Great New Zealand Discovery

Our nationwide shared chauffeur service collects you from home for your flights to Christchurch.

In flight.

Our first stop on our New Zealand itinerary is Christchurch. The capital of the South Island is known as the most ‘English’ of New Zealand’s cities. On arrival, you’ll have the remainder of the day free to explore or relax here.

New Zealand has a distinctive European feel wherever you go and while Christchurch’s architecture is reminiscent of England, Akaroa is undeniably French. In fact, the town strives to recreate the feel of a provincial French village - and it’s utterly charming.

We head to the Banks Peninsula and, on arrival in Akaroa, take a two-hour cruise of the harbour and learn how the entire Banks Peninsula was created from a huge volcano. Be sure to keep an eye out for adorable fur seals, dolphins and penguins. After, you’re free to explore this French settlement. Return to your hotel mid afternoon.

Meals: Breakfast

We travel south to Dunedin. With a strong Scottish heritage, Dunedin is home to New Zealand’s only kilt shop and produces the country’s whisky. We stay here for two nights.

Meals: Breakfast

Our excursion today takes us to the Otago Peninsula, home to many species of magnificent marine life including blue penguins, the rare New Zealand sea lion and endangered yellow-eyed penguin. Wander the walkways to get a closer glimpse of the wildlife and admire the views over the sheer cliff edge. Our visit includes the Royal Albatross Centre.

Meals: Breakfast

When you first began dreaming of your New Zealand adventure, it might have been the epic landscapes of the Fiordland National Park that flashed into your mind’s eye. Some of New Zealand’s most iconic landscapes can be found here; giant granite peaks, steely blue waters, frolicking penguins and dolphins. Brace yourself for a journey of a lifetime, deep into the Fiordland.

We’ll board Fiordland Navigator on Doubtful Sound or Milford Mariner on Milford Sound. The rest of the afternoon is spent gliding through the glorious, unspoilt landscapes. This evening our vessel will anchor in a quiet part of the sound where we’ll spend a truly enchanting night in the wilderness. (Please ensure you bring an overnight bag for this cruise.)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

We return to our coach for the journey to Queenstown and our hotel.

Please note: An additional advertised dinner is included on November 2 and 16, 2027, and January 25, February 22 and March 7, 2028 only.

Meals: Breakfast

The next two days are free for you to explore the alpine resort of Queenstown and the sublime wilderness that surrounds it. This cosmopolitan city boasts a great art scene, excellent vineyards and five international-standard golf courses. Keen walkers may like to look into hiking from the city to Queenstown Hill or through the pine forests of Ben Lomond Reserve to Bob’s Peak (with a gondola option available) to enjoy stunning views over the city and Lake Wakatipu.

Meals: Breakfast

At leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Departing Queenstown today, we embark on a 4WD off-road safari to explore some of New Zealand’s hidden wonders. Take in stunning mountain and canyon vistas, some of which were used in the Lord of the Rings films, and long abandoned heritage sites. We return to our coach for the journey to the scenic town of Wanaka. Later, we've arranged a 'Happy Hour' cruise on Lake Wanaka - a great way to enjoy the scenery around the lake while enjoying a glass of local wine or beer.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning witness spectacular scenery across Mount Aspiring National Park as we head over Haast Pass. At Roaring Billy Falls join a 30km river safari along the crystal clear glacial waters to Haast Bridge. After lunch, continue by coach to Franz Josef.

Meals: Breakfast

This morning we travel to Greymouth, where we board a train for the famously scenic TranzAlpine journey. Ascending through thick beech forest, we traverse the mammoth Southern Alps and beautiful Arthur’s Pass National Park to Springfield. On arrival, we board a coach for Kaikoura. Please note on March 16 2027 you'll travel by coach to Kaikoura. You'll instead have an included rail journey aboard the Coastal Pacific train from Kaikoura to Picton on day 15.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

We have a morning whale-watching cruise (weather dependent). The waters off this stunning coast are full of nutrients that attract marine wildlife including the giant sperm whale.

The afternoon is free to spend in this quaint coastal town known for its abundant wildlife. Maybe take a leisurely walk along the Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway with lovely sea views and the chance to see a colony of New Zealand fur seals.

Meals: Breakfast

We’ll continue to Picton and board an Interislander ferry across the Cook Strait, named after Captain Cook who was the first European to sail the route in 1770. We’re heading for the North Island and the city of Wellington, perched prettily on a craggy harbour. It’s compact with a big-city buzz and we’ll whizz round on an orientation tour. Please note for March 16 2027 departure, you'll travel to Picton aboard the Coastal Pacific train.

Meals: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Wellington where you can relax on the inner-city beach, visit art galleries, or enter Weta Cave to get a look behind the scenes of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. You could visit Te Papa Tongarewa Museum - New Zealand’s national museum, which tells the country’s fascinating history, cultural and natural heritage. The city is also an ideal base for outdoor adventure, with beautiful walks available.

Meals: Breakfast

We leave Wellington and travel north to Hawkes Bay, pausing at the highly acclaimed Church Road winery for a tour and tasting - one of New Zealand’s oldest wineries, the first vines were planted here in 1897. We continue to the town of Napier, famed for its beautifully preserved art deco buildings, constructed after a devastating earthquake in 1931.

Meals: Breakfast

Today we take a short walking tour of the town.

Meals: Breakfast

Today we make our way to Rotorua. Later on today, we’ll get an unforgettable insight into Maori culture at Te Puia Maori Village. Learn ancient Maori customs and protocols as you enter the village, deep in a natural forest, and find out about the distinctive facial tattooing, weaving and carving techniques through demonstrations. You may also have opportunities to participate in warrior training and perform the haka, all before a delicious hangi feast.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Today is free for you to explore Rotorua, a town where volcanic activity manifests in many forms. Visit the geothermal area to see the bubbling mud pools and sulphur vents, or just relax in the Polynesian Pools, Rotorua’s hot springs located by Lake Rotorua.

Meals: Breakfast

This morning we'll walk amongst the giant trees and silver ferns in Whakarewarewa Forest. With the height of the walkway ranging between 9-20 metres, you are presented with a unique perspective of the forest below and treetops above. The total length of the walk is 700m and takes around 30-40 minutes. We then continue along the coastal highway to the Coromandel Peninsula. Afterwards, our tour continues north to Auckland.

Meals: Breakfast

Today, discover the ‘City of Sails’, New Zealand’s largest city. Our guided city tour includes the Old Customhouse, Lower Queen Street and Parliament Street. From November 2027 onwards, the tour also includes entry to the All Blacks Experience, an immersive cultural experience exploring the connection between Māori heritage and New Zealand’s national sport. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore or relax.

Meals: Breakfast

We say our goodbyes to Auckland today and head north to the Bay of Islands. New Zealand’s subtropical region is also home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where in 1840 the Treaty of Waitangi (New Zealand's founding document) was signed.

Meals: Breakfast

This morning, cruise to the Cape Brett Peninsula to visit the famous Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island. According to Maori legend, local warriors used to paddle through the Hole in the Rock in their canoes before departing for battle and drops of water from the cave roof above were a good omen.

If conditions allow, we’ll sail through ourselves. Whales and bottlenose dolphins can be spotted in this area, so keep your camera ready.

Meals: Breakfast

We travel south back down the Hibiscus Coast as we return for a final night in Auckland.

Meals: Breakfast

We travel to the airport in time for an overnight flight back to the UK.

Meals: Breakfast

Upon arrival, your vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.