Book this vacation with International Airfare and save $150 per person.
Book By: 1 January 2025 and travel on any 2025 departure to enjoy these savings.
Special Offer Details
Book this vacation with International Airfare and save $150 per person.
Book By: 1 January 2025 and travel on any 2025 departure to enjoy these savings.
Filled with contrasts and dramatic landscapes, New Zealand is ripe for discovery on this 13-day trip from Auckland to Christchurch.
Begin in Auckland, where the perfect balance between an indoor and outdoor lifestyle is captured on your Best of Both World sightseeing tour. This is a great way to take in the major sights of the city including Waitemata and Manukau harbours, the Arataki Centre leading to the nearby rainforest, and much more. It’s the best of Auckland neatly folded into one perfect day!
Then go on to Rotorua, stopping in at one of New Zealand’s most famous (fictional) towns, Hobbiton! Take a tour of the Shire, popping in on Bilbo’s House and pulling up a pint at the Green Dragon Inn before going on to Rotorua. This of course is the home of Te Puia and Rainbow Springs. A fully guided tour introduces you to the Maori culture that thrives here, preserving traditions dating back thousands of years. See the spurting geysers and bubbling mud pools of this geothermal treasure, then embark on a cultural journey with the local Maori, joining them for a traditional hangi feast with formal welcome and entertainment.
Arguably the world’s coolest capital city, Wellington is your next stop. Serious about its culture, you’ll discover a city with more bars and cafes per capita than New York City! Start with a city tour, taking in the view from Mount Victoria, and embark on a Seal Coast Safari to see the picturesque coastal landscapes and of course the wildlife that calls this region home.
Fly on to Queenstown and say hello to New Zealand’s adrenaline and adventure sports capital. Embark on a trip to Milford Sound, arguably the country’s most awe-inspiring natural landmark in the Southern Alps. Then enjoy a day at leisure in Queenstown. You may opt to bungee jump in the town where it was invented, go zip-lining through the pristine forests, or board the famous Shotover Jetboat for a thrilling ride through the canyons.
Enjoy the dramatic landscapes of the drive north (including Haast Pass, which Lord of the Rings fans should recognise immediately) to Franz Josef. Home of the namesake glacier. You may opt to spend your day at leisure here taking a heli-tour of the glacier, but if not, there are plenty of natural highlights to explore at lower altitudes. Finally, board the scenic KiwiRail for the trip to Christchurch, enjoying more of the South Island’s best scenery before a night in the renewed city.
From Auckland: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays & Sundays*
* This trip may also be taken in the reverse direction from Christchurch.
Trip Includes
Trip Excludes
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.
2 Night Stay
Meal Plan: Room Only
Functionally chic, this boutique hotel features 190 rooms and suites and overlooks the vibrant Princess Wharf which is home to a stunning array of dining, entertainment, and shopping experiences. Choose to stay connected both online and offline. Enjoy free Wi-Fi during your stay, relieve the stresses of the day at the 24-hour gym or treat yourself to some of the best cuisine from around the world at M Social Restaurant. Alternatively, catch up with friends - both old and new - over a drink at M Social Bar while watching the ships come in. Located near Auckland's main strip, the hub of the city centre with its abundance of designer fashions, lively nightlife, shows, theatre and live music, this vibrant hotel exudes youthful energy. Don't miss a visit to the Sky Tower for the best views in town or wander through the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, with its world-class collections and exhibitions from New Zealand and around the world.
Let Bush and Beach take you on a day tour to experience the best of Auckland sightseeing. We combine an Auckland city tour in the morning with an afternoon nature tour to the black sand beach and rainforest at Piha - a day of variety and a great introduction to Auckland and New Zealand. Your morning Auckland city tour is designed to explore the history and sights of the city. Discover the Maori history of the city and as see what makes our city a vibrant place to live. Auckland City is built around the beautiful Waitmata harbour and it is known as the "City of Sails". This city tour includes stops at iconic landmarks such as The Auckland Domain, Mount Victoria in Devonport and Westhaven marina. There is also a stop at a cafe by a beautiful beach and lots of photo opportunities all day. Your afternoon eco tour is spent in the Waitakere Ranges. In just 30 minutes you leave behind the bustle of the city and step into the tranquillity of the rainforest. Travel to the Arataki Centre, an information centre built high on the ridge of the Waitakere Ranges. From here you get breathtaking panoramic views across the rainforest to Auckland's two harbours. The visitors centre is also home to some traditional Maori carvings and your guide will talk about them and explain their significance for the area. Continue on to the lush rainforest where you walk the easy tracks among giant tree ferns and view New Zealand’s famous kauri trees and silver ferns. Move on to experience the power of the wild and rugged west coast. Feel the black sand of Piha beach beneath your feet as you stroll along one of the most awe-inspiring beaches the world has to offer. The perfect Auckland day trip. During the afternoon we also include a New Zealand style afternoon tea including biscuits and tea and coffee or juice.
2 Night Stay
Meal Plan: Room Only
Next to mystical Lake Rotorua and just a brief stroll from the city centre, Millennium Hotel Rotorua is an eco-friendly destination in New Zealand. From here, experience Rotorua’s rich history, explore the thermal hot pools or the native bush, and even squeeze in a round of golf at one of Rotorua’s international golf courses. Our 227 rooms and suites feature residential-style decor with views of Lake Rotorua or the native garden. We also have accessible rooms for guests with special requirements. 7 meetings and event spaces are available and ideal for up to 400 people.
2 Night Stay
Meal Plan: Room Only
Travelodge Hotel Wellington is situated in the town center of the infamous “windy city”, just a short stroll to funky cafes, incredible shopping, and the beautiful Wellington harbor. A visit to Wellington is not complete without a journey on the iconic, bright red Wellington Cable Car or a trip to the Te Papa Tongarewa (the Museum of New Zealand) – both within easy reach of the hotel. Travelodge Wellington offers 132 spacious rooms, equipped with important comforts like cozy beds, microwaves, cable TV, and free WiFi. The perfect way to start your day is by enjoying a coffee and pastry from the hotel breakfast room with stunning sweeping city views. Steps Restaurant and Bar is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a hearty meal, or room service is available daily from 5 pm to 10 pm for those exhausted after an exciting day of exploring the city. Squeeze a workout at the hotel gym into your itinerary, or if you would like other suggestions for local activities visit the hotel’s 24-hour reception for assistance.
An unforgettable journey around the city's dramatic highlights where guests will travel around the earthquake-scarred South Coast to see the site of the Wahine ferry disaster and the distant ranges of the South Island, overlooked by coastal houses perched on the steep, rocky hills On the Half day tour, enjoy views of the harbour from the top of Mount Victoria and ride the steep cable car up to an incredible, far-reaching panorama. Visit the magnificent Parliament buildings and the famous Beehive; see the gorgeous, timber-built Old St Paul's Cathedral and enjoy a tea or coffee at a local cafe.
3 Night Stay
Meal Plan: Room Only
The Heritage Queenstown offers enchanting views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkable Mountain Range. A short distance from the town centre, this unique European style lodge is surrounded by native forest in the heart of New Zealand's alpine wonderland. Crafted from centuries old schist and cedar, The Heritage Queenstown is the perfect place to relax in comfortable yet sophisticated surroundings. The Heritage offers a choice of 178 luxury rooms, including traditional deluxe hotel accommodation and spacious 1 or 2 bedroom Suites. Each room is thoughtfully decorated, featuring individual touches which reflect unique high country origins.
Depart Queenstown and take a luxurious coach ride along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and Lake Te Anau. These tranquil lakes are crystal clear and reflect the surrounding mountains. The driver’s compelling commentary will keep you informed and entertained throughout. Enter Fiordland National Park and pass-through Eglington Valley, one of the only road-accessible glacier valleys in New Zealand. Take the opportunity to capture some memorable shots of the Mirror Lakes or the ancient alpine forests as you get closer to Milford Sound. The glass-roof coach will give you sensational views of the peaks soaring above you while you cross the Main Divide of the South ern Alps. Make a stop at Monkey Creek and drink some of the freshest water in the world before venturing through the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled into solid rock. After the Homer Tunnel, then experience The Chasm, a short but impressive walk over footbridges spanning a series of powerful, swirling waterfalls and rapids, before arriving at the fiord. Next, board the most luxurious catamaran in Milford Sound to explore the spectacular fiord. Venture out to the Tasman Sea while cruising past tumbling waterfalls, glacier-scarred rock walls and lush rainforests. Keep an eye out for wildlife species such as seals, penguins and dolphins and get a glimpse of Mitre Peak.
2 Night Stay
Meal Plan: Room Only
Westwood Lodge Bed and Breakfast is nestled in the heart of New Zealand’s spectacular Glacier Country. It is seconds away from the majestic Southern Alps and the World Heritage Westland National Park. Our luxurious West Coast Bed and Breakfast Lodge is the ideal place to relax, unwind and explore Franz Josef Glacier.
1 Night Stay
Meal Plan: Room Only
The newly renovated Distinction Christchurch Hotel is an urban escape combining sophisticated smarts and familiar warmth, whilst standing proud amongst the buzz of the rejuvenation of Cathedral Square. The hotel is ideally positioned in the heart of the city only a few minutes' walk from the Avon River, Botanical Gardens, Christchurch Casino and Cashel Mall. Distinction Christchurch offers 179 elegant, air-conditioned hotel rooms, including 3 floors of brand new Superior Rooms and Suites out-fitted with the latest technology including flat screen Smart TVs and free unlimited WiFi. Designed to suit everyone from business travellers requiring spacious, contemporary accommodation to those travellers seeking a place to relax and unwind after a day exploring Canterbury's vibrant attractions
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