14 Days Best of New Zealand, Auckland, Christchurch & Queenstown

Today’s 4-hour tour is designed for those who want to see Auckland’s famous attractions in a limited time. The half-day tour departs at either 8:30am or 1:00pm with a hotel pick-up and includes the iconic sights of Auckland. Visit Auckland Harbour Bridge, North Head, Achilles Point, Mount Eden and more. See fabulous Auckland Domain, Museum, and Wintergardens & Parnell Village. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. 

Discover the fascinating jewels of Auckland on a 3 - 3.5-hour walking tour, where you will learn about city's past and present historical and cultural highlights. Enjoy an easy-paced walk of Auckland Downtown; suitable for most fitness levels. Wander the cobblestone streets and the narrow lanes as your highly knowledgeable local guide unfolds two centuries of Auckland's architectural legacy, from Classical, Renaissance, Gothic to Baroque. 

On the small group walking tour, you will learn Auckland's early history from the arrival of Maori to the first colonial European settlers. This unique tour by a multi-award-winning tour company is an intimate tour experience and photographer's delight, as we see and learn about some of the most famous of Auckland’s attractions. Following the tour, enjoy the rest of the day and evening at your leisure.

This morning is free to do as you wish in Auckland, then this afternoon you’ll join a thrilling tour. On the 5-hour afternoon eco-tour, explore and admire Auckland's largest regional park, the Waitakere Ranges. 

It’s the perfect way to get out of the city and enjoy the nature on Auckland's door step. You'll be picked up from your centrally located Auckland hotel before travelling 30-minutes west to the Waitakere Ranges. From here, travel further west to enjoy a walk in the rainforest, before visiting the beautiful Piha Beach for a walk on the soft black sand. Afternoon refreshments are provided along with full commentary from our driver guides.

Join this award-winning tour with a knowledgeable guide to visit two of New Zealand’s most famous attractions in one easy return day trip from Auckland - the Hobbiton Movie Set (Lord of the Rings and The Trilogy) and also in Rotorua, the Te Puia Geothermal Wonderland.

Marvel at the stunning scenery en route as we leave behind Auckland attractions and journey off the motorways into the real hinterland of New Zealand. Be fascinated as the magical world of the Hobbiton Movie Set comes to life and take photos in front of your favourite places, like the 44 Hobbit Holes, the Shire and the Green Dragon Inn. Then journey to the world-famous Te Puia in Rotorua, which is home to remarkable geothermal features, including the much-photographed Pōhutu geyser, as well as rich layers of Māori culture, including art works, people, stories, traditions and architecture. There are lush nature trails teeming with native bird life and you will even find New Zealand iconic native flightless bird, the Kiwi, on site.

Hobbiton Movie Set ticket and Te Puia ticket are included on this fully guided Day Trip from Auckland.

This morning, your wonderful Auckland city stay comes to an end after it’s time to check out of the hotel. Please catch a taxi to the airport in time for your domestic flight to Christchurch.

On arrival in Christchurch, catch a taxi to your hotel. The remainder of day is free to explore at leisure. Christchurch, known for its English heritage, is located on the east coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Flat-bottomed punts glide on the Avon River, which meanders through the city centre. On its banks are cycling paths, the green expanse of Hagley Park and Christchurch Botanic Gardens.

Climb aboard the Christchurch Gondola cable car and enjoy spectacular 360-degree views across the Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps as you glide across the slopes of Mount Cavendish in the Port Hills. See as far as the city and harbour as you ride up to the summit 445 metres above sea level. Make use of the facilities at the top, such as the Discovery ride, a dramatic reconstruction of the history of the region. Revive your spirits at the Red Rock Café before or after going for a walk or bike ride along the many nature trails.

Then take a unique sightseeing tour of the inner city aboard an antique tram as the driver provides a live and entertaining commentary. A full circuit takes 50 minutes and includes 18 stops, where you can hop on and off as often as you wish. Visit Riverside Market, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Cathedral Junction, Canterbury Museum, and much more (excludes entrance fees where applicable).

On this high-rating tour you will be taken to the Waipara Valley (about 45mins north of Christchurch) to visit up to 4 wineries in the region. Being a small guided tour also means that we can go to some of the vineyards that the big tours cannot visit. You’ll travel in a luxury vehicle with 6 comfortable seats, air conditioning, Bluetooth sound system and a “passenger talk” system so you don’t miss a thing.

The Waipara Valley, part of the North Canterbury Wine Region, is about 75km (46miles) north of Christchurch, and is renowned for its warm, dry climate and limestone-rich soils - ideal for producing world class, multi award-winning wines and some of New Zealand’s best wines. Following your pickup in central Christchurch, your guide takes you on the 45-minute drive to the Waipara Valley. Visit wineries and tasting rooms during a fully guided tour of 3 or 4 boutique wineries and vineyards.

Embark on a tour of discovery featuring world-class scenery aboard the TranzAlpine Train. Enjoy afternoon tea on a sheep farm in the New Zealand countryside - and discover the ultimate Alpine experience.

Start your day early with a pickup from your Christchurch hotel. Travel through Canterbury Plains and arrive in Springfield at the foothills of the Southern Alps. Here, hop on board the world-famous TranzAlpine Train, considered one of the top 10 train journeys in the world. Sit back and relax as you journey through the heart of the Southern Alps, taking in extraordinary views of the alpine scenery. Disembark at Arthur's Pass and get back on the road to tour the snow-capped Southern Alps in breathtaking Arthur's Pass National Park. Stop at the incredible Otira Gorge for a photo opportunity. Break for lunch and meander about the village. Conclude your day with a stop for late afternoon tea at a sheep farm, followed by a sheep-shearing and mustering demonstration, before heading back to Christchurch.

This morning, check out of your hotel and make your own way to the airport for the flight from Christchurch to Queenstown. Upon arrival, please catch a taxi from the airport to your Queenstown accommodation. The remainder of day is free to explore Queenstown at leisure.  

Queenstown, New Zealand, sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. Renowned for adventure sports, it’s also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns. There's bungee jumping off Kawarau Gorge Suspension Bridge and jet-boating on the Shotover and Dart rivers. In winter, there's skiing on the slopes of The Remarkables and Coronet Peak.

Sit back, relax and soak up the scenic sights on this morning of guided sightseeing. Begin high above Queenstown, taking in panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and beautiful Lake Wakatipu. Spend time exploring the 1860's gold rush history and the picturesque colonial architecture of Arrowtown with time to wander the high street.

Be wowed by the dramatic Kawarau Gorge, as you pass by a Lord of the Rings film location and watch daredevils bungy jump from the famous Kawarau Suspension bridge. Stop into “valley of the vines” Gibbston wine region for a wine tasting at Gibbston Valley winery. Finish with an optional visit to Buzz stop cafe for a honey tasting or stay for lunch (at own expense). The tour is hosted by friendly local guides with small, intimate size group.

Take a journey with us deep into Middle Earth and explore unique Lord of the Rings filming locations, from Queenstown to Glenorchy and Mt Aspiring World Heritage N.P. Feel the trilogy come to life as you visit the breathtaking and magical landscape that inspired Peter Jackson’s film locations for The Lord of the Rings films.

The local tour is operated by the only company with exclusive access to the filming locations on Arcadia Station, where scenes from the Hobbit & Wolverine were filmed. Travel in a small group with local guide who has a real passion and knowledge of the area. Take in the diverse landscape of ancient beech forest, braided rivers and glacier carved valleys. Explore the unique flora and fauna and get up close to the New Zealand animals and birdlife. The local operator is also one of the few companies that holds Department of Conservation Concessionaire permits to access Mt Aspiring National park.

Today’s sightseeing takes you to Milford Sound, arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand and a must-see for any traveller. Whether seen in sunshine or rain, the incredible views are guaranteed to leave you awestruck. Join a small group tour for travellers seeking an all-inclusive, uniquely-kiwi, personalised trip to Milford Sound. 

Enjoy your journey with only 16 people, in a vehicle with premium features such as leather seats, panoramic scenic windows, Wi-Fi and Spotify. Let your guide entertain you with in-depth knowledge of the area, as we travel from Queenstown through Te Anau and into the Fiordland National Park on the famous Milford Road. Enjoy many scenic photo stops at both famous locations, as well as our guide's favourite off-the-beaten-track spots. Enjoy a 2-hour small uncrowded cruise while taking in the incredible beauty that Milford Sound has to offer! You can also add on a picnic lunch to enjoy onboard – let your Australia & New Zealand Travel Company consultant know if you’d like to include lunch in advance.

The exciting New Zealand journey concludes upon check out of your hotel this morning. If you’re flying out today, please make your own way to the airport in time for your flight.  We hope you had a wonderful time in the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’!