South & North Island 9-Day Tour: 6-Day South Island East-Central Gourmet Journey + 4-Day North Island Mercedes Tour

On arrival in Christchurch, known for its British character and Garden City reputation, your guide will show you the historic Arts Centre, the Avon River and the Bridge of Remembrance. The coach leaves Christchurch promptly at 13:00; passengers delayed by flights must arrange onward transport themselves. After lunch, travel to Lake Tekapo, whose turquoise colour comes from glacial rock flour and whose setting is framed by snowy mountains. Visit the lakeside Church of the Good Shepherd. In the evening, enjoy high-altitude salmon sashimi and stay in the Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, with a chance to see the Milky Way and stars. Accommodation: distinctive homestay; a private house for each group is not guaranteed, but each group is guaranteed an independent bedroom. Lunch at own expense; dinner: high-altitude salmon buffet.

After breakfast, travel to the scenic Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, in the heart of the Southern Alps. The route is framed by mountains and soaring snow-covered peaks. In fine weather, you may take an optional helicopter flight over glaciers for aerial views of the mountains and Aoraki/Mount Cook. Continue to vivid Lake Pukaki, whose clear, jade-coloured water makes it one of the best places to photograph Mount Cook’s reflection. Then head to Lake Wanaka, New Zealand’s fourth-largest lake, passing the iconic lone tree standing in the water, one of the country’s best-known photo spots. Enjoy a stroll by the lake and the relaxed local atmosphere. Arrive in Queenstown in the evening. This renowned resort town lies beside picturesque Lake Wakatipu and is celebrated as a romantic honeymoon destination. Accommodation: Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park or similar. Breakfast: Western-style at the hotel. Lunch: At your own expense. Dinner: At your own expense.

Enjoy a free day in scenic Queenstown, a lakeside town among the mountains, celebrated as one of the world’s most beautiful holiday destinations. Relax or choose activities to suit your interests. Film fans may visit storybook Glenorchy, a filming location for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Adventure seekers can choose skydiving, bungee jumping, paragliding or jet boating. For a gentler pace, take the gondola for panoramic views, fly by helicopter over snowy mountains and glaciers, or sample local wine. You may also stroll the town, watch street performers and enjoy cafés, sunshine and lake breezes. Try the renowned Fergburger, a handmade burger with a crisp, juicy bite. Hotel: Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park or similar. Breakfast: Western-style at hotel; lunch and dinner at own expense.

After breakfast, travel to Milford Sound, one of New Zealand’s most striking natural wonders. The road to the fiord is considered one of the world’s most scenic high-country routes, crossing dramatic valleys and pristine temperate rainforest. Board the Milford Sound cruise for a peaceful yet awe-inspiring journey. Enjoy the onboard buffet lunch as you pass towering mountains, cascading waterfalls and sculpted cliffs. The boat approaches a waterfall so you can feel the cool spray of glacial water. With luck, you may see seals basking in the sun and dolphins swimming alongside the vessel. In the evening, arrive at tranquil Lake Te Anau and check in to a lakeside hotel. After dark, you may take an optional boat trip to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves, where tiny lights shine like stars in the underground darkness. Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau or similar. Breakfast: Western-style at the hotel. Lunch: Milford Sound cruise buffet. Dinner: Fiordland lobster meal.

After breakfast, head to Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of the South. Its Scottish heritage and architecture make it one of the South Island’s most European-feeling cities. Visit the University of Otago, New Zealand’s oldest tertiary institution, and admire its Gothic architecture; see Dunedin Railway Station, reminiscent of a gingerbread house, along with grand churches and city landmarks. Then visit Guinness-record-holding Baldwin Street, reputed to be the world’s steepest street. Pass scenic Moeraki Boulders Beach and take in the wild meeting of rocks and waves along the South Pacific coast. In the evening, arrive in Oamaru and visit the blue-eyed penguin colony. From a viewing area, watch the world’s smallest penguins return from the sea to their nests. Dinner is a Māori-style hangi stone-grill buffet: meat and seafood are cooked over heated geothermal stones and served with sides and dessert. Accommodation: Heritage Court Motor Lodge Oamaru or similar. Breakfast: Western-style at the hotel. Lunch: Chinese hot pot. Dinner: Māori stone-grill buffet.

After breakfast, return from Oamaru to Christchurch through the South Island’s pastoral scenery. Fly to Auckland on the North Island, where your guide will meet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel. Accommodation: M Social Auckland city-centre 5-star hotel or similar. Breakfast: Western-style at the hotel. Lunch: At your own expense. Dinner: At your own expense.

In the morning, visit Hobbiton, a filming location for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Cross green pastures and explore Bag End, the hobbit holes, the Green Dragon Inn, the mill and the Party Tree. Enjoy a buffet lunch and a glass of cider in a distinctive tent restaurant. In the afternoon, travel to Rotorua, the Māori heartland and geothermal centre. Visit the Government Gardens and stroll beside the lake, enjoying Rotorua’s distinctive atmosphere. In the evening, immerse yourself in Māori culture at Mitai Māori Village. See warriors paddle a canoe downstream, watch Māori song and dance and the Haka, and hear stories of Māori history. Enjoy a traditional Hāngi buffet, including meat, chicken and kūmara (sweet potato). After dinner, walk through the forest to ancient village remains and a sacred spring, and see glowworms light up the stream valley. Accommodation: Princes Gate or similar 5-star hotel. Breakfast: Western-style at the hotel. Lunch: Western-style at the Green Dragon Inn. Dinner: Māori buffet.

After breakfast, visit ★Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland and its colourful mineral pools, including the famous Champagne Pool. Continue to Lake Taupō, New Zealand’s largest lake; lunch is at your own expense, with the distinctive McDonald’s airplane restaurant, converted from a retired C3 aircraft, as one option. See Huka Falls and New Zealand’s geothermal power station. Huka Falls is a popular photo stop, where up to 22 ten-thousand litres of water plunge over the cliff each second. Return to Rotorua in the afternoon. After dinner, you may visit the lakeside pools at the Polynesian Spa, described as one of the world’s top 10 geothermal spas, at your own expense. Hotel: Princes Gate or similar 5-star hotel. Breakfast: Western-style at hotel; lunch at own expense; dinner: Buddha-jumps-over-the-wall soup and venison specialty.

After breakfast, visit ★Agrodome for a mini farm tour. Ride a dedicated tractor across its 350-acre green farm and meet alpacas, cows, sheep and other animals. At midday, enjoy a Western-style lunch at the award-winning summit-view restaurant on Mount Ngongotahā, overlooking Rotorua’s lakes, city, mountains and forest. Return to Auckland in the afternoon. Breakfast: Western-style at hotel; lunch: Western two-course meal; dinner at own expense.