11 DAYS AUTHENTIC NORTH & SOUTH NEW ZEALAND

Arrival in Auckland

Upon arrival in Auckland, you will be driven ~3 hours to your hotel in Rotorua, best known for its breathtaking natural landscapes and Maori culture.

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

Drive ~1 hour to Matamata for your ~2½ hour Hobbiton Movie Set Tour (shared). Experience the real Middle Earth as you step into the lush pastures of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will take you around the 12-acre sheep farm and point out the most famous movie locations. Visit Green Dragon Inn, Party Tree, Bag End where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures began, and get lost among the hobbit holes. Also visit some of the real workstations of the set’s props masters and carpenters behind-the-scenes.

Spellbound Glow Worm Tour

Enjoy an immersive ~1 hour 15 minutes tour of the enthralling glow worm caves in the Waitomo region, journeying through stunning limestone chambers and passages. The shared tour has a maximum of 12 persons per tour, keeping it intimate and personalised. Photography is allowed (but no flash).

Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland (Self-Guided Walk)

Walk at your own pace and discover highlights such as New Zealand’s largest boiling mud pool, the vivid Champagne pool, and the Lady Knox geyser eruption (10:15am). Translated to “sacred waters” in Māori, Wai-O-Tapu has vibrant, colourful hot springs and expansive vistas galore, that can be explored via three different routes.

Transfer: Rotorua to Napier

Drive ~3 hours to Napier, with scenic sightseeing along the way.

Art Deco Vintage Car Tour

Relive the glamour of the jazz era on a Vintage Car tour of Napier’s Heritage and Art Deco district, completely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake. Take pictures at the National Tobacco Company building and drive through the residential suburb of Marewa, as you hear fascinating commentary about Napier and its surrounding areas.

Private Wine Tour around Hawke’s Bay

Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s second largest wine region, and has been an abundant source of fine wine since 1851. Enjoy a ~4 hours wine tour to 3-4 local wineries on a private basis, to taste some of the region’s finest wine, including the famed Chardonnay.

For a more unique adventure, you may opt to upgrade to a privately guided bike tour along the vineyards of Hawke’s Bay, at additional cost.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

You will be transferred to Napier Airport for your flight to Queenstown.

Flight: Napier to Queenstown

Take a ~3 to 5 hours flight from Napier to Queenstown, transiting at Wellington. Other transit options are through Auckland or Christchurch. Time taken will vary based on transit airport and duration chosen.

Afternoon at Leisure

Upon arrival at Queenstown, you will be met by your driver-guide and be transferred ~1 hour 15 minutes to Wanaka. Enjoy your afternoon enroute to the Wanaka township

Wanaka Nature Encounter (4WD, Cruise, & Island Walk)

Experience Wanaka’s best on a single day trip via 4WD, lake cruise, and an island walk. Cruise to Mou Waho Island nature reserve and get acquainted with native plants and the rare flightless Buff Weka bird as you enjoy a guided bush walk to the summit. There, sit back and indulge in high tea as you enjoy panoramic views of the lake on top of the island. You may also hop on a 4WD journey above Lake Wanaka for mountaintop vistas, and plant a native tree as part of your eco-experience. Please ensure you wear good walking shoes and bring a water bottle, day pack and sun hat or rain jacket depending on the weather.

Vintage Tigermoth Scenic Flight

Take a ~20 minutes 1940s vintage Tigermoth scenic flight over the Wanaka township, complete with an old-style flying helmet, flying goggles and silk scarf. Experience the exhilaration of the open cockpit and wind in your face as you cruise above New Zealand’s breathtaking scenery.

Afternoon at Leisure

In the afternoon, enjoy Wanaka at leisure. Activities are at additional cost and done enroute to Queenstown.

Option A: Puzzling World

Experience Wanaka’s wonderful world of weirdness via Puzzling World, an over 50-years-old attraction that amuses with bizarre buildings, illusion rooms and a multi-level outdoor maze.

Visit Wanaka’s Lavender Farm, and enjoy a relaxing walk through 20 acres of stunning lavender fields, farm animals, and gardens. The lavender season is usually from late Oct or early Nov to end Dec. You may also sample unique lavender honey and ice cream at the farm.

Skyline Gondola with Luge Rides

Experience a scenic ride in the iconic Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak, with panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. You can then opt to go on thrilling luge rides (suitable for all ages and abilities) across 800m of banked corners, tunnels and dippers. Alternatively, embark on a guided walk to Ben Lomond Saddle, with stunning views of the Moonlight Station, Mount Crichton Station and Mount Aspiring National Park.

Shotover Canyon Jet Boat Ride

In the afternoon, go on the thrilling Shotover Jet Boat ride, the only way to experience the spectacular Shotover Canyons. Blending pristine landscapes and wall to wall canyon action, hold on tight as you ride rapids and experience the ride’s world famous 360-degree spins.

Queenstown at Leisure (with Optional Adventure Activities)

Enjoy a full day to explore Queenstown’s exciting range of heart-pumping activities. Known as the Adventure Capital, choose from bungy jumping (can be arranged for Kawarau Gorge, where the sport first started) and skydiving to skiing or jet boating, with something for everyone and catered to all levels.

Alternatively, you may opt to explore the region’s stunning landscapes, by traversing down to Te Anau and the famous Milford Sound fjord. For an unforgettable and stunning experience, embark on a scenic helicopter or fixed wing aircraft flight from Milford Sound, to complete your awe-inspiring trip of New Zealand’s very best.

Transfer: Hotel to Airport

You will be transferred to Queenstown airport for your onward journey or flight home.