Essence of New Zealand

5.0/5 Based on 1 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Coach Group Scenic
Our Price From 8,162 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 1,537 Per Person
 Trip Length
18 Days
 Trip Starts
Christchurch
 Trip Finishes
Auckland
18 Day Essence of New Zealand Itinerary (AAT Kings)
Countries Explored: New Zealand
Trip Style
Best Buys
Departures
Accommodation
3 - 4 Star
Max. Group Size
49
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
LCQA

Overview

Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on AAT Kings 18 Day Essence of New Zealand. Culture and nature unite in this inter-island New Zealand tour. Oh, and there’s a good dose of food and wine on the side to deliver a well-rounded taste of North and South. Whether you’re into wide, open spaces – Milford Sound, we’re looking at you – bubbling geysers, gem-like glaciers or windswept coasts. Whether you’re a history, sport, architecture or culture buff. This New Zealand guided tour is for you.

Itinerary

Arrive early to see just how Christchurch has transformed itself since the 2010/11 earthquakes. The best way to do this? Aboard the city's tram. It loops past historic attractions as well as some new ones. Meet your fellow travellers this evening for a Welcome Reception. Stay: Wyndham Garden

Step out with your guide for a deeper dive into ‘The City of Gardens' before traversing the colourful Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo and snow-capped mountains. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate guides, will forever change the way you see the night sky. You'll see for yourself it may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe. (B/D) Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel

Architectural drama awaits in Dunedin. While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speight's Brewery (a national institution). (B) Stay: Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin

If you've got an odd urge to hear Slim Dusty while traversing rolling green pastures en route to Gore, you're not alone, it's the country music capital of NZ. Invercargill is obsessed with something else: motor vehicles. Tributes to speed legends colour the city. So it's only fitting that you visit Classic Motorcycle Mecca for a tour and Highlight Dinner. (B/D) Stay: Kelvin Hotel

The ferry ride to Stewart Island is wild and wonderful. When you arrive, you're welcomed by the country's southernmost community. It's largely untouched, which means endemic flora and fauna thrive here. But don't take our word for it. Meet the locals on a Village & Bays tour. (B)

You've probably already noticed that there's a lot of farmland here in New Zealand. It's fitting, then, that you meet southern girl Laura, who will introduce you to the sheep farm where she was born and raised. The Real Country Farm Show, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, offers an authentic taste of what rural New Zealand is like. For every guest, we donate funds to The Fairlight Foundation, Advancing Women in Agriculture. Continue to Queenstown and take the afternoon at your own pace. (B) Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort

Today, sign up to dive deep into Milford Sound/Piopiotahi within World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park, best explored on an optional tour cruising the waterway. Don't be surprised if you see dolphins and seals. (B)

Around the next bend is the Alpine countryside of the Southern Lakes, from Lake Dunstan to oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and lovely Lake Wanaka. Over the Haast Pass, the town of Franz Josef/Waiau at the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, awaits. (B/D) Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Wandering Hokitika's windswept shore on the West Coast feels a bit like you've discovered the end of the Earth. The town's other natural beauty is pounamu (native greenstone or jade). Prepare yourself for Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks and blowholes; they owe their existence to the thundering surf that will lull you to sleep. (B/D) Stay: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki

Ease along the Heritage Highway toward Nelson. Press your nose against the glass as your coach weaves through Buller Gorge and Kahurangi National Park, a place of wild rivers, high plateaus, alpine herb fields and coastal forests. (B) Stay: The Rutherford Hotel

Today is at your leisure. Lace up your hiking shoes, or sit back on a boat and soak up the silence of Abel Tasman National Park. This wilderness inspires calm, its golden beaches framed by sculpted granite cliffs that all unite to create one of the country's most legendary coastal tracks. (B)

You'll want a window seat for the cruise from the South Island to the North aboard the Interislander. This spectacle unfolds as you glide through Queen Charlotte Sound to NZ's cool little capital of Wellington. (B/D) Stay: Travelodge Wellington

Your morning city sights tour will end at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. After the opportunity to visit, travel to the Art Deco mecca, Napier. (B) Stay: Scenic Hotel Te Pania

After a devastating earthquake in 1931, Napier completely rebuilt itself in just two years. The end result is architectural Nirvana, a city home to the world's greatest concentration of Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Striped Classical buildings. This morning get the lowdown from your in-the-know local guide on a Napier tour. Your afternoon is at leisure. (B)

This evening, explore Te Puia's geothermal valley, and learn about Maori history and culture on this guided experience, which includes hangi-inspired cuisine and a cultural performance in a finely carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It ends on a high at the Pohutu Geyser, where, armed with a hot chocolate you'll view one of New Zealand's geothermal wonderlands. (B/D) Stay: Sudima Lake Rotorua

Today, it's your choice. Your Travel Director can point you in the direction of a kiwi nursery and hatchery. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. Want a bit of down time? Bliss out at the Polynesian Spa. (B)

Welcome to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails'. You'll understand how it got its moniker when you glimpse yachts gliding around its two harbours. But today your sights are firmly set on the city's other love: rugby. The interactive All Blacks Experience explores an introduction to the game as a part of New Zealand culture. (B) Stay: Holiday Inn Express, Auckland

It's amazing how much of two islands you can see in 18 days. Provided you have the right people at the helm, and like-minded company, that is. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • We've crafted an itinerary with plenty of two-night stays, so you can sleep in and take the pulse of your destination, whether Queenstown, Wellington, Nelson or Rotorua.
  • From the bubbling geysers of Rotorua to the gem-like surface of Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere, nature and culture unite across the North and South islands.
  • A guided tour of the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia to view traditional demonstrations, contributes to its success, committed to preserving and promoting Māori arts and crafts.
  • More than 97% of Stewart Island is protected national parkland – unspoilt and largely unpeopled. It's a magnet for the kiwi bird, which thrives here.

  • Specialist team of two highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
  • Centrally located premium hotels
  • National Park entrance fees

  • 17 Full Breakfasts
  • 4 Dinners
  • 2 Highlight Dinners

  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
  • Water bottle
  • Warm layers in cooler months
  • Camera
  • Comfortable walking shoes

  • Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch Airport
  • Day 18 – flights to depart any time from Auckland Airport

  • Low level of fitness required

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Prices are for land/cruise and internal flights as specified only. Flights not specified are not included.
  • Return airport to hotel transfers are not included in the holiday price

Trip Reviews (1) Most Recent 'Essence of New Zealand' Reviews

5.0
AVG. RATING 5.0 / 5
1 Review
5 Star
100%
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1 Star
An excellent way to see both South and North Islands 0 , Australia, Jan 2014
As we had been on AAT Kings 'Southern Spectacular' in 2011 the first 5 days were almost a repeat of that tour. However with a different Tour Guide and Coach Driver these 5 days were just as interesting as the first time. I cannot speak too highly of both Tour Guide, Mark Hockey and Coach Driver, Paul Luxmoore. The inclusion of the overnight cruise ...read more on Milford Mariner is a 'must' to include in all future tours. The accommodation was of a high standard and all meals were excellent. Having been to New Zealand 4 times now, I would recommend this tour as an excellent way to see both South and North Islands on one tour. I also wish to thank Geogie Wagpole from Global Journeys for her help and assistance on both our tours.
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New Zealand

AAT Kings New Zealand (2023-24)

Know that there is no comparison to the adventures awaiting you; within these pages you’ll discover snow-dusted mountain ranges, untouched natural havens, volcanic landscapes, and geothermal wonders. With AAT Kings, you’ll go behind the scenes, it’s what 100 years of expertise allows you to uncover. Remarkable experiences that many unknowingly pass...more by – these unexpected moments are the memories you treasure the most.

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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by AAT Kings. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from AAT Kings. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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