AAT Kings New Zealand Magic Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand!

Relax you are on holiday! Step back in time to a grand era of transport and relax as the Christchurch Tram takes you around the 'must-see' central attractions. The tram drivers provide a live commentary throughout the loop, identifying points of interest, historic architecture and the changes the city is under-going since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes.

Tonight, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a welcome reception.

Flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch Airport

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

All aboard the TranzAlpine train, whisking you through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks. From Arthur’s Pass, visit the small town of Hokitika, the heritage and cultural centre of the West Coast well-known for its jade. Things are about to get cool again as you arrive in the town of Franz Josef/Waiau, gateway to Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere, a white-out of snow and ice. Get some perspective on an optional flight over this natural wonder.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Franz Josef  - 1 Night

Travel through the scenic Haast Pass and view the must see 96-metre Thunder Creek Falls. Continue past the trio of lakes - Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka  - before heading to scenic Cromwell, known for its breathtaking landscapes, where you'll get to try delicious stone fruit - peaches, plums, apricots, cherries - at a local orchard. From here visit to the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, located on the Arrow River, before arriving in Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights

Today explore the adventure capital of the world your way - take a jet boat ride or go white water rafting. If you would prefer to relax choose to play a round of golf on one of the country's best courses, unwind on a unique wine tasting tour or indulge in a luxurious spa treatment. This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand's oldest steamship, the TSS-Earnslaw, to Walter Peak High Country Farm, for a gourmet barbecue dinner. Afterwards experience an entertaining farm show where you'll get a glimpse into high-country farm life. 

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner

Your route from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley is the entrée to your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they’re a common sight here. The onward road through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and gin-clear rivers, carving up the countryside en route to Te Anau.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 Night

While away your Dunedin afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speight’s Brewery (a national institution), or visit grand Larnach Castle. You could venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 Night

This morning you are free to relax, perhaps visit Larnach Castle New Zealand's only castle. In the afternoon travel to Oamaru, a unique mix of Victorian – ornately decorated grand limestone buildings that once housed upstanding banks, hotels and restaurants – and bohemian artisans, creative’s and antiquarians. From here it's on to Omarama which highlights New Zealand's best – mountain scenery, location and small-town hospitality.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Omarama - 1 Night

Your outlook this morning is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate guides, will forever change the way you see the night sky. You’ll see for yourself it may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe. Back on earth, it’s time to become reacquainted with Christchurch, your in-the-know guide pointing out the city’s miraculous transformation over the last decade. You'll view the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

There aren’t many beaches more dramatic than the sands of Kaikoura. Bonus points if you spot a sea lion or sperm whale frolicking offshore, Kaikoura is the marine wildlife centre of New Zealand. Later, we enjoy stunning scenery of the Buller Gorge before arriving to the Marlborough region, world-famous for its Sauvignon Blancs amongst other quality wines. This evening you will finish your adventure in the South Island in the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Picton - 1 Night

Swap wheels for water and cruise the tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington, recently named 'The Coolest Little Capital in the World'. 

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Wellington - 1 Night

This evening, explore Te Puia’s geothermal valley, and learn about Māori history and culture on this guided experience, which includes a dinner of hangi-inspired cuisine and a cultural performance in a finely carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It ends on a high at the Pohutu Geyser, where, armed with a hot chocolate you’ll view one of New Zealand’s geothermal wonderlands.

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights

Explore at your own pace: Bliss out at Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa. And then there’s Hobbiton. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans, but a gorgeous countryside getaway.

Meals: Breakfast

Travel through the Waikato region to the Waitomo Caves where you will take a tour of the amazing Glowworm Grotto by boat and walk through the limestone caverns. The next thing that glows on your horizon is Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Say goodbye to the ‘City of Sails’ as you journey north to New Zealand’s dramatic Bay of Islands – 140 droplets of land ringed by turquoise sea. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical secret: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Bay of Islands - 2 Nights

Trip the light fantastic and head off in whatever direction you please. Perhaps travel up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic 90 mile beach. Or glide around on an historic tall ship, or visit Russel and learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands.

Meals: Breakfast

Today, New Zealand’s most northerly city is on your radar. Explore Whangarei at your leisure before sinking back into your seat for the mesmerising commute back to Auckland.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Haere rā and Bon Voyage!

Today we say farewell to newfound friends, leaving you with the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand holiday.

Meals: Breakfast

Flights to depart anytime from Christchurch Airport

Itinerary Variations
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.