax over an evening drink watching the sunset at Copthorne Bay of Islands. Your base for the next three nights is Paihia.

Freechoice: Take a lunch cruise or enjoy a ferry ride to Russell. Alternatively, discover the bay on a scenic cruise and journey through the Hole in the Rock (weather permitting), or join a Taste of the Bay tour.

Enrich Journey to the top of New Zealand – Cape Reinga. Enjoy the thrill of travelling along Ninety Mile Beach and marvel at the immense sand dunes.

Enrich This morning, discover the Waitangi Treaty Grounds with a Maori guide. Learn first-hand the connection between art and nature at the Hundertwasser Art Centre, before your return to Auckland.

Visit the Hobbiton™ Movie Set before arriving in Rotorua, home of Maori culture and bubbling mud pools. Later,  visit the National Kiwi Trust,  before your two night stay at Rotorua.

Be amazed by Rotorua’s geothermal activity during a visit to Te Puia, before an experience on a nature discovery treewalk. Freechoice: Take an amphibious duck tour or relax in the geothermal pools. Alternatively, enjoy the view from Skyline Rotorua while wine tasting. Tonight, immerse yourself in Maori traditions at an authentic hangi dinner. Optional flight - Take a floatplane flight over Mt Tarawera (additional expense, please book prior to departure).

Witness the force of nature at Huka Falls before seeing the magnificent Lake Taupo. Freechoice: Take a walking tour of Napier’s Art Deco buildings, view the famous landmarks of Napier during a vintage car tour or discover a diverse range of animals at the National Aquarium. Enrich Meet the makers at a special wine tasting and dinner at Mission Estate Winery. Enjoy your overnight stay is the home of Art Deco, Napier.

Head south to the town of Greytown in the Wairapa region. Continue to Wellington for a two night stay.

Enrich This afternoon take an in-depth journey of Te Papa to discover the treasures and stories of New Zealand.

Travel in the ferry’s premium lounge across the Marlborough Sounds to the South Island. Freechoice: Enjoy a tasting at the home of Sauvignon Blanc or a visit to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. Stay overnight at Blenheim.

Drive along the spectacular East Coast where rugged mountains meet the ocean.  Experience how Christchurch is recovering and enjoy a two night stay. Freechoice Dining: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant or at the hotel’s restaurant.

Freechoice: Go punting on the Avon River, take a Botanic Gardens Tour or enjoy a city tour around Christchurch. Alternatively, visit the seaside town of Akaroa or the International Antarctic Centre.

Join the TranzAlpine this morning for your rail journey across the Southern Alps. Stand in wonder at Franz Josef Glacier with its ever-changing face before your overnight Special Stay. Optional flight - Take a helicopter flight over Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and experience the wonder in this natural alpine landscape (additional expense, please book prior to departure).

Enjoy a ride on the Haast River Jet boat before you arrive in Queenstown for your three night stay.

Freechoice: Take the Dart River Wilderness Jet, or tour local wineries. Feel exhilarated on the Shotover Jet, a 4WD Skippers Canyon, or Safari of the Scenes tour. Freechoice Dining: Take a steamship cruise on TSS Earnslaw and enjoy dinner at Walter Peak, ride the Skyline Gondola and dine overlooking Queenstown, or simply relax at the hotel’s restaurant.

Enjoy a day at leisure to discover Queenstown.

In the darkness of the Te Anau caves, see the shimmer of thousands of glow-worms. Enjoy an overnight Special Stay on board the Milford Mariner amidst the majesty of Milford Sound.

Awake to breathtaking beauty in Milford Sound. Then immerse yourself in New Zealand’s oldest university city, Dunedin, with a two night Special Stay. Freechoice Dining: Choose between Speight’s Brewery and the hotel’s Parcels Restaurant.

Freechoice: Tour Larnach Castle or visit the breeding colony of Royal Albatross. Alternatively, take a heritage walking tour or cruise Otago Harbour.

Visit the Moeraki Boulders, featuring huge spherical boulders scattered across a sandy beach. Enjoy a Special Stay at Mount Cook.

Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before returning to Christchurch for your Special Stay. Enrich Celebrate your adventures during an iconic tram ride.

Bid farewell to New Zealand. The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.