New Zealand: A North & South Island Adventure

New Zealand is one of the world's favorite travel destinations - and our 14-day journey explores the North and South Islands in-depth, experiencing daily life in dramatic landscapes from fjords to forested valleys and coastal pleasures, with sightseeing choices ranging from outdoor adventure to wine tasting.



Explore Christchurch... go punting on the River Avon... walk on Tasman Glacier... travel by ski plane and helicopter... ride a jetboat on the Dart River and hike wilderness trails... discover a rich Maori cultural heritage... attend a sheep dog demonstration... and have adventures in world-class wine and cuisine along the way.

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscapes, cultures, and cuisines of New Zealand on this 14-day journey far off the beaten tracks. Your journey begins with two nights in Christchurch at a lovely hotel where activities include punting on the River Avon... Stay at a lodge inside Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park where the landscape of rugged peaks and glaciers calls you to its hiking trails; ride a plane and/or helicopter to Tasman Glacier; lose yourself in the spectacular night sky (the park is one of the best places in the world for stargazing)... Ride a jet-boat on the Dart River... Take a 4WD safari - or a scenic flight over Milford Sound - or a helicopter gin tour - while in Queenstown... Stay two nights in the heart of New Zealand's winemaking region at Blenheim, where you'll visit a winery and a sheep farm, and cruise the fjord-like sunken valleys of the Marlborough Sounds... Discover the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and attend a private Maori dance performance... Fly to Auckland on the North Island for two nights at a waterfront luxury hotel, your base for exploring the city... and more.



Explore Christchurch... go punting on the River Avon... walk on Tasman Glacier... travel by ski plane and helicopter... ride a jetboat on the Dart River and hike wilderness trails... discover a rich Maori cultural heritage... attend a sheep dog demonstration... and have adventures in world-class wine and cuisine along the way.

Immerse yourself in the awe-inspiring landscapes, cultures, and cuisines of New Zealand on this 14-day journey far off the beaten tracks. Your journey begins with two nights in Christchurch at a lovely hotel where activities include punting on the River Avon... Stay at a lodge inside Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park where the landscape of rugged peaks and glaciers calls you to its hiking trails; ride a plane and/or helicopter to Tasman Glacier; lose yourself in the spectacular night sky (the park is one of the best places in the world for stargazing)... Ride a jet-boat on the Dart River... Take a 4WD safari - or a scenic flight over Milford Sound - or a helicopter gin tour - while in Queenstown... Stay two nights in the heart of New Zealand's winemaking region at Blenheim, where you'll visit a winery and a sheep farm, and cruise the fjord-like sunken valleys of the Marlborough Sounds... Discover the geothermal wonders of Rotorua and attend a private Maori dance performance... Fly to Auckland on the North Island for two nights at a waterfront luxury hotel, your base for exploring the city... and more.



Traveling Well Includes:
  • TAUCK EXCLUSIVE - Visit to the All Blacks, the New Zealand national union rugby team
  • Cruising the sunken valleys of the Marlborough Sounds
  • A jetboat ride on the Dart River
  • Wine tastings in Blenheim
  • Ride a boat through underground Waitomo Caves, illuminated by glow worms

  • Call (603) 995-4019 for more information or to book today! Mention code 18852115

    Tour Operator
    Tauck Tours
    Offer
    Offer valid through 12/31/2024
    Duration
    13 Days
    DayDestinationDescription
    Day 1ChristchurchArrive Christchurch

    Tour begins 4:30 PM. A transfer is included from Christchurch Airport to your hotel, Crowne Plaza Christchurch, located in the heart of the city. Tonight, join us for an exclusive welcome reception and dinner in the historic Riccarton House - a grand, restored 19th-century homestead.



    Lodging: Crowne Plaza Christchurch

    Meals: D
    Day 2ChristchurchQuake City and Sightseeing

    Begin the day with a visit to Quake City, a museum that documents the disastrous earthquakes that struck Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region in September 2010 and February 2011; exhibits tell of heroism and loss, the science behind earthquakes, the efforts of emergency workers and volunteers who pitched in to help, and recovery projects still going on. Leave the museum and go punting on the River Avon; punting is among the city's English traditions, like cricket, rugby, gardening, and afternoon tea, and today a punter in Edwardian outfit will pole your flat-bottomed boat along the idyllic Avon from the boatsheds to the Botanical Gardens. Following lunch at a local restaurant, peruse the park, then take your choice of afternoon adventures. Take a walking tour of the city's amazing street art with an art historian; or explore Hagley Park and the riverside on a bicycle* (manual or electric, as you prefer). Spend the rest of the day and evening as you please.



    Lodging: Crowne Plaza Christchurch

    Meals: B, L
    Day 3QueenstownFrom glaciers to Queenstown

    Set off by charter flight this morning to Queenstown, with a wine tasting and lunch prior to arriving at your acclaimed hotel on Lake Wakatipu, ringed by glacier-carved alpine mountains.



    Lodging: QT Queenstown Hotel

    Meals: B, L, D
    Day 4QueenstownJet boating along the Dart River

    Head to Glenorchy at the north end of Lake Wakatipu for an exhilarating jet boat ride* through Mt. Aspiring National Park along the Dart River; the park's strikingly diverse landscapes of alpine mountains, forests and valleys are laced with braided rivers and easy hiking trails where local guides will introduce you to the area's rich history and Maori legends. Return by helicopter* back to Queenstown where the rest of the day and evening are yours.



    Lodging: QT Queenstown Hotel

    Meals: B
    Day 5QueenstownAdventure sightseeing choices in Queenstown

    You have a choice of three excursions from Queenstown today: Head out on a 4WD adventure safari that travels a historic gold mining road along the Arrow River, stop for morning tea and an opportunity to try your hand at panning for gold. Alternatively, you can take a scenic flight over Milford Sound, with impressive aerial views of the Southern Alps, glaciers, and waterfalls - or embark on a helicopter gin tour (the world's first) that transports you, via helicopter, to a mountaintop gin tasting that's followed by a land journey with additional stops for gin (and other spirits) tastings. Everyone enjoys an evening that's free to spend as you please.



    Lodging: QT Queenstown Hotel

    Meals: B
    Day 6MarlboroughGardens & Marlborough wine tasting

    Fly to Blenheim in the Marlborough region by private charter, then head to a working sheep farm for a sheepdog and sheep-shearing demonstrations followed by lunch at the lovely Wither Hills winery, a perfect place to discover, taste and enjoy the native wines of New Zealand. After checking into your hotel in Blenheim, enjoy dinner tonight at the acclaimed Harvest Restaurant, whose mission is simple: celebrating authentic hospitality. Utilizing local produce and sustainable practices, your meal here is sure to be one for the ages.



    Lodging: Chateau Marlborough

    Meals: B, L, D
    Day 7BlenheimMarlborough Sounds Cruise

    Sail along the enchanting Marlborough Sounds, a vast network of sunken valleys, islands, secluded bays, and fjord-like vistas at the northern tip of South Island, on a private wine and green-lipped mussel cruise that includes lunch; the sheltered waters are home to dolphins, seals, gannets, and occasionally orcas. Return to the hotel for free time on your own. Dinner is at your leisure at the hotel in Blenheim this evening.



    Lodging: Chateau Marlborough

    Meals: B, L, D
    Day 8RotoruaVintage aircraft, fly to Rotorua, and the Redwoods Nightlights experience

    Start your day with a tour of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, a museum presenting an astonishing array of vintage aircraft from the world wars, including many World War I planes from filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson's personal collection; not merely displayed, the aircraft are featured in vivid dramatic scenes and settings designed by Jackson's film studios to show them in action. Fly to Rotorua; lunch at Stratosfare is memorable - you'll arrive at the restaurant after ascending Mt. Ngongotaha by the Skyline Gondola; the views are outstanding. Arrive mid-afternoon at your Rotorua hotel; have dinner; then join us for the amazing Redwoods Nightlights experience. It's one is one of New Zealand's top design led tourism experiences that features 34 exquisite lanterns designed by world-renowned designer and sustainability champion David Trubridge. Floating above the forest floor, this award-winning, eco-tourism walk 700 meters (about a half mile) long, spans across 28 suspension bridges and 27 platforms and takes about 40 minutes to complete.



    Lodging: Pullman Rotorua

    Meals: B, L, D
    Day 9RotoruaA nature adventure or unique hot springs experience today in Rotorua

    Today, discover New Zealand's geothermal wonderland. First up is a visit to Te Puia for excellent viewing of the area's geothermal attractions - including the spectacular Pohutu (Big Splash) geyser - and an opportunity to learn about Maori culture and arts and crafts. National schools teaching the Maori crafts of woodcarving, weaving, and stone and bone carving are all represented at Te Puia, and there is also a conservation centre helping to protect New Zealand's avian icon, the kiwi. You have a choice this afternoon of activity. take the Rotorua Canopy Tour - a forested network of swing bridges, platforms, and zip lines - all 22 meters high in the forest and often soundtracked by native birdlife - you'll journey deep into the ancient native forest to complete 6 zip lines and 2 swing bridges. Alternatively, visit Wai Ariki Hot Springs – grounded in te ao Maori principles and Ngati Whakaue culture, traditional healing practices, and manaakitanga, you'll follow a pathway of unforgettable spa experiences that move you from heat to cool, mud to water, air to steam to maximize the therapeutic benefits. Dinner is as you please this evening.



    Lodging: Pullman Rotorua

    Meals: B
    Day 10AucklandAdventures in Hawke's Bay

    Depart Rotorua this morning for Hamilton Gardens. Rather than focusing on plant collections, at Hamilton Gardens the emphasis is on different types of garden design. Traditional botanic gardens concentrate on plant collections, conservation, research and education, while Hamilton Gardens has the unique concept of showcasing the cultural meaning and context of gardens over the past 4,000 years. Throughout history, gardens have been a way of expressing the important philosophical ideas of their time, and the collections of gardens at Hamilton Gardens explore the history, context and meaning of gardens. A guide shares insights into the gardens - each tells a story. Enjoy a picnic lunch within the gardens before continuing on to Auckland.

    Lodging: Park Hyatt Auckland

    Meals: B, D
    Day 11AucklandA day of choice in Auckland

    Today you'll have a choice sightseeing with three excursions to select from. Visit Waitomo Caves - heading south, at Spellbound you'll have a personalized tour where you will visit a scenic back-country farm to see caves. Marvel at thousands of glow worms as you glide gently downstream in an inflatable raft, and enjoy easy walks through stunning limestone caves and landscape. Alternatively, travel along the Matakana Coast with stunning scenery, fresh air, great locally produced food and wine, creativity, and an opportunity to go local. Visit the Shuckle Ferry Oyster Farm for a boat ride, a lesson in local history, with a chance to learn, hands-on, the story of the life cycle of the oyster, and take a stroll through the Sculpture Trail at your leisure with over 60 works of art. Your third choice is a visit to Hamilton Gardens - rather than focusing on plant collections, at Hamilton Gardens the emphasis is on different types of garden design. Traditional botanic gardens concentrate on plant collections, conservation, research and education, while Hamilton Gardens has the unique concept of showcasing the cultural meaning and context of gardens over the past 4,000 years. The collections of gardens at Hamilton Gardens explore the history, context and meaning of gardens, each telling a story and offerin insights into different civilizations; enjoy a gourmet picnic within the gardens, complete with a picnic blanket. All excursions return to Auckland mid- to late-afternoon.



    Lodging: Park Hyatt Auckland

    Meals: B
    Day 12AucklandVisit to the All Blacks and free time in Auckland

    Today you'll learn about the significance of rugby in New Zealand with a visit to the All Blacks, the New Zealand national rugby union team. Your time at the All Blacks Experience will include a 45 minute guided tour where you learn what it takes to make, shape and be an All Black. This will include learning the story and feeling the passion behind the All Blacks haka; you can then test your rugby skills against All Blacks and Black Ferns in the hands-on, interactive zone. The remainder of the day is free to explore as you choose before joining us this evening for our farewell reception and dinner.



    Lodging: Park Hyatt Auckland

    Meals: B, D
    Day 13AucklandJourney Home

    Tour ends: Auckland. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Park Hyatt Auckland to Auckland Airport. Allow three hours for flight check-in.



    Lodging:

    Meals: B
    Dates/Pricing

    Click Quote or call us to get additional information on your chosen travel date. Special offers or competitive pricing may be available!

    DatePrice / DescriptionQuote
    01/10/2025$12,990.00* (USD) / LIMITEDQuote
    01/13/2025$14,990.00* (USD) / LIMITEDQuote
    01/17/2025$14,990.00* (USD) / LIMITEDQuote
    01/24/2025$12,990.00* (USD) / LIMITEDQuote
    02/14/2025$14,990.00* (USD) / LIMITEDQuote
    02/21/2025$12,990.00* (USD) / LIMITEDQuote
    03/10/2025$14,990.00* (USD) / AVAILABLEQuote
    09/19/2025$14,990.00* (USD) / AVAILABLEQuote
    09/26/2025$12,990.00* (USD) / AVAILABLEQuote
    10/03/2025$14,990.00* (USD) / AVAILABLEQuote
    10/13/2025$14,990.00* (USD) / AVAILABLEQuote
    10/17/2025$14,990.00* (USD) / LIMITEDQuote
    10/24/2025$12,990.00* (USD) / AVAILABLEQuote
    10/31/2025$14,990.00* (USD) / AVAILABLEQuote
    Disclaimer
    * All prices are per person in U.S. dollars, based on double occupancy.

    Itinerary Changes - Although not expected, Tauck reserves the right to alter the sequence of ports or omit or substitute scheduled ports or attractions at any time without prior notice.

    Tours


    • New Zealand: A North & South Island Adventure

      From $12,990.00 (USD)

      New Zealand is one of the world's favorite travel destinations - and our 14-day journey explores the North and South Islands in-depth, experiencing daily life in dramatic landscapes from fjords to forested valleys and coastal pleasures, with sightsee...

     
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