Itinerary Highlights
- Visit Rotorua’s volcanic and geothermal attractions
- Stay at some of New Zealand's finest hotels and Luxury Lodges
- Enjoy the pristine coastline on a private cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park
- Sample some of New Zealand's finest wines in the Hawkes Bay, Martinborough and Marlborough regions
- Best time to travel November - April
What's Included
- Accommodation Throughout
- Car Hire
- Domestic Flights
- International Flights
19 nights from £21,385 per person
Lucy
Travel Specialist
Set in the azure seas of the South Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is renowned for its green environment and remarkable scenic beauty. Mark a milestone birthday, celebrate a special anniversary, or simple start ticking off the bucket list with this exclusive itinerary.
From rugged mountains and ancient glaciers, to beaches, bays, and bush, discerning travellers rate New Zealand as a destination not to be missed. More than magnificent landscapes, New Zealand is also about people and has a rich and vibrant culture, melding its proud Maori heritage with modern European and Polynesian influences.
New Zealand offers outstanding experiences including wilderness fly-fishing, hiking, mountain-biking, and heli-adventures. These can all be enjoyed while staying in absolute luxury at some of the world’s most spectacular luxury lodges and hotels, where the breath-taking setting is as important as the exceptional and faultless service – not to mention exquisite cuisine.
For adventurous honeymooners, this luxury tour of New Zealand is ideal as it gives newlyweds ample opportunities for romance with its plush accommodations and cinematic surroundings. Couples can further tailor their trip to suit them, making for a completely personalised experience.
Tick off scores of activities and iconic attractions from your bucket list with this tailor-made itinerary, which takes in several of New Zealand’s top destinations.
Itinerary
Day 1 Auckland
On arrival at Auckland International Airport you will be met by our representative who will arrange your private transfer to the Park Hyatt Auckland where you will stay for two nights. Take advantage of the hotels prime waterfront location and wander around the marina, visit the New Zealand Maritime Museum or peruse the shops of Queen Street. Staying at Park Hyatt Auckland
Day 2 Auckland
Enjoy a day of leisure in Auckland, explore Auckland Harbour on an America's Cup sailing experience, or take a ferry or flight to Waiheke Island for a wine & gourmet food tasting tour. The day is yours, free to explore and discover some of Auckland's highlights. Staying at Park Hyatt Auckland
Day 3 Auckland to Rotorua (140 miles)
Drive south east from Auckland through the Waikato region. Stop in Hamilton to explore the sprawling Hamilton Gardens public park. If you are a fan, or not, of The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit film trilogies, take a guided walking tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata. Arrive in Rotorua, an area of geothermal activity and Maori cultural experiences.
Day 4 Rotorua to Taupo (50 miles)
Taupo
Explore Rotorua’s volcanic and geothermal attractions at your leisure including Wai-o-Tapu Thermal Reserve – New Zealand’s most colourful volcanic area. Drive south to Taupo where you will stay at the iconic Huka Lodge, a retreat that is consistently ranked among the finest in the world. The Lodge is nestled in 17-acres of manicured gardens close upstream from the roaring Huka Falls.
Day 5 Taupo
Taupo
There are a whole host of activities and unique local experiences for you to enjoy while at Huka Lodge. Golfers can enjoy a round at one of the two world class courses at Kinloch and Wairakei. Take a scenic cruise on New Zealand’s largest lake, Lake Taupo or go fly-fishing on the surrounding rivers. Get the adrenaline pumping on the Huka Falls Jetboat or take a private helicopter trip to White Island, a volcano that is almost constantly active.
Staying at
Huka Lodge
Day 6 Taupo to Hawkes Bay (107 miles)
Hawke's Bay
Today drive to Hawkes Bay via the ‘Thermal Explorer’ Highway which provides contrasting scenery along the way. Stop at vantage points to soak up the stunning vistas and stop at the Waipunga Falls for photo opportunities. Hawkes Bay is renowned as one of New Zealand’s richest agricultural areas and is a long-established wine-growing region.
Day 7 Hawkes Bay
Hawke's Bay
Farm at Cape Kidnappers offers a vast range of on-site activities as well as easy access to local wineries and nearby Napier, a town of pastel coloured Art Deco buildings which we can arrange a tour of in a 1930’s vintage vehicle. At Cape Kidnappers you can explore the 6,000-acre farm by mountain bike or take a shepherding tour, enjoy nature walks, clay pigeon shooting or view the massive colony of gannets.
Staying at
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers
Day 8 Hawkes Bay to Palliser Bay (190 miles)
Today drive south via the Wairarapa farming district of to Masterton, we suggest a stop at Pukaha Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre where you can take a tour with one of the parks rangers to learn more about New Zealand’s unique flora and fauna. Take the scenic Rimutaka Hill Road towards Wellington where you will stay at the gracious Wharekauhau Country Estate for two nights.
Day 9 Palliser Bay
While at Wharekauhau there are opportunities to explore this country estate, its ancient native forests, spectacular rugged beaches and working farm by foot, mountain bike or quad bikes on the many tracks. You can visit the picturesque lighthouse at Cape Palliser, relax with a spa treatment or visit a high-end boutique vineyard of Martinborough. Enjoy the serenity and exquisite cuisine at this stunning Relais & Chateaux hotel and learn more about this working sheep station on a farm tour.
Staying at
Wharekauhau Country Estate, Palliser Bay
Day 10 Palliser Bay to Nelson (224 miles including ferry crossing)
Nelson
Today you will drive to Wellington, New Zealand’s Capital city where you are free to explore its attractions before your ferry crossing over the Cook Strait and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton, on New Zealand’s South Island. Drive west to Nelson where you will find quaint boutiques and galleries before checking in to Te Koi - The Lodge at Bronte.
Day 11 Abel Tasman National Park
Nelson
Today is spent on the water on your private cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park. Explore its pristine coastline, sandy bays, Islands and seal colonies. This region is outstandingly scenic and sailing through the calms waters of the bay is the perfect way to experience its natural beauty. Dolphins often ride the bow wave of the boat as you cruise along. Stop where and whenever you wish for a swim or to paddle in a sea kayak or go ashore for a bush walk.
Staying at
Te Koi – The Lodge at Bronte
Day 12 Nelson to Christchurch (280 miles)
This morning after breakfast at Te Koi, take a scenic drive through the Marlborough wine region and along the rugged and beautiful east coast to Christchurch, the “Garden city of New Zealand”. An optional stop can be made at Kaikoura, an eco-town renowned for its whale-watching activities by boat or from the air. Your accommodation, Otahuna Lodge is set in glorious gardens 30-minutes from Christchurch.
Day 13 Christchurch
While at the exclusive retreat Otahuna Lodge you can enjoy its spectacular formal gardens and activities including swimming, croquet and tennis and the exceptional service and cuisine you would expect from a Relais & Chateaux property. Optional excursions can be arranged to the French village of Akaroa and cruise around its harbour where you might spot dolphins and the odd elusive penguin. Visit Christchurch and punt on the Avon River or take a cookery class at the lodge.
Staying at
Otahuna Lodge
Day 14 Christchurch to Ahuriri Valley (210 miles)
Drive along the Canterbury Plains before heading across country to Ahuriri Valley, a conservation park on the eastern flanks of the Southern Alps. There are some stunning spots to stop off en-route; gaze out over the remarkable turquoise coloured Lake Tekapo and the mountainous wonder of the Southern Alps.
Day 15 Ahuriri Valley
Ahuriri Valley
The Lindis is nestled in the pristine Ahurri Valley, a sophisticated luxury hideaway where you can unwind and relax while enjoying the idyllic setting and stillness of nature. There are plenty of outdoor adventures and activities available to those that wish to explore the area further; enjoy the great outdoors on horseback, mountain bikes, hiking trails, ATV buggies or in a glider from nearby Omarama. At night view the Milky Way and listen to the sound of silence.
Staying at
The Lindis
Day 16 Ahuriri Valley to Wanaka (60 miles)
Wanaka
This morning you will leave Lindis Lodge and drive to Wanaka where you will be met and transferred to Minaret Station Alpine Lodge by scenic helicopter flight. Minaret Station is a working high-country farm set on 50,000 acres and home to over 10,000 deer, 7,000 sheep and 1,000 cattle. Surrounded by New Zealand’s pristine wilderness, Minaret Station is an outdoor adventurer’s paradise with extensive hiking and biking trails, thrilling jet boat rides, heli-adventures and fly-fishing to keep you active.
Day 17 Wanaka
Wanaka
Spend a full day enjoying the remoteness and solitude of Minaret Station, surrounded by spectacular scenery and wilderness. Explore this spectacular region in a variety of ways; optional experiences include taking to the skies on a private gourmet heli-picnic in a stunning alpine setting; Load your mountain-bikes and take a helicopter to a mountain top and take an exhilarating descent on one of several remote trails in the Southern Alps.
Staying at
Minaret Station
Day 18 Wanaka to Queenstown (42 miles)
Your day begins with a private 30-minute scenic helicopter flight to Wanaka before you drive to Queenstown, we recommend taking the scenic route via Arrowtown and Arthurs Point. Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand, if not the world. Adrenaline junkies are attracted by the thousands to try bungee jumping, sky diving, white water rafting and jet boating to name just a few.
Day 19 Queenstown
Spend the day discovering this region of outstanding natural beauty at your leisure. Optional experiences including private wine tasting and gourmet food tours, or private helicopter adventures can be arranged. We recommend a tour to Milford South, returning by air over the stunning Southern Alps, or take an overnight cruise on either Milford or Doubtful Sound.
Staying at
Rosewood Matakauri
Day 20 Queenstown to UK
Enjoy a final morning in Queenstown before for your flight to the UK or onward destination.
Lucy
Travel Specialist
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Sunday: 10am - 4pm
19 nights from £21,385 per person
