Remarkable New Zealand - 20 days
Remarkable New Zealand - 20 days
Remarkable New Zealand - 20 days
20 Days Starting in Auckland, New Zealand and ending in Christchurch, New Zealand
Visiting: Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Abel Tasman National Park, Punakaiki, Fox Glacier, Wanaka, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Mount Cook, Christchurch
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1620/RNZ
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
18-
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on a 20-day journey through the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand with the "Remarkable New Zealand" tour. Begin your adventure in Auckland and traverse the stunning Coromandel Peninsula, where you can ride the Driving Creek Railway and explore scenic beaches. Discover the geothermal wonders of Rotorua, experience Maori culture, and choose between visiting the Waimangu Volcanic Valley or the Hobbiton Movie Set. In Wellington, enjoy a cable car ride and explore the Te Papa Museum. Cruise the waters of Abel Tasman National Park, and marvel at the majestic Milford Sound. Experience the thrill of Queenstown with optional activities like zip-lining and rafting. Conclude your journey in Christchurch with a punting experience and a farewell dinner. This small group tour offers a perfect blend of guided exploration and leisure, ensuring an unforgettable New Zealand experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Auckland
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: M Social Hotel
Haere mai – Welcome! Upon arrival into Auckland you will be met at the airport and transferred to our hotel. The rest of the day and your first evening offer free time for you to explore the local area and find somewhere for dinner.
Day 2: Coromandel Peninsula
Location: Coromandel Peninsula
Accommodation Name: Oceans Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Auckland – Coromandel Peninsula – Whitianga. Today we leave Auckland behind and drive across the fertile Hauraki Plains to the Firth of Thames – a large shallow bay that is home to a variety of birdlife. We ride the Driving Creek Railway, climbing 120-metres through native forest on this narrow-gauge railway to the EyeFull Tower – a viewpoint with panoramic views over the surrounding area. After our railway ride, we journey east across the Coromandel Peninsula, sampling yet more of the region's spectacular scenery. Reaching the town of Whitianga on Mercury Bay, the evening is at leisure.
Day 3: Whitianga
Location: Coromandel Peninsula
Accommodation Name: Oceans Resort
Meals Included: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day on the Coromandel Peninsula, exploring all that it has to offer at your own pace. Pay a visit to Hot Water Beach, where warm springs bubble up through the sand. Opt for a walk along the sandy beach at Hahei or visit the beach named after James Cook who arrived in Mercury Bay aboard HMS Endeavor in 1769. Cooks Beach is today a popular holiday retreat for Kiwis, and is sure to amaze you.
From Cooks Beach you can choose to catch the short ferry ride back to Whitianga and walk to our accommodation or travel back with our driver.
Day 4: Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Meals Included: Breakfast
Whitianga – Rotorua. Departing Whitianga, we follow the Pacific Coast Highway through the coastal towns of Whangamata and Tauranga before turning inland. We visit a bushwalk with views over majestic Okere Falls before reaching Rotorua, the epicentre of Maori heritage and New Zealand’s geothermal activity. We enjoy an included visit to Te Puia with a private local guide. This active geothermal site is also the nation’s centre for indigenous arts and crafts, as well as a Kiwi conservation project. You may be able to catch a glimpse of New Zealand’s endangered but iconic national emblem.
Day 5: Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in.
Today we have a choice between two different activities. Option 1 is a visit to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley which is the site of the Mt Tarawera eruption in 1886. This monumental event reshaped the landscape permanently, giving rise to the valley we explore today. As we wander through we encounter bubbling craters and brilliantly coloured steaming lakes. We embark on a cruise across Lake Rotomahana to the location of the silica terraces where we witness the gradual formation of new silica terraces.
Option 2 is a Middle-earth experience with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set where we explore the iconic Shire. Our guide will walk us through the ten-acre site, sharing insights on how the movie set was brought to life. We get to see the Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, The Millhouse, and other film structures, witnessing the transformation of this beautiful Waikato farmland into Middle-earth's Shire.
In the evening we head to the Tamaki Maori Village for Te Pa Tu. The experience aligns with the Maori lunar calendar, offering Maori traditions, songs, and seasonal cuisine within the forest village. We enjoy a 4-course fusion feast designed by Maori chefs and served outdoors or in the dining room, depending on the weather.
Return hotel transfers are included, and we join other travellers for this enriching experience.
Day 6: Napier
Location: Napier
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Rotorua – Napier. This morning we head south, stopping to visit Huka Falls and passing vast Lake Taupo. If clear skies permit, from here we should be able to see the peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro, where lays the volcanic terrain that acted as the backdrop of ‘Mordor’ in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. We continue our journey to Napier, a joyful seaside town that was rebuilt in Art Deco style after a 1931 earthquake. We enjoy a walking tour of the colourful town with a local guide.
This evening we are treated to dinner with a glass of wine at the Mission Estate Winery. First set up by missionaries in the mid-19th century, today these vineyards produce award-winning wines and offer sweeping views over Napier.
Day 7: Wellington
Location: Wellington
Accommodation Name: DoubleTree By Hilton Wellington
Meals Included: Breakfast
Napier – Wellington. This morning we make our way to New Zealand’s capital city - Wellington. We ride the Wellington Cable Car for incredible views over the city and enjoy an included visit to the Te Papa Museum, the country's national museum. Here you will learn more about the history, culture and wildlife of New Zealand. The evening is at leisure.
Day 8: Nelson
Location: Nelson
Accommodation Name: Rutherford Hotel Nelson
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wellington – Nelson. Today we embark on one of the world's most scenic ferry rides, as we say goodbye to the North Island and cross the Cook Strait. The boats are often accompanied by dolphins riding the bow wave, a joyful experience. Arriving in Picton on the South Island, we head to Blenheim in the heart of Marlborough wine country. There's included wine tasting at one of the area's best wineries before we complete our journey to the delightful town of Nelson.
Day 9: Abel Tasman National Park
Location: Abel Tasman National Park
Accommodation Name: Rutherford Hotel Nelson
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in.
We spend today soaking up the beauty of Abel Tasman National Park, with its golden coves, turquoise lagoons and forest ranges. Since there are few roads in this national park we see the sights of it by boat instead. Boarding a small cruiser at Kaiteriteri we head out to enjoy the scenery with plenty of stops along the way for swimming and exploring on foot. Arriving back in Kaiteriteri after the cruise, you have three options.
Option 1 is to relax in the town of Kaiteriteri at leisure.
Option 2 is to join a shorter 7km (2.5 hour) self-guided walk to fabulous Anchorage Beach.
Option 3 is to join a longer 10.5km (4 hour) self-guided walk to Anchorage Beach including the scenic highlights of the South Head lookout, the famous Falls River swing-bridge and Cleopatra’s Pool.
After these activities are completed, we transfer back to Nelson for the evening.
Day 10: Punakaiki
Location: Punakaiki
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
Meals Included: Breakfast
Nelson – Punakaiki. Travelling inland from Nelson we follow the Buller River Gorge on a scenic drive through forest, deep river gorges and across single-track bridges. We visit the quaint village of St Arnaud on the edge of Lake Rotoiti, before continuing to the rugged coast of Punakaiki. This small town is known for its incredible rock formations. Called 'Pancake Rocks, these limestone stacks are an impressive natural feature.
Day 11: Fox Glacier
Location: Fox Glacier
Accommodation Name: Distinction Fox Glacier Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Punakaiki – Franz Josef – Fox. Leaving Punakaiki behind, we journey along the Great Coast Road, recently voted one of the world's top 10 coastal roads by Lonely Planet. We pass through historic Hokitika and stop at the dramatic Hokitika Gorge to admire the view. Continuing through forests and farmland, passing mountains and the Tasman Sea, we reach the small town of Franz Josef, and finally arrive in the village of Fox.
The enormous Franz Josef and Fox glaciers have carved their way down the Southern Alps to sea level, and our accommodation is located near this incredible natural feature. Weather permitting, join an optional helicopter ride over the Fox glacier, a memorable experience (book and pay locally).
Day 12: Wanaka
Location: Wanaka
Accommodation Name: Edgewater Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Fox - Wanaka. This morning we visit nearby Lake Matheson for a morning stroll. With Mount Cook as your backdrop and the early morning birds chirping, it's a peaceful and relaxing experience. It's then time to depart, as we make our way over the Haast Pass and into Mount Aspiring National Park. Reaching the pretty resort town of Wanaka, the evening is at leisure. Located on the shore of Lake Wanaka, the town is a delightful place to head out and explore.
Day 13: Wanaka
Location: Wanaka
Accommodation Name: Edgewater Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your choice of activity today must be made at the time of booking. Please let our Reservations team know which included activity you would like to partake in.
Today we have a choice of two included excursions. Option 1 sees you join an eco tour. Depart Wanaka by boat and escape civilisation as we cruise to an island where we hike through vibrant native vegetation to find a hidden mountaintop lake surrounded by small islands. We trek on to reach the island's summit for a 360-degree view of Lake Wanaka, its mountains and valleys, and the Arethusa Pool. Look out for the rare Buff Weka, a flightless bird extinct on Mainland NZ since 1920, which often joins visitors.
Option 2 is a 4WD adventure. We will explore a perfect mix of stunning scenery, history, and farm life in New Zealand's High Country. We will traverse remote back roads on an authentic farm with Lake Wanaka as our backdrop, surrounded by nature's beauty. We get up close to farm animals and visit historical sites, all while enjoying optional hikes through alpine meadows and lakeside forests, offering a unique insight into Wanaka's history, heritage, modern farming, and breathtaking landscapes.
When we return to Wanaka we have the afternoon at leisure to relax or enjoy the town.
Day 14: Te Anau
Location: Te Anau
Accommodation Name: Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wanaka - Te Anau. It's time to say farewell to Wanaka as we head towards the most southern part of our trip. We stop for a photograph of the famous Cardrona Pub and visit the gold rush settlement of Arrowtown. Continuing through the Remarkables mountains and past Lake Wakatipu, we eventually reach our destination. Te Anau is the largest freshwater lake on the South Island and our base for the evening.
Day 15: Milford Sound & Queenstown
Location: Milford Sound
Accommodation Name: Scenic Suites Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown. Our journey to Milford Sound involves passing through Fiordland National Park, one of the most scenic drives of our trip. One of the greatest wildernesses in the Southern Hemisphere, the scenery is punctuated with lofty mountains and deep glacial valleys. We reach Milford Sound, described by Rudyard Kipling as the 'Eighth Wonder of the World'.
Boarding a comfortable cruiser, we head out onto the waters of Milford Sound. Keep your eyes peeled for seals and dolphins, and admire Mitre Peak from the water. Enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. Back on dry land, we complete our drive to Queenstown by retracing our steps to Te Anau and then heading north.
Day 16: Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Scenic Suites Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today is a free day for you to relax or explore Queenstown and the surrounding area. The list of possible activities is endless; you could go zip-lining or ride the gondola to at Bob's Peak, enjoy white water rafting or cruise picturesque Lake Wakatipu. Other options include a 4X4 safari to Skippers Canyon, a cruise on the steamship TSS Earnslaw or a visit to a local winery. Your tour leader will be able to advise you on how to spend your time!
Day 17: Twizel
Location: Mount Cook
Accommodation Name: Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Queenstown - Mount Cook - Twizel. Our journey continues north, and the scenery continues to impress. Heading through the rugged Kawarau Gorge, past idyllic Lake Dunstan and into the Mackenzie Basin, we enjoy views of the Southern Alps. We reach Mount Cook village, offering jaw-dropping views of New Zealand's tallest peak, known in Maori as Aoraki. The night is spent in the rural town of Twizel.
Day 18: Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Twizel - Christchurch. Today we visit a local home on the shore of Lake Tekapo. We learn how to make a traditional Kiwi pavlova and can taste our creation whilst overlooking the lake. We also visit the Church of the Good Shephard, which is one of the most photographed spots in New Zealand. The Southern Alps tower n the background, making for quite the photograph.
Passing through the rural towns of Fairlie, Geraldine and Ashburton, we finally reach Christchurch. The city has been rebuilt following cataclysmic earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, and is once more a modern, thriving city.
Day 19: Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today we explore Christchurch, a most English of New Zealand cities! The day starts with some punting along the River Avon, and yes, our boatmen will be wearing straw hats and traditional dress! We pass through the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and ride a beautifully restored heritage tram through the city centre. To round off our trip, there is an included group dinner this evening at a local restaurant.
Day 20: Goodbye New Zealand
Location: Christchurch
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today your adventure in New Zealand comes to an end. A transfer takes you to Christchurch Airport for your flight home.
What's Included
-
Accommodation
4-star hotels -
19 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 3 dinners
Enjoy 19 breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 3 dinners during your tour.
-
19 nights 4 star hotels
Stay in 4-star hotels for 19 nights throughout the tour.
-
Airport arrival and departure transfers on day 1 and day 20
Airport transfers are included on the first and last day of the tour.
-
Escorted by an expert local guide/driver with specialist local guides at some sites
The tour is escorted by an expert local guide/driver, with specialist local guides at certain sites.
-
All relevant transfers and transportation in modern air-conditioned vehicle
All transfers and transportation are provided in a modern air-conditioned vehicle.
-
Ferry across the Cook Strait
Experience a ferry ride across the Cook Strait.
-
Touring of Napier, Wellington & Christchurch
Enjoy guided tours of Napier, Wellington, and Christchurch.
-
Coromandel narrow-gauge railway
Ride the narrow-gauge railway in Coromandel.
-
Visit to Waimangu Volcanic Valley or Hobbiton Movie Set
Choose between a visit to Waimangu Volcanic Valley or the Hobbiton Movie Set.
-
Te Pa Tu Maori experience
Experience the Te Pa Tu Maori cultural evening.
What's Not Included
-
International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included in the tour package.
-
Items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, travel insurance etc)
Personal items such as telephone calls, laundry, and travel insurance are not included.
-
Optional activities
Optional activities are not included in the tour package.
-
Tip for your tour guide / driver. We recommend you allow $4 - 7 USD per day per traveller. Tipping your tour guide is an entirely personal gesture.
Tips for your tour guide/driver are not included.
It is recommended to allow $4 - 7 USD per day per traveler.
Accommodation
Experience a blend of modern design and comfort at the M Social Hotel in Auckland, with stunning city or harbour views. Enjoy the serene Oceans Resort on Simpsons & Buffalo Beach, offering spacious apartments and a heated pool. Discover Rotorua's natural beauty from the luxurious Millennium Hotel, featuring a heated pool and two restaurants. Relax at the Regal Palms Resort with its mineral spa pools and day spa. Scenic Hotel Te Pania in Napier offers panoramic Pacific Ocean views, while DoubleTree by Hilton Wellington is centrally located in the capital. The Rutherford Hotel in Nelson provides easy access to the city and waterfront. Scenic Hotel Punakaiki offers ocean or forest views, and Distinction Fox Glacier Hotel is a perfect base for exploring the glacier. Edgewater Hotel in Wanaka boasts lake or mountain views, and Distinction Luxmore Hotel in Te Anau is a gateway to Fiordland. Scenic Suites Queenstown offers breathtaking views of Lake Wakatipu, and Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel in Twizel is a peaceful retreat near Aoraki Mount Cook. Finally, Distinction Christchurch Hotel is centrally located for exploring the city.
Age Policy
18+The average age of passengers on these tours is between 55-75yrs. Pure Discoveries do not permit children.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort with modern air-conditioned vehicles, including airport transfers on arrival and departure days. Enjoy a scenic ferry ride across the Cook Strait and explore the Coromandel Peninsula on a narrow-gauge railway. Experience the beauty of New Zealand with included transportation for all relevant transfers and touring of Napier, Wellington, and Christchurch.
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to the Te Pa Tu Maori cultural evening in Rotorua, where you can experience Maori traditions, songs, and seasonal cuisine. Additionally, there is a visit to the Tamaki Maori Village, which aligns with the Maori lunar calendar.
-
Are there any unique transportation experiences during the tour?
Yes, the tour includes a ride on the Driving Creek Railway in the Coromandel Peninsula, a ferry ride across the Cook Strait, and a cable car ride in Wellington. Additionally, there is a punting experience along the River Avon in Christchurch.
-
What wildlife might I see during the tour?
During the tour, you may see dolphins while crossing the Cook Strait, and there is a chance to spot seals and dolphins during the Milford Sound cruise. In Rotorua, you might catch a glimpse of New Zealand's endangered Kiwi bird at the Kiwi conservation project.
-
What are the options for activities in Rotorua?
In Rotorua, you can choose between visiting the Waimangu Volcanic Valley, which features bubbling craters and steaming lakes, or exploring the Hobbiton Movie Set, where you can see the iconic Shire from the Lord of the Rings films.
-
What kind of dining experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a dinner at the Mission Estate Winery in Napier, which offers award-winning wines and sweeping views. There is also a 4-course fusion feast at the Te Pa Tu Maori experience in Rotorua.
-
What are the accommodation options like during the tour?
The tour includes stays in 4-star hotels such as the M Social Hotel in Auckland, Oceans Resort in Whitianga, and Millennium Hotel Rotorua, among others. These accommodations offer modern amenities, comfortable furnishings, and often scenic views.
-
What kind of landscapes and natural features will I see on this tour?
The tour covers a variety of landscapes including the geothermal sites in Rotorua, the golden coves and turquoise lagoons of Abel Tasman National Park, the rugged coast of Punakaiki with its Pancake Rocks, and the glacial valleys of Fiordland National Park.
-
What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
-
Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
Saturday - Thursday
Jan 11, 2025 - Jan 30, 2025Saturday - Thursday
Mar 22, 2025 - Apr 10, 2025Saturday - Thursday
Apr 19, 2025 - May 08, 2025Saturday - Thursday
May 10, 2025 - May 29, 2025Saturday - Thursday
Oct 11, 2025 - Oct 30, 2025Saturday - Thursday
Oct 25, 2025 - Nov 13, 2025Saturday - Thursday
Nov 08, 2025 - Nov 27, 2025Saturday - Thursday
Nov 29, 2025 - Dec 18, 2025Saturday - Thursday
Jan 17, 2026 - Feb 05, 2026Saturday - Thursday
Jan 31, 2026 - Feb 19, 2026Saturday - Thursday
Feb 14, 2026 - Mar 05, 2026Saturday - Thursday
Feb 28, 2026 - Mar 19, 2026Saturday - Thursday
Mar 14, 2026 - Apr 02, 2026Saturday - Thursday
Mar 28, 2026 - Apr 16, 2026Saturday - Thursday
Apr 18, 2026 - May 07, 2026Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Enquire for huge savings
Rated 5* on Trust Pilot & ABTA Protected.