10 Day From North to South ‘Premium’ Tour 

Welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival you will be picked up for your private transfer from Auckland International Airport to your hotel.

AUCKLAND / TAMAKI MAKAURAU – an exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city’s many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach. The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand’s biggest city, and the population mix of European, Māori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World.

Today you will join the lovely team at TIME Unlimited Tours for their Auckland Maori Luxury Tour including Lunch. See the very best sights of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and New Zealand’s Māori culture on this small group tour. Enjoy a wonderful day of sightseeing and learn more about the Māori culture and history along the way. View several ancient volcanoes and marvel at the architecture of the Auckland Museum as you visit the Auckland Domain. Explore the boutique suburb of Parnell, restored in the old colonial style, with many beautiful mansions. Then follow Tamaki Drive along Auckland’s waterfront to Mission Bay, arguably the city’s most well known beach.

Drive over the famous Auckland Harbour Bridge spanning the Waitematā Harbour. Enjoy great views of the Hauraki Gulf and Rangitoto Island, Auckland’s largest and youngest volcano at 600 years old.  Visit the Arataki Visitor Centre at the gateway to Auckland’s famous West Coast and Waitākere Ranges. Enjoy overlooking spectacular ocean vistas along Auckland’s wild West Coast. Discover Te Wao Nui o Tiriwa (Māori for ancient forest of Tiriwa), the indigenous forest covering the ranges. Walk among unique indigenous trees and plants, learn their Māori names and their importance as both food and medicine. Meet some shy bush-dwelling native birds and learn the legends of the bush as you explore Te Taihauuru (the ‘Wild West Coast’) with its spectacular soaring cliffs. Return to Downtown Auckland with a greater appreciation of Auckland and New Zealand’s Māori culture.

This morning you will pick up your Intermediate SUV Budget rental car and head south from Auckland, traveling through the lush, green hills of the Waikato region. You’ll pass plenty of farms, it’s the heart of dairy country! As you get closer to Rotorua, you’ll start to notice the unique, sulphur-rich air. It’s the city’s signature scent and a sign that you’ve arrived in a place full of bubbling mud pools and incredible Māori culture.

On route you will join CaveWorld Ltd for their fantastic Private Footwhistle Glowworm Cave Tour. The Footwhistle Cave, also known as Te Anaroa Cave, is one of the largest in Waitomo and supports some of the best glowworm displays, yet every tour feels like an intimate trip where you can discover this cave as if for the first time. Your experienced guide will share with you the rich history of the surroundings, and stories of the cave formation and the titiwai, the glow worm that lives in the cave. The solar-powered lights are kept low so you can appreciate the magnificent glow worm displays at their best, some only inches away. Marvel at the fantastic limestone formations of stalactites and stalagmites and view the remains of one of New Zealand’s lost treasures, the ancient Moa. Complete the tour by enjoying a complimentary Kawakawa tea whilst you relax in our ponga hut nestled in the native forest.

ROTORUA – located on a volcanic plateau, and formerly a spa town, Rotorua is most famous for its geothermal activity. Rotorua is the main place in New Zealand where aspects of Māori traditions can be seen, from wood carvings, and meeting houses, to a Hangi Dinner and Māori dances. Native and introduced tree species abound locally and combined with several picturesque lakes, Rotorua is a fascinating mix of culture and nature.

Join Elite Adventures today for their Private Elite Rotorua Half Day Tour. This private tour is a fantastic way to experience Rotorua. Your dedicated guide will craft a unique itinerary based on your preferences, whether you want to focus on geothermal wonders, Māori culture, or scenic highlights. The tour offers the freedom to explore Rotorua at your own pace, providing a deeper understanding of the region’s rich offerings.

Leave Rotorua and travel south through Taupō and the central plateau. The route crosses the Desert Road, providing spectacular views of Mount Ruapehu. Continue through the Manawatū region and along the Kāpiti Coast. Your journey concludes as you arrive in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital on a stunning natural harbour.

WELLINGTON/TE WHANGANUI-A-TARA – the Capital city of New Zealand since 1865, is situated around Wellington harbour, its houses clinging precipitously to the steep hillsides. Wellington is renowned for its wind which is channelled through the Cook Strait, and causes the wind to blow most days. A clever blend of buildings, old and new, beautiful vistas of the city and harbour, and a cosmopolitan mix of culture and arts give Wellington its heart, and vibrant atmosphere.

Once settled in your hotel amble along to Te Papa Museum of New Zealand to enjoy the short but informative Introducing Te Papa Tour. This one-hour guided tour is an excellent way to get the most out of your visit to Te Papa. Your knowledgeable guide will lead you through the museum, sharing captivating stories and providing a deeper understanding of New Zealand’s rich history, art, and culture, from its unique geological past to its indigenous Māori traditions.

Todays journey is often called one of the most beautiful ferry trips in the world aboard the Interislander Wellington to Picton in ‘plus’ class.. Your crossing starts in Wellington Harbour, and as you leave the city behind, you’ll be greeted by the dramatic cliffs of the Cook Strait. The true highlight is the last part of the journey as the ship glides through the tranquil, fjord-like channels of the Marlborough Sounds. The “Plus” experience elevates your trip with access to the exclusive, child-free Premium Lounge. Here, you’ll find comfortable seating, complimentary food and a selection of premium New Zealand wines and craft beers, ensuring a peaceful and luxurious passage with some of the best views on the ship.

BLENHEIM/WAIHARAKEKE – the “Sunshine Capital” of New Zealand is situated on the Wairau Plain near the top of the South Island. Blenheim’s combination of high sunshine hours, a long ripening period, and free-draining river flats have put the district’s vineyards at the forefront of the International Wine Industry. The second Saturday of February is Blenheim’s Wine and Food Festival which draws many to celebrate food, music and dance.

This afternoon take in Omaka Aviation Heritage Centres Knights of the Sky & Dangerous Skies Combo Tour. The development of aviation and the stories of the men that flew them are brought to life in two distinctive exhibitions. The first featuring the extensive collection of World War One aircraft and rare memorabilia belonging to Sir Peter Jackson and showcasing the talents of WingNut Films and Weta Workshop in Knights of the Sky. The second exhibition, Dangerous Skies is also given the trademark theatrical treatment the museum has become famous, takes you on both a geographical journey as well as a historical one. Enjoy the exhibition at your leisure or take a guided tour to further enhance your Omaka Aviation experience.

Prepare for a fantastic and scenic journey that hugs the coastline for much of the way. You’ll leave the Marlborough vineyards behind and travel south with the dramatic Kaikōura Ranges on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Keep an eye out for seals, as they often hang out on the rocks right next to the road!

KAIKOURA/TE TAUMANU O TE WAKA A MAUI – means “to eat crayfish”, from the Maori words “Kai” meaning food, and Koura meaning crayfish. You can savour crayfish here in Kaikoura, view whales and dolphins at play, or visit local galleries and craft shops, or take a walk along the Peninsula Walkway. If you travel out onto the Kaikoura Peninsula and look back towards the mountains, an amazing tableau will appear before you. The seaward Kaikoura Range appears to rise from the sea, with the snow-capped Southern Alps as a backdrop.

First thing this morning chose from one of our option tours to start your day in the extraordinary coastline of New Zealand. Then once ready head south along the stunning coastline. The route hugs the Pacific Ocean, offering incredible views, and it’s a great place to spot seals basking on the rocks right next to the highway. You’ll leave the dramatic coastal scenery behind as you approach the city of Christchurch, a perfect way to end a coastal adventure.

CHRISTCHURCH/OTAUTAHI -Located on a level plain, Christchurch is defined by its historic past and vibrant future. The willow and oak-lined River Avon meanders through its heart, where you can enjoy a punt ride or explore the sprawling Botanic Gardens. Much of the city’s unique charm comes from its blend of old and new; elegant stone buildings sit alongside striking contemporary architecture. Following a series of earthquakes, the city has been thoughtfully and creatively rebuilt, resulting in innovative new spaces like the Transitional Cathedral and Margaret Mahy Playground. This spirit of renewal makes Christchurch an exciting hub for arts, culture, and dining, while its proximity to both the stunning Canterbury Plains and the volcanic Port Hills offers easy access to outdoor adventures.

Two great tours are in store for you today. Firstly you’ll join Canterbury Trails on their Private Christchurch City – Half Day City Tour. This private tour is perfect for an intimate and tailored introduction to Christchurch. Your guide will lead you through the city’s main sights, from its historical landmarks to its innovative new architecture. The itinerary is flexible to suit your interests, and you’ll get to see the city’s parks, the Port Hills, and other key attractions from a local perspective.

Later this afternoon you’ll meet Amiki Cultural Food Tours and join their Kai Safari – 3 Hour Progressive Dinner. Discover Christchurch on a progressive evening walking tour that blends local cuisine, Māori storytelling, and vibrant city culture. Guided by passionate Māori hosts, explore hidden laneways, riverside paths, and historic precincts while enjoying premium small plates and pairings at handpicked venues. Along the way, hear stories of ancestors, manaakitanga (hospitality), and Christchurch’s transformation after the earthquakes. This immersive experience offers a unique insight into both Māori and settler heritage, connecting you with the people and spirit of the city.

Today you’ll drop your car off and head to Christchurch Airport by private transfer today and leave New Zealand ready to share your extraordinary memories and hopefully plan your next trip down to see us.