Cross the North Island from Auckland to Wellington, take the Cook Strait ferry to Marlborough, and drive the Pacific Coast to Christchurch before flying south to Queenstown and the fiords of Milford Sound.
Arrive at Auckland Airport. Take a private transfer to your hotel. Ride the Sky Tower elevator for a 360-degree view over the twin harbours, then enjoy a welcome dinner overlooking the yachts of Viaduct Harbour.
Drive south from Auckland into the Waikato countryside. Board a guided boat tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, gliding silently beneath thousands of tiny blue-green lights in a vast limestone cavern.
Continue to Matamata for a guided walking tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films. Wander past hobbit holes and the party tree, and enjoy a complimentary drink at the Green Dragon Inn.
Explore Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, famed for its colourful Champagne Pools and erupting geysers. In the evening, visit Te Puia for a Maori cultural performance with carving demonstrations, followed by a traditional wood-fired Hangi feast.
Drive south past the mirror-calm shores of Lake Taupo and through the North Island volcanic heartland. Arrive in Wellington in time for a golden-hour stroll along the waterfront or a panorama from the Mount Victoria lookout.
Board the Interislander ferry and cruise for three hours through Cook Strait and the Marlborough Sounds. Arrive in Picton, then drive to Blenheim, the heart of the Marlborough wine region.
Drive down the stunning Pacific Coast Road past Kaikoura, where snow-capped mountains meet the sea and sperm whales and dusky dolphins gather offshore. Continue along the east coast to Christchurch.
Explore Christchurch, known as the Garden City. Wander the Botanic Gardens beside the Avon River, visit the International Antarctic Centre, and see the modern glass cathedral built after the earthquakes.
Take a morning flight from Christchurch to Queenstown. Ride the Skyline Gondola up Bob's Peak for sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, and try the luge on your way back down.
A free day to choose your adventure. Scream down the Shotover River canyon on a jet boat, brave a bungy jump at Kawarau Bridge, or cruise quietly across Lake Wakatipu before dining at a lakefront restaurant.
Drive through Fiordland National Park along the Milford Road, one of the most scenic highways on earth. Board a wilderness cruise on Milford Sound, drifting beneath Mitre Peak and past waterfalls, seals, dolphins and penguins. Return to Queenstown in the evening.
Enjoy a final breakfast in Queenstown. Check out of your hotel and transfer to Queenstown Airport for your onward or return flight home with a camera full of fiords.
Important Note
The prices mentioned are starting prices and are for reference purposes only. They are based on current market rates for 3★/4★ hotels on a double-sharing basis and may vary due to hotel availability, peak-season surcharges, transportation costs, exchange rate fluctuations, government taxes, or supplier price revisions. The final package price will be confirmed only after booking confirmation and receipt of the advance payment.
From the City of Sails to Fiordland - glaciers, hobbit holes, geysers and alpine lakes.
