Kiwi Wonders
Extension to Australia Uncovered

For those of you who have decided to stay on for this extension, get ready for an unforgettable New Zealand adventure!

This morning we fly from Melbourne to Queenstown. On arrival at Queenstown Airport, we’ll be met by our friendly coach driver and transferred to our hotel. En route, enjoy a short sightseeing tour, soaking in the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and the sparkling waters of Lake Wakatipu.

This evening, we dive into the heart of rural New Zealand life. Board the 1912 vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw for a scenic cruise across the lake. Disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm, one of the region’s first farms and still a working farm today. In the charming Colonel’s Homestead, we’ll savor a gourmet BBQ dinner prepared fresh by the chef before our eyes.

After dinner, enjoy a lively farm demonstration, including sheep shearing, before returning to Queenstown under a starlit sky. Sing along with the ship’s pianist or simply breathe in the crisp night air as Queenstown’s lights shimmer across the water.

After breakfast, the day is yours to enjoy Queenstown at your own pace. Surrounded by the towering peaks of the Remarkables and set on the crystal-clear shores of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is a playground for both adventure and indulgence.

You may choose to embark on one of the optional sightseeing experiences:

• Nomad Safaris: Explore Queenstown’s off-road tracks and Lord of the Rings filming locations, from The Remarkables to Kawarau Gorge and Arrowtown, with exciting stops for gold panning and breathtaking panoramic views.

• Dart River Wilderness Jet: Speed along the braided, glacier-fed Dart River, venturing deep into Mount Aspiring National Park, enjoying 90?km of unspoilt wilderness while your guide shares Maori legends and eco-insights.

• Boutique Wine Tour: Discover Central Otago’s world-class wines with tastings at four boutique vineyards, paired with a platter-style lunch at Carrick Winery, while learning about local wine history.

Take your time to relax and enjoy Queenstown’s lakefront cafes, boutique shops, and stunning scenery.

An early start sees us journeying to Pearl Harbour at Lake Manapouri, where we board a launch for a scenic cruise across the crystal waters to West Arm. From there, we’ll transfer by coach along the alpine route of Wilmot Pass, passing through lush rainforest before catching our first glimpse of Doubtful Sound.

At Deep Cove, we board our vessel for a serene cruise through this remote fiord. Marvel at cascading waterfalls, dense rainforest, and towering mountains, and keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, fur seals, and Fiordland crested penguins. A picnic lunch is served onboard as our knowledgeable guides share the stories of the land and wildlife.

After the cruise, we retrace our steps across Wilmot Pass and Lake Manapouri back to Queenstown. Dinner is served in our hotel restaurant, and we can reflect on the day’s magical landscapes.

After breakfast, we travel through Central Otago, a land of fruit orchards and wide open spaces, crossing the dramatic Lindis Pass. We continue along Lake Pukaki, famed for its vivid turquoise waters fed by glacial melt.

Entering Mount Cook National Park, we are greeted by Aoraki / Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. In Mount Cook village, there is time to take an optional helicopter flight over the glaciers and peaks or visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre (pay direct). Later, we journey to Twizel for our overnight stay and dinner at the hotel restaurant.

After breakfast, we travel to Lake Tekapo, stopping at the charming Church of the Good Shepherd, framed by mountains and the lake’s brilliant waters.

Here, we visit the home of locals Angie and Stan Taylor for a Pavlova Experience. Learn their secrets of this iconic Kiwi dessert while enjoying morning tea and the views across the lake. Angie and Stan’s stories of life on a New Zealand sheep farm add a warm, personal touch.

We continue across the Canterbury Plains, passing through Fairlie and Geraldine, before arriving in Christchurch. Here, we enjoy a city sightseeing tour, learning how the city has rebuilt and revitalized following the 2011 earthquake, with its innovative architecture, public art, and beautiful gardens.

The evening is at leisure to relax or explore the city on your own.

After breakfast, transfer to Christchurch Airport for our flight to Rotorua 

Rotorua is renowned for its geothermal wonders and rich Maori culture. Upon arrival, we will enjoy a Redwood Treewalk, meandering along 28 suspension bridges through a grove of 120-year-old redwoods, taking in views of the forest from up to 20 meters above the ground.

In the late afternoon, visit Te Puia for a guided tour, exploring steaming mud pools, silica terraces, hot springs, and the Pohutu Geyser. Then enjoy a Te Po night experience, a cultural feast with Maori storytelling, song, poi, haka performances, and a buffet dinner including hangi, served in the beautifully carved Te Aronui-a-Rua meeting house. Conclude the evening with hot chocolate in the glowing geothermal valley.

We begin the day at the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa, where we’ll discover how over 2,100 kiwi chicks have been hatched and learn about the vital conservation efforts protecting New Zealand’s national icon.

From Rotorua, we travel to the Hobbiton Movie Set in Matamata. Explore the Shire with its quaint hobbit holes, rolling green hills, and the famous Party Marquee. Our guide will share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, before we enjoy a hearty buffet lunch in the festive marquee.

Later, we continue north through the scenic Bombay Hills to Auckland. The evening is free to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

This morning, we meet our local guide for a sightseeing tour of Auckland, including panoramic views from Bastion Point, the charming streets of Parnell Village, scenic waterfront bays, and the bustling Viaduct Harbour.

We will also visit the All Blacks Experience, an interactive journey through New Zealand rugby history, where we can test our rugby skills alongside the All Blacks and Black Ferns.

The afternoon is at leisure, allowing time for shopping or relaxing. In the evening, we’ll dine at Orbit, Auckland’s only rotating restaurant atop the Sky Tower, offering 360-degree views of the city, harbour, and Hauraki Gulf while enjoying a delicious Kiwi-inspired à la carte menu.

Sadly, our Antipodean adventures come to an end this morning as we say goodbye to New Zealand. 

You will be transferred to Auckland Airport in time for your onward flights home.