10 Day Snapshot of New Zealand ‘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, Maori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World.

Today you’ll join the fantastic team at TIME Unlimited Tours on their Private Auckland Maori Luxury Tour for the day. See the very best sights of Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and the city’s wild West Coast on this private tour with an indigenous guide. Enjoy a wonderful day of sightseeing and learn more about the Māori culture and history along the way. Visit the Auckland Domain, home to the Auckland Museum, one of the New Zealand’s architectural icons. View several ancient volcanoes and see 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.

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’).

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 visit the extraordinary Hobbiton Movie Set Tours and step into Middle-earth with their enchanting guided tour. You’ll journey through the picturesque sheep farm to the movie set, where you’ll see the Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and the Party Tree. Your guide will share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and movie magic secrets, culminating in a complimentary beverage at the world-famous Green Dragon Inn.

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 Maori traditions can be seen, from wood carvings, and meeting houses, to a Hangi Dinner and Maori dances. Native and introduced tree species abound locally and combined with several picturesque lakes, Rotorua is a fascinating mix of culture and nature.

A night to remember is ahead when you make your way to Te Pa Tu for their Evening Experience. This is an unforgettable evening that celebrates Māori culture and tradition. You’ll be welcomed with a traditional pōwhiri (welcome), and your guide will lead you on a journey through a reconstructed village. The experience includes stories, songs, and demonstrations of Māori life, followed by a powerful cultural performance and a delicious five-course feast. It is an intimate and engaging way to learn about the Māori world.

This morning you’ll visit the Waimangu Volcanic Valley and take their Self Guided Walk. Explore this magnificent geothermal valley at your own pace. You will walk on well-maintained paths past colorful hot springs, steaming volcanic craters, and bubbling mud pools. The tour includes views of the famous Inferno Crater and Frying Pan Lake, and you can choose to take a bus back to the visitor center or continue to a boat tour on Lake Rotomahana.

Then its time to drop off your car this afternoon at Rotorua airport and then travel from Rotorua to Christchurch via Air New Zealand. This is a great option for those who want to quickly travel between the two islands and save time and your flight is included.

Once in Christchurch you’ll pick up a new car in Christchurch Airport and head to your accommodation.

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.

What a day today will be! This morning you will join Fine Art Tours NZ on their Garden City Private Walking Tour. During this tour you’ll explore the heart of Christchurch with a private guide and see how a region devasted by earthquakes has rebuilt and re-emerged as a modern, resilient city Christchurch, once known for its Gothic Revival architecture, is now also home to striking modern architecture and interconnected streets and pathways designed for walking and cycling. Tour the city on foot with a mature local guide who will share their new favourite spaces and personal stories of regeneration and the rebuild.

Once finished it’s time to hit the road and this is a must-do New Zealand road trip. You’ll leave the Canterbury Plains behind and head inland. The landscape changes dramatically as you get closer to the Southern Alps, and suddenly you’ll see the brilliant, milky-blue waters of Lake Tekapo. It’s a photographer’s dream, especially with the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd on its shores.

LAKE TEKAPO/TAKAPŌ – located in the Mackenzie country, with fantastic views of the surrounding Alps. The Lake’s unusual turquoise colour is given by fine rock-flour, which is dust ground by glacial movement and held in suspension by the Lake’s waters. The Lake is also well known for its brown and rainbow trout.

Tonight you are booked in for the Dark Sky Project Crater Experience – At Cowan’s Private Observatory. This exclusive stargazing experience is for those who want an intimate and personal journey through the cosmos. Your private guide will take you to Cowan’s Private Observatory, where you will use a high-powered telescope to view constellations, planets, and galaxies. The tour is a perfect way to learn about the night sky in one of the world’s best stargazing locations.

This is a comprehensive road trip that takes you from the beautiful Mackenzie Country and all the way to Fiordland National Park. You’ll travel through the high country of Central Otago before heading into rural Southland and arriving at the gateway to Fiordland, Te Anau.

TE ANAU – the focal point of the Fiordland National Park, the country’s most rugged and remote. Lake Te Anau sprawls at the feet of high rugged mountains with its South, Middle and North fiords probing into the ranges. The Lake, New Zealand’s second largest, is 417 metres deep.

Once in Milford you will join the wonderful team at Cruise Milford for their Milford Sound – Cruise. This is a perfect option for those who have already made their way to Milford Sound. The cruise travels the full length of the fiord, with a knowledgeable skipper providing commentary on the area’s natural history. You will get close enough to feel the spray of a waterfall and have the chance to see seals, dolphins, and penguins.

This evening you’ll arrive in Queenstown.

QUEENSTOWN/TAHUNA – the South Island’s most popular resort, set alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu, under the gaze of the Remarkables Ranges. See the contrast of smooth glacier rounded hills, and jagged mountain summits that reach high above the ancient ice floor. The town is renowned for its jet boating, bungy-jumping, skiing and awe-inspiring scenery. Local story has it, that the gold prospectors of the 19th century pronounced the town as “fit for any Queen”, and so she was called Queenstown.

This is gong to be a fun day as you’ll join The Helicopter Line this morning and take The Grand Circle Tour. This spectacular flight is a fantastic way to see the Southern Alps. You’ll fly over magnificent glaciers, cascading waterfalls, and the towering peaks of the Southern Alps. The flight offers a unique perspective on the region’s incredible natural beauty and is a truly unforgettable experience.

This afternoon you will head up on the Skyline Queenstown Gondola. This is a quintessential Queenstown experience. The gondola ride provides a smooth and quiet journey to the summit, where you’ll find a restaurant, a souvenir shop, and a viewing deck with breathtaking views. It’s a perfect way to get a bird’s-eye view of the town and its beautiful surroundings.

It’s adrenalin time! Join Dart River Adventures today for their exciting Dart River Wilderness Jet Tour. This tour is an exhilarating adventure that combines speed with breathtaking scenery. You’ll travel at high speeds on a powerful jet boat, navigating through the braided river system of the Dart River. Your guide will provide entertaining commentary and share insights into the area’s history, geology, and connection to “The Lord of the Rings” films.

Head to Queenstown 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.