New Zealand Panorama

Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland for a two night stay. Celebrate the wonder of New Zealand at a welcome dinner.

Freechoice: Sail on an authentic America’s Cup yacht or explore the wine and cuisine of Waiheke Island. Alternatively discover the black sand beaches of the West Coast, join a small group sightseeing tour of Auckland or visit Auckland’s latest attractions the Weta Workshop Unleashed and the All Blacks Experience.

Freechoice Dining: Choose between a sunset dinner yacht cruise, Orbit 360 at Sky City or dinner at the hotel’s Grand Brasserie.

Visit the Hobbiton™ Movie Set before arriving in Rotorua, home of Maori culture and bubbling mud pools. Your base for the next two nights is Rotorua.

Be amazed by Rotorua’s geothermal activity during a visit to Te Puia.

Freechoice: Take an amphibious duck tour or relax in the geothermal pools. Alternatively take a nature discovery treewalk or enjoy wine-tasting and the Skyline Gondola.

Immerse yourself in Maori traditions at an authentic hangi dinner.

Optional flight - Take a float plane flight to Mt Tarawera (additional expense, please book prior to departure).

Farewell New Zealand’s north island and fly to the garden city of Christchurch, the largest city on the picturesque South Island.

Enrich
Discover the native birds of New Zealand during your tour at the family owned Willowbank Wildlife Reserve. See the native species of New Zealand including the Kiwi. Hear about the conservation work they are a part of, focusing on New Zealand native and endangered species.

Enjoy a two night stay in Christchurch.

Freechoice: Go punting on the River Avon, take the Botanic Gardens Tour or enjoy a city tour of Christchurch. Alternatively visit the seaside town of Akaroa or the International Antarctic Centre.

Optional rail -  Join the TranzAlpine this morning for your rail journey through the Southern Alps (additional cost, must be booked prior to departure and will replace Scenic Freechoice touring).

Travel through the patchwork of the Canterbury plains before seeing the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo. Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre at Mt Cook and discover the history of the iconic region, it includes a tribute to one of the world’s greatest New Zealanders and explorers - Sir Edmund Hillary. Immerse yourself in the Aoraki Mount Cook National Park as part of your overnight stay.

See the fertile, sheep filled farming land of Central Otago en route to one of New Zealand’s largest lakes - Lake Te Anau. Stay lakeside in Te Anau.

Sunset Drinks
Enjoy a drink with lake side vista at the end of the day.

Enrich
Experience a special screening of ‘Ata Whenua – Shadowland’. Also known as ‘Fiordland on Film’, this short movie takes you on an unforgettable journey over the World Heritage-listed wilderness.

Then cruise across the lake to see in the darkness of Te Anau caves, the shimmer of thousands of glowworms. Overnight on board for your stay on the Milford Mariner amidst the majesty of Milford Sound.

Awake to breathtaking beauty in Milford Sound, carved by glaciers over 100,000 years ago, stand in awe on your cruise of towering cliffs, peaks and waterfalls. Milford Sound was described by Rudyard Kipling as the eighth wonder of the world. Travel to Queenstown through the shadows of the rugged mountain range called the Remarkables. Enjoy your final two night stay.

Freechoice Dining: Take a steamship cruise on TSS Earnslaw and enjoy dinner at Walter Peak or dine at the Boardwalk restaurant located in one of Queenstown’s most iconic waterfront sites, or simply relax at the hotel’s restaurant.

Freechoice: Take the Dart River Wilderness Jet or tour local wineries. Alternatively feel exhilarated on the Shotover jet, a 4WD Skippers Canyon or Safari of the Scenes tour exploring The Lord of The Rings filming locations. Alternatively, take a scenic ride in the iconic Skyline Gondola and take in the stunning views.

Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner showcasing New Zealand’s finest produce at your hotel.

Bid farewell to wonderful New Zealand.

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the journey will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.