New Zealand Highlights Package
See the highlights of New Zealand with this wilderness and adventure package. Discover unique thrills in New Zealand!
We designed this New Zealand Highlights Package for a father and daughter going on a special graduation trip. Going from the North Island to the South Island, this journey showed them the best of New Zealand’s incredibly diverse landscapes while also giving them some unforgettable adventures.
They started their New Zealand Highlights Package with a night in Auckland to explore and recharge after their flight. And as sports fans, they visited the All Blacks Experience. And then they traveled to Waiheke Island, the island of wine, for two nights, where they enjoyed the beautiful Boat Shed and had a private wine tasting tour.
The next day, they picked up a rental car and drove to Rotorua with its fascinating geothermal formations and Maori heritage. They had a full day exploring Rotorua’s volcanoes, geysers, mud pools, and hot springs before relaxing in natural mineral pools in the Polynesian Spa.
Continuing their New Zealand Highlights Package, they journeyed to the South Island to the Marlborough region, famous for their Sauvginon Blancs. They loved their stay in the region with a wine tasting tour and Seafood Cruise in the Sounds.
Then they continued to the stunning Abel Tasman National Park, where they were hosted at Te Koi for two nights and had a day trip into the national park. Next on their New Zealand Highlights Package, they continued down the West Coast to Punakaiki for a stay and Cave Rafting.
Stopping in Franz Josef for a hike on a glacier and then they drove through more stunning landscapes, stopping for short hikes and small local food shops, to Queenstown. This charming alpine town is the adventure capital of New Zealand, if not the world. In Queenstown, they spent a day on funyaks in the area. They had a final day in Queenstown to adventure on their own, going mountain biking in the Remarkables mountain range.
And for their last stop on their New Zealand Highlights Package, they continued onto Dunedin, a Scottish village on the East Coast. The couple enjoyed their day out on the water seeing Yellow Eyed Penguins and the Royal Albatross Colony.
Then, it was time to say goodbye to New Zealand and their fabulous vacation. They drove to the airport, caught a flight to Auckland, and continued their journey back home.
Accommodation
- 1 Night M Social Auckland
- 2 Nights The Boatshed
- 2 Nights On the Point
- 2 Nights Marlborough Lodge
- 2 Nights Te Koi
- 1 Night Scenic Punakaiki
- 2 Nights Scenic Franz Josef
- 2 Nights Azur Lodge
- 2 Nights Distinction Dunedin
Touring
- All Blacks Experience
- Exclusive Wine Tour Waiheke Island
- Te Puia Te Po Combo
- Waimangu Volanic Valley
- Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
- Deluxe Lake Spa Bathing Polynesian Spa
- Icons of Marlborough Tour
- Best Abel Tasman Day Trip
- Underworld Rafting
- Funyak Safari
- Peninsula Encounters and Wildlife Cruise
Transportation
- Private Airport Transfers
- Ferry Transfers Waiheke Island
- 13 Days Rental Car
Insider Tip
Doug, Vice President and Director of International Operations
In Queenstown, stop at Fergburger for a great burger. For some extra adventure on your free day, check out the Dart River Safari. It’s a half-day kayak, half-day 4WD off-roading tour that takes you through some incredible Lord of the Rings scenery.
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to New Zealand! Arrive into Auckland on the North Island. Enjoy a private transfer to your hotel in the heart of the Central Business District. Spend the afternoon enjoying the fashionable Viaduct and vibrant marina area. You can take the day to explore Auckland and visit the immersive All Blacks Experience.
M Social Auckland
Day 2
Today you ferry across the harbour to the island of wine, Waiheke Island. You will be transfered to your home for the next two days, a chic luxury accommodation, sitting just above the sun-drenched bay and white sandy beaches of Oneroa, The Boat Shed is a casual and elegant atmosphere working in perfect harmony with its seaside location.
The Boatshed
Day 3
Today you will visit three of Waiheke’s top vineyards and sample a range of their wines. Along the way enjoy a commentated scenic drive, learning about the Island’s history, geography, people and culture from your knowledgeable local guide. After your wine tasting experience, sit back, relax and enjoy lunch and a glass of Waiheke wine or beer at Three Seven Two (Awarded one Hat in the latest Cuisine Good Food Awards) on Onetangi beachfront before heading back to your accommodation
The Boatshed
Day 4
This morning, you return via ferry to Auckland and pick up your rental car. Afterwards, drive on to Rotorua, the geothermal wonderland and a sacred place for New Zealand’s Maori people. Your evening begins with a fully guided experience at Te Puia to enrich your visit to our historical geothermal valley. Explore the amazing landscape of native bush, geysers, and mud pools, and feel the natural power of Pōhutu Geyser– the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere! After working up an apetite enjoy a mouth-watering buffet at our world famous Pātaka Kai Restaurant & Bar, followed by an exhilarating cultural performance.
On the Point Rotorua
Day 5
Embark on a full-day geothermal tour of Rotorua. Learn about volcanology, New Zealand’s flora and fauna, and Maori history in Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland. As you venture through the natural geothermal parks, you will see volcanoes, geysers, mud pools, and hot springs. Then, you will have the chance to see incredible hot water springs and hot lakes on a walking tour of Waimangu Valley. After your adventure, unwind at the world-renowned Polynesian Spa, where you can bathe in a hot mineral rock pool while looking out over the lake.
On the Point Rotorua
Day 6
Before saying goodbye to the North Island, you have a chance to see the beauty of the area from the air. Combine the thrill of landing on Mount Tarawera with a flight that includes spectacular aerial views of our stunning crater lakes, the renowned Tarawera Falls and the vibrant Waimangu and Wai-O-Tapu geothermal reserves. You will land in the famous Marlborough region, where Sauvignon Blanc flows freely! Pick up your rental car and arrive at your lodge.
Marlborough Lodge
Day 7
Start your day with a Marlborough wine tour visiting two wineries in the morning. You will visit boutique and iconic Marlborough wineries so you can hear about the history, taste a stunning range of wines and meet people who know wine and love sharing their passion with you. Enjoy a BBQ Lunch prior to departure onboard a premium catamaran, then sit back for a relaxing seafood cruise in the afternoon. Cruise the calm waters of the stunning Marlborough Sounds, the views accompanied by fresh local seafood and Marlborough sauvignon blanc.
Marlborough Lodge
Day 8
Today you set off in your rental car towards Abel Tasman and Nelson. The Abel Tasman National Park is an easily-accessible coastal paradise. You can choose to explore the park from land, on the water, or in the air, with tour operators aplenty offering cruises, water taxi services, kayaking options, heli-tours and sailing catamarans. You will be staying at a hosted lodge for two days in this beautiful region. Set amidst luscious gardens on a secluded point overlooking the stunning waters of the Waimea Estuary, Te Koi plays to all the senses. Seasoned Chef, Ali, and Sommelier, Ian Metcalfe are at your service for specially prepared dinners featuring local delicacies, matched with delicious wines from the region.
Te Koi
Day 9
You are off to your full day in the National Park. Get a taste of all the Abel Tasman has to offer from the comfort of a charter boat. You can just stay on board and relax or take one of the kayaks for a paddle. Go for a swim, snorkel over the marine reserve or be dropped off for a bush walk. Enjoy a delicious lunch and then do it all again.
Te Koi
Day 10
You are on the road again today to your next stop, Punakaiki. Nature began this work of art about 30 million years ago. Over thousands of years, alternating layers of small marine creatures and sand became buried and compressed on the ocean floor. The outcome in the area is cliffs and ravines with hundreds of horizontal slices along their vertical faces, like huge stacks of pancakes. Stop to experience a Cave Rafting adventure like no other – complete with spectacular formations, water-sculpted canyons and one of the World’s best GlowWorm displays. Located in the spectacular Paparoa National Park, lies the untouched Metro / Te Ananui cave, where you will inner tube through gorgeous caves.
Scenic Punakaiki
Day 11
Travel down the scenic West Coast of New Zealand and you will land in the hospitable town of Franz Josef serves the glacier of the same name. Stay here while you explore this spectacular World Heritage Area. Enjoy your evening with space and seclusion in the rainforest.
Rainforest Retreat
Day 12
Today you will enjoy a rare treat—a guided walk on a glacier! Join The Helicopter Line on a heli ride up to the top of Franz Josef Glacier and hike its surface with the help of expert guides. From the crevasses and ice caves to the splendor of the clean blue ice, immerse yourself in the unique surroundings, breathe the fresh air, and enjoy one of the world’s most exhilarating experiences before another helicopter ride down. You will be amazed at the stunning beauty and diversity of this area.
Rainforest Retreat
Day 13
Drive down the west coast, through Haast Pass—stopping for some short hikes to Thunder Creek Falls, the Blue Pools, and more—and on to Queenstown. The drive is breathtaking, so take your time and enjoy the journey. Upon arrival into Queenstown, you’ll find majestic views of the Remarkables Ranges and Lake Wakatipu.
Azur Lodge
Day 14
Your journey today begins with an exhilarating jet boat ride from Glenorchy up the Dart River deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mount Aspiring National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. After your jet boat ride, you will travel back down stream with expert guides in unique Funyaks (inflatable canoes) working your way through pristine waters as they flow from the Southern Alps to Lake Whakatipu. Explore channels and side-streams in this spectacular wilderness location and witness the native flora and fauna of the area. Take a break at the rivers edge to enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch while you take in the sounds of the native birds and the serenity of the native beech forest. Finish up your epic adventure by jumping aboard a coach back to Glenorchy. Travel through paradise and pass some of New Zealand’s most renown filming locations, seen in movies such as the Lord of the Rings Trilogy and X-Men Origins – Wolverine.
Azur Lodge
Day 15
Take off today for your last stop on your journey. Known as the Wildlife Capital of New Zealand, Dunedin prides itself on its beautiful built heritage, stunning scenery, and unique biodiversity. Surrounded by dramatic hills and at the foot of a long, picturesque harbour, Dunedin is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere.
Distinction Dunedin
Day 16
Today you will visit a remote Otago Peninsula beach, providing dramatic views of rugged coastal cliffs, offshore islands and perhaps some huge sea lions. The trip continues to Wellers Rock Wharf, for a one-hour Wildlife Cruise. You’ll travel out of the harbour, around Taiaroa Head, and out to sea. Watch royal albatross glide across the water and return to their breeding colony. Beneath a historic lighthouse is a colony of playful furseals. The final stop is at a Yellow-eyed Penguin conservation reserve. Visit the on-site rehab centre before entering the reserve. You’ll take trails through native bushland, walking to different viewing hides scattered around the reserve. We hope to watch as the world’s rarest penguin returns ashore and interacts around it’s nest.
Distinction Dunedin
Day 17
Time to say goodbye to this beautiful country! Drop off your rental car at the airport, catch your outbound flight, and begin your journey home.
About this vacation
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