17 Day Kiwi Odyssey

With an early morning departure from Auckland you will be travelling southbound towards the Waitomo Glowworm Caves via the city of Hamilton, which sits on the banks of the Waikato River.

For over 100 years, Waitomo Glowworm Caves have attracted millions of people from all over the world. The moment you enter this subterranean wonderland, you’ll discover an ancient underground labyrinth of limestone caves and grottos. You will experience a boat trip like no other, journeying through the starry expanse of the cave while your way is lit by a multitude of tiny glowworm lights.

On completion of this tour, continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the geothermal city of Rotorua. Tonight you’ll be treated to a Māori feast, as Te Po’s cultural experience promises hours of fun, thought and kai (indigenous food). After a formal Māori welcome, relax and enjoy a captivating performance by the local people, including traditional songs and the renowned haka. Following a truly delectable dinner, you will be transported by people movers to enjoy the spectacular lighting of the geothermal Te Whakarewarewa Valley and an essential hot chocolate. (D) (2 nights)

This morning you will experience more Māori culture and the amazing geothermal wonderland at Te Puia. Te Puia is also home to the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute, where the ancient teachings of Māori ancestors have been preserved and continue to thrive. Experience the raw power of Te Whakarewarewa Valley with bubbling mud pools, steaming vents, and the world-famous Pōhutu Geyser. Continue on to Rainbow Springs Nature Park, an attraction like no other. Set in 22 acres of beautiful native trees and streams you will see a huge variety of New Zealand’s most precious inhabitants, including the Kiwi Conservation Centre. New Zealand’s thriving agricultural industry is on show at the Agrodome, where you will witness a sheep shearing display and sheep dog trials.

The afternoon is at leisure. Maybe you would like to scale the side of Mount Ngongotaha via a new 8-seat gondola, and give yourself a moment with Rotorua’s most spectacular views. When you’ve dazzled your senses enough, take a luge ride down to the bottom where you can relax at the Polynesian Spa, where you have the choice of seven hot mineral pools.

Depart Rotorua and travel south to Napier. You will make a refreshment stop at the lakeside town of Taupō before continuing on to Napier. Lake Taupō is New Zealand’s largest lake and a popular hotspot for sight-seeing, picnicking and camera-snapping moments. Make sure to stop at the mighty Huka Falls on the Waikato River along the way.

Continue onto the Art Deco capital of Napier. The drive alone is worth writing home about, as the varied scenery passes through the volcanic plateau, across mountains and into the valleys of the Hawke’s Bay region. On arrival, you can include the Guided Art Deco Walk in your itinerary, which will recount the city’s fiery destruction in 1931 and its subsequent rebuild into a place of Art Deco splendour. (2 nights)

This afternoon join a fun-filled wine tasting tour in the sun driving through absolutely stunning scenery. Meet like-minded people and share an appreciation of this region’s fantastic wine. You will visit four to five wineries and enjoy a cheese platter in the grounds of Ngatarawa Vineyard beside the lily pond. On the tour you will taste around 30 different wines including the main varieties – merlot, syrah, chardonnay and sauvignon blanc, as well as pinot gris, viognier, and the lesser-known aromatics such as gewurztraminer and riesling.

Today you will be travelling south to the Wairarapa, a rural retreat in the very heart of New Zealand. Stop in at Martinborough, a unique wine village with over 20 boutique vineyards before continuing onto Wellington, the nation’s capital.

This morning you will travel across the Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. Pass through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds and make sure to include some wildlife spotting on the trip to see if you can spy seabirds, dolphins, seals, whales, and even orca. On arrival in Picton, make the short journey to Nelson where you will enjoy two wonderful nights in this tranquil destination. (2 nights)

Drive through Motueka to Kaiteriteri, boarding your boat and waiting in anticipation. Once you’re on the water you’ll be free to relax in style as you cruise the stunning golden inlets of the Abel Tasman coast. Laze on an idyllic beach or choose a walk exploring the beaches and forests. There are various walks available from 2–6 hours in length. Rejoin the cruise back to Kaiteriteri and return to your hotel late afternoon. (L)

Head south through Murchison today, making your way to the West Coast.  At Hawks Crag, the road has been hacked out of solid rock – be ready for the dramatic overhang, lending shade and character to the route. The road to Punakaiki hugs the coast, providing spectacular views of wild beaches and the tempestuous Tasman Sea.

Punakaiki is best known for its Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. The best time to visit the blowholes is at high tide when they are at their most powerful. The Truman Track is a short walk worth doing while you’re here – nearing the coast it passes through typical West Coast flax flats before emerging onto a sprawling headland with stunning views up and down the local shoreline.

The morning is at your leisure. Enjoy a walk along the beach before heading further south. Home to towering rainforests, mountains and glaciers, tranquil lakes and rushing rivers, this coastal paradise is steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1860s. Tonight you stay at Franz Josef – unique in the fact that the glacier descends from the Southern Alps to just 240m above sea level, amidst the greenery and lushness of a temperate rainforest. (2 nights)

Today you have a whole day at leisure. Perhaps enjoy a guided walk, a heli-hike, or a scenic flight from the Franz Josef township. If you’d prefer a relaxing day, head to the Glacier Hot Pools that are nestled amongst lush rainforest or meander through the village where you will find a wonderful selection of gifts, artwork, merchandise and cafes.

Treat yourself and upgrade your accommodation in Franz Josef to the 5-star Te Waonui Forest Retreat, a luxury lodge hotel nestled amongst native West Coast rainforest. Our upgrade package includes luxurious accommodation, dinner on the first night – an indulgent 5-course degustation menu in The Canopy Restaurant – and a la carte breakfast both mornings. We’ve also included a stunning Franz Josef heli-hike to help you make the most of your time in the region. Ask us for a price!

Farewell Franz Josef and travel down the West Coast, alongside braided riverbeds, native forests and roadside waterfalls, before climbing up over the Haast Pass and through Mount Aspiring National Park. Travel along the shores of Lakes Hawea then through Wanaka at the foot of the Southern Alps to your next stop, Queenstown – the Southern Hemisphere’s premiere four-season alpine resort. (3 nights)

Enjoy your day in this picturesque town that lies at the outlet to Lake Wakatipu, one of New Zealand’s most scenic lakes. Today we have included the world-famous Shotover Jet – enjoy this unique breathtaking ride through dramatic and narrow canyons as you hold on tight for Queenstown’s only exhilarating full 360-degree spins. Afterwards, you can stabilise your heart rate with a leisurely stroll around this picture postcard town whilst browsing through the eclectic array of galleries, gift shops and book stores.

Join a tour (own expense) for an afternoon of fine wine and food in Central Otago’s wine country or perhaps explore landscapes only accessible by 4WD vehicles while discovering exciting Lord of the Rings film locations. Whatever your interests are, Queenstown is sure to deliver.

It’s an early departure today as your coach follows the southern arm of Lake Wakitipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. The scenery changes dramatically from tussock covered grasslands to glacier-hewn valleys as you enter the Eglington Valley and travel through the breathtaking man-made Homer Tunnel before reaching Milford Sound.

Upon arrival at Milford Sound, board your launch for a spectacular cruise where you will see the wonders of Mitre Peak, glacier scarred rock walls that rise 1,200m vertically from the sea, and waterfalls that tumble from hanging valleys to crash into the sound far below. Milford Sound is nothing short of heart-stopping, inducing subconscious smiles in the hard to please and easily bored almost instantly; it’s simply magnificent. Keep an eye out for dolphins, seals and penguins!

On completion of your cruise you will return to Queenstown by coach arriving in the evening. (L)

Upgrade your itinerary to include a return scenic flight to Queenstown taking in magnificent views of the alps, glaciers, lakes and forests of Fiordland National Park – a quick and convenient way to return to Queenstown. (Duration 35 mins.)

The flight shaves approximately 4 hours off a return by coach. It is, however, very weather dependent, so if the weather doesn’t play ball, then you will need to return by coach and we will refund the upgrade price.

Leaving Queenstown you will soon reach picturesque Lake Hayes and travel through Kawarau Gorge, home of award-winning wineries and the famous Kawarau Bungy bridge. You will travel past the township of Cromwell and its many orchards before crossing Lindis Pass and into the Mackenzie Basin. Arrive at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, a World Heritage-listed site. Aoraki Mount Cook is Australasia’s highest mountain at 3764m. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest in the Southern Hemisphere. The afternoon is free to explore the area and take one of the many short walks starting from Aoraki Mount Cook Village.

This morning you will embark on a fascinating tour of the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC boat to explore the melting ice-face of the glacier. Touch and taste 400-year-old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. This afternoon re-board your coach northbound for Christchurch. Before leaving Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, be sure to stop and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo, built of local stone and oak in 1935 and sitting on the lake’s edge. Leaving the high country, cross the vast Canterbury Plains to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch.

Sadly your trip has come to an end. We hope that you have thoroughly enjoyed your experiences in New Zealand. Today you will be met at your accommodation and transferred to the airport for your onward journey. Have a safe trip home.