Auckland never fails to turn on the charm, as you'll discover while exploring the city before meeting your Travel Director and fellow adventure-seekers for a Welcome Reception. Stay: Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre

After a morning of sightseeing, set your GPS for the Waikato River to Waitomo Caves. Here, your cruise route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. It's a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth.

Tonight, delve deep into Māori culture and traditions at Te Puia. The Te Pō Indigenous Experience begins with a delicious buffet dinner of locally sourced cuisine and an authentic Māori twist in each dish.

Following dinner, view an exhilarating cultural performance that takes place in our beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. (B/D) Stay: Ibis Rotorua Hotel

We're leaving you up to your own devices today. Bliss out at Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. The choice is yours. (B) Stay: Ibis Rotorua Hotel

A staggering 220,000 litres of water thunder over Huka Falls' 11-metre high escarpment every second. It creates quite the calamity. From here, the road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, its waters so vivid and blue they resemble an Ice Mint. Traverse the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand's cool little capital, Wellington. (B) Stay: Travelodge Wellington

Wellington is known for its uber-cool cafés, designed to fuel you through a session at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Onwards to the Interislander for a cruise across Cook Strait, from the North Island to the South. (B/D) Stay: Picton Beachcomber Inn

There aren't many beaches more dramatic than the sands of Kaikoura. Bonus points if you spot a sea lion or sperm whale frolicking offshore, Kaikoura is the marine wildlife centre of New Zealand. Talk to your Travel Director for tips on the essential restaurants to dine in tonight - Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. (B) Stay: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

View the sights of the city including the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. 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: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel

Oamaru may have supplied other NZ cities with limestone, but it kept some for itself - and the result is glorious leafy streets with grand 1800s buildings that stand proud before you journey further south toward Dunedin. It's easy to while away the afternoon in ‘little Edinburgh's' atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country - fur seals and penguins among them. (B) Stay: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Dunedin's Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city's main George Street. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island's biggest lake and the town of Te Anau. Soak up the serenity - it doesn't get any better than this. (B/D) Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

There are some travel days that blaze into your memory. Today is one. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. (B) Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort

Queenstown is known as NZ's adventure capital for good reason. But don't take our word for it. Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane jet boat ride. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand's feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wherever you wander, make sure you're back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner. (B/D) Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort

After departing the movie-set-perfect streets of Arrowtown, discover Lake Dunstan, surrounded by orchards where you'll pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there's Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere sparkles like a gem. (B/D) Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Swap white at Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere for green at Hokitika: the pounamu (native jade) found here is the stuff jewellery dreams are made of. Just when you thought your adventure couldn't get any better, you'll board the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. (B/D) Stay: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Two islands, two weeks. It's remarkable what you can see when you have the right people guiding you. (B)

Auckland never fails to turn on the charm, as you'll discover while exploring the city before meeting your fellow adventure-seekers. Peruse waterfront precincts filled with yachts or hit up the CBD to discover local designers. Turns out Kiwi creativity is surging.

This evening, your Travel Director will welcome you and will brief you on your tour. Stay: Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre

Tonight, delve deep into Maori culture and traditions at Te Puia. The Te Pō Indigenous Experience begins with an exhilarating cultural performance that takes place in a beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua.

Afterward, enter the geothermal valley on a waka (electric shuttle) and discover one of New Zealand's most magnificent geothermal wonderlands – featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, and beautiful native bush. Enjoy a hot chocolate, seated on a naturally heated rock terrace overlooking the powerful Pōhutu Geyser. Then enjoy a delicious buffet dinner of locally sourced cuisine and an authentic Māori twist in each dish. (B/D) Stay: Ibis Rotorua Hotel

We're leaving you up to your own devices today. But have plenty of North Island tour travel tips, depending on your mood. Want a bit of down time? Bliss out at Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans, but a gorgeous countryside getaway. The choice is yours. (B)

A staggering 220,000 litres of water thunder over Huka Falls' 11-metre high escarpment every second. It creates quite the calamity. From here, the road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, its waters so vivid and blue they resemble an Ice Mint. Traverse the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand's cool little capital, Wellington, where there are so many restaurants and bars to choose from, you'll need a guidebook. Wait, you have an in-the-know Travel Director to talk to. (B) Stay: James Cook Grand Chancellor

Forget everything else you have to do today and focus on one thing: getting a cup of Wellington's amazing coffee. The city is known for its uber-cool cafes, designed to fuel you through a session at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand (entrance fee applies). Wellington sightseeing done and dusted: onwards to the interisland ferry for a cruise across Cook Strait, from the North Island to the South, through a maze of arms and inlets into the sleepy seaside village of Picton. (B) Stay: Picton Beachcomber Inn, Picton Yacht Club

There aren't many beaches more dramatic than the sands of Kaikoura. Bonus points if you spot a sea lion or sperm whale frolicking offshore, Kaikoura is the marine wildlife centre of New Zealand. Talk to your Travel Director for tips on the essential restaurants to dine in tonight – Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one. (B) Stay: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

From its devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, Christchurch has become one of the most forward-thinking cities in the world when it comes to design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. This Christchurch tour is as eye-opening as it is educational.

From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. 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: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel

Your visit to Clyde will have your camera clicking non-stop. This charming historic town may be small, but it's full of character, with its town centre designated as a historic precinct, featuring buildings from its gold mining past now transformed into cafes and shops. Next, head to Gore, the Country Music capital of New Zealand, before continuing to Fiordland National Park and stunning Te Anau, nestled on the shores of the South Island's largest lake. Immerse yourself in the serenity - this is as good as it gets. (B/D) Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Venture out into the pristine fiord on an included sightseeing cruise for awe-inspiring scenery with towering cliffs, tumbling waterfalls and abundant wildlife. Seals, penguins and the New Zealand alpine parrot, the Kea are a common sight. (B)

Today on your New Zealand tour, travel the aptly named Devil's Staircase. Winding along the edge of Lake Wakatipu, the Devil's Staircase from Kingston to Queenstown is a breathtaking stretch of road with a combination of lake and Mountain views. Visit the historic gold rush village of Arrowtown, where you can wander the streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques, then continue to Queenstown for your two-night stay in the adventure capital of New Zealand.

Tonight, glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner and farm show. (B/D) Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown

Take today at your own pace; you won't be lost for things to do in Queenstown. Like adventure? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane jet boat ride, perhaps. There's a reason why Queenstown is known as the "Adventure Capital of the World". Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand's feathered friends at a wildlife centre. (B)

Journey past shimmering Lake Hawea and through Haast Pass with its powerful waterfalls and dramatic mountain backdrops to the pretty town of Franz Josef/Waiau. (B/D) Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Swap white at Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere for green at Hokitika: the pounamu (native jade) found here is the stuff jewellery dreams are made of. Just when you thought your adventure couldn't get any better, you'll board the TranzAlpine train bound for Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. (B/D) Stay: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Two islands, two weeks. It's remarkable what you can see when you have the right people guiding you. (B)