Holiday Overview
If your time in New Zealand is limited, you can still cram in a lot of highlights. Flying between the islands saves time and is perfect for those who don’t wish to hire a car. This itinerary is perfect to tag onto an Australia stay or as part of an around the world itinerary.
7 nights, 8 days
Start Queenstown, Finish Auckland (V.V)
Islands visited: North and South Island
Highlights;
The dramatic scenery of the Southern Alps
Milford Sound Cruise
Maori Culture
Geothermal Rotorua.
Excludes International & Domestic Flights.
New Zealand Highlights includes:
- 3 Nights Accommodation Queenstown
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Coach Transfer Queenstown - Christchurch
- 1 Night Accommodation Christchurch
- 2 Nights Accommodation Rotorua
- Entrance to the Geo Thermal and Cultural Centre of Te Puia
- Small Coach transfer from Rotorua via Hobbiton to Auckland
- 1 Night Accommodation Auckland
Day 1 - Queenstown
Arrive in Queenstown, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 2 - Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown
Take a full day tour to enjoy a cruise on Milford Sound. The tour includes hotel pick up and drop off, coach transfer to Milford Sound and a JUCY Cruise, along with an informative commentary and plenty of photo opportunities throughout the day.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 3 - Queenstown
Spend the day at leisure, perhaps take a walk by the lake or just enjoy the stunning views. In the evening take the Gondola to the top of the mountain for a stargazing guide to the Southern skies.
Featured accommodation
Heritage Queenstown
Day 4 - Queenstown - Christchurch
Take the intercity coach from Queenstown to Christchurch. Departing from the centre of Queenstown at 08:05 the journey takes around 8 hours and has multiple stop en route. Spend the evening at leisure in Christchurch
Featured accommodation
BreakFree on Cashel
Day 5 - Christchurch - Rotorua
Take the short domestic flight from Christchurch to Rotorua. Spend the rest of the day exploring Rotorua at leisure.
Featured accommodation
Pullman Rotorua
Day 6 - Rotorua
Visit Te Puia a 70-hectare geothermal park right on the edge of Rotorua. It's home of the world famous Phutu geyser and the national carving and weaving schools. They also house the kiwi, New Zealand's most well-known bird and have daily Maori cultural performances, why not upgrade your experience with a steambox lunch including delicious food steam-cooked in a natural geothermal environment?
Featured accommodation
Pullman Rotorua
Unmissable Experiences
Te Puia
Day 7 - Rotorua to Auckland via Hobbiton
On this tour you are collected from your Rotorua accommodation by shuttle and transferred to Hobbiton Movie Set. On arrival at Shire’s Rest you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest “green set” in the world. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the door of Bilbo’s house, “Bag End”, looking out over the whole set to the hills in the distance. The tour ends with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn for a drink. After the tour your lunch is included at the Green Dragon party marquee before heading on to Auckland (arrival circa 15:00). Spend the rest of the day at leisure in Auckland
Featured accommodation
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Day 8 - Auckland
Your New Zealand Highlights itinerary concludes today in Auckland.
Or, Why not extend your New Zealand trip with an 'unmissable experience' to the Bay of Islands before starting this itinerary?
Unmissable Experiences
Bay of Islands Extension
Heritage Queenstown
Queenstown, New Zealand’s mountain playground, is one of the great alpine regions of the world and the charming Heritage Queenstown Hotel calls this place home - the resort offers a hotel experience certain to leave you breathless.
BreakFree on Cashel
Christchurch has evolved as a true cultural hub, embracing its chance to become a city re-imagined. This Christchurch accommodation is located in the heart of the CBD near Manchester and Hereford Streets, from BreakFree on Cashel, you’re in the perfect location to stroll to trendy cafes, restaurants or bars on offer.
Pullman Rotorua
Situated in the heart of the city and moments away from the lakefront, Pullman Rotorua is the perfect base to explore the region’s geothermal paradise for families, adventures, business travellers and conference delegates.
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua
Copthorne Hotel Rotorua is located midway between central Rotorua and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Facilities include a heated outdoor pool and a fitness centre. Guests enjoy free WiFi throughout.
Copthorne Hotel Auckland City
Simple, sophisticated, and designed for comfort. Copthorne Hotel Auckland City is centrally located, making it the perfect base to explore the city or attend conferences. Nearby you’ll find Queen Street shopping, the Central Business District, and University of Auckland. This hotel is just a 10-minute walk away from the Viaduct Basin and Spark Arena.
Image Gallery
Milford
Rotorua
Hobbiton
Queenstown
Christchurch
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2025, 2026 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
Wilderness, Wine & Whales
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins
- Giant Sperm Whales of Kaikoura
- Blenheim wine tour
- Wellington Botanic Gardens
- Save £150 per person book by 31 March
- Receive a free case of wine
11 Nights from £3450pp
New Zealand’s Best of Both Islands
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Abel Tasman
- Punakaiki
- Christchurch
- Geo Thermal Activity in Rotorua
- Tranzalpine Train
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Hawkes Bay Winelands
- Save £150 per person book by 31 March
- Receive a free case of wine
13 Nights from £3525pp
Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
- Christchurch
- Lake Tekapo
- Queenstown
- Sydney
- Cairns
- Melbourne
- Stunning Mountain Scenery in New Zealand
- See Sydney and the Blue Mountains
- Visit the Great Barrier Reef and Tropical Rainforest
- Get up close to Koala's and Penguins on Phillip Island
- Save £150 per person book by 31 March
- Receive a free case of wine
14 Nights from £4430pp
Ultimate Australia & New Zealand
- Melbourne
- Uluru (Ayers Rock)
- Alice Springs
- Cairns
- Sydney
- Queenstown
- Franz Josef
- Christchurch
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Experience the dusty Outback
- Explore the Great Barrier Reef
- Enjoy beautiful Sydney & The Blue Mountains
- Enjoy the stunning mountain scenery of New Zealand
- Save £150 per person book by 31 March
- Receive a free case of wine
21 Nights from £6829pp
New Zealand By Train
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Blenheim
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Scenic Rail Journeys
- North and South Islands
- See Mount Ruapehu
- Unwind in The Marlborough Sounds
- Save £150 per person book by 31 March
- Receive a free case of wine
13 Nights from £3670pp
North Island’s Hot Spots
- Wellington
- Taupo
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Visit Geo Thermal Rotorua
- See the impressive Huka Falls
- Experience Maori Culture
- Spend time in Auckland and Wellington
- Save £150 per person book by 31 March
- Receive a free case of wine
8 Nights from £1055pp
