Tour overview

This 18-day journey explores both islands of New Zealand in comfort, with characterful stays along the way. A tour leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than twelve, by private vehicle and ferry. You stay seventeen nights in upscale hotels, a lodge in Tongariro National Park, a rainforest tree hut and on an overnight cruise in Doubtful Sound, with breakfast on most days and several lunches and dinners.

After a day on Waiheke Island tasting wine, you visit the Waitomo Glowworm Caves and Hobbiton on the way to Rotorua. Taupo and Tongariro National Park lead to Wellington and an evening harbour cruise, before the ferry to the South Island.

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From Christchurch you cross to the west coast for the Punakaiki Rocks and two nights in a tree hut at Franz Josef, with a ranger-guided wildlife centre visit. After Wanaka you spend a night on Doubtful Sound, one of the most remote fiords, and end in Queenstown with a visit to Arrowtown.

The physical rating is low. This journey suits travellers who want New Zealand's highlights with memorable places to stay.

Trip highlights

  • Waiheke Island wineries (Day 2)
  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves (Day 3)
  • Tongariro National Park (Day 6)
  • A Wellington harbour cruise (Day 7)
  • A Franz Josef tree hut (Days 11–12)
  • A night on Doubtful Sound (Day 15)

Your route

24 stops from Auckland to Queenstown

18-day route: Auckland – Waiheke – Rotorua – Taupo – Tongariro – Wellington – Christchurch – Punakaiki – Franz Josef – Wanaka – Doubtful Sound – Queenstown
  1. Auckland Days 1–2
  2. Waiheke Island Day 2
  3. Waitomo Glowworm Caves Day 3
  4. Hobbiton Movie Set Day 3
  5. Rotorua Days 3–4
  6. Waiotapu Day 5
  7. Taupo Day 5
  8. Tongariro National Park Day 6
  9. Wellington Day 7
  10. Picton Harbour Day 8
  11. Christchurch Days 8–9
  12. Arthur's Pass Day 10
  13. Greymouth Day 10
  14. Punakaiki Day 10
  15. Hokitika Day 11
  16. Franz Josef Days 11–12
  17. Makarora Day 13
  18. Wanaka Days 13–14
  19. Lake Manapouri Day 15
  20. Doubtful Sound Day 15
  21. Queenstown Days 16–17
  22. Arrowtown Day 17
  23. Gibbston Valley Day 17
  24. Queenstown Day 18

Why choose this tour

Characterful upscale stays. An overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound.

Best suited to

  • Travellers who value comfort
  • Nature lovers
  • Food and wine lovers
  • Couples and solo travellers
Rows of vines on a hillside vineyard

Day-by-day itinerary

18 days from Auckland, New Zealand to Queenstown, New Zealand

  1. Day 1 · Auckland Auckland

    A welcome dinner.

    Hotel
    M Social
    Meals
    Dinner
  2. Day 2 · Waiheke Island Waiheke

    Island wineries.

    Hotel
    M Social
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day 3 · Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Hobbiton, Rotorua Rotorua

    Glowworms and the Shire.

    Hotel
    Millennium Rotorua
    Meals
    Breakfast
  4. Day 4 · Rotorua Rotorua

    A free morning.

    Hotel
    Millennium Rotorua
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day 5 · Lake Taupo Taupo

    A great lake.

    Hotel
    Millennium Taupo
    Meals
    Breakfast
  6. Day 6 · Tongariro National Park Tongariro

    Sacred volcanoes.

    Hotel
    Powderhorn Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Wellington Wellington

    A harbour cruise.

    Hotel
    Naumi Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day 8 · Cook Strait, Picton, Christchurch Christchurch

    To the South Island.

    Hotel
    The Fable Christchurch
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Christchurch Christchurch

    A free day.

    Hotel
    The Fable Christchurch
    Meals
    Dinner
  10. Day 10 · Arthur's Pass, Punakaiki Punakaiki

    To the west coast.

    Hotel
    Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Punakaiki Rocks, Franz Josef Franz Josef

    A tree hut.

    Hotel
    Rainforest Retreat Deluxe Tree Hut
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Franz Josef Glacier Franz Josef

    An icy wonderland.

    Hotel
    Rainforest Retreat Deluxe Tree Hut
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · West Coast Wildlife Centre, Wanaka Wanaka

    Kiwi conservation.

    Hotel
    Edgewater Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Mount Iron, Wanaka Wanaka

    Lake country.

    Hotel
    Edgewater Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  15. Day 15 · Lake Manapouri, Doubtful Sound Doubtful Sound

    A remote fiord.

    Hotel
    Overnight cruise
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  16. Day 16 · Doubtful Sound, Queenstown Queenstown

    To Queenstown.

    Hotel
    Millennium Queenstown
    Meals
    Breakfast
  17. Day 17 · Arrowtown, Queenstown Queenstown

    A gold-rush town.

    Hotel
    Millennium Queenstown
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  18. Day 18 · Queenstown Queenstown

    The journey ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Glowworms lighting the roof of a cave, New Zealand

Where you stay

  • Auckland (2 nights) M Social
  • Rotorua (2 nights) Millennium Rotorua
  • Taupo (1 night) Millennium Taupo
  • Tongariro (1 night) Powderhorn Hotel
  • Wellington (1 night) Naumi Hotel
  • Christchurch (2 nights) The Fable Christchurch
  • Punakaiki (1 night) Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
  • Franz Josef (2 nights) Rainforest Retreat Deluxe Tree Hut
  • Wanaka (2 nights) Edgewater Hotel
  • Doubtful Sound (1 night) Overnight cruise
  • Queenstown (2 nights) Millennium Queenstown

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 17 nights in upscale hotels, a tree hut and a cruise
  • Meals 16 breakfasts, 3 lunches and 7 dinners
  • Private vehicle, ferries and arrival transfer
  • Waiheke wineries, Waitomo and Hobbiton
  • Wellington harbour cruise
  • Doubtful Sound overnight cruise
  • Tour leader throughout

Not included

  • Flights
  • Optional activities
  • Meals not included 1 breakfast, 13 lunches and 10 dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
The coast and rocks at Punakaiki

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want a budget trip
  • You want an active holiday
  • You want a large group
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2–8 and 10–18 · Lunch: Days 2 and 13–14 · Dinner: Days 1, 4, 7, 9, 13, 15 and 17
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for New Zealand
A volcanic cone in Tongariro National Park

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £8,295 per person, twin share, tour only. 62 upcoming departures.

Frequently asked questions

How do I book this tour?

Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.

What financial protection do I get?

Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.

Do I need a visa for New Zealand?

UK citizens need a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), applied for online before travel.

Is an arrival transfer included?

Yes, a complimentary arrival transfer in Auckland.

What is the tree hut like?

A deluxe tree hut set in the rainforest near Franz Josef, for two nights.

What is the Doubtful Sound cruise?

An overnight cruise with cabins and meals on one of New Zealand's most remote fiords.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available on request.

How many people travel together?

No more than twelve travellers, with a tour leader.

Can you tailor the trip?

Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.

What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.

ATOL protected 100% financially protected in a Trust bank account PTS 6035 4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option

Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.

If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.

Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary

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