Compare New Zealand Journey by G Adventures vs New Zealand: A North & South Island Adventure 2022 by Tauck

Day 1 Auckland

Arrive at any time.

Please make your own way to the joining hotel. Our CEO will have a welcome meeting this evening. Auckland is a fantastic city with so much to see and do. Should you want more time to explore on your own, we recommend booking pre-nights.

Jump right into your adventure by adding the 'Auckland Sailing: America's Cup Experience' extra to your tour. Work with a crew to sail around Auckland's Waitemata Harbour on a competitive yacht, and take in the stunning views. PLEASE NOTE: If booking this extra, a pre-night in Auckland is highly recommended as this activity may start early in the morning on Day 1. If you are interested in visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set, we recommended that you book additional pre-trip accommodations and purchase a day trip from Auckland on (or prior to) Day 1 of this tour.

Day 2 Auckland

Take an orientation walk in Auckland, one of the most multicultural cities in the Southern Hemisphere. We’ll then catch a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island, a haven of world-class vineyards and idyllic beaches. Visit wineries to learn about New Zealand's burgeoning wine industry and the history of viticulture in the country while sampling some of the local blends.

Day 3 Auckland/Rotorua

Drive to the lakeside town of Rotorua, situated over an active geothermal zone and known for its volcanic features and rich Maori heritage. Stop en route at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and take a boat ride through this spectacular underground realm to see thousands of flickering glowworms light up in the dark.

Rotorua sits over an active geothermal zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools in different areas around the town. This is a fascinating region with Maori history and culture tied directly to the geothermal aspects of the land.

Day 4 Rotorua

On a full-day excursion, head to the Maori-owned Kohutapu Lodge, our base for exploring New Zealand's indigenous culture. See ancient rock carvings and learn about their spiritual significance to the Maori people, both past and present. Watch as a hangi lunch is prepared the traditional way--buried in an underground pit—and enjoy the resulting feast with your Maori hosts. After lunch, take a walk through the 800-year-old podocarp trees in Whirinaki Rainforest, learning the history of the forest and spotting endemic birds and medicinal plants. Return to Rotorua for an optional evening meal or a well-deserved soak in the hot springs.

Day 5 Rotorua/Christchurch

Enjoy time at leisure this morning before catching a flight to Christchurch on New Zealand’s South Island. Take some time to explore this small city on your own.

With free time in Rotorua this morning, opt to relax in one of the hot pools fed by water coming directly from the natural springs.

Day 6 Christchurch/Franz Josef

Board the TranzAlpine train—one of the world’s most scenic rail routes—for a breathtaking journey through verdant plains, beech forests, and majestic, misty mountains. After a whistle stop at Arthur’s Pass—the highest pass in the Southern Alps— continue to the end of the line in Greymouth, gateway to the West Coast. Continue on a private vehicle to a rainforest lodge near the town of Franz Josef, our home for the next two nights.

Please be aware that if you are traveling over the Christmas and New Year period the TranzAlpine train may not be operational. Instead your CEO will drive the group through the Southern Alps on a similar route. An additional group holiday dinner will be provided as a substitute for missing the train experience.

Day 7 Franz Josef

Discover the natural wonders of the Franz Josef area on your own today. Opt to embark on a walk in the area; soak in natural hot pools surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery; and more.

Please note that when in Franz Josef optional activities may be cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.

Day 8 Franz Josef/Queenstown

Set out towards Queenstown on a drive along the South Island’s magnificent west coast. Stop at tranquil Lake Matheson, where, on a clear day, you can capture a postcard-perfect image of New Zealand’s highest peaks reflected in the water. Continue to Queenstown, pausing for short walks through the rainforest and visits to picturesque waterfalls.

Early start to travel to the picturesque Lake Matheson. When the weather is right, you can get a great photo of the Southern Alps reflected in the lake. Follow the wild West Coast Road, through the rainforest before stopping for some short walks and waterfall visits.

Day 9 Queenstown/Fiordland National Park

Discover the glacially carved wilderness of Fiordland National Park on a cruise. Glide past shimmering waterfalls and towering cliffs, and look out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and little blue penguins with our naturalist guides. Depending on the season, we’ll spend the night onboard in comfortable cabins, enjoying time to relax on deck and watch the stars.

In the evening, enjoy a delicious three course buffet dinner prepared by our onboard chef and served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, savour some of the fine wines at our licensed bar (additional price) and if the skies are clear in the evening, spend some time on the upper deck gazing at the stars. Please note: your accommodations onboard this vessel are private cabins with en-suite bathrooms. Amenities onboard include viewing decks, a dining saloon, a licensed bar and an observation lounge.

Day 10 Fiordland National Park/Queenstown

Rise early for a wildlife viewing cruise along the pristine fjord. Then navigate back to Queenstown and spend the rest of the day at leisure in this fun-loving lakeside town, known as the adventure capital of the world.

Day 11 Queenstown

The day is yours to explore Queenstown. Choose to cruise lake Wakatipu on a historic steamer; experience a thrilling jet boat ride; or visit a local winery to sample the region’s award-winning vintages. This evening, enjoy a cable car ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for panoramic vistas of Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps.

Day 12 Queenstown

Depart at any time.

For more time to explore Queenstown, we recommend booking post nights with your agent if you are interested in the countless adrenaline-packed activities in the town known as the "adventure capital of the world." Jet boating and mountain biking are some of the activities available.

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch

Tour begins 4:30 PM. A transfer is included from Christchurch Airport to the Crowne Plaza Christchurch in the heart of the city, opposite Victoria Square. Tonight, join us for an exclusive welcome reception and dinner in the historic Riccarton House – a grand, restored 19th-century homestead.

MEALS : D

LODGING : Crowne Plaza Christchurch

PORTOFCALL : Christchurch, New Zealand

Day 2 Quake City and Sightseeing

Begin the day with a visit to Quake City, a museum that documents the disastrous earthquakes that struck Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury region in September 2010 and February 2011; exhibits tell of heroism and loss, the science behind earthquakes, the efforts of emergency workers and volunteers who pitched in to help, and recovery projects still going on. Leave the museum and go punting on the River Avon; punting is among the city's English traditions, like cricket, rugby, gardening, and afternoon tea, and today a punter in Edwardian outfit will pole your flat-bottomed boat along the idyllic Avon from the boatsheds to the Botanical Gardens.  Following lunch at a local restaurant, peruse the park, then take your choice of afternoon adventures. Take a walking tour of the city's amazing street art with an art historian; explore Hagley Park and the riverside on a bicycle* (manual or electric, as you prefer); or choose a guided tour of the famous Botanical Gardens, where you'll learn why Christchurch is called The Garden City. Spend the rest of the day and evening as you please.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Crowne Plaza Christchurch

PORTOFCALL : Christchurch, New Zealand

Day 3 Aoraki / Mt. Cook National Park

Today, drive to Aoraki / Mt. Cook National Park, a land of skyscraping peaks and expansive glaciers in the heart of South Island, a mountain-climbers' mecca; here, the famed mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary practiced his climbing skills on Mount Cook before tackling the conquest of Mt. Everest. After lunch, board a MAC boat* for a close-up look at Tasman Glacier. The 16 mile-long glacier is continually melting and calving, creating an ever-expanding lake with icebergs; cruise the lake and its eerie iceberg-islands to the towering walls of the glacier. Dine at your hotel inside the park this evening; tonight, you'll have a chance to go stargazing with an expert who will guide you through the constellations. The park is one of the few places in world officially recognized as an International Dark-Sky Reserve, and the night skies here are rare and spectacular.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Hermitage Hotel Mount Cook

Day 4 From glaciers to Queenstown

Set off to explore the stunning Tasman Valley and the mountains and glaciers of the South Island from the air on an Ultimate Alpine Experience that combines flights in both a ski plane* and a helicopter*. Soar up to the valley and over glacial lakes and the breathtaking Southern Alps for an eagle-eye's view of the astonishing Hochstetter Icefall and famous Mt. Cook. Touch down on Tasman Glacier for a stroll on its surface before returning to Mt. Cook Airport; during your flight back, your guide shares insights on the area's geology, ecology and history. Depart on a scenic drive to Queenstown after lunch and arrive late afternoon at your acclaimed hotel on Lake Wakatipu, ringed by glacier-carved alpine mountains.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : QT Queenstown Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Queenstown, New Zealand

Day 5 Nature trails and jet boats

Head to Glenorchy at the north end of Lake Wakatipu for an exhilarating jet boat ride* through Mt. Aspiring National Park along the Dart River; the park's strikingly diverse landscapes of alpine mountains, forests and valleys are laced with braided rivers and easy hiking trails where local guides will introduce you to the area's rich history and Maori legends. If you get the feeling that the beech forest along the Greenstone trail reminds you of a forest in Tolkien's Middle-earth, there's a good reason why: it was used as a location in Sir Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies. Return by helicopter* back to Queenstown where the rest of the day and evening are yours.

MEALS : B

LODGING : QT Queenstown Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Queenstown, New Zealand

Day 6 Adventure Choices in Queenstown

You have a choice of excursions in Queenstown today: ride in a 4WD vehicle* through breathtaking scenery on a Lord of the Rings safari to locations used in the movies (including Minas Tirith, Misty Mountains, Argonath, the Ford of Bruinen and more), following an historic mining road along the Arrow River and try your hand at panning for gold. Alternatively, you can zipline* through the treetops of a beech forest for incredible scenic views; or enjoy a round of golf. Spend the afternoon as you please, then dine in Queenstown this evening.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : QT Queenstown Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Queenstown, New Zealand

Day 7 Gardens & Marlborough wine tasting

Fly to Blenheim in the Marlborough region by private charter, then head to a working sheep farm for a sheepdog and sheep-shearing demonstrations followed by lunch at the lovely Wither Hills winery, a perfect place to discover, taste and enjoy the native wines of New Zealand. After checking into your hotel in Blenheim, enjoy dinner tonight at the acclaimed Harvest Restaurant, whose mission is simple: celebrating authentic hospitality. Utilizing local produce and sustainable practices, your meal here is sure to be one for the ages. 

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Chateau Marlborough

Day 8 Marlborough Sounds Cruise

Sail along the enchanting Marlborough Sounds, a vast network of sunken valleys, islands, secluded bays, and fjord-like vistas at the northern tip of South Island, on a private wine and green-lipped mussel cruise that includes lunch; the sheltered waters are home to dolphins, seals, gannets, and occasionally orcas.  Return to the hotel for free time on your own. Dinner is at your leisure at the hotel in Blenheim this evening.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Chateau Marlborough

Day 9 Vintage planes, then Art Deco treasures in Napier

Start your day with a tour of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, a museum presenting an astonishing array of vintage aircraft from the world wars, including many World War I planes from filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson's personal collection; not merely displayed, the aircraft are featured in vivid dramatic scenes and settings designed by Jackson's film studios to show them in action. This afternoon, fly via private charter from Blenheim to Napier in Hawke's Bay on the east coast of North Island. Napier was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt in the Art Deco style that was popular at the time; today the city is famous for its well-preserved 1930s architecture, and is known as the Art Deco Capital of New Zealand. Enjoy lunch at Mangapapa Estate before checking into your historic hotel, the Art Deco Masonic Hotel. Dine at leisure at your hotel this evening.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Art Deco Masonic Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Napier, New Zealand

Day 10 Te Mata Peak, discovering Art Deco Napier & a Gala 1930s evening

Drive this morning from Napier up to Te Mata Peak, 1300 feet above Hawke's Bay, with panoramic views of the city, the bay, and Heretaunga Plains. Then, you're off for a morning of excursions in Napier. Learn about the earthquake that destroyed the city in 1931 and its aftermath during a viewing of the short documentary film, "The Day that Changed the Bay". Then see the city sights on foot and in a chauffeured vintage car with stories and commentary by local guides. This evening you're in for a real treat!  Get dressed up (in 1930's costume) for our exclusive evening event, a "Gangsters and Flappers Party" in the appropriately named Gatsby Room, featuring "Prohibition-era cocktails," dinner, and a swing band.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Art Deco Masonic Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Napier, New Zealand

Day 11 Adventures in Hawke's Bay

Calling all bird enthusiasts, today is the day for you! This morning, you're off on a sightseeing adventure to Hawke's Bay, home to the world's largest (and most accessible) Gannet colony! Gannet's are incredible seabirds and beautifully colored, with a distinct orange color trailing from its head down its neck and today, and at Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony, you'll have an opportunity to watch them soar, swoop, dance and dive right before your very eyes. Climb aboard a 4x4 safari vehicle and travel from Te Awanga along New Zealand's pristine coastline, where you will safari in style and comfort over picturesque Cape Kidnappers Station traversing riverbeds, broad rolling pastures, steep gullies and the most breathtaking views of Hawke's Bay and beyond, finally finishing in New Zealand's largest privately-owned nature reserve, an untouched paradise, free of predators, where kiwi birds and other rare bird species can roam. Enjoy lunch and a tasting at Clearview Winery before making your way back to the hotel. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you please.

MEALS : B, L

LODGING : Art Deco Masonic Hotel

PORTOFCALL : Napier, New Zealand

Day 12 Napier to Auckland

This morning, take a private charter flight from Napier to the "City of Sails," Auckland, before enjoying lunch in Ponsonby. A visit this afternoon introduces you to the Auckland War Memorial Museum, one of New Zealand's most treasured institutions of history, culture, natural history and military history, known for its collections of Maori and Pacific treasures; the museum is also a war memorial for the Auckland province. Enjoy a private Maori performance and guided tour of the Maori exhibit. Early this evening, check into your luxury hotel, located in the heart of Auckland's thriving waterfront. Tonight, enjoy dinner at the hotel.

MEALS : B, L, D

LODGING : Park Hyatt Auckland

PORTOFCALL : Auckland, New Zealand

Day 13 A Choice of Auckland Sights

Take your pick of excursions this morning in Auckland, called the "City of Sails" for the abundance of yachts in its harbors. One is a City Highlights Tour that includes major highlights, bays and residential suburbs, and the Domain, the city's oldest park. Another is a coastal drive to the artisan enclave of Matakana, where you'll visit an oyster farm and enjoy a tour and lunch at Brick Bay Winery and Sculpture Trail. A third invites you to check out the historic, beautiful Hamilton Gardens, which employs the unique concept of showcasing the cultural meaning and context of gardens over the past 4,000 years. Or you can explore Waitomo Caves, where thousands of glow worms light up the dark like a glorious constellation of stars. Spend free time on your own, then join us for a farewell reception and dinner tonight.

MEALS : B, D

LODGING : Park Hyatt Auckland

PORTOFCALL : Auckland, New Zealand

Day 14 Journey Home

Tour ends: Auckland. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from Park Hyatt Auckland to Auckland Airport. Allow three hours for flight check-in. 

MEALS : B

PORTOFCALL : Auckland, New Zealand