Best of New Zealand:North & SouthIslands

Day Three: Arrival into Auckland

Day Four: Journey to the Bay of Islands

Today we depart Auckland and travel north across the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge. Our journey takes us to Whangārei’s Reed Memorial Park, where we enjoy a scenic walk through native bush. Along the way, we’ll see impressive kauri trees up close amid meandering streams, before taking in the striking Whangārei Falls, a picturesque waterfall plunging around 26 metres over basalt rock cliffs.

Day Five: Bay of Islands Cruise to Russell

This morning, we set out on a scenic cruise across the Bay of Islands, weaving past the idyllic beaches and emerald waters that make this region so popular. We continue to Cape Brett and the iconic Hole in the Rock where, conditions permitting, the boat carefully navigates through this remarkable natural formation. The cruise then returns to the charming seaside village of Russell, renowned for its well-preserved colonial character. From here, we take the ferry back to Paihia at our leisure, with the rest of the afternoon free to relax and explore as you wish.

Day Six: Sightseeing in Auckland

After a leisurely start to the morning, we depart the Bay of Islands and travel south, following the scenic Twin Coast Discovery Highway through Whangārei and on to Auckland. Crossing the iconic Auckland Harbour Bridge, we return to the country’s largest city for a comprehensive sightseeing tour of the “City of Sails”. Highlights include sweeping harbour and skyline views from Bastion Point, the trendy boutiques and cafés of Parnell Village, the picturesque bays along the waterfront drive, and the lively buzz of Viaduct Harbour.

Day Seven: Waitomo Caves and on to Roturua

This morning, we depart Auckland and head south through the city’s southern suburbs, crossing the Bombay Hills and travelling through the lush Waikato Valley, renowned for its fertile farmland and thriving dairy industry. Our journey continues to the Waitomo Caves, where we enjoy a guided tour of the world-famous limestone caverns, including a serene boat ride along an underground river into the magical Glowworm Grotto. We then travel across the bush-clad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua, set in the heart of New Zealand’s famous thermal region.

Day Eight: National Kiwi Hatchery & Maori experience

We start the day with a visit to the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, world-leading in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation, hatching techniques and chick rearing. During our visit, we gain insight into vital kiwi recovery programmes and the crucial role they play in bringing this treasured national icon back from the brink of extinction on mainland New Zealand.

Day Nine: Shores of Lake Taupo and on to Wellington

We depart Rotorua and travel through New Zealand’s largest pine forests en route to Taupō, stopping at Huka Falls to watch the mighty Waikato River thunder through a narrow canyon. We continue through the resort town of Taupō and follow the shores of Lake Taupō — New Zealand’s largest lake and a world-renowned trout fishery. From here, we head south across the dramatic Tongariro Volcanic Plateau, passing the iconic volcanoes of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngāuruhoe.

Day Ten: Sightseeing in Wellington

This morning, we set out on a sightseeing tour of Wellington. Highlights include the Parliament Building, the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens, Mount Victoria, Oriental Bay, Wellington Harbour and Oriental Parade. We also ride the cable car to Kelburn for breathtaking panoramic views over the city and harbour, before finishing with a visit to Te Papa, New Zealand’s outstanding national museum. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing time to explore and enjoy Wellington at your own pace.

Day Eleven: Cruise to the South Island

Today we say goodbye to the North Island as we board the Interislander for a scenic ferry journey from Wellington Harbour, out across Cook Strait and into the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, arriving in Picton. The bustling port town is the terminal for inter-island ferries and the gateway to the ‘Mainland’ — the South Island’s self-proclaimed nickname. After meeting our South Island driver, we continue by coach to Blenheim in the Marlborough region, world-renowned for its wine production, particularly Sauvignon Blanc. Here, we stop at a local winery to sample some of their finest offerings.

Day Twelve: Kaikoura and on to Christchurch

Today we have a morning at leisure, with the option to take a walk along the Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway to see the resident New Zealand fur seal colony. Alternatively, we can embark on an optional excursion (additional cost) for a thrilling whale-watching adventure aboard a modern, purpose-built catamaran, offering an unforgettable close-up encounter with the giant sperm whale in its natural habitat. The nutrient-rich upwellings around Kaikōura support an abundant and diverse array of marine life, including dusky dolphins, the rare Hector’s dolphin, New Zealand fur seals, sea lions, a wide variety of seabirds, and even the world’s smallest penguin, the little blue penguin.

Day Thirteen: Sightseeing in Christchurch

This morning, we set out on a sightseeing tour of Christchurch, taking in highlights such as Cathedral Square, the River Avon and Hagley Park. The remainder of the day is at leisure, with an all-day pass on the restored heritage Christchurch Tram included, allowing time to explore the city in style. Along the way, knowledgeable drivers share insights into Christchurch’s history, landmarks and local attractions.

Day Fourteen: Traverse the Southern Alps

From Christchurch, we embark on the legendary TranzAlpine rail journey across the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass. From the comfort of your carriage, admire the rolling farmland of the Canterbury Plains, followed by spectacular gorges and river valleys carved by the Waimakariri River. The train then climbs into the majestic Southern Alps, offering ever more dramatic alpine scenery as we approach the mountain village of Arthur’s Pass. Here, a coach awaits to continue our journey to the West Coast — or ‘the Coast’, as locals call it. En route, we stop in Hokitika to visit greenstone workshops and glass-blowing studios.

Day Fifteen: Heading south towards Queenstown

As we travel south along the remote West Coast Road, there is a growing sense of entering a primeval wilderness, where isolation and raw natural beauty prevail. Arriving at Haast, we are immersed in a dramatic landscape of dense rainforest, wetlands, sweeping sand dunes and surf-pounded shingle beaches. This pristine region forms part of the Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, designated for the exceptional natural value of South Westland and Fiordland, which together showcase some of the world’s most dramatic forest, mountain and coastal scenery.

Day Sixteen: Free time in Queenstown

Today is spent at leisure in Queenstown, allowing you to choose from a wide range of optional sightseeing activities (additional cost). Options include jet boating, guided walks, a four-wheel-drive excursion focusing on film locations used in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, river rafting or, if you dare, bungee jumping!

Day Seventeen: Scenic Cruise through Milford Sound

We depart early this morning and travel around Lake Wakatipu, through Te Anau and into Fiordland National Park on our way to Milford Sound. Fiordland National Park, part of the UNESCO Te Wāhipounamu – South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, is one of the great wilderness regions of the Southern Hemisphere. The scenery is spectacular, with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved by Ice Age glaciers, alongside clear rushing streams and leaping waterfalls set in magnificent native rainforest. We board a comfortable vessel for a scenic cruise along Milford Sound, past towering Mitre Peak and out towards the Tasman Sea. Seals and dolphins are often spotted in the clear waters of the fiord.

Day Eighteen: Arrowtown & Central Otago

Today we retrace our journey back to Queenstown, where we’ll call into Arrowtown — a township with a colourful history set on the banks of the Arrow River. Many of the original deciduous trees, planted by the goldminers, shade the town’s cottages and stone buildings. In its heyday, Arrowtown was a rough-and-ready frontier town. There are many beautiful and interesting walks around this historic area, or we may wish to visit some of the excellent art galleries, cafés or boutiques that now line the main street.

Day Nineteen: Mount Cook

This morning, we depart Twizel and follow the shimmering shores of Lake Pūkaki into Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. At the heart of New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine landscape stands Mount Cook, rising to 3,724 metres as the highest peak in Australasia. We enjoy some time at leisure in Mount Cook Village, surrounded by dramatic mountain vistas. Retracing our journey along Lake Pūkaki, we continue to Tekapo to admire the striking blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Here, we visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue of the Mackenzie Sheepdog, both set against a stunning alpine backdrop. Our journey then continues across the vast Mackenzie Basin, over Burke’s Pass and through Fairlie, Geraldine and Ashburton, before crossing the Canterbury Plains into Christchurch.

Day Twenty: Flight home

After breakfast, we will be transferred from the hotel to Christchurch Airport for our flight back home.

Day Twenty One: Arrive in the UK

Today, we arrive back into the UK.