What’s included
- Meet & greet at Auckland airport
- Private transfer to your Auckland hotel
- 31 nights’ accommodation in quality Hotels and B&Bs
- Breakfast each day
- Intermediate car hire with unlimited kilometres & daily insurance
- Traditional Maori Hangi
- Interislander ferry travel as foot-passengers
- TranzAlpine rail tickets
- Milford Nature Cruise
- Coach & boat trip Nelson/Abel Tasman National Park
Optional highlights
- Walking trails through Rotorua’s spectacular Redwood Forest
- A guided tour of Hawke’s Bay wineries and sample some of the country’s best chardonnays
- Weta Workshop in Wellington to see Lord of the Rings props and costumes
- Riding a horse along the sands at Punakaiki
- Hiring an electric bike to explore the traffic-free path from Queenstown to Jacks Point
- Panning for gold in the old mining settlement of Arrowtown
Day 1 Arrive Auckland
Haere mai – welcome! We greet your flight and take you straight to your accommodation for the next two nights. The rest of your day is at leisure. Head up the Sky Tower for great views across the city, or explore the vibrant downtown waterfront.
Day 2 Auckland
A day to explore the islands of the Hauraki Maritime Gulf, take the ferry to Rangitoto Island and walk up to the summit for 360° views or head to the conservation island of Tiritiri Matangi to see rare native birds such as the Takahe and the Kokako.
Day 3 Auckland to Bay of Islands
Collect your rental vehicle and drive north along the Hibiscus Coast Highway to the Waipoua Forest to learn about the ancient Kauri trees, including ‘the lord of the forest’ Tane Mahuta.
Day 4 Bay of Islands
Cruise to Cape Brett and the ‘hole in the rock’, head out into the bay with a chance to swim with dolphins, and learn a little more of local village Russell’s rip-roaring past on a guided tour.
Day 5 Bay of Islands
Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the treaty between Maori tribes and British settlers was signed in 1840.
Day 6 Bay of Islands to Coromandel Peninsula
Head south, through the Waikato to the Miranda Shorebird Centre to learn about some of New Zealand’s most fascinating birdlife. Stroll the beautiful beaches of the Coromandel.
Day 7 Coromandel
Dig your own spa pool at Hot Water Beach, or wander along the beach to Cathedral Cove to view the naturally formed archway on the beach, one of the most photographed sites in the country.
Day 8 Coromandel to Rotorua
On to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua. En route optional visit to the shire of Hobbiton.
Visit Te Puia with its geothermal valley and Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.
Day 9 Rotorua
Stroll the Government Gardens and visit the Victorian Bathouse . Head out to Waimangu Valley for a leisurely walk through the valley of steaming geysers , mud pools and lakes . In the evening enjoy a cultural experience that culminates with a traditional Maori Hangi for your evening meal.
Day 10 Rotorua to Napier or Tongariro National Park
On the road south, make time to see the Lady Knox Geyser at Wai O Tapu Geothermal Park. Stop in Taupo for lunch before entering Tongariro National Park, a starkly beautiful volcanic landscape.
Alternatively head east to Napier. Discover how this seaside resort was reinvented as an Art Deco icon on a guided walking tour.
Day 11 Napier or Tongariro National Park
Napier: Join a wine tasting afternoon in the sun driving through stunning scenery. Meet like-minded people on this small group tour and share an appreciation of this regions fantastic wine. Or head out to see the gannet colony at Cape Kidknappers with a ride on a tractor across the sands.
Tongariro: Often described as the finest one day walk in New Zealand, the Tongariro Crossing is a full day traverse of the ‘saddle’ between Mts Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. Shorter walks are also possible. A round of golf on an all-weather course, or a soak in a natural hot pool are other options.
Day 12 Hawkes Bay to Wellington
Drive through the Wairarapa and over the winding Rimutaka Hill to arrive into Wellington, the Capital City and ‘The Coolest Little Capital in the World’ according to The Lonely Planet Guides.
Day 13 Wellington to Picton to Nelson
Drive to the Interislander Ferry for the cruise across the Cook Strait and through the scenic Queen Charlotte Sound to the South Island.
Arrive into Picton and drive across the top of the South Island to Nelson, your base for the next two nights.
Day 14 Abel Tasman National Park
Transfer by coach from Nelson to Kaiteriteri for a cruise into the heart of Abel Tasman National Park.
Walk the most varied section of the Abel Tasman Coastal Track, along a path that weaves through Manuka groves to the long golden sands of Anchorage beach.
Return to Kaiteriteri by boat then on to Nelson by coach.
Day 15 Nelson to Blenheim to Kaikoura
Depart Nelson and drive through farmlands, pine plantations then the Rai Valley to the vineyards surrounding Blenheim in the Marlborough Wine Country. From here travel south down the eastern coastline along the thin ledge of land pinned between the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged ranges to Kaikoura, where the mountains meet the sea.
Day 16 Kaikoura to Christchurch
This morning there is the option to enjoy a Whale Watch experience by modern purpose-built catamaran for an exciting close-up encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment.
The road south follows the wild coastline affording constantly changing seascapes and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean before turning inland and climbing the Hundalee Ranges. Then descend into the rolling farmland of North Canterbury passing through small country towns before entering the city of Christchurch.
Day 17 Christchurch
Day at leisure to enjoy the ‘Garden City’, which has also been described as “the most English city outside England”. Take a punt on the River Avon, stroll through the Botanic Gardens, and ride the city’s historic tram.
You may also wish to observe the re-building of the Cathedral, browse the shops and stalls of the Arts Centre or visit the Canterbury Museum and the Art Gallery.
Day 18 Christchurch to Greymouth to Hokitika
Board the Tranzalpine train for one of the world’s greatest rail journeys through the splendour of the Southern Alps to the West Coast. Travel alongside the ice-fed Waimakariri River to Arthur’s Pass before continuing on to Greymouth.
Collect your rental car and drive down the West Coast to Hokitika, famed for its gold mining heritage.
Day 19 Hokitika / Fox Glacier
Travel to the Fox and Franz Josef glaciers and take a walk to the terminal face. Enjoy a guided heli-hike or sightseeing flight to experience the glacier close up.
Drive to Lake Matheson for superb reflections of Mount Cook and the Tasman glacier. Remember to bring your camera!
Day 20 Fox Glacier to Wanaka
Drive through the stunning Haast Pass and into Mount Aspiring National Park.
Arrive into Wanaka, and enjoy views of the lake that reflect the mountain peaks that in winter offer superb skiing.
Day 21 Wanaka
Enjoy lakeside walks, or an exhilarating jet boat trip on the Matukituki River, guaranteed to set the pulse racing!
Relax in the evening at Cinema Paradiso, with its comfy sofas and even a classic Morris Minor to sit in to view the latest releases.
Day 22 Wanaka
A day at leisure or for more activities, perhaps a trip into the high mountains for amazing views of the Park or an eco adventure to Mou Waho Island where you can plant a native tree.
Day 23 Wanaka to Queenstown
Today it’s an easy drive over the Crown Range to Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure playground and South Island’s busiest resort.
Spend the afternoon exploring this action packed little town.
Day 24 Queenstown
Take a short drive out to Arrowtown, or ride up the Skyline Gondola for panoramic views of the area.
Local wineries welcome visitors for tastings and tours and the classic steamship TSS Earnslaw is an unforgettable way to discover Lake Wakatipu.
Day 25 Queenstown to Te Anau
Leaving Queenstown, follow the eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu and continue on through the lovely Southland countryside where sheep, cattle and deer farming predominate before reaching Te Anau.
Day 26 Te Anau to Milford Sound to Te Anau
Depart on a leisurely small group day excursion to Milford Sound travelling through the dramatic scenery of the Fiordland National Park. On arrival at Milford Sound enjoy a nature cruise by boat cruising past Mitre Peak and along the full length of the fiord with its cascading waterfalls, steep cliff faces and native rainforest to the Tasman Sea. On your return journey there is the option to enjoy a series of short guided walks with your local guide.
Day 27 Te Anau to Dunedin
Drive along the shores of Lake Te Anau and through the sheep farming heartland of South Island and on to the city of Dunedin.
Day 28 Dunedin
Dunedin sits at the head of the magnificent Otago Harbour. Founded in 1848 by Scottish settlers, Dunedin was envisaged as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and the city still wears its Scottish heritage with pride. She is a city of gracious dignity and charm, characterised by many handsome stone buildings mixed with a quirky city vibe influenced by the local university students.
Day 29 Dunedin to Mount Cook
Head north along the coast, stopping to view the extraordinary Moeraki Boulders, before heading inland to Mount Cook National Park.
Drive along the western shore of Lake Pukaki with its intensely blue glacier-fed waters.
Day 30 Mount Cook
A day amongst an amazing mountain panorama. Named Aoraki, ‘the cloud piercer’ by the Maoris, Mount Cook is the highest mountain in the Southern Hemisphere.
This area is an International Dark Sky Reserve and at the Mount John Observatory in Tekapo you can see galaxies ‘far far away’.
Day 31 Mount Cook to Christchurch
Head down the Tasman Valley from Mount Cook and on to Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, where the window behind the altar frames an astonishing view of the lake.
Then across the high country’s tussock plains, through Fairlie and Geraldine to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch.
Day 32 Christchurch
Time for some final sightseeing or shopping.
Return your rental vehicle to Christchurch International airport to board your homebound flight
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The Brown’s
Fantastic experience all round. All the accommodations were superb. Many thanks for your help with the doctors and pharmacies!
Julie Rhoney
I had been to a presentation and met Laura. She came across as very knowledgable and confident and she inspired me to seriously consider booking a once in a lifetime holiday.
The attention to detail given by Laura Ling was second to none I would have no hesitation in booking another holiday through Laura.
I cannot wait until I am able to return to NZ. Well, that was indeed the holiday of a lifetime… but we want a re run! There is still so much we want to see and do.
Many thanks for all your efforts, it all went swimmingly.
Mr Richardson
As you know this was my first holiday since the death of my wife, and when she was alive we had talked about adding a trip to New Zealand onto one of our visits to see our son and his wife in Sydney.
I was not sure whether I was ready to do it on my own.
I decided that the first move was to talk to someone so I spoke to John on the phone and arranged to come and have a chat. We had a long meeting and it all sounded ideal. All I needed to do was convince myself.
Once I made the decision everything was so easy thanks to you. You kept in touch right up to me going and I always felt that I had a good contact if I had a problem.
Now onto the tour. Not much to say. It was even better than I had expected. The coach and driver were top class, the hotels and food were very good and the itinerary meant we visited everywhere we needed to see New Zealand.
However, as you know the highlight of my 6 weeks away was meeting my 5 month old grandson in Sydney.
That said, I am so pleased I made the trip and even more pleased that I arranged it through Silver Fern Holidays; everything was first class.
“wonderful”
“exceeded expectations”
“exceptional driver – very experienced”
“the mix of people only added to the enjoyment”