Overview

We’ve picked what we believe to be the best scenic tour of New Zealand on the market, an 18-day itinerary that includes several side trips and activities along the way, often with a choice of two or three at a single place. There’s also a choice of departure dates (as well as both shorter and longer options for those with less/more time to spare), plus the opportunity, in many places, to upgrade your accommodation to a more luxurious category of hotel. Our consultants have full details.

Day 1 Auckland

Welcome to New Zealand. On arrival transfer to your hotel.

Overnight Stay: Langham Hotel, Auckland (Includes Dinner)

Day 2 Auckland

Today enjoy a Scenic FreeChoice. Choose from: (1) Sky Tower; or (2) Auckland Harbour morning tea cruise; or (3) Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World; or (4) Wilderness Experience; or (5) Discover Auckland sightseeing tour; or (5) America's Cup sailing experience; or (6) Waiheke Island Explorer Tour. (Must be pre-booked).

(Includes Breakfast)

Day 3 Bay of Islands

This morning head north, driving along the picturesque Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe where you will tour the fascinating Kauri Pioneer Museum. Learn about the history of the kauri tree before continuing to the Waipoua Forest. Continue to Omapere and your accommodation on the shores of Hokianga Harbour. Tonight enjoy your delicious dinner on the beach and be entertained by local Maori musicians.

Over Night Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Hokianga (Includes Breakfast and Highlight Dinner)

Day 4 Omapere - Bay of Islands

Take a short drive to the Bay of Islands where we visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. This afternoon we cruise across the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett Lighthouse and through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ (weather permitting).

Tonight enjoy your Scenic FreeChoice Dinner choose from(1) Sound and Light show; (2) Waitangi River dinner cruise or (3) Local Restaurant.

Two Night Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Bay of Islands (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 2 nights at Bay of Islands Lodge. Must be pre-booked

Day 5 Bay of Islands

Today choose from Scenic FreeChoice options including:(1) ‘On the Edge’ Sailing; (2) Lunch cruise; (3) Tour Russell and Pompallier; (4) Cape Reinga; (5) Swim with the dolphins; (6) Golf at Waitangi Golf Club; (7) Cruise to the Poor Knight Islands; or (8) Fishing in the bay.

(Includes Breakfast)

Day 6 Whangarei - Auckland

Travel to Whangarei and enjoy some free time to explore before returning to Auckland.

Scenic FreeChoice Dining, choose from: (1)Barolo Italian Restaurant; or (2) SBF Brasserie.

Overnight Stay: Langham, Auckland (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 7 Rotorua

This morning journey south to Matamata and visit Longlands Homestead, a working dairy farm for a guided tour followed by a home cooked roast lamb lunch. Afterwards visit Whakarewarewa Village for a guided tour. See the Pohutu Geyser which shoots boiling water up to 30 metres into the air.

Two Night Stay: Novotel Royal Lakeside Resort, Lake View Room, Rotorua (Includes Breakfast and Highlight Dinner)

Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 2 nights at Hamurana Country Estate or Treetops Lodge & Estate. Must be pre-booked.

Day 8 Rotorua

Today pick a Scenic FreeChoice option, from: Agrodome Sheep Shearing Show; (2) Tour Rotorua and the lakes; (3) Polynesian Day Spa;(4) 4WD safari adventure; (5) Buried Village; (6) Rotorua Museum; (7) Rainbow Springs; or (8) Te Puia Thermal Reserve.

(Includes Breakfast)

Day 9 Napier

Today travel to Taumaranui and board the Overlander train for a magnificent journey up the famous Raumiru Spiral onto New Zealand’s awesome volcanic plateau, through Tongariro National Park to Wellington.

Overnight Stay: Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel, Napier (Includes Breakfast and Highlight Dinner)

Day 10 Wellington

This morning we travel to Wellington. On arrival enjoy a guided tour of Te Papa, the national museum. Return to your hotel overlooking Wellington harbor for a relaxing dinner.

Overnight Stay: Copthorne Oriental Bay Hotel, Wellington (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 11 Marlborough Sounds - Christchurch

Enjoy breakfast at leisure and full use of the facilities on board the InterIslander ferry in the Kaitaki Plus premier lounge. Cruise through the breathtaking beauty of the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Continue along the spectacular east coast to Christchurch, including a short stop at Kaikoura seal colony.

Overnight Stay: Millennium Hotel, Christchurch (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 12 TranzAlpine - Franz Josef Glacier

Take an unforgettable journey through the magnificent Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine railway. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue by coach to Hokitika and then stop to view the awesome Franz Josef Glacier. This evening enjoy a four course gourmet menu, created from fresh local produce.

Overnight Stay: Te Waionui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef Glacier (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 13 Haast River Safari - Queenstown

Take an exhilarating jet boat ride on the mighty Haast River. Visit picturesque Lake Wanaka

enroute to Queenstown

Three Night Stay: Hotel St Moritz, Queenstown (Includes Breakfast)

Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 3 nights at Evergreen Lodge. Must be pre-booked

Day 14 Queenstown

Today is a chance to explore what Queenstown has to offer with Scenic FreeChoice, choose from: Therapeutic massage; (2) Tour local country gardens; (3) Mount Aspiring National Park; (4) Winery tour with lunch; (5) Jet boat the Shotover Canyon; (6) Southern Lakes 4WD tour; or (7) Skippers Canyon.

This evening is a Dining evening – choose from: (1) TSS Earnslaw cruise to dinner at Walter Peak Station; or (2) Skyline Gondola Restaurant; or (3) à la carte dinner at Lombardi’s Restaurant.

(Includes Breakfast and Highlight Dinner)

Day 15 Queenstown

Today enjoy an extra day to explore Queenstown at your own pace.

(Includes Breakfast)

Day 16 Milford Sound - Te Anau

Travel through the breathtaking Fiordland National Park. Experience an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound. Tonight stay in the village of Te Anau and enjoy a four course a la carte dinner.

Overnight Stay: Village Inn, Te Anau (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Overnight Milford Sound Option, must be pre-booked. Surcharge applies.

Day 17 Te Anau - Dunedin

Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to the Glowworm Caves. Continue to Dunedin.

Overnight Stay: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 18 Dunedin - Mt Cook - Lake Tekapo

This morning experience a Dunedin city sights tour then head north stopping at the famous Moeraki Boulders. Continue north and stop to view Mt Cook (subject to weather). Continue to your hotel on the shores of Lake Tekapo.

Overnight Stay: Peppers Bluewaters Resort, Lake Tekapo (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 19 Lake Tekapo - Christchurch

This morning see the Church of the Good Shepherd, situated on the lakes edge. This tiny church was built in 1935 from locally gathered stone and oak. Continue to Christchurch and enjoy a city sights tour on arrival. A tour highlight is tonight’s dinner. Begin aboard the historic Christchurch tram for drinks and canapés, then continue to an intimate local restaurant for a private farewell dinner.

Overnight Stay: Millennium Hotel, Christchurch (Includes Breakfast and Highlight Dinner)

Day 20 Depart Christchurch

Today experience Christchurch with Scenic FreeChoice. Choose from: (1) punting on the Avon River; or (2) a leisurely guided bike tour; or (3) a historic tram sightseeing pass; or (4) International Antarctic Center. Tour concludes this afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport for your homeward flight (please book flights from 2pm onwards).