Tour Itinerary

DAY 1 – ARRIVE IN AUCKLAND

On arrival in Auckland, ‘The City of Sails’, you will be met by your driver and will be transferred to your accommodation. Rest of the day is free at leisure.

Our Recommendation

Britomart, a Foodie’s Paradise: No foodie’s trip to Auckland would be complete without spending a good amount of time in Britomart. Some raved about eateries include Café Hanoi, the Depot Eatery and Oyster Bar, and Everybody’s Bar and Bistro. This is an open and inviting area that’s great for shopping too. Fashion boutiques, homeware stores, and specialty shops have established themselves here to promote local talent. Don’t miss the City Farmers’ Market here for the best local produce and artisan foods.

DAY 2 : AUCKLAND-COROMANDEL

Visit the rental car city depot for vehicle collection this morning. Travel south to The Pacific Coastal Highway (SH1 then SH2) as far as Thames, the “Gateway” to the Coromandel. The drive into Coromandel Peninsula offers some of the best New Zealand coastal touring.
The Coromandel is everything that a big city isn’t. With a mountainous interior cloaked in native rainforest and more than 400 kilometres of dazzling white sand beaches, it is rustic, unspoiled and relaxed. On arrival check in to your hotel, rest of the day at leisure.

Our Recommendation

Discover food and wine that’s original, world-class, and fresh from the source. Go way beyond fish and chips and barbeques – the chefs have developed a distinct Pacific Rim cuisine. Expect to indulge in plenty of seafood (like greenlipped mussels, crayfish (lobster), Bluff oysters and fresh fish).

Driving Creek Café: Located in the beautiful North Island town of Coromandel, surrounded by pristine beaches, beautiful native bush, cool clear rivers, and all day birdsong, the Cafe is the hub of a vibrant local community which boasts many talented artists, and is frequented by people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Serves delicious and nutritious cuisine (organic where possible), coffee to sing about, fresh juices, smoothies, and wonderfully wicked home baking and sweet treats.

DAY 3 – COROMANDEL

The day is free at leisure to explore Coromandel by self-drive. Visit or view from the mainland, the most famous beaches in the Coromandel area including – Hot Water Beach, Cathedral Cove, Hahei, Cook’s Beach. The timetable is dependent on local tides, with plenty of time to enjoy a swim if weather permits.

Our Recommendation

Hot Water Beach: Visit the deserted Hot Water Beach and dig your own spa pool in the sand and relax in the natural springs. Often rated as one of the world’s most renowned beaches – this is one experience that should be on your bucket list. A truly unique experience that everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime!

Bistro at The Falls Retreat: Enjoy the seasonal menus, the wood fired oven and the passion that goes into every meal. The Falls Retreat Bistro is an explosion of taste and texture with every bite you take. To be honest you never want it to end. Award winning Chef Brad King and his team create the most mouth-watering dishes and the sharing platter is a must!

DAY 4 – COROMANDEL-ROTORUA
Depart Coromandel this morning, and travel the scenic route through the Karangahake Gorge, a spectacular area with large cliffs covered in the world’s largest tree ferns and native forest. Continue to Matamata. Discover Middle Earth on a picturesque private farmland. Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and The Hobbit film trilogy in a two-hour guided tour. After the tour, travel south to Rotorua. Visit Rainbow Springs to see New Zealand’s trout, birds and wildlife on the way to your accommodation.

Our Recommendation

Hells Gate is New Zealand’s most active geothermal attraction and features the biggest mud volcano in the country as well as the largest hot waterfall in the Southern Hemisphere. Take a guided tour before enjoying a mud bath or sulphur spa under the stars, overlooking a spectacular geothermal landscape. Afterwards treat yourself to a mud facial, body scrub or massage before enjoying some home-made baking at the on-site cafe.

DAY 5 – ROTORUA
Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mud-pools and roaring geysers, and travel over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach Waitomo. More than 30 million years ago, the legend of Waitomo began with the creation of limestone at the bottom of the ocean. Now these limestone formations stand as one of New Zealand’s most inspiring natural wonders and a must-see destination. The Waitomo region is home to unforgettable sightseeing attractions. Discover magical glow-worms by boat in the world-famous Waitomo Glow-worm Caves.

Our Recommendation

Eat Street is one of Rotorua’s coolest hot spots in the city. Enjoy quality restaurants, cafés and bars as well as the famous Lady Jane’s Ice Cream Parlour. Experience the unique thermally heated footpath and enhanced lighting gives Eat Streat an unique and vibrant dining atmosphere.

DAY 6 – ROTOURA

Visit Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry. Enjoy Agroventure which includes Agrojet, Schweeb, Swoop, Freefall Xtreme, Bungee.

DAY 07 – ROTORUA-AUCKLAND- QUEENSTOWN

Post breakfast, check out from your hotel and you will be transferred to Auckland Airport for your onward flight to Queenstown.

Welcome to Queenstown, surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and the unique energy of the region create the perfect backdrop for a holiday full of adventure, exploration or relaxation. On arrival, check in to your hotel and spend rest of your day at leisure.

Our Recommendation

Queenstown Skyline Gondola and Restaurant: Ride the Queenstown gondola to a skyline restaurant for a midday or evening meal, and enjoy scenic views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables range. At Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar, perched on Bob’s Peakat Skyline high above the mountain town, each table in the restaurant’s tiered seating area boasts prime views, including Coronet Peak.
Eat at No 5 Church Lane: Do you love delicious food? Make sure you eat at least one meal at No 5 Church Lane. This fantastic restaurant is part of The Spire Hotel, tucked away in Church Lane, away from all the hustle and bustle of Queenstown.

DAY 8 – QUEENSTOWN
Spend the day at leisure.

Our Recommendation

You have an option to experience Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise. Travel to this untouched world deep in the heart of Fiordland National Park. The beauty and vastness of Doubtful Sound will take your breath away as you experience its deep wilderness. When you discover Doubtful Sound you will be struck by its silence – a silence broken only by birdsong or the rushing of a distant waterfall. Its beauty and vastness will take your breath away.

Queenstown Ice Arena: On Friday nights, grab your sweetheart for disco music and LED strobe lights that change colour as you glide around the ice holding hands and moving to the beat. Afterwards you can sit by the fire to enjoy a hot chocolate, coffee or cold drink and meal from our café lounge.
Loco Cantina: Mexico inspired pop-up bar, home of parties, purveyors of the very best nachos, tacos and tequila hangovers around.

DAY 9 – QUEENSTOWN

Spend the day at leisure, and explore the city on your own. You have an option to visit ‘The Lord of the Rings’ filming locations in Glenorchy. Alternatively, you can get pampered at one of Queenstown’s luxurious day spas, sink into a therapeutic hot pool overlooking a river winding its way through the hill, or treat yourself to a selection of therapies at a local beauty salon.

Our Recommendation

Glenorchy Movie Locations Tour: Visit ‘The Lord of the Rings’ filming locations in Glenorchy, traveling by 4WD with an informative guide. Departing Queenstown for Middle-earth, experience the stunning countryside landscapes chosen by director Peter Jackson. See where famous scenes were filmed, such as the Fortress of Isengard, Lothlorien, Ithilien Camp and Forest of Amon Hen.

DAY 10 – QUEENSTOWN

Post breakfast, prepare yourself for the thrill and excitement of the ultimate Jet Boating experience with world famous Shotover Jet. It’s a unique, breath-taking white-water ride and an adrenaline rush you’ll never forget!

Our Recommendation

Queenstown is a natural playground providing the perfect backdrop for a range of activities all year round. World-renowned for its adventure, Queenstown is home to a huge choice of adrenaline based activities including jetboating, bungy jumping, white water rafting and skydiving – all guaranteed to get your blood pumping

Skydive Queenstown: See Queenstown like never before as you take the ultimate leap of faith as you tandem skydive. Feel your adrenaline surge as you reach altitude.

New Zealand’s Biggest Swing: Get your heart racing as you fly across a wide river valley on the Nevis Swing, the biggest swing in the world.

Below Zero Ice Bar: Below Zero Queenstown has been hand sculpted by one of the world’s top ice carvers. The Walls, bar, furniture, sculptures and even the glasses we serve our vodka cocktails in – all created from ice. With the bar temperature always being below zero we fit you with super warm jackets, gloves and boots so you can enjoy this incredible experience while still being cosy and warm.

DAY 11 – QUEENSTOWN-MT COOK
Today post breakfast, check out from your hotel and drive to Mt Cook. After an early breakfast today, proceed for an amazing scenic drive towards Mount Cook. Spend some time at New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt Cook (Aoraki in Maori) which towers 3,754 metres into the sky, providing a stunning backdrop to the beautiful Mount Cook National Park in the centre of the South Island. Next, depart and travel down the western side of Lake Pukaki at the foot of Mt Cook – and onto Tekapo. The views of this alpine region (mountains and glacier lakes) are breath-taking as you head towards the stunning, glacial fed Lake Tekapo. Visit the famous Church of the Good Shepherd standing in picturesque solitude on the foreshores of the lake.

Our Recommendation

Big Sky Stargazing: Mount Cook is far from city lights and therefore has some of the darkest skies in New Zealand – perfect for viewing the night sky. The Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve is the world’s largest gold-rated reserve, meaning the darkness of our night skies is almost unbeatable!

DAY 12 – MT COOK
Spend the day at leisure.

Our Recommendation

Visit Tasman Glacier terminal lake for a fascinating glacial encounter. Cruise the rapidly growing terminal lake taking with spectacular mountain views and scenery. Icebergs of every shape and size periodically tear away from the glacier allowing you to touch and taste the 300-500 year old glacial crystals.

DAY 13 – MT COOK-CHRISTCHURCH
After an early breakfast today, proceed for Christchurch and travel through the rich pastoral farmland of the Canterbury Plains before arriving in ‘The Garden City’, Christchurch, this evening. Check into your hotel and relax.

Our Recommendation

Experience the wonder and magic of Antarctica. The International Antarctic Centre is your destination for authentic, interactive fun and provides an exciting experience of Antarctica for visitors of all ages. It doesn’t matter whether you’re 2 or 92 – there’s hours of fun here for everyone.

Tramway Restaurant Dinner Tour of Christchurch: It is the only Restaurant Tram in New Zealand and offers a unique way to view the inner city of Christchurch while enjoying a delicious evening dinner. Incorporate fabulous dining with a sightseeing tour showcasing Christchurch’s inner-city vibrancy and heritage – truly a mix of the old and the new. The Christchurch Tramway Restaurant dinner tour is a unique activity not to be missed.

DAY 14 – DEPART FOR HOME

After breakfast, proceed to the airport for your flight back home.

Terms and conditions applicable.
Rates are subject to availability and seasonality.