New Zealand Explorer 

Arrival into Auckland

Welcome to New Zealand! We transfer to our hotel, joining our fellow solo travellers this evening for a welcome drink and dinner.

• Dinner Included

Day Four: Head to the Bay of Islands

Today we depart Auckland and travel north over the Auckland Harbour Bridge. We visit the Reed Memorial Park in Whangarei, featuring a magnificent elevated canopy walkway through a remnant kauri forest. Maturing kauri trees known to be at least 500 years old can be easily viewed close-up during our walk, whilst also taking in views of New Zealand's native bush, meandering streams, and the Whangarei Falls - a picturesque waterfall that drops vertically for 26.3 metres over basalt rock cliffs. From Whangarei, we continue north, reaching Paihia (the main town of the Bay of Islands), a stunning region of 144 secluded islands, peppered with natural wonders and marine life. Regarded as the birthplace of New Zealand as a bi-cultural nation, the Bay of Islands is rich in both Māori culture and early European history.

• Breakfast Included

Day Five: Cruising through the Bay of Islands to Russell

This morning, we enjoy a cruise out into the Bay, meandering around the idyllic beaches of the islands that make this area so popular. Continuing on to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ where, conditions permitting, the boat travels slowly through before returning to the lovely seaside settlement of Russell which retains a quaint colonial charm. We return to Paihia by ferry at our leisure. This afternoon can be enjoyed at leisure.

• Breakfast Included

Day Six: Sightseeing in Auckland

After a leisurely start to the morning, we depart the Bay of Islands and travel south. Following the Twin Coast Discovery Highway through Whangarei to Auckland City, we cross the Harbour Bridge. On arrival, we enjoy a sightseeing tour of the ‘City of Sails’, with panoramic city and harbour views from Bastion Point, trendy Parnell Village, the lovely bays of the waterfront drive and the vibrant Viaduct Harbour area. We also head to the Auckland Museum for a guided tour which gives an excellent introduction to the artistic legacy and cultures of the peoples of the Pacific; the monumental carvings, buildings, canoes and taonga (treasures) of the Māori; and the diversity of cultures which now combine to form the rich tapestry of race, nationality and creed that is modern New Zealand.

• Breakfast Included

Day Seven: Waitomo Caves and on to Roturua

This morning, we depart Auckland and travel south through the southern suburbs of Auckland then over the Bombay Hills and through the lush Waikato Valley, famous for its highly productive dairy industry and on to the Waitomo Cave region. Enjoy a guided tour of the famous limestone caves including a boat ride on an underground river into the magnificent Glow-worm Grotto. We continue across the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua, in the heart of New Zealand’s famous thermal region.

• Breakfast Included

Day Eight: National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa & Maori culture experience

This morning, we visit the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa - the world leaders in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. Your visit here will showcase how Kiwi recovery programmes play their part to bring this treasured icon back from the brink of extinction on the New Zealand mainland. 

Day Nine: Shores of Lake Taupo and on to Napier

We depart Rotorua and travel via New Zealand’s largest pine tree forests to Taupo, stopping en- route at Huka Falls to marvel at the mighty Waikato River thundering through the narrow canyon. Continuing through the resort town of Taupo and around the shores of Lake Taupo which is New Zealand’s largest lake and a world-renowned trout fishery. We travel across the Rangitaiki Plains to Hawke's Bay, and the seaside city of Napier. Napier was devastated by an earthquake in 1931 and was rebuilt during the period when Art Deco Architecture was fashionable. The area is also one of New Zealand’s top grape growing regions, with some of the country’s best-known wines coming from Hawke’s Bay.

Day Ten: Journey from Napier to Wellington

Today we travel south by coach through Hastings and the Hawkes Bay sheep and cattle farming country to Woodville, before driving on through Wellington’s northern suburbs and into New Zealand’s capital city,  built on the hills around a magnificent natural harbour.

• Breakfast Included

Day Eleven: Sightseeing Tour of Wellington

This morning we depart for a sightseeing tour of Wellington. Highlights include visits to the Parliament Building, the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens, Mt. Victoria, Oriental Bay, Wellington Harbour, and Marine Parade. We ride the cable car to Kelburn to enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city and harbour. Finishing the sightseeing tour with a visit Te Papa, the superb National Museum, we spend the remainder of the day at leisure to explore Wellington City.

• Breakfast Included

Day Twelve: Cruise to the South Island

Today we jump aboard a cruise though Wellington Harbour out onto the Cook Strait on the Interislander and through New Zealand’s only true sound - the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound into Picton. The bustling port of Picton is the terminal for inter-island ferries, and gateway to the ‘Mainland’ - the South Island’s self-proclaimed nickname. 

Day Thirteen: Tranz-Alpine Rail Journey

From Christchurch, we traverse the Southern Alps aboard the famous Tranz-Alpine rail journey to Arthurs Pass. From our carriage, we will see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Our train then climbs into the Southern Alps. Crossing Southern Alps, into the village of Arthurs Pass where we will be met by the coach to continue our journey to the West Coast – or  'the Coast' as locals call it, stopping in Hokitika where a visit is made to the Greenstone and Glass Blowing factories. 

Day Fourteen: Heading south towards Queenstown

Driving towards the southern end of the South Island’s West Coast Road, there is a strong sense of entering a primeval land, and a feeling of total isolation. Arriving at Haast, we are surrounded by a landscape of rainforest, wetlands, sand dunes and surf-pounded shingle beaches. This wilderness forms part of the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, so designated because South Westland and Fiordland have some of the most dramatic forest and mountain scenery and natural resources in the world. 

Day Fifteen: Free time in Queenstown

Today is spent at leisure in Queenstown, with a variety of sightseeing activities available at an additional cost. Options include jet boating, guided walks, lake cruises on vintage steamer TSS Earnslaw, four-wheel-drive excursion focussing on film locations used in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, river rafting or if you dare - bungee jumping! 

Day Sixteen: Scenic Cruise down Milford Sound

We depart early this morning and travel around Lake Wakatipu and through Te Anau and the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Fiordland National Park, part of the UNESCO Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area, is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. The scenery is spectacular, with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out by Ice Age glaciers. There are clear rushing streams and leaping waterfalls set in magnificent native rainforest. We board a comfortable vessel for a scenic cruise down Milford Sound, past towering Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea. Seals and dolphins are often seen in the clear waters of the fjord. 

Day Seventeen: Te Anau and Twizel

Today we retrace our journey back to Queenstown Junction, calling into Arrowtown – a township with a colourful history set on the banks of the Arrow River. Many of the original sycamore trees, planted by the goldminers, cover the town's cottages and stone buildings. In its heyday, Arrowtown was a rough and ready frontier town. There are many beautiful and interesting walks around this historical area or we may wish to visit some of the excellent art galleries, cafés or boutiques that now line the main street. 

Day Eighteen: Mount Cook

This morning we depart Twizel and drive along the shores of Lake Pukaki into Mt Cook National Park. At the heart of New Zealand’s most spectacular alpine region is Mt Cook, at 3754 metres the highest peak in Australasia. We can enjoy some time at Mt Cook Village. Retracing our journey back along Lake Pukaki, we continue to Tekapo to see the magnificent blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Here, we also visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue of the Collie dog, before travelling the vast Mackenzie Basin, over Burke’s Pass through Fairlie, Geraldine, Ashburton and across the Canterbury Plains into Christchurch.

• Breakfast Included

Day Nineteen: Christchurch

This morning, we depart on a sightseeing tour of Christchurch City. Highlights include Cathedral Square, the River Avon and Hagley Park. The remainder of the day can be enjoyed at leisure, with an all-day pass on the restored heritage Christchurch Tram included so we can enjoy a journey in style through the changing face of Christchurch’s city centre.  Knowledgeable drivers will inform us about the city, its landmarks, and local sights.  

Day Twenty: Flight home

After breakfast, we will be transferred from the hotel to Christchurch Airport for our flight back home.

• Breakfast Included

Day Three: Arrive back into the UK

Today we arrive back in to the UK