Your Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrive Christchurch
Be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Later, meet our crew at the welcome dinner, a Canterbury Feast celebrating local produce at the hotel.
Day 2 - Christchurch, Akaroa Nature Cruise, Christchurch
Travel an hour and a half southeast of Christchurch to the Banks Peninsula town of Akaroa, known for its mix of 19th-century British and French colonial history and architecture. After your Signature Experience cruise, explore Akaroa eateries for lunch (own expense), then head back to your Christchurch hotel. Tonight, ride the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant, enjoying a four-course dinner and take in the views of modern buildings, green spaces and public art installations that dot the city from aboard a colonial tram.
Day 3 - Christchurch, TranzAlpine Train, Greymouth, Franz Josef/Waiau
After your arrival in Greymouth, board a coach for a scenic trip down the west coast to glacier country, and the lovely town of Franz Josef/Waiau.
Day 4 - Franz Josef/Waiau, Queenstown
Enjoy spectacular views as you drive today towards New Zealand’s adventure capital Queenstown. The Haast Pass follows a trail traditionally used by Maori people in search of greenstone or jade, and cuts through a stunning mountain landscape highlighted by waterfalls, rushing rivers and lakes.
Choose from a host of exciting sightseeing opportunities today.
Day 6 - Queenstown, Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, Te Anau
Travel from Queenstown along the incredibly scenic Milford Road through Fiordland National Park to join your Signature Experience cruise. Later, return to the lovely lakeside town of
Te Anau, where you savour a special Taste of Fiordland dinner featuring local specialties.
Day 7 - Te Anau, Manapouri
Take the short drive from Te Anau to lakeside Manapouri, where you join your Signature Experience cruise.
Day 8 - Manapouri, Invercargill
Disembark your overnight cruise and head for Invercargill. On arrival in the early afternoon, choose to explore the township, or take in the included visit to Bill Richardson Transport World. Alternatively, you may decide to relax at the hotel.
Day 9 - Invercargill, Stewart Island/Rakiura Day Trip
Drive by coach from Invercargill to the coastal town of Bluff for your Stewart Island/Rakiura Signature Experience. After your exploration, return by ferry to Bluff in the late afternoon and take a coach transfer back to Invercargill for dinner.
Day 10 - Invercargill, Dunedin
This morning, travel from Invercargill to Dunedin, a city renowned for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and Scottish heritage. Continue north to the Otago Peninsula and visit the Royal Albatross Centre for a guided tour and to learn all about the world’s largest flying bird. Afterwards, return to Dunedin and enjoy the local sights, before arriving at your hotel.
Day 11 - Dunedin, Aoraki/Mount Cook
Head north through stunning countryside to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, the centrepiece of which is New Zealand’s highest mountain peak. Tonight, enjoy a buffet dinner in your hotel’s Alpine Restaurant.
Day 12 - Aoraki/Mount Cook, Christchurch
Today you head back to Christchurch, stopping en route to view the much-photographed Church of the Good Shepherd in Tekapo.
Day 13 - Christchurch, Coastal Pacific Train, Picton, Interislander Ferry, Queen Charlotte Sound
Enjoy a rail journey along the rugged east coast to Picton. Cross Cook Strait and view the Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds en route to Wellington.
Day 14 - Wellington, Fell Locomotive Museum, Taupo
After a short city tour, head to the Fell Locomotive Museum for your Signature Experience, then travel onwards towards the pretty lakeside town of Taupo.
This morning enjoy your Signature Experience on Lake Taupo, then travel onwards to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua via a visit to the spectacular Huka Falls. This evening experience true Maori culture at your Signature Experience at Te Pa Tu.
Spend this morning on your Freedom of Choice activity. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure.
Day 17 - Rotorua, Glenbrook Steam Train, Auckland
Enjoy a ride on the heritage Glenbrook Steam train before heading to
Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.
This morning select your activity from our Freedom of Choice offerings. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, we gather at our hotel for a farewell dinner.
After breakfast, we transfer you to Auckland Airport for your onward flight.