New Zealand | Discover the Changing Landscape of Aotearoa

Begin your journey from your home departure city - destination: Dunedin, New Zealand!

Cross the International Date Line today.

This morning, arrive in Auckland, where you will go through customs. Continue onto your final flight into Dunedin, where you will you be met in the domestic arrivals hall and taken to your hotel. Early check-in will be available so that you can rest, but there will also be an optional walking tour of the downtown area to learn about Scottish settlement in New Zealand. Dunedin is the second largest city in the South Island and a historically rich town where gothic architecture meets sweeping coastal landscapes. Its name comes from Dun Eideann, the Scottish Gaelic name for Scotland's capital Edinburgh; in Maori, Dunedin is called Otepoti. Gather this evening to meet the guide who will accompany you throughout the journey and provide valuable information and logistical assistance along the way. Have dinner at your centrally located hotel to celebrate your first evening in New Zealand.

Spend your first full day in New Zealand exploring the Otago Peninsula, which takes its name from the Ngai Tahu village of Otakou at the mouth of the Otago Harbour and is part of the crater wall of a large, long-extinct volcano. Hike through dunes to look for endemic Yellow-eyed Penguins and Little Penguins, and then visit a Royal Albatross colony. Seals, New Zealand sea lions, and an occasional sea elephant can also be spotted here. Enjoy a box lunch here and return to Dunedin later to relax.

Today begins with the journey to Queenstown, a premier destination in the Southern Alps and one of the most beloved holiday destinations in the South Island thanks to its breathtaking landscapes. Queenstown is dubbed the "Adventure Capital of the World" because of the variety of exciting, unique activities available in the region. Stop along the way for photo ops and lunch and take in The Remarkables that tower around the city, as well as its clear blue skies and the gorgeous Lake Wakatipu. After settling in, explore Queenstown before taking the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob's Peak to enjoy a dinner and spectacular views overlooking the mountains and Lake Wakatipu.

After breakfast, travel to Arrowtown, a living historic settlement along the Arrow River established in 1862, during the height of the Otago gold rush, and one of the oldest towns in New Zealand. Take a tour of the historic gold mining sites and trails and see places that have evolved from mining wastelands to lush mountain landscapes. Then, continue on the journey to Wanaka, a popular ski and summer resort. Following arrival and check-in, enjoy an easy 4-mile hike through farmland along the Gladstone Track, which follows the shoreline of Lake Hawea. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure to explore this beautiful town.

Embark on the scenic drive to Lake Tekapo, in the heart of Mackenzie Country, an intermontane basin within the region of Canterbury. This area is located on a lake surrounded by mountains and is famous for long days of sunshine and clear skies for night viewing. There are several scenic trails here, including the 1.8-mile Mount John Summit Circuit Track, which ends near New Zealand's finest observatory. University of Canterbury Mount John Observatory, located in the heart of Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve, is New Zealand's only professional research observatory and sits atop Mount John's peak. This evening, take part in the Dark Sky Project, an unforgettable stargazing experience with some of the darkest, clearest skies in the Southern Hemisphere. Accompanied by astronomy experts, open your eyes to the Southern Sky and gain a richer understanding of both Maori and Western knowledge systems.

After a hearty breakfast, travel to Christchurch, stopping in the historic port town of Lyttelton. Located on the tip of Banks Peninsula, it is the most important port in the South Island. The devastating 2011 earthquake destroyed much of Lyttletons's historic fabric, and those remnants are still visible today. After lunch at a local cafe (cost on own), go on a walk to the Lyttelton Timeball Station, a monument to 19th Century maritime travel originally built in 1876 and restored after the earthquake, which takes visitors back in time to see early nautical communication. Continue on the drive to Christchurch, where the many scars left by the earthquake are just as present as the incredible work of proud citizens who have joined together to rebuild their city.

Today, meet your Christchurch guide to venture through the laneways of Otautahi Christchurch, New Zealand's most 'British' city. Learn about the history and settlement of the country's oldest city, which was badly damaged by the 2011 earthquake and its aftershocks. Witness how the city has joined together to build itself up again, notably at the Cardboard Cathedral, which was erected as a temporary replacement for the city's historic Neo-Gothic Anglican cathedral collapsed due to the quake. The transitional cathedral is a symbol of hope and resilience as it was the first significant structure rebuilt in the recovery efforts. End the tour at Quake City, a special exhibition from Canterbury Museum where visitors can better understand the impact of the Canterbury earthquakes on this area and the extraordinary strength and heroism of the local communities, emergency services, international rescue teams, and thousands of volunteers. Learn some Te Reo Maori (the Maori language) and have meaningful interactions with local community members to gain deeper insight into their rich culture and how the local Maori are proud of their contributions to this modern era, as well as to New Zealand's cultural heritage. Later, enjoy a special treat in the form of a personal tour of Weft Knitting Company, a Christchurch manufacturer of quality knitwear and thermalwear that is made sustainably using possum and wool products. Have a look around their outlet store before going on a drive through the Residential Red Zone, where houses were demolished after being declared unsafe and natural parkland is returning. This evening, have dinner at the Christchurch Botanic Gardens' famous Curators House restaurant, where Sally's family and local friends will join the group for a special meal and evening.

Wake up early this morning to board the TranzAlpine train, one of the world's great train journeys, covering 139 miles one-way and taking just under 5 hours. The train travels coast-to-coast through the 'Great Divide' and the imposing spine of mountains that partitions New Zealand's South Island. Along the way, passengers can marvel at scenic views of the expansive Canterbury Plains, Springfield, and Arthur's Pass, following an ancient Maori trail through the mountains of the Southern Alps that astounds the senses. Stop in Arthur's Pass for a short hike to stretch your legs, enjoy the mountain scenery and flora, and look for the charismatic Kea. The driver will meet the group to continue south to Hokitika, a town on the west coast of New Zealand known for its history of gold mining, forestry, gift shops full of jade and gold, excellent fish and chips, and bioluminescent glowworm grottos. Upon arrival at Hokitika, walk to the beach to see the driftwood art and check out local shops. Dinner is on your own this evening since there is a variety of restaurants in the area. After dark, you will be entranced by the glowing lights of a glowworm grotto.

A winding drive to Nelson begins along the spectacular coast road to Punakaiki, a beach where visitors can witness the unique stratigraphic Pancake Rocks and spectacular blowholes. If visiting during nesting season, it may also be possible to encounter the Westland Petrel, the largest mainland burrow-nesting petrel. Hector's dolphins, the only endemic dolphin in New Zealand, are also sometimes seen off the coast here. Continue the journey through the Buller Gorge, a deep canyon that separates the towns of Murchison and Westport and through which Buller River flows, and stop in Murchison for lunch (cost on own). The afternoon drive through scenic mountains and farmland takes us to Nelson. Upon arrival, check into the Tides Hotel and spend the remainder of the late afternoon and evening at leisure.

Nelson Tasman is located at the top of the South Island, nestled between the Tasman Bay and the Richmond mountain ranges. Due to its pleasant mild climate, it has long been a sunny and warm recreational destination for New Zealanders. It is also the gateway to the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park. Travel to the beautiful beach town of Kaiteriteri to embark on a private boat ride through Abel Tasman National Park, having an option to stop at one of the many bays on the journey. Here, you can take a walk for up to an hour before meeting up at the boat once again. Keep an eye out for lazy seals soaking up the sun, Cormorants hanging in the trees watching over you, or Little Penguins hiding in the bush. Tonight, enjoy a pub dinner at The Prince Albert, a local and delicious eatery back in Nelson.

Go on another beautiful drive to Renwick and Blenheim, located in the heart of New Zealand's well-known Marlborough wine country. Blenheim is also home to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, an aeronautical museum created in the 1990s that garnered significant community support, including that of Sir Peter Jackson, director of the Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, who helped expand the museum's exhibitions with the help of Weta Workshop and WingNut Films Productions, two local and prolific creative companies. These exhibitions not only tell the story of the airplanes but also the people and places associated with them, especially their connection to New Zealand. Lunch today is at Allan Scott Winery, where you will have a taste of the wines before enjoying a lunch of local produce. Later in the afternoon, visit the Framingham Estate, an accredited environmentally sustainable vineyard that is famous for its Riesling.

This morning, take the Interislander Ferry from the South Island to the North Island. This 3-hour voyage across the Cook Strait has been described as one of the most beautiful in the world. It departs from Picton and winds through the gorgeous Totaranui, or Queen Charlotte Sounds, before crossing the open water to the Wellington Harbour. Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and your gateway to the North Island. The magnificent harbor and surrounding hills provide stunning views wherever you are in the city. Devote this afternoon to a tour of Te Papa Museum of New Zealand, the country's largest museum, with multiple galleries that house imaginative exhibits throughout the year and interactive experiences that explore the country's unique natural environment, the triumphs and tragedies of colonial history, and the culture and history of the Maori people. This evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel overlooking the harbor.

Today, you will be treated to a Kapiti Island Nature Tour. Kapiti Island is one of New Zealand's oldest and most important nature reserves, which successfully eradicated invasive mammal species to become a bird sanctuary with limited public access. It is one of the few places where it is possible to easily see endemic birds like the New Zealand Kaka, North Island Kokako, South Island Takahe, and Stitchbird. Here, visitors can find lush native vegetation and easy walking. This evening, Sally will invite two friends to join the group for dinner at a local restaurant; Kevin Milne, a New Zealand television and radio personality, and John Robinson, an International New Zealand wool promoter who was raised on a farm and understands agriculture in New Zealand. John also raises English Leicester sheep - an heirloom breed in New Zealand.

Today, embark on the journey to the volcanic region of Taupo, passing by the striking active peaks of Mount Ngauruhoe, Mount Ruapehu, the Kaimanawa Range, and Mount Tongariro, all within Tongariro National Park, which is famous for being the filming location for Mordor in The Lord of the Rings. Stop in the park to hike one of its scenic trails before continuing on to the lakeside town of Taupo. Known for its world-class fly fishing, Taupo offers the chance to catch trophy-sized trout, introduced to the lake many years ago. If you've packed your rod, we can even stop at one of the locals' favorite fishing spots.

Following breakfast, head to one of Aotearoa's most famous towns, Rotorua, traveling via the powerful Huka Falls and Orakei Korako Cave and Thermal Park. Situated between Taupo and Rotorua on the banks of the Waikato River, Orakei Korako is considered one of the most stunning geothermal attractions in all of New Zealand. At Orakei Korako, take a short boat to the geothermal field to hike through mud pools and steaming streams to one of the only geothermal caves in the world. Native plants are labeled on these well-laid trails, and there is also a good cafe for lunch (cost on own). After settling into the hotel in Rotorua, enjoy free time to walk the city park before getting together later to enjoy the geothermal pools at the Polynesian Spa.

This morning, visit the National Kiwi Hatchery to learn about New Zealand's renowned Kiwi conservation program while touring the hatchery, which has successfully hatched over 2,100 kiwi chicks. Explore the interactive Kiwi burrow where it is possible to see the life cycle of a Kiwi from egg to burrow. Later, visit Mountain Jade, a jade-carving studio where visitors can observe revered New Zealand artists and master carvers working with pounamu to create beautiful jewelry and art. Jade, called "greenstone," or pounamu in Maori, is found in abundance on the west coast and treasured by the Ngai Tahu, the principal Maori community of the South Island. Spend the rest of the day connecting with New Zealand's Maori heritage through insightful and meaningful cultural activities. Meet members of a local iwi, or tribe, who will guide the group to a pre-European Maori settlement that was buried after a volcanic eruption. Then, enjoy a wonderful performance that showcases Maori stories of long ago before experiencing a Maori hangi - a traditional Maori style of cooking dinner in an earthen oven heated with rocks, which makes it a unique and tasty experience.

Depart for Auckland today. En route, visit the Pukorokoro Miranda Shorebird Center on the large bay of Firth of Thames, which is a high tide roost for thousands of shorebirds. Some of the species that can be found here seasonally include the Black-tailed Godwit, a migratory bird with one of the longest flyways in the world, the Wrybill, and the South Island Oystercatcher. Scientists and international researchers come here to study, and it is a pilgrimage site for birders. After learning about the research and looking over the shorebirds from marsh trails, continue into the ciy, staying near Waitemata Harbour in downtown Auckland.

The last day of this adventure starts with a trip to the rugged west coast and Muriwai, a beautiful beach with an impressive coastline of towering cliff-top trails that are home to an Australasian Gannet colony. After exploring Muriwai, enjoy some free time for souvenir shopping before taking an elevator to the top of the Sky Tower for a special farewell dinner overlooking the city to celebrate the group's amazing experiences in New Zealand.

At the appropriate time, according to individual flight schedules, you will be taken to the Auckland International Airport for your flight(s) home.