New Zealand Magic

Explore the ‘Garden City' at your leisure. We recommend jumping aboard the tram for a Christchurch tour – the conductors are a hoot – to discover how the city has rebuilt itself since the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes. It's changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library.

Tonight, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers at a Welcome Reception. Stay: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Your New Zealand tour starts on a high as you jump aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Arthur's Pass, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. From Arthur's Pass, visit the small town of Hokitika, the heritage and cultural centre of the West Coast well-known for its jade.

Things are about to get cool again as you arrive in the town of Franz Josef/Waiau, gateway to Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere, a white-out of snow and ice that shimmers like a gem. Get some perspective on an optional scenic helicopter flight over this natural wonder – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it. (B/D) Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Over the Haast Pass, the alpine scenery of the Southern Lakes spreads before you.

First up there's lovely Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan, where you'll pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. We know you'll want to linger in Arrowtown's movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables await on your Queenstown tour. (B) Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown

Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on high-octane jet boat ride, perhaps. There's a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand's feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wine aficionado? Sip your way through surrounding vineyards. 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 dinner. (B/D)

From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley is the entrée to your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Look out for dolphins – they're a common sight here.

Journey back through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and gin-clear rivers, carving up the countryside en route to Te Anau. (B/D) Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Soak up the serenity of the South Island's biggest lake on an early morning walk, perhaps, before leaving the forested slopes of Fiordland behind. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are your new backdrop as you ease into the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin.

While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speight's Brewery (a national institution), or visit grand Larnach Castle, the only one of its kind in the country. You could 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

Time is on your side this morning. Sleep in or take a stroll around the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city's main George Street. If you've ever wanted to see New Zealand's oldest public gardens, today you're in luck with a visit to Oamaru, known for its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings. (B/D) Stay: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel

Your outlook this morning 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 local specialists, 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. 

Back on earth, you're becoming reacquainted with Christchurch on a city tour, your in-the-know Travel Director pointing out the city's miraculous transformation over the last decade. You'll view the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. (B) Stay: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

There aren't many beaches more dramatic than the sands of Kaikoura. Bonus points if you spot a seal or sperm whale frolicking offshore, Kaikoura is the marine wildlife centre of New Zealand. Your onward route skirts the pink tinged crystallisation ponds of the Lake Grassmere Salt Works, before arriving in the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton. (B) Stay: Picton Beachcomber Inn, Picton Yacht Club

Swap wheels for water aboard the Interislander for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand's cool little capital of Wellington.

On arrival, enjoy a city sights tour. (B) Stay: James Cook Grand Chancellor

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

Explore at your own pace today, but with plenty of tips from your Travel Director. Want a bit of down time? We wouldn't blame you for simply blissing 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. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans, but a gorgeous countryside getaway. (B)

Set your internal GPS to cross the Waikato River and head towards the Waitomo Caves. This place is radiant – quite literally. While cruising cavernous limestone waterways, your route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. The next thing that glows on your horizon is Auckland, New Zealand's largest city with not one, but two harbours. And plenty of yachts to decorate both, as you'll see from the lookout at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. (B) Stay: Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre

Say goodbye to the ‘City of Sails' as you journey north to New Zealand's dramatic Bay of Islands – 140 islands ringed by turquoise sea. It's undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical significance: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs.

Your local specialist, likely a descendant of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world's largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house. (B/D) Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort

If there's a travel destination that inspires wanderlust, the Bay of Islands is it. Today, head off in whatever direction you please. Perhaps travel up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Cruise to the iconic hole in the rock, or join a tour of Russell and learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands. (B)

Today, New Zealand's most northerly city is well and truly on your radar. Whangarei is like the country in a tantalizing snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Take a brief stroll before sinking back into your seat for the mesmerizing commute back to Auckland.

Tonight enjoy dinner and drinks to toast your adventure. (B/D) Stay: Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre

It's hard to say goodbye to Auckland – this city is hypnotic. But you have a camera full of New Zealand tour photos to categorise before you get home. (B)