Overview
Being run outside the main tourist summer season you will enjoy New Zealand as the locals do, with less traffic on the streets and more time and tranquility. From the winterless north with Palm trees and hibiscus you’ll take a stunning ferry ride through the Marlborough Sounds to the South Island and can expect to enjoy...read more all types of weather in this journey of a lifetime.
Wildlife is also more abundant during the winter months. You’re more likely to see humpback whales at this time of year in Kaikoura and seals are a common sight.
This stunning 11-day itinerary features some of Aotearoa New Zealand's more celebrated destinations in the North Island such as the Bay of Islands, Rotorua – a geothermal wonderland, our culturally vibrant city of Wellington, wine tasting in iconic Blenheim and Kaikoura wildlife.
Your days will be filled with a mixture of included and optional activities and at the end of each day you can relax in 3-4 Kiwi accommodation.
Please note that owing to the time of year, some included activities are subject to change. We will endeavor to incorporate a suitable replacement should this happen.
Be prepared to be awe-struck on this small group journey of New Zealand!
Read more about why travelling in winter is a great idea.
Itinerary
Included
- Hotel transfer from airport (non-exclusive shuttle)
- Welcome Dinner
Included
- Breakfast
- Visit a seal colony
Included
- Breakfast
- Wine Tasting
- Scenic ferry crossing
Included
- Breakfast
- Walking tour of Wellington
- Cable Car return travel
- Te Papa Museum
This morning leave behind NZ's vibrant capital and journey along Desert Road, a state highway set amidst the magical national park to Rotorua. You'll most likely smell Rotorua before you see since it's known as the cultural and geothermal centre of New Zealand.
This afternoon, you visit Wai-O-Tapu "sacred waters" New Zealand's most colourful geothermal park. Here you'll have the opportunity to experience a geothermal wonderland up close. Wai-O-Tapu features geysers, mud pools and so much more. There is also a wonderful gift shop and cafe to enjoy.
Included
- Breakfast
- Wai-O-Tapu entry fee
Rotorua has it all: natural beauty, unique geothermal landscapes, and Māori culture. We stay here a full day to make the very most of it. This area is world-renowned for its geothermal activity, with neon blue and red lakes, steaming rivers, violent geysers, and bubbling mud pools galore.
For a truly epic brush with nature, the National Kiwi Hatchery Experience offers a 45-minute guided experience that takes visitors into the heart of conservation efforts dedicated to protecting unique and endangered creatures. You could also jump on the Rotorua City and Lakes Tour, where visitors can experience the thrill of riding in New Zealand's only genuine operating WW2 landing crafts and travelling through Rotorua's award-winning gardens, including the geothermal Sulphur point.
For Lord of the Rings fans, you can also choose to take a guided tour at the Hobbiton Movie Set, which is an absolute must-do when visiting NZ. On this fully guided tour of the 12 acre Middle-earth set you will see Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and even enjoy a drink at the Green Dragon Inn! However, you choose to spend today we guarantee you won't forget it.
Included
- Breakfast
Included
- Breakfast
- Glowworm Tour
This morning you'll visit the Hundert Wasser Arts centre. A guided tour will give you a fascinating glimpse into the life and achievements of the 20th century artist and environmentalist Friedrich Hundertwasser who called Northland his home.
This gallery is a testament to Hundertwasser's vision of the world and his environmental initiatives which had international acclaim. On the way north, visit the realm of Tāne Mahuta, the King of the Forest and New Zealand's most famous Kauri tree. Led by local Māori guide you will learn about the significance of the kauri tree to New Zealand Māori and the role it played in pioneer New Zealand. You'll head to the picturesque Bay of Islands and take a short ferry ride across to Russell.
Included
- Tour of Hundert Wasser Arts Centre & Māori Arts Gallery
- Waipoua Forest daytime tour
- Ferry ride to Russell
Waking up in the pretty seaside town of Russell it is hard to imagine that Russell was once known as the hellhole of the South Pacific. A local guide will take you on a walk to Flagstaff Hill with magnificent views over the Bay of Islands and an interesting story. Thereafter you take the passenger ferry to Paihia where you visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
This will provide you an insight into New Zealand in colonial times and provide you with an insight into Māori/New Zealand culture. At the Treaty grounds, you'll will enjoy a guided tour and cultural performance before heading back to Russell.
Included
- Breakfast
- Guided walk up Flagstaff Hill
- Visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds with guided tour and cultural performance.
- Return ferry to Paihia
Included
- Breakfast
- Ferry back from Russell
- Auckland City Tour
Included
- Breakfast
- Airport Transfer
Trip Inclusions
- Visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds with guided tour and cultural performance
- Meet Tāne Mahuta – the oldest known living kauri tree in the Waipoua Forest
- Marvel at an original architecture project at Hundertwasser Art & Wairau Māori Art Gallery
- Discover NZ's fascinating glowworms in Waitomo with a cave tour
- Visit New Zealand's most colourful geothermal park Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
- Visit Te Papa Museum in Wellington, showcasing New Zealand's rich cultural and natural heritage
- Take the Wellington Cable Car for some of the best views in town.
- Iconic ferry ride between the North and South Islands across the Cook Strait
- Taste delicious wines in New Zealand's world-renowned wine region, Marlborough
- Check out Kaikōura's cutest residents at a local seal colony
- Small groups, up to 14 people
- Passionate Kiwi guides
- Comfortable bus transport
- 3-4 hotel accommodation
- Tasty continental breakfasts every day
- Experiences to teach you about our unique Māori culture
- 2x airport transfer shuttles (non-exclusive shuttle bus)
- Russel ferry transfers
- 10 nights twin-share accommodation in 3-4* hotels. Private room upgrade available.
- Daily continental/cooked breakfasts and 2 dinners.
- Optional activities can also be purchased on the road – just let your tour guide know. We can't always guarantee availability when booking on the road, so we suggest pre-booking any activities you especially want to do.
- The tour price includes twin/double-share accommodation but if you would prefer your own space, you have the option to upgrade to a private room for the duration of your tour (subject to availability).
- Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
Trip Optionals These optional activities can be pre-booked & included in your trip price.
- Location: Rotorua.
- Head deep into one of New Zealand’s most ancient forests and let the fun begin on this 3 hour guided eco canopy adventure. Duration: 3 hrs. Read more.
- Location: Kaikoura.
- Experience up-close encounters with the world’s largest toothed predator - the Giant Sperm Whale - on this 2.5 hour boat tour. Duration: half day. Read more.
- Location: Kaikoura.
- Enjoy unobstructed birds-eye views of whales and dolphins in their natural environment on this 30 minute scenic flight. Duration: 30 minutes. Read more.
- Location: Auckland.
- The All Blacks Experience involves a 45-minute guided tour where you learn what it takes to make, shape and be an All Black. Duration: 1hr.
- Location: Rotorua.
- Hop on board New Zealand’s only genuine operating WW2 landing crafts (The Duck), and enjoy stunning scenery along the way. Duration: 90 Mins.
- Take advantage of Rotorua’s geothermal activity and indulge at these geothermal hot pools experience. The spa features multiple pools. Duration: 90 mins.
- Location: Kaikoura.
- Kaikoura Ziplining Adventures offers spectacular and mountain views of Kaikoura, South Island NZ. Duration: 3.5 hours.
- Location: Rotorua.
- You’ll get up and close to a Kiwi and see conservation in action. Learn about the Kiwi, their native environment and what makes them world-renowned.
- Location: Auckland.
- Scale the heights of Aotearoa New Zealand’s tallest building (not literally!) and enjoy full 360 degree views of Auckland’s CBD and surroundings.
- Location: Auckland.
- Wētā Workshop Unleashed is a popular Auckland activity and takes you on a captivating journey through the wacky world of movie making. Duration: 1hr30.
Availability
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.
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 Haka Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Haka Tours. 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.
