17 Day New Zealand Wonderland Tours

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

Meet and transfer to your hotel where a selection of 'Freedom of Choice' touring options are available. Visit the Auckland Museum, climb the Harbour Bridge of take a cruise around Waitemata Harbour.

Day 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands

Travel along the Hibiscus Coast and visit both the Matakohe Kauri Museum and Waipoua Forest Reserve as you head to the Bay of Islands. Once there, take a guided tour of the Waitangi Reserve, where the founding document of modern New Zealand was signed back in 1840.

Day 3: Bay of Islands

Choose from an extensive range of 'Freedom of Choice' options, including a drive along the sands of Ninety Mile Beach, tall ship sailing or the chance to swim with dolphins.

Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland

Explore the Bay of Islands further with a cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock before returning to Auckland for a special dinner.

Day 5: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua

Leave Auckland behind to travel south for the Waitomo Caves, where you can experience the mystical glowworms that light the way. Then head for Rotorua to immerse yourself in the local culture with an authentic Mu0101ori Hu0101ngi feast.

Day 6: Rotorua

Choose from a range of 'Freedom of Choice' activities around Rotorua, with the chance to visit the Te Puia geothermal reserve, the Agrodome sheep show or take a relaxing visit to a Polynesian Spa for treatments and a leisurely soak.

Day 7: Rotorua - Wellington

Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway as you head for the heart of the North Island, stopping off to witness the awesome power of the spectacular Huka Falls and to admire the beauty of Lake Taupo. Then it’s time to journey across the vast plateau of the World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park before arriving in Wellington.

Day 8: Wellington

Choose from a selection of 'Freedom of Choice' options to discover more about the capital city, including a highlights tour, a visit to Zealandia or the opportunity to visit some locations from the 'Lord of the Rings' films. Your evening is then free to sample one of the many impressive restaurants around the city.

Day 9: Wellington - Kaikoura - Christchurch

Cruise across the Cook Straight through the stunning Marlborough Sounds to Picton and arrival on the South Island. Then pay a visit to the whale watching town of Kaikoura.

Day 10: Christchurch - Franz Josef

Enjoy a stunning scenic trip on the famous TranzAlpine train to Arthur’s Pass, before continuing on by coach to Hokitika and the impressive Franz Josef Glacier.

Day 11: Franz Josef - Queenstown

Take in the stunning beauty of the scenery as you leave Franz Josef to head down the West Coast before heading over the Haast Pass to Queenstown, where you have the choice of dining at four different eateries.

Day 12: Queenstown

A day where you can make the most of a 'Freedom of Choice' option to explore Queenstown further, with garden tours, wine tasting, a jetboat ride on the Shotover River or a bus tour to gold-mining Arrowtown being amongst your choices.

Day 13: Queenstown - Milford - Te Anau

Take in the scenery as you travel through the Remarkables mountain range to Fiordland National Park for a cruise in the beautiful, unspoilt wilderness of Milford Sound.

Day 14: Te Anau - Dunedin

Travel through the countryside to Dunedin for another 'Freedom of Choice' day, where you could elect to take a trip on the Taieri Gorge Railway, tour Speight’s Brewery of see the wildlife on the Otago Peninsula.

Day 15: Dunedin - Mount Cook

Hear the Mu0101ori legend about the giant Moeraki Boulders before heading inland to Mount Cook National Park, where your 'Freedom of Choice' options include guided walks, a glacier cruise or a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre.

Day 16: Mount Cook - Canterbury Plains

Travel back to the Canterbury region along the alpine shores of Lake Tekapo, paying a visit to the famous Church of the Good Shepherd as you pass.

Day 17: Canterbury - Christchurch

Spend time at leisure before transferring to Christchurch Airport for your return home.