Untamed New Zealand

The adventure

<p>See New Zealand unfold from north to south on this 17-day tour from Auckland to Christchurch. With a Small Group of no more than 24 travellers, accompanied by a Travel Director and Driver, you’ll discover Māori culture in Rotorua, discover Napier’s striking Art Deco heritage and taste your way through boutique wine country in Wairarapa. Meet locals who bring each place to life, from a fifth-generation beekeeper to the Pavlova Queen of Lake Tekapo. You’ll cruise through majestic Milford Sound overnight, explore aviation history in Blenheim and travel through landscapes that feel almost unreal. This is New Zealand at its most varied, most beautiful and most unforgettable.</p>

At a glance

Day by day

Your journey through

New Zealand

Showing Days 1-7

17-day itinerary

Day 1Welcome to Auckland

Welcome to Auckland

Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand’s City of Sails. Meet your Travel Director and set out on a city sights tour to get acquainted with this harbourside hub. You’ll see historic Parnell, the Auckland Museum and Domain, along with Wynyard Quarter and Viaduct Harbour. This evening, join your fellow travellers for dinner and drinks as you toast the journey ahead.

Day 2Discover RotoruaAucklandLeave Auckland behind and journey south to Rotorua, where New Zealand’s geothermal heart beats loud and clear. Geysers burst from the earth, mud pools bubble and steam rises from the ground in dramatic plumes. This afternoon is yours to choose how you’d like to explore, whether that’s a visit to Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa, a lake tour by amphibious vehicle or a low-impact zipline adventure through ancient forest, all at your own expense. Later, delve into Māori culture during the Te Pō Indigenous Experience at Te Puia. It includes a powerful cultural performance in the carved meeting house Te Aronui a Rua, views of the remarkable Pohutu Geyser and a buffet dinner inspired by hāngī flavours and locally sourced ingredients.

Auckland

Leave Auckland behind and journey south to Rotorua, where New Zealand’s geothermal heart beats loud and clear. Geysers burst from the earth, mud pools bubble and steam rises from the ground in dramatic plumes. This afternoon is yours to choose how you’d like to explore, whether that’s a visit to Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa, a lake tour by amphibious vehicle or a low-impact zipline adventure through ancient forest, all at your own expense. Later, delve into Māori culture during the Te Pō Indigenous Experience at Te Puia. It includes a powerful cultural performance in the carved meeting house Te Aronui a Rua, views of the remarkable Pohutu Geyser and a buffet dinner inspired by hāngī flavours and locally sourced ingredients.

Day 3Māori Culture in RotoruaToday brings a meaningful connection to the natural world and the stories woven through it. At Whirinaki Forest, join local Māori guides for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that introduces the traditions and history of the Ngāti Manawa people. Walk beneath towering native trees, including ancient tōtara, and learn about the forest’s role as a source of medicine, food and identity. Hear birdsong in the canopy, fill your water bottle from a pure waterfall and enjoy a picnic lunch inspired by traditional flavours in a ‘Forest to Fork’ experience. Continue on to Napier, New Zealand’s Art Deco capital.

Māori Culture in Rotorua

Today brings a meaningful connection to the natural world and the stories woven through it. At Whirinaki Forest, join local Māori guides for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that introduces the traditions and history of the Ngāti Manawa people. Walk beneath towering native trees, including ancient tōtara, and learn about the forest’s role as a source of medicine, food and identity. Hear birdsong in the canopy, fill your water bottle from a pure waterfall and enjoy a picnic lunch inspired by traditional flavours in a ‘Forest to Fork’ experience. Continue on to Napier, New Zealand’s Art Deco capital.

Day 4Explore NapierNapier wears its history beautifully. Rebuilt after the devastating 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, the city is now one of the world’s best-preserved Art Deco centres, with striking buildings shaped by the style and spirit of the era. On a private walking tour with a local guide from the Art Deco Trust, uncover the stories behind the facades and gain deeper insight into the people and events that shaped the city. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports the preservation of Napier’s unique architectural heritage. Later, perhaps choose to visit Hawke’s Bay wineries or head out to the world’s largest mainland gannet colony, both at your own expense.

Napier wears its history beautifully. Rebuilt after the devastating 1931 Hawke’s Bay earthquake, the city is now one of the world’s best-preserved Art Deco centres, with striking buildings shaped by the style and spirit of the era. On a private walking tour with a local guide from the Art Deco Trust, uncover the stories behind the facades and gain deeper insight into the people and events that shaped the city. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports the preservation of Napier’s unique architectural heritage. Later, perhaps choose to visit Hawke’s Bay wineries or head out to the world’s largest mainland gannet colony, both at your own expense.

Day 5Journey to WairarapaTravel south into Wairarapa, a region known for its boutique vineyards, rural charm and star-filled skies. Along the way, stop at the iconic Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka, where beer has been brewed since 1889. Then continue to Masterton for your overnight stay. Later, visit boutique winery Urlar, where your hosts Tess and Brian share the story behind their wines. Enjoy a tasting of local drops made on site, paired with a seasonal platter overlooking the lake and surrounding vines.

Travel south into Wairarapa, a region known for its boutique vineyards, rural charm and star-filled skies. Along the way, stop at the iconic Tui Brewery in Mangatainoka, where beer has been brewed since 1889. Then continue to Masterton for your overnight stay. Later, visit boutique winery Urlar, where your hosts Tess and Brian share the story behind their wines. Enjoy a tasting of local drops made on site, paired with a seasonal platter overlooking the lake and surrounding vines.

Day 6Onwards WellingtonMeet Karly, a fifth-generation beekeeper, at Greytown Honey for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that offers a closer look at one of New Zealand’s most celebrated natural products. Discover how honey goes from hive to jar on a guided factory tour, watch a live demonstration and sample award-winning varieties including Mānuka and native floral honeys. You’ll even create your own jar to take home. Afterwards, spend time in Greytown, a charming town known for its Victorian architecture, independent shops and inviting cafes. Then continue to Wellington. On arrival, take an orientation tour and head up Mount Victoria, where sweeping harbour and city views reveal why Wellington leaves such a lasting impression.

Onwards Wellington

Meet Karly, a fifth-generation beekeeper, at Greytown Honey for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that offers a closer look at one of New Zealand’s most celebrated natural products. Discover how honey goes from hive to jar on a guided factory tour, watch a live demonstration and sample award-winning varieties including Mānuka and native floral honeys. You’ll even create your own jar to take home. Afterwards, spend time in Greytown, a charming town known for its Victorian architecture, independent shops and inviting cafes. Then continue to Wellington. On arrival, take an orientation tour and head up Mount Victoria, where sweeping harbour and city views reveal why Wellington leaves such a lasting impression.

Day 7Wellington onto BlenheimCross the Cook Strait today, cruising from the North Island to the South through the calm waters of Queen Charlotte Sound. The maze of inlets and forested hills makes for a spectacular arrival into Marlborough. Continue to Blenheim, often named New Zealand’s sunniest town and known for its vineyards and aviation heritage. This afternoon, visit Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, where rare World War I and II aircraft and memorabilia are brought to life through immersive displays created with Wētā Workshop.

Wellington onto Blenheim

Cross the Cook Strait today, cruising from the North Island to the South through the calm waters of Queen Charlotte Sound. The maze of inlets and forested hills makes for a spectacular arrival into Marlborough. Continue to Blenheim, often named New Zealand’s sunniest town and known for its vineyards and aviation heritage. This afternoon, visit Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, where rare World War I and II aircraft and memorabilia are brought to life through immersive displays created with Wētā Workshop.

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