14 Day New Zealand Scenic Explorer

Explore New Zealand on a 14-day journey from South to North Island, featuring a business-class coach, three cruises, a top rail trip, premium stays, Māori culture, and iconic sights.

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PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details

Day 1

Arrive in Christchurch

Arrive in Christchurch and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, relax or explore nearby before meeting your travelling companions over a welcome drink and dinner.

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 2

Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Mount Cook

Tour Christchurch, then travel to Lake Tekapo to see its highlights. Continue through the Mackenzie Basin to Mount Cook, with optional scenic flights.

Overnight in Mount Cook Village.
Day 3

Mount Cook → Oamaru → Dunedin

Travel via Lake Benmore and the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru. Continue to Dunedin for a city tour and free time or optional wildlife viewing.

Overnight in Dunedin.
Day 4

Dunedin → Larnach Castle → Te Anau

Visit Larnach Castle for a guided tour, high tea and time in the gardens. Continue through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau. An optional glowworm cave excursion is available at additional cost.

Overnight in Te Anau.
Day 5

Te Anau → Milford Sound → Queenstown

Drive the Milford Road and enjoy a Milford Sound cruise with lunch. Continue to Queenstown for an evening at leisure.

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 6

Queenstown — Free Day & Walter Peak Dinner

Free day in Queenstown with many activity options. Evening cruise on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak for a gourmet dinner and farm show.

Overnight in Queenstown.
Day 7

Queenstown → Arrowtown → Franz Josef

Visit Arrowtown, then travel through Haast Pass into the West Coast rainforest, reaching Franz Josef. Optional glacier flights.

Overnight in Franz Josef.
Day 8

Franz Josef → Hokitika → Arthur’s Pass → Christchurch

Visit Hokitika’s greenstone carving before continuing to Arthur’s Pass. Ride the TranzAlpine to Christchurch.

Overnight in Christchurch.
Day 9

Christchurch → Kaikōura → Picton → Wellington

Travel north along the Kaikōura coast and through Marlborough to Picton. Board the ferry and sail through the Marlborough Sounds before crossing Cook Strait to Wellington.

Overnight in Wellington.
Day 10

Te Papa & City Tour

Visit Te Papa, including the Gallipoli exhibit, then enjoy a Wellington city tour. Afternoon and evening free.

Overnight in Wellington.
11

Wellington → Taupō → Rotorua (B, D)

Travel north via Tongariro National Park to Lake Taupō and Huka Falls. Continue along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Rotorua.

Overnight in Rotorua.
12

Rotorua — Gondola, Luge, Agrodome & Māori Experience (B, SD)

Ride the gondola for breakfast, enjoy the luge, and visit the Agrodome. Evening Māori cultural experience and Hāngi dinner at Te Puia. Overnight in Rotorua.
13

Rotorua → Hobbiton → Auckland (B, SD)

Tour Hobbiton’s movie set before continuing to Auckland. Enjoy a farewell dinner with selected beverages.

Overnight in Auckland.
14

Depart Auckland (B)

Enjoy breakfast if your departure time allows, then transfer to Auckland Airport for your onward flight. Your 14-day New Zealand Scenic Explorer journey concludes today.

Tour Highlights

Arrive in Christchurch and transfer privately to your hotel.

Explore the Garden City at your leisure in the afternoon.

Enjoy a pre-dinner drink and meet your travel companions.
Join a Christchurch City Sights Tour before travelling across the Canterbury Plains.

Visit Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheepdog Statue.

Continue through the Mackenzie Basin toward Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Journey past Lake Benmore and follow the Waitaki River into Oamaru.

Explore the town’s limestone Victorian architecture before heading south.

Arrive in Dunedin for a city tour and free time for optional wildlife experiences.
Visit Larnach Castle for a guided tour and elegant Ultimate High Tea.

Travel south through Gore and Balclutha toward Te Anau.

Enjoy time at leisure with an optional glowworm caves excursion.
Travel the Milford Road through alpine valleys, forests and dramatic peaks.

Cruise Milford Sound, viewing waterfalls, Mitre Peak and wildlife over lunch.

Continue to Queenstown for an evening at leisure.
Spend the day exploring Queenstown with a choice of optional activities.

Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station.

Savour a gourmet barbecue dinner before returning across the lake.
Visit Arrowtown and the Lakes District Museum before travelling north.

Cross the Haast Pass into lush rainforest and West Coast scenery.

Arrive in Franz Josef with optional scenic flights available.
Travel to Hokitika for a visit to a Greenstone Factory.

Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine rail journey.

Descend across the Canterbury Plains before returning to Christchurch.
Follow the Kaikōura coast, known for marine life and dramatic shoreline.

Travel into Marlborough wine country before reaching Picton.

Cruise the Marlborough Sounds on the Interislander Ferry to Wellington.
Visit Te Papa, including the renowned Gallipoli exhibition.

Explore Wellington’s harbour, landmarks and architecture on a city tour.

Enjoy free time in the afternoon and evening.
Travel north past Tongariro National Park’s volcanic peaks.

Stop at Lake Taupō and visit the thundering Huka Falls.

Continue along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Rotorua.
Ride the gondola and enjoy breakfast at Stratosfare before a thrilling luge.

Visit the Agrodome for an entertaining farm show.

Spend the afternoon at leisure before a Māori Hāngi Dinner & Cultural Performance at Te Puia.
Tour the Hobbiton Movie Set, including Hobbit Holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn.

Travel north to Auckland, New Zealand’s largest metropolitan city.

Celebrate your adventure with a farewell dinner including selected beverages.
Breakfast available when departure time permits.

Free time depending on your flight schedule.

Transfer to Auckland Airport.

Accommodations

2 nights in Christchurch 4.5 Star Hotel with breakfast.
1 night in Franz Josef 4.5 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights in Queenstown 4.5 Star Hotel with breakfast.
2 nights in Te Anau 4.5 Star Hotel with breakfast.
1 night in Dunedin 4.5 Star Hotel with breakfast.
1 night in Mount Cook 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.

Package Includes

Coach & Transfers:

Travel on a luxury 20-seat business class coach with leather seating, seat-side storage, tray tables, cup holders, onboard restroom and daily Wi-Fi allowance.
Personalised meet and greet on arrival and return airport transfers in New Zealand.

Exclusive Experiences:

TranzAlpine Rail Journey (Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass).
TSS Earnslaw Cruise & Gourmet BBQ Dinner at Walter Peak Station.
Milford Sound Nature Cruise with lunch.
Larnach Castle guided visit with Ultimate High Tea.
Dunedin City Sights Tour.
Christchurch City Sights Tour.
Accommodation in a 4 Star Hotel for 9 nights with Breakfast.

Meals:

9 cooked breakfasts.
8 dinners including Welcome Dinner (with pre-dinner drink), Walter Peak specialty dinner, and Farewell Dinner in Christchurch with selected beverages.
1 lunch on the Milford Sound cruise.
1 Ultimate High Tea at Larnach Castle.

Extensive optional activities can be added in Queenstown, Franz Josef, Te Anau and other locations upon request.

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What Travelers Are Saying About Our Tours

James R.

5 days ago

The Aotearoa Highlights Journey was an amazing experience. The route flowed perfectly from Auckland to Christchurch, and every stop felt meaningful. Having everything organised made the drive easy, and the freedom to explore made it even better. Highly recommend!

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Sienna M.

1 week ago

I loved every moment of this trip. The glowworm caves, Rotorua’s geothermal sights, and the ferry crossing to the South Island were unforgettable. Queenstown and Milford Sound were the absolute highlights. Such a well-crafted itinerary!

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Caleb T.

3 days ago

This tour gave me the ideal mix of adventure and relaxation. Kaikōura’s coast, Aoraki/Mount Cook, and the stop in Wellington were incredible. The planning was spot-on, and the self-drive setup made everything feel effortless. I’d definitely book again!

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