Spirit of New Zealand

The adventure

<p>Discover the spirit of New Zealand, thoughtfully paced with six two-night stays. Cruise Milford Sound or Piopiotahi, cross Cook Strait by ferry and travel through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine. Enjoy a private visit to Transport World, walk Napier’s Art Deco streets and connect with Māori culture in Rotorua, with coastal Punakaiki, vibrant Nelson and the Bay of Islands along the way. This trip is accompanied by a Travel Director and Driver.</p>

At a glance

Day by day

Your journey through

New Zealand

Showing Days 1-7

21-day itinerary

Day 1Welcome to ChristchurchWelcome to New Zealand. Kick things off in Christchurch, buzzing with community spirit that runs deep. Spend time at leisure getting to know the city your way before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening for a briefing and welcome drinks.

Welcome to Christchurch

Welcome to New Zealand. Kick things off in Christchurch, buzzing with community spirit that runs deep. Spend time at leisure getting to know the city your way before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travellers this evening for a briefing and welcome drinks.

Day 2Canterbury Plains and a Taste of GeraldineOmaramaSee the highlights of Christchurch this morning, including the innovative Cardboard Cathedral and the Botanic Gardens, loved for their landscaped beauty and tranquil riverside setting. Then watch the scenery shift as you travel across the Canterbury Plains to Geraldine. Stop in at historic Barkers Store to sample local cheeses and regional produce before continuing along the East Coast into the Waitaki Valley with its winding rivers, rolling farmland and mountain backdrops near Lake Benmore. Arrive in Omarama this evening, a quintessential country town and your home for the night.

Omarama

See the highlights of Christchurch this morning, including the innovative Cardboard Cathedral and the Botanic Gardens, loved for their landscaped beauty and tranquil riverside setting. Then watch the scenery shift as you travel across the Canterbury Plains to Geraldine. Stop in at historic Barkers Store to sample local cheeses and regional produce before continuing along the East Coast into the Waitaki Valley with its winding rivers, rolling farmland and mountain backdrops near Lake Benmore. Arrive in Omarama this evening, a quintessential country town and your home for the night.

Day 3Discover Clyde and InvercargillClyde is sure to keep your camera busy with its big personality. Wander its historic precinct where gold mining era buildings have been transformed into cafes and shops. Later, you’ll roll into Invercargill, a city with a real passion for wheels and speed legends. Visit Bill Richardson Transport World for a guided tour, exploring more than 300 vehicles and the stories behind them, from rare finds to classic favourites.

Clyde is sure to keep your camera busy with its big personality. Wander its historic precinct where gold mining era buildings have been transformed into cafes and shops. Later, you’ll roll into Invercargill, a city with a real passion for wheels and speed legends. Visit Bill Richardson Transport World for a guided tour, exploring more than 300 vehicles and the stories behind them, from rare finds to classic favourites.

Day 4Journey to FiordlandTravel through the rolling farmland and lush pastures of Southland to Templeton Flax Mill. On a guided visit with Nathan Templeton, mill curator and grandson of the founder, you’ll hear how flax helped shape the local economy on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, with proceeds supporting the mill’s future as a living museum. Continue to Riverton, a charming seaside town, before heading into Fiordland National Park and on to Te Anau, set on the shores of the South Island’s largest lake. Breathe it in, this is serenity at its best.

Travel through the rolling farmland and lush pastures of Southland to Templeton Flax Mill. On a guided visit with Nathan Templeton, mill curator and grandson of the founder, you’ll hear how flax helped shape the local economy on a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, with proceeds supporting the mill’s future as a living museum. Continue to Riverton, a charming seaside town, before heading into Fiordland National Park and on to Te Anau, set on the shores of the South Island’s largest lake. Breathe it in, this is serenity at its best.

Day 5Spectacular Milford SoundFrom the moment you step outside, nature takes the lead. Journey through Fiordland National Park where beech forests, open flats and mirror-like lakes set the scene. Crystal-clear rivers will carve through the landscape as you make your way to Piopiotahi/Milford Sound. Then take to the water on a sightseeing cruise into the pristine fiord, soaking up towering cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and the chance to spot wildlife along the way.

Spectacular Milford Sound

From the moment you step outside, nature takes the lead. Journey through Fiordland National Park where beech forests, open flats and mirror-like lakes set the scene. Crystal-clear rivers will carve through the landscape as you make your way to Piopiotahi/Milford Sound. Then take to the water on a sightseeing cruise into the pristine fiord, soaking up towering cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and the chance to spot wildlife along the way.

Day 6Meet a local farmerGet a taste of country life and classic southern hospitality at Real Country as you meet a local farmer and step into day-to-day farm living. Watch horse communication in action and see working sheep dogs muster with skill and speed on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Later, you’ll have the chance to wander the heritage streets of Arrowtown, a gold rush village lined with trees and character-filled boutiques before arriving in Queenstown for a two-night stay in New Zealand’s adventure capital.

Meet a local farmer

Get a taste of country life and classic southern hospitality at Real Country as you meet a local farmer and step into day-to-day farm living. Watch horse communication in action and see working sheep dogs muster with skill and speed on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Later, you’ll have the chance to wander the heritage streets of Arrowtown, a gold rush village lined with trees and character-filled boutiques before arriving in Queenstown for a two-night stay in New Zealand’s adventure capital.

Day 7Queenstown, Your WayToday is yours to soak up Queenstown and its surroundings. Grab lunch at leisure at cult favourite Fergburger, known for its gourmet burgers and buzzing atmosphere. You might choose to dial up the thrill with an Optional Experience, like a high-octane jet boat ride tearing along the Shotover River. Prefer something smoother? Head out to nearby vineyards for a tasting or take it easy with an afternoon cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner.

Today is yours to soak up Queenstown and its surroundings. Grab lunch at leisure at cult favourite Fergburger, known for its gourmet burgers and buzzing atmosphere. You might choose to dial up the thrill with an Optional Experience, like a high-octane jet boat ride tearing along the Shotover River. Prefer something smoother? Head out to nearby vineyards for a tasting or take it easy with an afternoon cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner.

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