VACATIONS & TOURS

Premium New Zealand Encompassed

Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitomo, Hobbiton, Rotorua, Lake Taupo, Tongariro, Wellington, Marlborough Sound, Christchurch, Punakaiki, Greymouth, Hokitika, Franz Josef, Makaroa, Wanaka, Milford Sound, Te Anau, Queenstown, Arrowtown

Contact Agent

OUR PRICES STARTING FROM

$9,660

17 Days, Guided, 25 Meals

Prices reflect land-only rates.

Exclusive Benefits for AAA Members

$100 discount per person applied at the time of booking.

Best Price Guarantee

24/7 Member Care

Not a AAA Member? JOIN NOW

Overview

Dramatic peaks, glittering glaciers and geothermal wonders await on a 17-day Premium adventure through New Zealand's north and south islands. With a passionate local leader to guide the way, you'll experience a landscape that has been shaped by the elements over thousands of years. Taste wine at picturesque cellar doors, set out in search of kiwis, explore the mythical world of Hobbiton and explore the volcanic landscapes of Tongariro. From the pure spectacle of Milford Sound to the simmering geysers of Rotorua, this adventure is sure to blow you away.

DAYS 17 Days, Guided, 25 Meals
MEALS 16 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners
16 nights accommodation
Services of a trip leader
All on-tour transportation and related fees
Airport transfers (Restrictions apply)

Itinerary

Day 1 - Auckland

Meal(s)

Dinner

Welcome to the North Island! Your adventure begins in Auckland, New Zealand's most populated city, fringed with beaches, harbours, volcanoes and farmland. You'll be collected from the airport and transferred to your hotel. A welcome meeting will take place here at 6pm, where you'll meet your local leader and the other travellers joining you on this adventure. If you arrive in Auckland with time to spare, you may like to uncover the story of New Zealand rugby during an interactive All Blacks experience where you'll learn about the heritage of the sport and find out what it takes to wear the famous black jersey. After your meeting, get to know your group over dinner at an atmospheric local bistro in the heart of the city, championing New Zealand producers.

Day 2 - Waiheke Island / Auckland

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch

Leave the bustle of the big city behind and head offshore to Waiheke Island, famed for its sandy beaches and glorious wine. Board a ferry from Auckland – if you're really lucky you may even see dolphins or orcas along the way. The day will be spent sipping your way around the island, stopping off at three unique wineries to learn about their production methods, and of course tasting the goods yourself. You'll also enjoy an included lunch on the island, not to mention a few scenic drives with plenty of opportunities for beautiful photos. Return to Auckland in the late afternoon with an evening free for your own discoveries of the city.

Day 3 - Waitomo / Hobbiton / Rotorua

Meal(s)

Breakfast

After breakfast this morning, hit the road and drive to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, an extensive underground network of tunnels and caverns decorated with stalactites, stalagmites and luminous glow worms. Join a local expert for an in-depth tour of the Ruakuri Cave, descending a spiral entrance to a magical world below. Discover fascinating limestone formations, hear the roar of subterranean waterfalls and learn about the glow worms that light up the caves. Continue to Hobbiton, where the epic Lord of the Rings movies were shot. Take a tour around the set with a local guide, hear stories about the production of these iconic films, explore Hobbit holes, then perhaps enjoy a drink at the mythical Green Dragon Inn. Finally, travel to Rotorua, where you will spend the evening.

Day 4 - Rotorua

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch

Wake up in Rotorua to the unmistakable scent of sulphur coming off the town's many geothermal pools. After breakfast, pay a visit to Te Puia, over 70 hectares of land within the Te Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, dotted with hot springs, mud pools and geysers. A local expert will take you on a walk to learn about these geothermal wonders, including Pohutu, the largest geyser in the southern hemisphere. Next experience the Kiwi Conservation Centre where you'll have the chance to observe the beloved nocturnal bird in a darkened enclosure and learn about the sanctuary's efforts to protect them. Swing by the Ahua Gallery and watch culturally significant Maori carving and weaving demonstrations. Lunch is a treat today - a traditional hangi feast cooked beneath the earth in traditional style. In the evening, perhaps consider an optional tour of the geysers by night.

Day 5 - Taupo

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Say goodbye to Rotorua and drive on to Taupo, sitting on the shores of Lake Taupo – the largest lake in New Zealand. The rest of the day is yours to discover all that this picturesque part of the country has to offer. One of the best ways to enjoy the lake is to get on its waters – speak to your leader to find out about the sustainable sailing and cruising options available to you this afternoon. You may like to try your hand at fishing, or perhaps take a flight over the spectacular Tongariro National Park.

Day 6 - Tongariro National Park

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Today will be spent uncovering the natural wonders of Tongariro National Park, as spiritually significant as it is spectacular. Your leader will guide you on a scenic two-hour walk to the Taranaki Falls, an impressive 20-metre cascade tumbling over volcanic cliffs. Then it's time for a ride with a view – take the Sky Waka gondola up the top of Mt Ruapehu and be treated to some truly unforgettable scenes on the way. Later in the day, head to your Feature Stay accommodation at the Powderhorn Chateau and settle in. The chateau provides a stunning base for the evening, surrounded by the soaring peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro – the views are simply unbeatable.

Day 7 - Wellington

Day 8 - Marlborough Sound / Christchurch

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Dinner

Start the day early with a short drive to Wellington's ferry terminal to board the ferry that will take you across the Cook Strait to Picton on New Zealand's South Island. This ferry crossing can be utterly magical. With dolphins regularly joining the ship in a playful game of chase and the verdant green hills of the Marlborough Sound reaching down to the water's edge, the three-and-a-half-hour ferry crossing itself is simply spectacular. In fact, it's inspired many journalists to name this crossing as 'one of the most scenic ferry rides in the world'. Upon arrival at Picton board your private transfer and embark on the incredible drive south along the coastal road. It takes around five hours to drive from Picton to Christchurch, but we'll spend a little longer for you to see some of New Zealand's most spectacular coastal scenery. Characterised by snow-capped peaks, giant glaciers and shimmering lakes, there's no denying that the South Island is one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Once in Christchurch, settle into your accommodation. A meeting will take place in the evening at 6pm to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next leg of your adventure, followed by dinner at a local restaurant which encapsulates the culinary culture of the region. Learn about the ethos behind this unique dining spot and enjoy a delicious three course meal which celebrates local producers.

Day 9 - Christchurch / Greymouth / Punakaiki

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Take a morning stroll with your leader around some of the landmarks of Christchurch. Next set off for Punakaiki, driving through Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill – the spectacular mountain scenery may look familiar, as parts of The Chronicles of Narnia movie were filmed against this dramatic backdrop. After lunch in Moana, enjoy a short walk at Lake Brunner, the largest lake in the northwestern South Island of New Zealand. Spend the afternoon in Greymouth, stopping into a boutique studio to learn about the prized west coast jade known locally as Pounamu (Greenstone). Then continue to Monteith's Brewery, considered the original home of New Zealand craft brewing, for a tour and tasting. Arrive at Punakaiki Resort by late afternoon. Situated in Paparoa National Park, the resort is adjacent to the beautiful Punakaiki beach and the magnificent Pancake Rocks and Blowholes - the perfect spot to reflect and relax.

Day 10 - Hokitika / Franz Josef

Meal(s)

Breakfast

After breakfast, explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole before the drive to Franz Josef. Along the way, stretch your legs at the charming west coast town of Hokitika, and enjoy an exhilarating treetop adventure on a walk through the ancient Rimu and Kamahi tree canopy. In the afternoon, take a private ranger-guided tour of the West Coast Wildlife Centre, home of the official breeding programme for the world's rarest kiwi, the Rowi. Also keep an eye out for tuatara, a reptile endemic to New Zealand. Arrive at your Franz Josef accommodation by evening.

Day 11 - Franz Josef

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Join your leader for a guided walk to see the icy wonderland created by the Franz Josef Glacier, one of the steepest glaciers in New Zealand. If you're feeling more adventurous, you may like to join an optional heli-hiking tour and get even closer to this incredible glacier. Other optional activities include kayaking, a scenic cruise on Lake Mapourika or a soak in the hot tubs at Franz Josef.

Day 12 - Makaroa / Wanaka

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Depart Franz Josef for the picturesque resort town of Wanaka, the gateway to Mount Aspiring National Park, located in the Otago region. Stop along the way at Makorora and visit the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust, an organisation which strives to protect and restore indigenous biodiversity. After lunch, take a guided walk with a local ornithologist and ecologist to enjoy the vibrant hue of the aptly named Blue Pools that feed the Makarora River. Keep an eye out for endangered birds as you learn about how the Aspiring Biodiversity Trust is working to reduce predators and save some of New Zealand's rarest species. Arrive in Wanaka by later afternoon, and settle in to your home for the next two nights - a homestead built on the site of a former sheep station. Located next to the resplendent Wanaka Station Park on the shores of Lake Wanaka, and a short stroll from Wanaka township, you'll be perfectly placed to enjoy all this charming town has to offer.

Day 13 - Wanaka

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy a sleep in or perhaps start your day with a hike up Mt Iron for a view over Lake Wanaka and the surrounding peaks. Today's experience is one of the real highlight's of your trip. Central Otago is a region well known for food and wine, and today you will visit the spectacular Criffel Station for a chef-guided tasting and foraging tour, followed by a delicious lunch, washed down with some excellent Central Otago wines.

Day 14 - Milford Sound

Meal(s)

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Depart Wanaka for the drive to Te Anau. Along the way, take in a spectacular scenic drive across the Crown Range and by the shores of Lake Wakatipu. After lunch, continue on to your embarkation point for your Feature Stay, an overnight cruise surrounded by the spectacular beauty of Milford Sound, also known by its Te Reo (Maori) name Piopiotahi. Aboard your purpose-built vessel, enjoy a full length journey of the fjord out to the Tasman Sea, with the possibility to see wildlife such as seals, penguins and dolphins. You will also have access to a specialist guide with information on the fjord's history and natural environment. For those who are keen, kayaking and/or small boat tours allow a truly immersive experience of this special place. Finish your day with a delicious three-course dinner before settling down in your cozy cabin.

Day 15 - Milford Sound / Te Anau / Queenstown

Day 16 - Arrowtown / Queenstown

Meal(s)

Breakfast

Today is the grand finale of your trip. In the morning, take an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Kimi Akau (Shotover River), deep into the spectacular Shotover Canyons. Speeding over water as shallow as 10cm, this is an amazing white water experience, operated by the Ngai Tahu, Maori people who have a centuries-old connection with this land. Continue on for a leader-led walk through historical Arrowtown, then enjoy a wine tasting at Gibbston Valley. Perhaps toast the end of your journey with a New Zealand-inspired gin & tonic or glass of Otago wine at a bar & restaurant with arguably the most spectacular views in all of Queenstown.

Day 17 - Queenstown

THE VALUE OF TRIP CANVAS

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get Ideas from the Pros

As one of the largest travel agencies in North America, we have a wealth of recommendations to share! Browse our articles and videos for inspiration, or dive right in with preplanned AAA Road Trips, cruises and vacation tours.

Build and Research Your Options

Save and organize every aspect of your trip including cruises, hotels, activities, transportation and more. Book hotels confidently using our AAA Diamond Designations and verified reviews.

Book Everything in One Place

From cruises to day tours, buy all parts of your vacation in one transaction, or work with our nationwide network of AAA Travel Agents to secure the trip of your dreams!

Explore trip canvas

Premium New Zealand Encompassed

Exclusive Benefits for AAA Members

Overview

Itinerary

transportation--genericDay 1 - Auckland

Meal(s)

transportation--boatDay 2 - Waiheke Island / Auckland

transportation--busDay 3 - Waitomo / Hobbiton / Rotorua

transportation--genericDay 4 - Rotorua

transportation--genericDay 5 - Taupo

transportation--genericDay 6 - Tongariro National Park

transportation--genericDay 7 - Wellington

transportation--genericDay 8 - Marlborough Sound / Christchurch

transportation--busDay 9 - Christchurch / Greymouth / Punakaiki

transportation--genericDay 10 - Hokitika / Franz Josef

transportation--genericDay 11 - Franz Josef

transportation--genericDay 12 - Makaroa / Wanaka

transportation--genericDay 13 - Wanaka

transportation--boatDay 14 - Milford Sound

transportation--busDay 15 - Milford Sound / Te Anau / Queenstown

transportation--genericDay 16 - Arrowtown / Queenstown

category--popular-destinationsDay 17 - Queenstown

Travel Like an Expert with AAA and Trip Canvas

Get Ideas from the Pros

Build and Research Your Options

Book Everything in One Place

Day 1 - Auckland

Day 2 - Waiheke Island / Auckland

Day 3 - Waitomo / Hobbiton / Rotorua

Day 4 - Rotorua

Day 5 - Taupo

Day 6 - Tongariro National Park

Day 7 - Wellington

Day 8 - Marlborough Sound / Christchurch

Day 9 - Christchurch / Greymouth / Punakaiki

Day 10 - Hokitika / Franz Josef

Day 11 - Franz Josef

Day 12 - Makaroa / Wanaka

Day 13 - Wanaka

Day 14 - Milford Sound

Day 15 - Milford Sound / Te Anau / Queenstown

Day 16 - Arrowtown / Queenstown

Day 17 - Queenstown