2021/2022 Auckland > Queenstown

Mother Nature’s Magic

This is your chance to see New Zealand’s beauty for yourself and experience every moment to the fullest.

Setting out from Auckland, the City of Sails, take in New Zealand’s finest natural wonders as you head south over 12 days to Queenstown. New Zealand uniquely boasts a vast diversity of landscapes and panoramas - from towering snow-capped mountains and glistening turquoise lakes to bubbling geysers and the greenest of verdant farmland. During this tour, you will be fortunate to experience such staggering landscapes every day. Along with the stunning backdrops, this tour offers the chance to explore some of New Zealand’s most iconic locations. Tick the Hobbiton Movie Set, Rotoura’s geothermal pools, Lake Tekapo, Mount Cook and an overnight on Milford Sound off your to-do list. Your heartwarming Scenic Enrich experience will be at Willowbank Wildlife Reserve where you will encounter the Kiwi, other native birds and wildlife and learn of the conservation work the team is committed to.

Tour Code:: NZAQ
Duration:: 12 days
Departure City:: Auckland
Return City:: Queenstown

Selected Itinerary

12 Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Auckland

Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland for a two night stay. Celebrate the wonder of New Zealand at a welcome dinner.

Meals Included: Dinner
Day 2 - Auckland

Freechoice

Sail on an authentic America’s Cup yacht or explore the wine and cuisine of Waiheke Island. Alternatively take a leisurely harbour cruise, discover the black sand beaches of the West Coast or join a small group sightseeing tour of Auckland.

Freechoice Dining

Choose between a sunset dinner yacht cruise, Orbit 360 at Sky City or dinner at the hotel’s Grand Brasserie.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Auckland > Rotorua

Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set before arriving in Rotorua, home of Maori culture and bubbling mud pools. Your base for the next two nights is Rotorua.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4 - Rotorua

Be amazed by Rotoura’s geothermal activity during a visit to Te Puia.

Freechoice

Witness a sheep show, take an amphibious duck tour or relax in the geothermal pools. Alternatively enjoy wine-tasting and the Skyline Gondola.

Immerse yourself in Maori traditions at an authentic hangi dinner.
Optional flight - Take a float plane flight to Mt Tarawera (additional expense, please book prior to departure).

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5 - Rotorua > Christchurch

Farewell New Zealand’s north island and fly to the garden city of Christchurch, the largest city on the picturesque South Island.

Enrich

Discover the native birds of New Zealand during your tour at the family owned Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. See the native species of New Zealand including the Kiwi. Hear about the conservation work they are a part of focusing on New Zealand native and endangered species.

Enjoy a two night stay in Christchurch.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6 - Christchurch

Freechoice

Go punting on the River Avon, take the Botanic Gardens Tour or enjoy a city tour of Christchurch. Alternatively vist the seaside town of Akaroa or the International Antarctic Centre.

Optional rail - Join the TranzAlpine this morning for your rail journey through the Southern Alps
(additional cost, must be booked prior to departure and will replace Scenic Freechoice touring).

Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7 - Christchurch > Mt Cook

Travel through the patchwork of the Canterbury plains before seeing the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo. Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre at Mt Cook and discover the history of the iconic region, it includes a tribute to one of the world’s greatest New Zealanders and explorers -Sir Edmund Hillary. Immerse yourself in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park as part of your Special Stay.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8 - Mt Cook > Te Anau

See the fertile, sheep filled farming land of Central Otago en route to one of New Zealand’s largest lakes - Lake Te Anau. Stay lakeside at your hotel in Te Anau.

Sundowners

Enjoy a drink with lake side vista at the end of the day.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9 - Te Anau > Milford Sound

Start the day with a movie - Ata Whenua shows you an unforgettable journey through the World heritage site of Fiordland national park. Filmed mostly from helicopter across all seasons and terrain. Then cruise across the lake to see in the darkness of Te Anau caves, the shimmer of thousands of glowworms. Overnight on board the Milford Mariner amidst the majesty of Milford Sound.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10 - Milford Sound > Queenstown

Awake to breathtaking beauty in Milford Sound, carved by glaciers over 100 000 years ago, stand in awe on your cruise of towering cliffs, peaks and waterfalls. Milford Sound was described by Rudyard Kipling as the eighth wonder of the world. Travel to Queenstown through the shadows of the rugged mountain range called the Remarkables. Enjoy your final Special Stay for the next two nights in lake view rooms.

Freechoice Dining

Take a steamship cruise on TSS Earnslaw and enjoy dinner at Walter Peak or ride the Skyline Gondola and dine overlooking Queenstown.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 11 - Queenstown

Freechoice

Take the Dart River Wilderness Jet or tour local wineries. Alternatively feel exhilarated on the Shotover jet, a 4WD Skippers Canyon or Safari of the Scenes tour exploring The Lord of The Rings filming locations.

Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner showcasing New Zealand’s finest produce at your hotel.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12 - Queenstown

Bid farewell to wonderful New Zealand.
The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the tour will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.

Meals Included: Breakfast