Board a ferry to beautiful Waiheke Island, located in the Hauraki Gulf. On arrival you’ll be met by your hosts and transferred to your accommodation. Spend the next day at leisure exploring Waiheke Island, the second largest island in the Hauraki Gulf and home to a beguiling blend of forests, beaches, vineyards and olive groves. Discover the island’s unspoilt coastline, maybe heading to Cactus Beach, accessible only by kayak, or take a guided nature tour to learn more about the island’s wildlife.

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  2 nights at The Boatshed

Join a local wine aficionado for exclusive behind-the-scenes access to Waiheke’s premier wine producers…

Since the late 1970s, Waiheke’s benign climate has seen the growth of a flourishing wine industry. A “small is beautiful” philosophy yields low quantities of extremely high-quality fruit, which is made into internationally award-winning wines. At each vineyard, you’ll taste a selection of wines and enjoy an in-depth discussion with the winemaker.

For something a little more tactile, we can arrange a visit to a bronze crafting studio, a cobbler who creates individual pairs of shoes from scratch, a ceramic artist, or a tour of the spectacular sculpture park. As part of your tour, you can opt to break up the day with a scenic walk on one of Waiheke’s secluded beaches.

From Waiheke Island, make your way by ferry back to Auckland where you’ll transfer to the airport for your short flight to Rotorua. On arrival, collect your hire car and drive to your accommodation.

Rotorua is surrounded by steaming lakes, bubbling hot pools and bursting geysers, host to some of the world’s most incredible natural forces. A heartland of Maori culture, the local people have embraced this turbulent land.

This evening experience an authentic Maori Summer Feast Tū Te Rā. This four-hour evening is a feast of knowledge as well as divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (sanctuary), its tawa trees and crackling bonfires.

Kai horotai (morsels) welcome guests with seasonal favourites that may include crispy pork and candied apple encased in kawakawa leaves, pāua (abalone), pickled pikopiko (native fern frond), smoked fish, ika mata (ceviche) and chilled kawakawa tea.

Within the forest-formed amphitheatre attention shifts to stories relayed through haka, song and drama, before torch light guides manuhiri (guests) to an al fresco dining space with three-course feast.

The famous hāngī shares a table with Māori fusion dishes developed and curated by celebrated Māori chefs, prepared by our own ringawera (hot hands). We serve dinner al fresco on warmer nights and in our wharekai (dining room) if the weather is inclement.

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  2 nights at Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel

In this tour you will visit Rotorua’s most natural and popular geothermal parks: Wai O Tapu and Waimamgu Volcanic Valley. You will see volcanoes, geysers, New Zealand’s largest boiling mud pool mud pools and hot springs. The two parks offer a variety of thermal activity: at Wai O Tapu, the colourful hot springs are the key features along with the famous Lady Knox geyser; at Waimangu Volcanic Valley, you will learn about the history and legends of the great eruption of Mt Tarawera which blew open this now spectacular, bush covered, geothermal park. To bring the story alive, you will visit The Buried Village, which is the site of a former Maori village, destroyed during the Tarawera volcanic eruption.

Depart Rotorua this morning and drive east to picturesque Hawkes Bay, one of New Zealand’s renowned wine-producing regions.  Huka Falls is five minutes’ drive by car or bus from Taupo town centre, along a beautiful forest-clad road that passes the world-famous luxury resort, Huka Lodge.

Once you leave the lakeside resort of Taupo and cross a forest clad plateau, crossing the Mohaka River before descending down the Esk Valley to the Pacific Ocean which provides a stunning backdrop to the Hawke’s Bay. Hawkes Bay appears as an open embrace to the south by the dramatic Cape Kidnappers and  to the north by the Mahia Peninsula. You’ll stay in Napier rebuilt due to a large earthquake in the 1930’s and is now a showpiece Art Deco City.

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  2 nights at McHardy Lodge

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  Approximate Distance: 217 km

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  Total Driving Time: 3 hours

If you thought New Zealand was all about Sauvignon Blanc, you are missing out on some of the best wines we have to offer. Wines from Hawke’s Bay have scored more 90+ ratings in Wine Spectator than any other New Zealand District!

Hawke’s Bay is home to the oldest winery in New Zealand. The story began with a group of French missionaries who sailed to New Zealand in 1838, with little more than their faith and a few vines. Today, Hawke’s Bay is the second-largest viticultural region in New Zealand, producing local and international award-winning wines.

Today your private guide will take you to the best of these cellar doors, dine al fresco at one of the many winery restaurants.

A short flight from Napier brings you to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Situated at the southern end of the North Island, Wellington, New Zealand, was recently named “the coolest little capital in the world” by Lonely Planet.

Wellington’s inner heart beats with an amazing cultural offering all of its own. As New Zealand’s capital, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the city is all political banter and suits. However, this microcosm of creatives is actually a place where artistry, quirkiness and creative risk taking are celebrated within one of the richest arts environs in the southern hemisphere. Best of all, you can walk anywhere in the inner city in around twenty minutes, tops. On any given night, you’ll find something happening, whether it’s a poetry reading, a new art showing, book launch, gig or interpretive theatre piece.

For foodies, Wellington is a city brimming with colourful eateries, vibrant markets and tasty laneways. World-renowned for excellent coffee and award-winning restaurants, this is one city that has it all.

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  1 night at Intercontinental Hotel Wellington

Arrive in style to the Bay of Many Coves – with a scenic helicopter transfer allowing you to view from above the myriad coves that make up ‘the Sounds’. In the heart of the Queen Charlotte Sounds, nestled into the hillside where virgin native bush extends from hilltops to water’s edge you will find the Bay of Many Coves Resort. The Sounds offers tranquility and birdsong like no other part of New Zealand is able –  due to the predator free nature of this area. This property is boat access only – so the only other visitors will be boaties and the few other guests staying at the property, in the luxury of private villas. From here it is possible to hike sections of  the Queen Charlotte Track or to enjoyed the sheltered bays from the water.

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  2 nights at Bay of Many Coves

• Take one of several tracks leading out from the Resort that lead you through 52 hectares of private bush, alive with native birds. Venture from the Bay of Many Coves Resort to the Queen Charlotte Track, or let us arrange a boat pick up from any of the entry and exit points along this magnificent walkway.
• The Marlborough Sounds is famous for fishing – and if you would like to try than we can arrange a Fishing charter for you within the inner-Sounds (catch and release blue cod) or an extreme outer-Sounds fishing expedition.

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  2 nights at Pihopa Retreat

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  Approximate Distance: 175 km

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  Total Driving Time: 2 hours

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  Approximate Distance: 52 kms to Kaiteriteri

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  Total Driving Time: 1 hour

A short drive away from Nelson is Marlborough the birthplace of the explosion of New Zealand’s Sauvignon Blanc into the world of wine. Look no further than Cloudy Bay Vineyards – (now owned by luxury brand LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton), for a chance to sample or simply sit and soak up the sunshine with a al fresco lunch.

Then travel through the vineyard braided countryside towards the East Coast and the often named ‘Serengeti of the seas’ at Kaikoura. Few places in the world can boast of such natural wonders as those offered by land and sea in Kaikoura. Situated midway between Christchurch and Picton on the rugged east coast of New Zealand’s South Island, Kaikoura is overlooked by majestic mountains, which are snow-capped for many months of the year. This unique combination of ocean and mountains offers stunning coastal alpine scenery and a host of eco-tourism oriented activities, including Whale watching, Dolphin and Seal swimming, walks, and much more.

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  2 nights at Hapuku Lodge + Tree Houses

As previously mentioned, National Geographic has dubbed  Kaikoura “A maritime Serengeti” and “a Sea World without Walls”. As a consequence, there is a lot to see and do, both on land and at sea, and from the skies above. Whale watching is very popular and without doubt one of our clients favourite activities is to swim with the local seals, we can arrange this for you.

While there are many things to do in the wider Kaikoura district, at the Lodge and within its environs there is plenty to do if a guest is so inclined.

One can try one’s skill at country and mountain biking with the Lodge’s mountain bikes (and helmets). A variety of walks can be taken from the Lodge, from short to long, beach to bush, with a picnic basket if desired, including a botanical tour of the local native bush. An ocean fishing trip can be arranged, which can include the opportunity to catch a crayfish.

Leaving Kaikoura and the coast behind you’ll wind your way inland past more excellent viticulture. It is worth stopping to enjoy a meal at one of the winery restaurants or perhaps come away with an outstanding riesling or Pinot Noir for which the Waipara region is known to excel at.

You’ll soon arrive at New Zealand’s second-largest city and the gateway to the South Island, Christchurch sits on the very edge of the Canterbury Plains and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. The city itself has bounced back after a series of major earthquakes..

Swanky new office buildings of steel and glass neighbour the neo-gothic Arts Centre, the picturesque Antigua Boat Sheds and the under-reconstruction Christ Church Cathedral. Dozens of new restaurants and bars line the Avon River, while fantastic boutique stores hide down super cool laneway precincts. Christchurch is a city transformed, and just waiting to be rediscovered.

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  1 night at The George

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  Approximate Distance: 180 km

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  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Today travel to Greymouth via the TranzAlpine, one of the world’s great train journeys covering 223 kilometres (139 miles) one-way, taking just under 5 hours. You’ll traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains, to the backdrop of the mighty Southern Alps – the journey of a lifetime.

When the ancient forests and mountain passes give way to coastal views, you’ll arrive at Greymouth – and after a couple of hours drive you’ll soon be nearing glacier country. Nestled in a rainforest clearing, Franz Josef Glacier lies at the heart of the Westland National Park. Welcome to one of the most diverse and beautiful areas of New Zealand.

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  2 nights at Te Waonui Forest Retreat

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  Approximate Distance: 175 km

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  Total Driving Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Fly over Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier on a spectacular helicopter tour that includes a landing right on the snow. Seeing both glaciers on a single helicopter flight offers an incredible perspective and understanding of New Zealand’s massive ice sheets, and you touch down on one of the glaciers to snap up-close photographs of the frozen terrain.

• Spectacular aerial views of Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier
• The live pilot commentary points out landmarks and unique features below
• Walkout onto the snow after an exciting glacier landing
• Bring home photographs of the glaciers and the stunning Southern Alps

Be transported to the South Island’s most iconic resort town of Queenstown today on one of New Zealand’s most breathtaking scenic drives. The views are impressive all the way, and once over the Haast Pass they change dramatically. There’s beauty around every bend, with breathtaking lakes and rivers and views of mountain peaks rising epically into the skyline.

Witness what nature has created over the years, as you journey over two remarkable National Parks; Mt Aspiring and World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. Upon landing at Milford Sound Airport you will be surrounded by some of the most magnificent scenery in the world and you’ll board your Mitre Peak Cruises vessel and begin your voyage cruising the length of the 16km fiord out to Tasman Sea. Complete your journey with a scenic flight over the Southern Alps back to Queenstown.

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  3 nights at Azur Lodge

Today  take it all in with  one of many optional wine tasting tours and scenic lakeside rambles, or splash out on an optional Picnic on a Peak helicopter flight, including a leisurely champagne luncheon in the wilderness. Recently added to the tasty tours on offer is a Gin Tasting by Helicopter. Join this world’s first tour, showcasing world class gins, unique tour and tasting experiences and a 15 minute scenic helicopter flight. Today is for enjoying and exploring or relaxing at Azur Lodge.

With 21 days visiting New Zealand, you will have made enduring memories and fondness of your time in New Zealand. Stay in touch and let us create more South Pacific dream trips.