Shortly after departing Los Angeles you will be served dinner and you will be given breakfast before landing in Auckland.

Relax, watch some movies, and try to get some sleep!

Please confirm with the airline at check-in that they have all your Frequent Flyer information on record (if applicable).

Travel by shuttle from the Airport to your vacation accommodation in Auckland, New Zealand.

Please note: For airport transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

Travel to your accommodation in Auckland, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 2 nights.

Auckland is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, regularly voted one of the best lifestyle cities in the world– renowned as that ‘City Of Sails.’ Dramatic landscapes and seascapes provide a diverse playground in which a compelling range of attractions are available. Visitors come to enjoy an array of exciting entertainment, leisure, culture and dining possibilities in New Zealand’s largest city.

Experience the best sights of Auckland City in the morning.

Auckland is set on 52 dormant volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it is New Zealand’s largest and busiest city. The morning tour is a journey of discovery designed to explore the history and sights as well as see how Aucklanders live and play.

Travel up Queen Street, through Auckland’s central business district, past the Auckland University and through the inner city park, known as the Domain. Continue on through the picturesque suburb of Ponsonby, with its historic buildings before heading over the Harbour Bridge to Auckland’s North Shore. Stroll on Narrow Neck Beach in historic Devonport. There is time here for a coffee before continuing up to the summit of Mt Victoria with its stunning panoramic views of Auckland City.

Travel back over the Harbour Bridge to Westhaven Marina, one of the largest marinas in the Southern Hemisphere. Then visit the Auckland Fish Market, before continuing on to the Viaduct Harbour.

Take a journey into the heart of the Central North Island, visiting scenic highlights like the Waitomo Caves and the Hobbiton Movie Set on a full day sightseeing tour from Auckland.

Leaving Auckland in the morning, travel by deluxe coach through the lush farmland of the Waikato and King Country regions. Your experienced local driver guide will inform and entertain you, pointing out sites of interest including Rangiriri, the site of a major battle between British forces and local Maori in 1863.

In Waitomo, enjoy a 45-minute guided tour through the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Explore the underground caverns and learn how stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone structures were formed over millions of years. The Glowworm Grotto is a magical way to end the cave tour, as you travel by boat through a cavern lit up by thousands of twinkling glowworms.

Enjoy a delicious picnic-style lunch (vegetarian and other dietary options available on request) en route to Rotorua, where you will transfer onto the Hobbiton Movie Set coach tour and enjoy a scenic drive across the Kaimai Ranges to Matamata, a rural Kiwi town well-known for its thoroughbred industry and dairy farming. Just outside the township is the picturesque 1,250 acre farm where scenes from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies were filmed. The charming countryside of The Shire, as described in JRR Tolkien’s books, was carefully created on this working sheep and beef farm. The home of the heroic hobbits Bilbo, Frodo, Sam, Merry and Pippin has been preserved since filming wrapped, and now draws visitors from around the world.

On your guided Hobbiton Tour you will see where the movie magic was created. You’ll get the chance to see Hobbit holes, the Mill, the Green Dragon Inn and many other structures created for the films, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-Earth. After your movie set tour, spend some free time in Matamata, before boarding your coach for the return journey to Auckland.

Travel by shuttle from your vacation accommodation in Auckland, New Zealand, to the train depot.

Please note: 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

Travel through the heart of New Zealand and experience the North Island’s extraordinary range of scenery in one journey.

The Northern Explorer takes you through rolling green farmland and virgin bush, past quaint country towns and along rocky coasts. The journey through Tongariro National Park, with its three spectacular volcanic mountains -Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu – is a highlight, a place of extremes and surprises, where snow-blanketed fields, ancient lava flows and dense beech forests can be seen side by side.

Photo Credit: KiwiRail Limited

Departs Auckland to Wellington on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Travel by shuttle from the Wellington Train Station to your vacation accommodation.

Please note: 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

Travel to your accommodation in Wellington, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 2 nights.

Your 4 Star vacation accommodation is located conveniently in the heart of Wellington, New Zealand. It is a short walk from Westpac Stadium, Te Papa Museum and the waterfront. Your vacation hotel has a direct elevator to Lambton Quay via a shopping arcade. Travel to New Zealand’s top wine regions, Wairarapa and Marlborough, which are only a short drive away. Or participate in adventure activities such as mountain biking, sailing, bushwalking and much more.

Photo Credit: Tourism New Zealand

A voyage through Wellington’s harbour and nature.

Explore the stunning natural environment of Matiu/Somes Island, discover the city’s history with a guided tour of the Museum of Wellington City & Sea, and enjoy a classic kiwi fish ‘n chips lunch as you ride the ferry to roam the natural conservation environment of Matiu/Somes Island.

Tours depart – 11:00am Monday to Friday and finish at 3:45pm.

The Wellington Cable Car is one of Wellington’s oldest & most popular tourist attractions.

The cars run from Lambton Quay in the heart of the central business district and within 5 minutes whisk you from under the corporate towers of The Terrace past Kelburn Park and Victoria University to the top entrance of the Wellington Botanic Gardens with its magnificent lookout over the City and harbour – Te Whanganui-a-Tara (The Great Harbour of Tara).

Other attractions immediately accessible from the top station are the award winning Cable Car museum situated in the old cable car winding room and the newly opened Carter Observatory. For those wishing to explore further, Kelburn village with its shops and Cafes is a short walk and an ideal stopping off point on your way to Zealandia. There are also easy downhill walks through the Botanic Gardens to Thorndon or back to Lambton Quay via the historic Bolton Street Cemetery and the Beehive.

A fully escorted tour of Wellington’s Cable Car and Museums is available. First stop the Museum of Wellington for the inside story on Wellington’s intruiging past. A short escorted walk along Grey Street then all aboard the Wellington Cable Car…to the top for the best views in Wellington. Learn more about these ‘Relentless red rattlers’ at the Cable Car Museum. The tour ends with tea/coffee and a homemade muffin at the Skyline Restaurant with its commanding views of the city. Take time to explore Kelburn Village or the Botanic Gardens before returning to Lambton Quay on the Cable Car.

Includes return trip on the Cable Car, guided tours and refreshments.

Departs from the Museum of Wellington at 10:00am. (Other times by arrangement) duration up to 2 1/2 hours. Bookings by 5:00pm the day before. Please make your bookings at the Museum of Wellington or at Wellington I-Site corner Victoria & Wakefield Streets Civic Square.

The Cable Cars run every 10-minutes; 7:00am to 9:00pm on Monday; 7:00am to 10:00pm on Tuesday through Friday; 8:30am to 10:00pm on Saturday and 9:00am to 9:00pm on Sunday & Public Holidays (Closed Christmas Day)

Photo Credit: Tourism New Zealand

See the Southern skies & celebrate the culture, heritage and science of the Southern Skies at Carter Observatory – New Zealand’s longest-serving national observatory.

The Carter Observatory is located in Wellington’s beautiful Botanic Gardens at the top of the Cable Car. It is 2 minutes from the top of the Cable Car, 5 minutes walk from the Botanic Garden’s Playground, 8 minutes for the Treehouse Visitor Centre and an easy walk along Upland Road, Kelburn. The easiest way to reach Carter is via Wellington’s iconic Cable Car.

Take a virtual journey through space in Carter’s new planetarium – a state-of-the-art full-dome digital theatre, then take your own steps through space as you walk through the world-class interactive multimedia space experience.

Discover our Universe, along with some of New Zealand’s most prestigious telescopes and astronomical artefacts. Before and after you visit we encourage you to download the latest sky chart to spot the stars.

Open Daily 10am – 5pm Tours Are Not Included (Pay As You Go).

Visit Parliament to discover our buildings and heritage, to see what happens when the House sits, and to learn about New Zealand’s democratic processes. Whether you visit in person in Wellington or take a virtual tour, you can visit Parliament for free.

Free, daily, one-hour guided tours of Parliament begin on the hour at the Visitor Centre in the foyer of the Beehive (Executive Wing). Take a tour with one of our trained guides to visit key parts of Parliament’s buildings and learn about our parliamentary processes.

The Stagecoach City Circular bus runs at regular intervals, seven days a week. This bus stops close to the lower gates of Parliament grounds.

It is easy to find Parliament on foot from the main bus depot – just walk towards the city centre from the bus depot and you will see Parliament Buildings immediately ahead of you.

Parliament grounds are close to nearby Thorndon and most of the inner city. To find the Visitor Centre, walk across Parliament grounds towards the main Parliament entrance and follow the signs.

There’s a wide range of information about Parliament available at the Visitor Centre. If you want to visit the public galleries to watch the House in session, ask for directions from the Visitor Centre staff. We suggest you check the House sitting programme first to make sure that the House is sitting at the time of your visit.

Tour Times: Monday to Friday 10:00am-4:00pm; Saturday and most public holidays 10:00am-3:00pm; Sunday 11:00am-3:00pm (Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, 2nd January, Waitangi Day (February 6th), Good Friday.) Additional tours are offered during school holidays and other busy periods. Tour times are occasionally subject to change.

Explore New Zealand’s nature, art, history, and cultural heritage at Te Papa.

The tiny Colonial Museum opened behind Parliament Buildings shortly after Parliament moved to Wellington in 1865. Te Papa is situated in Cable Street on Wellington’s waterfront.

First-time visitors, don’t miss our exhibition highlights from the story of Maori in New Zealand to the interactive exhibition OurSpace. Te Papa’s user-generated interactive exhibition – contribute your photos and videos from home and, once here, get creative on our interactive wall.

Explore New Zealand’s culture and geography with the interactive map and adrenalin-pumping High Ride. Plus climb aboard a submarine simulator to explore a virtual undersea volcano. Discover the world of Maori as tangata whenua – the first settlers of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Shake things up in the Earthquake House! Discover the powerful geological forces that shape New Zealand’s landscape. See the heaviest colossal squid ever caught and the only complete one on display in the world.
Build a virtual squid from home and then come and find it in exhibition.

From kiwi to kauri, explore the variety of New Zealand’s animals and plants. Enter a junk shop that transports you through 100 years of New Zealand history on film. Visit the unique Marae (communal meeting place), designed and created by leading Maori artists. The Marae embodies the bicultural partnership at the heart of Te Papa.

For private study and research purposes only, you can photograph, film, or video: people in the Museum, general Museum scenes, the building itself. However, public display of these images is strictly prohibited.

You are not allowed to directly photograph, film, video, or otherwise copy any works on display in the Museum, including: display cases, paintings, objects, taonga (Maori cultural treasures). In some exhibitions, photography, filming, and videoing are completely prohibited. A sign at the exhibition entrance will make this clear.

With helpful hosts, cafes, shops, a library, and an onsite multimedia database, Te Papa looks after you well. Access and help for people with disabilities is provided, plus rooms for parents with young children.

Te Papa offers a range of tours, including daily tours and private group tours. We also provide a visitor booklet and an audio guide.

Free Entry (Charges apply to some short-term exhibitions and activities.)
Open Daily: Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 6:00pm / Thursdays: 10:00am – 9:00pm (Closed Christmas Day)

Zealandia: The Karori Wildlife Sanctuary Experience is a protected natural area where the bio-diversity of a square mile of forest is being restored.

Zealandia is a world-first conservation attraction where a unique protected natural area is being patiently restored. Some of New Zealand’s rarest and most endangered wildlife has been released inside the sanctuary like the little spotted kiwi, tuatara, saddleback, stitchbird and kaka.

Stroll leisurely around natural bush, lakes and historical buildings at your own pace or book a guided tour during the day or night. You can walk across a unique historic dam, see a 19th century goldmine carved deep into the hillside, take a scenic ride on an electric boat or picnic on the lawns by the wetlands. All only 2.5 kilometres from Parliament Buildings.

The Visitor Centre is at the end of Waiapu Road, Karori (first left after the Karori tunnel).
Open Daily 10am – 5pm

Tours Are Not Included (Pay As You Go).

Take a trip to the Weta Cave, a mini-museum, a shop and a theaterette that you can visit.

On the corner of the Weta premises in Miramar, Wellington. The museum contains props from films and projects such as Lord of the Rings! In the theaterette we show a 20 minute behind-the-scenes DVD about the work that goes on at Weta. Be sure to visit the shop, which offers everything from souvenirs and Weta merchandise to collectible sculptures.

Entry: Free: Hours: Seven Days a Week, 9:00am – 5:30pm; Phone: 64 (04) 380 9361
Address: Corner of Camperdown Road and Weka Street, Miramar, Wellington
Bus Route 2: Get off at Camperdown Road

Travel by shuttle from your vacation accommodation in Wellington to the Ferry Terminal.

Please note: For airport transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

The 92 km journey across Cook Strait between Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island) takes only 3 hours and has been described as `one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world`.

Relax and enjoy the voyage on the Interislander Plus, the premium vessel traveling the straight. The vessel offers a stunning view of the South Island’s Kaikoura ranges and the opportunity to spot dolphins and sea birds.

Be greeted by staff at reception where you can purchase cinema tickets, phone cards, magazine, confectionary, souvenirs, postcards and stamps. Complimentary beer, wine, tea, coffee and finger food are available or you can purchase food from the Fresh Food Court for a hot meal. There are multiple food service areas on the Interislander for you to choose from. Then, relax in the TV lounge or cinema or enjoy a local band in the bar. With a little bit of everything to choose from, the Interislander is truly the premium way of traveling the straight.

The Coastal Pacific train journey travels between the delightful port of Picton and Christchurch.

This 5.5 hour scenic feast is one of the world’s most scenic train journeys. The Coastal Pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges, one of them being New Zealand’s only road-rail bridge.
This journey is a scenic feast of New Zealand, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. Travel through some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural and farmland areas, and see amazing wildlife such as dolphins, seals and penguins from the comfort of your train carriage.

Photo Credit: KiwiRail Limited

Travel by shuttle from the train station to your vacation accommodation.

Please note: For transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

Travel to your accommodation in Christchurch, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 night.

Your 4 Star vacation accommodation in Christchurch, located on New Zealand’s South Island, offers a stylish boutique hotel, just metres from Cathedral Square, major business houses, convention facilities and prime attractions. The city, also known as the “Garden City” offers many opportunities to either rest from your travel or explore the city. Consider traveling to Arthur’s Pass National Park, which has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. Experience a breathtaking journey aboard the TranzAlpine Train winding its way through New Zealand’s magnificent Waimakariri Gorge.

Enjoy a three day tour from Christchurch to Queenstown via the West Coast.

Day 1: Christchurch-Franz Josef
Leaving Christchurch city on The TranzAlpine train, we cross the Canterbury Plains and into the Arthur’s Pass National Park. From Arthur’s Pass our journey is via an 8.5 km long rail tunnel that has been cut through the heart of the Southern Alps. Once on the West Coast we follow a narrow coastal strip of beech forest with spectacular mountain back- drops south to the glaciers for two nights stay.

Day 2 :Franz Josef
Today we have included a guided walk which accesses the rugged terminal ice face of the glacier. Round trip takes about four hours with about 1 hour spent exploring the lower glacier. Enjoy a fascinating commentary on the history and geology of the area. The rest of the day is free for optional activities which may include scenic flights up to the glaciers, or short walks into the native rainforest.

Day 3: Franz Josef-Queenstown
We travel with Newmans Coachlines deeper into South Westland taking in the spectacle of Haast Pass, carved by the Haast River and framed by the Southern Alps. Take in the views of many beautiful lakes including Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan and Wakatipu before arriving in Queenstown where the tour concludes.

This tour can also operate in reverse ex Queenstown, ending in Christchurch (same cost).

Travel to your accommodation in Queenstown, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 3 nights.

It’s all about location! Your 4 star accommodations sits in a tranquil lakefront setting only a minute’s walk from the heart of Queenstown with shopping, restaurants, nightlife and activities all within easy reach. This fresh, modern hotel features rooms and facilities furnished with the finest comforts and conveniences. A place where you can relax with surperb uninterrupted views of the lake, mountains and adjoining gardens. Comfortable and serene you will surely enjoy your stay here!

Upgrades Available: Garden View Room, Lakeview Room

One of the first sights to captivate visitors to Queenstown is the distinctive outline of the Skyline complex high above town.

Located an easy 5 minute walk from central Queenstown and exclusively accessed by scenic gondola, Skyline Gondola, Restaurant & Luge is a must-see attraction during your visit to Queenstown, New Zealand. The best views in the region are found here spread out in a spectacular 220 degree panorama, with breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkable mountain range and across Lake Wakatipu to Cecil and Walter Peaks. It’s truly magnificent and awe-inspiring!

Of course there’s more to do than just admire the view! For an additional cost you can:

• Enjoy a dinner or relax in the bar in the Skyline Restaurant. Casual dining is also available during the day in the Cafe.
• Thrill seekers can hurtle down the winding downhill Skyline Luge. Purpose built Luge carts put you in complete control as you take on a half-mile of banked corners, tunnels and dippers. Once you’ve conquered the course, hop on the chairlift and do it all again, and again, and again. Gentle and leisurely or steep and adventurous, you’ll be hooked.
• Explore the southern night sky of Queenstown with a guided tour of the galaxy and learn about the stars, nebulae and planets that make up our solar system and beyond.

Ask your Destination Specialist about available combo packages to make your day at Skyline more enjoyable.

Various walking tracks can also be accessed from Skyline, from an easy 30 minute walk to a full day hike.

This jet boat adventure offers your senses a feast of spectacular natural beauty on a journey into the wilderness of a World Heritage area.

Your day begins with 1.5 hour journey on a jet boat through the Dart’s river system. You’ll be surrounded by beautiful snow-covered peaks, hidden valleys & waterfalls. Your day includes a guided walk (30-40 minutes) along the ‘Heritage Trail’ at Paradise. Your guide will provide you with informative & entertaining commentary about the ancient native beech forest. The forests of this region sit within a World Heritage Area, one of the only natural sites of its kind that is accessible to the public.

Your guide details the fascinating history of this area from the days of Gondwanaland, to quests by Maori for prized pounamu, to the present-day efforts of New Zealand’s department of conservation for the preservation of the area. The day ends with a 4WD coach drive along a scenic back road. You will be entertained with stories of the countryside. On the ride home, you will stop to view the epic backdrop for many international movies, including ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy.
Dart River Wilderness Safari is a high-country adventure. To ensure that your experience is truly enjoyable, please: – Dress warmly and wear comfortable walking shoes, regardless of season or weather. – Bring sunglasses, a sunhat and sunscreen (insect repellent could also be useful in some weather conditions – all of which are available at the shop in Glenorchy, so don’t worry if you forget them) – Note that cameras are carried at customers risk.

Tour itself is approximately 6.5 hours.

Spend a day to relax or explore dynamic Queenstown.

This region is renowned for its incedible adventure activities and spectacular outdoor terrain. You could try skiing, snowboarding, bungy jumping, paragliding, jetboating, sky diving and more! Or, if you want something a little more relaxed, you can choose from numerous family activities, nature experiences, tours and beauty spas. One hundred and forty years after our establishment as a gold mining camp, central Queenstown has transformed into a sophisticated cosmopolitan town, tucked into a picturesque bay on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, beneath majestic mountains. There’s a permanent buzz in downtown Queenstown, where you’ll find a fantastic choice of restaurants, a lively bar scene and excellent shopping.

Photo Credit: Tourism New Zealand

Visit Mount Cook National Park and experience the beauty of this Alpine area dominated by Australasia’s highest peak before returning back to Queenstown.

Your coach tour begins and ends in Queenstown.

Depart Queenstown which sits on the shores of beautiful lake Wakatipu.

On your arrival to Mount Cook you’ll have lunch at a village cafe (own arrangements), or explore the walks in and around the village (1 hour approximate).

At Lake Tekapo your have a spectacular sight on clear days of the Southern Alps at the far end of the lake.

Full Day Tour
Fare includes: Selected Queenstown Hotel/Motel pickup and drop off, coach and tax.

Photo Credit: Tourism New Zealand

When you discover Doubtful Sound you will be struck by its silence, a silence broken only by birdsong, or maybe the rushing of a distant waterfall.

On boarding a luxury coach in Queenstown, travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Manapouri. Then cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to West Arm before boarding a coach and crossing the alpine route of Wilmot Pass through some of Fiordland’s most dense rainforest. On reaching Deep Cove, board a modern catamaran vessel, the Patea Explorer for a three hour cruise exploring the waterways of this serene and isolated fiord.

There is plenty of time available to explore points of interest and view the spectacular alpine scenery including waterfalls, rainforest and mountains all the way out to the Tasman Sea. It is home to bottlenose dolphins and fur seals and when in season, the rare Fiordland crested penguin. An onboard nature guide with specialist knowledge of the region’s history, flora and fauna provides detailed interpretation in English with a roving microphone. On the return cruise, the vessel’s engines are turned off and passengers are treated to the ‘sound of silence’. There is also a visit included to the Manapouri Power Station by coach before returning to Queenstown. Manapouri Power Station is an impressively large underground hydroelectric power station on the western arm of Lake Manapouri in Fiordland National Park. Lunch options and complimentary tea and coffee are available on the vessel.

*A picnic lunch can be pre-ordered before your tour for an additional cost. There is also a selection of cafe food aboard the vessel for purchase.

Tour departs at approximately 7am and returns at approximately 8pm (seasonally adjusted). Photo Credit: Tourism Media

As you explore by path and small boat, your senses will be overwhelmed. The delicate incandescence of thousands of tiny glowworms is a magical sight.

Travel from Queenstown to Te Anau via luxury glass-roofed coach where you Glowworm Cave adventure begins. Enjoy some free time in Te Anau and then a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to the western side of the lake. Upon arrival there is time to view informative displays at Cavern House before our friendly guides invite you to accompany them underground in small groups.

Explore a mysterious underground world of rushing water before drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glowworms in the glowworm grotto.

Resonable agility level is required as there are some bending due to low caves and some steps. Please do not wear high heels. Tour duration 2hrs 30mins.

Travel by shuttle from your vacation accommodation in Queenstown, New Zealand, to the Airport.

Please note: For airport transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

Travel within New Zealand by domestic air from Queenstown to Auckland (North Island).

Today depart Auckland and fly to the USA. Enjoy an in-flight dinner and movie with arrival in the USA. Note: you will be traveling back across the International Date Line. Gain that day back you lost on the way over, you actually arrive in the USA on the same day you leave Auckland.

Note: Flight may include a stop over in Australia.