14 Day Tour from Auckland to Queenstown
Starting at $4,160
Presented by
Experience the best of New Zealand on this unforgettable vacation filled with dramatic scenery, cultural exchanges, and the country’s top attractions. Your tour starts in Auckland, ends in Queenstown, and overnights along the way in the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, and Franz Josef.
You'll experience some of New Zealand's most majestic scenery throughout this New Zealand tour. In Auckland, spend time in the picturesque Bay of Islands region and enjoy a scenic cruise to the iconic “Hole in the Rock.” In Rotorua, visit Te Puia, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area, to see New Zealand’s largest geyser and boiling mud pots. Continue south through New Zealand’s lush green North Island to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city.
A scenic inter-island ferry brings you to New Zealand’s South Island. In Christchurch, board one of the world’s most scenic trains and travel across the Southern Alps. Two nights at Franz Josef won’t be enough as you admire the incredible views and have a chance to participate in a Glacier Valley walk. But that's not all...you'll enjoy an excursion to Fiordland National Park, boasting some of the world's most breathtaking scenery, where you'll have an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound.
It's not just amazing scenery you'll experience on this New Zealand tour. Throughout the tour, Globus has also included out-of-the-ordinary adventures to make your vacation unique. For example, visit a local farm and enjoy a barbecue lunch in Marton, enjoy a wine tasting and tour at a local Queenstown winery, and join a local New Zealand family in Rotorua for dinner in their home and a chance to immerse yourself in New Zealand culture.
From the cosmopolitan city of Auckland to rugged Milford Sound, you are sure to return home with lots of photos and unforgettable memories to share with friends and family.
Destinations & Sightseeing
AUCKLAND
Sightseeing
BAY OF ISLANDS
Visit the Waitangi Treaty House; scenic cruise
ROTORUA
Traditional Hangi dinner and Maori cultural performance; visit Rainbow Springs and Te Puia; dinner at a local family’s home
MARTON
Visit a local farm and enjoy a barbecue lunch
WELLINGTON
Sightseeing including cable car ride; visit the botanic gardens and Te Papa
INTERISLANDER FERRY
Scenic cruising across Cook Strait
CHRISTCHURCH
Orientation
TRANZALPINE TRAIN
Scenic train journey
FRANZ JOSEF
Glacier Valley walk
QUEENSTOWN
Winery visit and tasting; visit Fiordland National Park; cruise on Milford Sound; farewell dinner
Your Tour Director
TESSA CLARKE
Escorting tours for more than 20 years
“Kia Ora! I'm Tessa, and I've been guiding in New Zealand for some time. I can't wait for you to come and emerse yourself in my country. My goal is that when you go home, you leave with a deep understanding of what it is to be a Kiwi - and that you have discovered things not found in the guide books. Ka Kite Ano (see you soon)!”
Itinerarary
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
Day 1
Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand
Welcome to Aotearoa, Maori for “land of the long white cloud.” Your hotel room is available for immediate check-in. Please schedule your flights to arrive by 4:30 pm in order to attend this evening’s welcome briefing.
Day 2
Auckland - Bay of Islands
Start your day with a sightseeing tour of Auckland, the “City of Sails.” See bustling Queen Street, the city’s oldest park, Auckland Domain, and historic Parnell Village. Continue to the Bay of Islands, known for its stunning beauty and history. Visit the WAITANGI TREATY HOUSE to learn about New Zealand’s past.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner Included
Day 3
Bay of Islands
This morning, embark on a sightseeing CRUISE to view the “Hole in the Rock,” have a chance to see dolphins, and learn more about the rich history and culture of this region. The remainder of the day is at leisure. You may wish to enjoy a hike, explore some of the island’s historic attractions, shop for souvenirs, or just relax at your hotel.
Breakfast Included
Today, travel through the Bay of Plenty region to Rotorua, home to geothermal wonders, adventure activities, and a thriving Maori culture. Dinner this evening is a traditional HANGI DINNER, followed by an authentic MAORI CULTURAL PERFORMANCE.
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day 4
Bay of Islands - Rotorua
This morning starts with a visit to RAINBOW SPRINGS to view native bush and wildlife, including a walk through the kiwi bird enclosure. Last stop is TE PUIA, Rotorua’s most prominent thermal area, with New Zealand’s largest geyser, boiling mud pools, and silica terraces. The afternoon is at your leisure. You may wish to relax in a natural hot spring, zipline through the forest, be pampered at one of the city’s spas, or board a floatplane for flightseeing of this beautiful area. This evening, join a New Zealand family for DINNER in their home, a unique opportunity to interact with a local family and immerse yourself in New Zealand culture. Before the evening is over, you’ll feel like part of the family.
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day 5
Rotorua
Stop in Danang to visit the CHAM MUSEUM, then continue north over spectacular Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), considered to be one of the most scenic in all of Vietnam, before arriving in Hue. One of Vietnam’s former capitals, Hue is a beautiful, welcoming city that remains a cultural and religious center. Upon arrival, visit the IMPERIAL CITADEL and the THIEN MU PAGODA, the unofficial symbol of the city.
Breakfast and Lunch Included
Day 6
Rotorua - Marton - Wellington
Our day begins with a sightseeing tour of Wellington. Take a scenic CABLE CAR ride, visit the beautiful BOTANIC GARDENS, see the famous Beehive and Parliament buildings, and enjoy 360-degree, panoramic views of the city and harbor from the top of Mount Victoria. Time will also be spent at TE PAPA, the Museum of New Zealand. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own.
Breakfast Included
Day 7
Wellington
This morning, board a FERRY and enjoy a scenic cruise across Cook Strait, connecting New Zealand’s North and South Islands. Continue to Christchurch for an orientation tour and overnight stay.
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day 8
Wellington - Interislander Ferry - Picton - Christchurch
Today, travel on the scenic TRANZALPINE, one of the world’s great train journeys. From the comfort of first-class carriages, see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmlands, followed by the spectacular gorges and rivers of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the majestic Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass National Park. The train features large panoramic windows, an onboard café, and at-seat audio commentary. Spend the next two nights in the small town of Franz Josef, located at the base of the impressive Franz Josef Glacier.
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day 9
Christchurch - Tranzalpine Train - Arthur's Pass - Franz Josef
This morning, explore this spectacular UNESCO World Heritage area. Your GLACIER VALLEY WALK will take you up alongside the mighty Waiho River bed, following the glacier’s path of retreat in this remarkable landscape. Here you will learn about the glacier’s history, see what is left behind by this majestic giant, and learn the legend of Ka Roimata o Hinehukatere. Near the terminal face, after a brief climb you will be rewarded with spectacular views of the rapidly changing face of the glacier. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. You may opt to take a scenic flightseeing or helicopter tour, relax in one of the glacier hot pools, spend time at the West Coast Wildlife Centre, or pick up a picnic lunch and just take in the gorgeous scenery.
Breakfast Included
Day 10
Franz Josef
Our journey today takes us along the coast and the Tasman Sea. Climb through rainforests and over Haast Pass to arrive in Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital of the World.” Upon arrival, enjoy a tour and a tasting at a local WINERY. Tonight, why not enjoy dinner at one of Queenstown’s many restaurants or cafés and sample some of the region’s wines?
Breakfast Included
Day 11
Franz Josef - Queenstown
Today, travel into FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that boasts some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. During your CRUISE, see cascading waterfalls, wildlife, and experience this pristine natural setting just as early Maori and European explorers did.
Breakfast and Lunch Included
Day 12
Queenstown. Excursion to Milford Sound
Enjoy a full day at leisure in one of New Zealand’s prettiest towns. Tour some of the sights used to film The Lord of the Rings trilogy, shop for souvenirs, or take a thrilling jetboat ride on the Dart River. This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner.
Breakfast and Dinner Included
Day 13
Queenstown
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Included
Day 14
Queenstown
