Grand Tour of New Zealand

Your vacation begins in Auckland, New Zealand's largest and most populous city, in the country's North Island. After checking in to our central hotel and meeting the Tour Manager, you are free for the rest of the day until dinner this evening.

Auckland has an outstanding location between two harbors, bordered by rainforest. Due to its long maritime heritage, and a bay dotted with sailing boats and yachts, it is known locally as the 'City of Sails'.

New Zealand was first inhabited by the Māori people who arrived by canoe in the early 13th century from Eastern Polynesia. It became a British colony in the 19th century, with Auckland as its capital. Today, Auckland is a buzzing but friendly metropolis, a blend of Polynesian and Anglo culture with a thriving arts scene and unique cuisine. 

With a free afternoon you could head down to the Viaduct Harbour area of the city, right on the marina, for a taste of New Zealand life before dinner at the hotel.

• Dinner

After breakfast we drive north, through scenic farmland to Paihia, a small coastal town on the North Island known as the gateway to the Bay of Islands. Originally settled by the Māori people around 700 years ago, it was Captain James Cook who named this picturesque archipelago of 144 islands, in 1769.

There's free time here over lunch before heading to our next stop, the Waitangi Treaty House, for a guided tour. The Waitangi Treaty is the country's founding document and was signed in 1840, when the British and around 540 Māori chiefs made a historic agreement, enshrined by law, to protect the Māori and give them equal rights. Our tour includes an introduction to Waitangi and the War Canoe, the Meeting House, the Treaty House, and the famous Flagpole. There's time to wander through the grounds and visit the interactive museum.

Later, we return by coach to Paihia where we check into our oceanfront hotel for two nights. This evening you are free to dine independently and there's a good choice of cuisine at a variety of eating places around the harbor, such as fresh fish, Chinese and Italian.

• Breakfast

Today is one of the highlights of our tour - a morning cruise on a luxury catamaran around the spectacular Bay of Islands to rugged Cape Brett. We pass the Cape Brett lighthouse, Motukokako Island, and the famous Hole in the Rock, a stunning geological formation.  On our return trip we pass some of the Bay's many remote islands, fringed with golden sand beaches.

When we return to Paihia, it is possible to stay on board and continue sailing to Russell Island, New Zealand's first permanent European settlement, which also has a deep indigenous history (ticket included). Or, with time at leisure over lunchtime, you could look around and find a bite to eat in Paihia.

The rest of your day is free and you may like to take a dip in the inviting turquoise sea, or in the hotel pool. Tonight you are free to dine on your own and you could sample the local cuisine in Paihia town.

• Breakfast

This morning we drive back to Auckland. On a guided sightseeing tour, we stop for panoramic views over the city harbor from Bastion Point, before calling at Parnell Village, Auckland's oldest suburb. We continue past the lovely bays of the waterfront drive to the vibrant Viaduct Harbour area where there's free time. The harbor has tempting places to dine and interesting museums and galleries to visit. For example, the New Zealand Maritime Museum on Hobson Wharf, whose intriguing collection relates to its seafaring history, from Polynesian days to the present.

After returning to our hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore. For dinner, you are spoilt for choice. Ten minutes' walk away is Queen's street with a great range of cafés and restaurants where - besides international cuisine - you'll find popular Kiwi dishes, such as whitebait, crayfish or Kiwi pie on the menu. Maybe choose a rooftop restaurant in the city, or wander down to a waterfront bistro with harbor views. Wherever you dine, expect a warm welcome, creative menus and friendly service.

• Breakfast

Our day starts with a nostalgic ride on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, New Zealand's premier heritage railway, on a restored steam train. This 1922 line transports us on a round trip to the boundary of the Auckland and Waikato regions.

A journey by coach through the Bombay Hills and Waikato Valley follows, before arriving in Rotorua, the spiritual home of the Māori, an area of fascinating geothermal activity and hot springs, and our base for the next two nights. This amazing city is surrounded by a dozen lakes and multiple extinct volcanoes. After an introductory orientation tour we check in to our hotel, and this evening is at leisure. Our hotel has three restaurants, offering Japanese cuisine to traditional à la carte dining, and there are many other enticing options in the town of Rotorua.

• Breakfast

After a morning at leisure we set out on a sightseeing tour of Rotorua, including a walk in the wondrous Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest, which has stunning views. There's time to soak up the energizing atmosphere, before heading to the Blue and Green Lakes, whose Māori names are Lake Tikitapu and Lake Rotokākahi, and also visiting Lake Tarawera.

We return to our hotel before an afternoon drive to the Te Puia Thermal Park for a guided tour and Māori cultural experience. First we are introduced to the geothermal activity in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, its boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces, hot springs and geysers including the famous Pohutu Geyser which erupts up to 30 meters high.

Next we visit the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Māori learn the skills of their ancestors. Later, we indulge in a buffet dinner prepared by hāngī (a Māori method of cooking), followed by a performance of song, traditional chant and dance. Dessert is served in the geothermal valley, which is bathed in colored light, before returning to the hotel.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is another highlight of our tour, after driving across the Mamaku Mountain Ranges to Hamilton, we board the renowned Northern Explorer for one of the world's greatest rail journeys. This stunning route takes us into 'King Country', an area once ruled by Māori kings, and from panoramic windows the volcano Mount Pinogia can be seen in the distance.

After passing Te Kuiti, the sheep shearing capital of the world, we cross the Waiteti viaduct, then travel through New Zealand's distinctive valleys, hills and hillocks, the landscape of Hobbiton in Tolkien's 'Lord of the Ring's. We also experience the fantastic Raurimu Spiral, a masterpiece of 19th century railway engineering, and pass the volcanic peaks of Tongariro National Park.

After following rivers, entering gorges and crossing more viaducts, we finally reach the coastline of soft sands and crashing waves, with views across the Tasman Sea to Kapiti Island. On a clear evening, we may be lucky to witness a sensational sunset before arriving into Wellington. We are transferred to our hotel in the heart of the city with a free evening ahead.

• Breakfast

This morning is a guided tour of Wellington, a cosmopolitan harbor city at the southern tip of the North Island. Our tour ends at the city's Botanic Garden, an oasis of native and exotic plant species with a Treehouse Visitor Centre. You're free to look around at your own pace, before using your included cable car ticket to make the return journey to the city. There's also the option of visiting the Wellington Chocolate Factory for a tour and tasting.

With a free afternoon, Wellington offers plenty of options, and one suggestion is to take the free shuttle to Zealandia, an ecosanctuary for birds and reptiles, on a guided tour (payable on admission). Alternatively, visit the wonderful Te Papa National Museum, 'Te Papa Tongarewa' roughly translates as 'treasure box', for an insight into New Zealand's natural history, Māori culture and European settlement. Besides bars serving excellent local wines, Wellington has a thriving craft brewery scene and an exciting choice of eateries - from an international food market to fine dining. Try Kiwi fish and chips at the Wellington Seamarket, or sample Māori cuisine on the waterfront.

• Breakfast

We board the Interislander ferry this morning for a journey across Cook Strait, a stretch of ocean which serves as a passageway between New Zealand's North and South Islands. Arriving in the picturesque port town of Picton, at the heart of the calm Marlborough Sounds, there is free time over lunch and you could spend it in one of the inviting waterfront cafés in the harbor.

Next we join the Coastal Pacific Train for another memorable rail journey, to the South Island city of Christchurch. With stunning views of the Marlborough region and farmlands of the North Canterbury Plains, on a section of our route, the ocean stretches out on one side and mountains rise up on the other.

We arrive in Christchurch this evening, a handsome port and the largest city in the South Island, where we spend the night. This cultural city is known for its contemporary international cuisine, sharing plates, and its innovative approach to New Zealand dishes, and there are plenty of dining options to choose from this evening.

• Breakfast

With a day at leisure in Christchurch stretching ahead, there are many ways to enjoy it, and a complimentary day pass on the city's historic tram makes getting around the city easy. Besides its striking architecture and some of New Zealand's oldest buildings, there are many green spaces to explore. For example, the city's Botanic Gardens - whose restaurant serves authentic Spanish dishes, or the urban park on the banks of the Avon River.

This unique city also offers an eclectic mix of street art to fine art. To discover more, you could visit the Christchurch Art Gallery, whose Māori name is Te Puna o Waiwhetū, or the Centre for Contemporary Art.

A ride on the Christchurch Gondola is another popular option, for views across the city and Lyttelton Harbour, across to the Southern Alps, Canterbury Plains, beautiful Pegasus Bay and the Pacific Ocean. To venture beyond the city you could take a wine tour of the nearby Waipara Region. In New Zealand's second largest city your dining options are endless, and Christchurch has a reputation for wholesome, healthy food and friendly hospitality.

• Breakfast

After breakfast we leave Christchurch to continue by motor coach for a beautifully scenic journey to Twizel, into the vast Mount Cook National Park. Our journey takes us through Fairlie, an attractive rural town, before crossing the mountainous Burke's Pass. We make a short stop for lunch in the lakeside town of Tekapo, or you could visit the quaint Church of the Good Shepherd, set against a striking mountain backdrop on the shores of the lake. We also see Lake Pukaki, a stunning glacial lake with vivid blue waters.

Our destination is the resort town of Twizel in the Mount Cook National Park, a dramatic terrain of ice and rock, in the form of immense glaciers and soaring mountains, including New Zealand's highest alpine mountain, also known as Aoraki. Arriving in the afternoon, we spend the night in this charming town nestled in pristine nature. Independent dining options this evening include Asian, Thai and Indian food, a lively bistro, and several casual dining venues.

• Breakfast

Today we leave the Mount Cook National Park and drive to Te Anau, a breathtaking setting on the eastern shores of Lake Te Anau, whose name in Māori means the Place of the Swirling Waters. Overlooked by magnificent snow-capped mountains, Te Anau is the gateway to New Zealand's Fiordland in the south-western corner of the South Island. Our route takes us past the summit of the beautiful Lindis Pass, along the Clutha River, besides Lake Dunstan and over the suspension bridge of the immense Kawararu river gorge.

Reaching the town of Te Anau this afternoon, after checking in to our hotel the rest of the day and evening is at leisure. Because of its proximity to the beautiful Fiordland National Park, Te Anau attracts tourists from all over the world, and there are some enticing restaurants to choose from this evening.

• Breakfast

Today we set out after breakfast on a full-day motor coach excursion into the world-acclaimed Fiordland National Park. Part of the UNESCO Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area the park is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere, featuring ancient fjords, towering forests, and craggy mountains. Enroute we stop at the spectacular Mirror Lakes, two deep, blue lakes framed by a striking mountain backdrop, before continuing through the scenic Hollyford valley.

Milford Sound is our destination, the most famous of New Zealand's ancient glacier-carved fjords. Here we see lush rainforest valleys where waterfalls cascade over sheer granite cliffs to the sea below. We cruise across the serene water, with a boxed lunch served on board. Back on land, we continue by road, via the scenic Eglinton Valley and the incredible Homer tunnel, hewn from solid granite, to our lakefront hotel in Queenstown. This popular destination offers more majestic scenery, a picturesque lake, hot springs, and a great selection of places to eat.

• Breakfast, Lunch

After a free morning in New Zealand's 'adventure capital', Queenstown, we are given a guided sightseeing tour of the city. We visit historic Arrowtown, the site of a gold rush in the 1860s and a 'Lord of the Rings' filming location, then continue to the famous Gibbston Valley Wine Cave, for a look around the deep underground cellars before tasting some of these highly-rated wines.

Next, we board the vintage steamship, TSS Earnslaw, for a cruise across azure Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand's longest lake. Sailing since 1912, this is the oldest passenger carrying steamship in the Southern hemisphere. We pass an impressive range of snow-capped mountains called the Remarkables and the distinctive peak of Cecil Mount. Mooring up at the Colonel's Homestead, we then enjoy a barbecue dinner at the Walter Peak High Country farm, followed by a demonstration of farming activities. Later, we rejoin our ship for a night-time sailing back to Queenstown. 

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today is a full free day, providing a chance to explore Queenstown at your own pace. For fantastic views across the town, maybe take the gondola up to Bob's peak, a towering ridge with panoramic vistas. Or you may prefer to visit the peaceful Queenstown Gardens, a haven of native and exotic trees, with a lake and formal gardens, a short distance from the busy town along a peninsula. Other options are taking a gentle walk (or a serious hike!) along the coastline, or indulging in a spa experience at the Onsen Hot Pools, reachable by taxi, in a spectacular setting overlooking the Shotover River. Booking ahead for treatments at the spa is recommended.

The town has an excellent food scene and an exciting choice of restaurants and cafés offer fresh and healthy dishes with a creative twist.

• Breakfast

Today is an excursion to the Franz Josef Glacier, and we set off on a scenic drive through Kawarau Valley Gorge to Cromwell. This popular fruit growing valley has become an important wine producing area in recent years. Stopping at Jones Family Fruit Stall, there's free time to buy fresh produce, honey, preserves or gifts, or maybe indulge in a real fruit ice cream. Or you could choose to walk through the orchards and visit the rose and dahlia gardens.

Our tour continues around Lake Dunstan into New Zealand's breathtaking Glacier Country, passing the ski-resort of Wanaka on the shores of the glacial Lake Wanaka and Hawea, then crossing the Haast Mountain Pass through the Southern Alps. After descending to follow the course of the Haast River towards the coast, we travel north through natural rainforest and past bush-fringed lakes. Around 30 minutes after passing the Fox Glacier we arrive in the town of Franz Josef, whose Māori name is Waiau, and check into our scenic hotel in sight of the spectacular glacier for an overnight stay.

• Breakfast

Enroute to Greymouth this morning we visit Hokitika, the centre for New Zealand jade. On a visit to the Hokitika Greenstone Factory, we see how the local stone is crafted into striking Māori-style jewelry and ornaments of modern and traditional design. In Greymouth there's free time to find lunch independently and maybe to learn a little about the town's gold mining and jade-hunting past. The town is also famous for its local brewery, Monteith's.

This afternoon is a highlight of our holiday, a journey aboard the TranzAlpine train into New Zealand's spectacular Southern Alps from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch. Traveling in panoramic viewing carriages, one end of the train has an open-air viewing platform. The train crosses viaducts, picturesque gorges and river valleys, into the fertile Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch. After checking into our hotel, we mark our last night in New Zealand with a farewell group dinner. Later, you may like to try one of the city's live music venues in the Boxed Quarter, where you can hear local blues among music of other genres.

• Breakfast, Dinner

On the final day of our New Zealand tour there's a free morning to relax at our hotel, or to explore Christchurch independently. Framed by the Pacific Ocean and the snow-capped Southern Alps, Christchurch is known as Australia's Garden City and the city's Botanic Gardens is a wonderful place to spend some time. Another Christchurch attraction is the International Antarctic Centre, whose displays demonstrate how explorers have survived harsh environments over the centuries, and where you can see indigenous blue penguins. 

This outstanding vacation has taken us from the dynamic city of Auckland to the breathtaking Bay of Islands, and from the spiritual home of the Māori, Rotorua, to the harbor city of Wellington at the southern tip of the North Island. We have experienced the epic scenery of the South Island, from Mount Cook National Park to the stunning Fiordland and the iconic Franz Josef Glacier. We've also travelled on some of the world's most celebrated railways including the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific and the TranzAlpine.

This afternoon we are transferred to the airport in Christchurch where your vacation ends and you are free to continue your journey home.

• Breakfast