Holiday Overview
Spend 12 days exploring the North and South Islands of this small country packed with wonders. Travelling by train, gondola, boat, and plane, sample local wine, walk through an ancient rainforest, and learn about local legends and cuisine from the Maori. Take a deep breath to fill your lungs with the impossibly clean air here — and fill your soul with the legendary Kiwi spirit.
TRAVEL STYLE: NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC JOURNEYS Greater exploration, insider access, and the freedom to roam – all without sacrificing comfort.
SERVICE LEVEL: UPGRADED Quality accommodations and more inclusions than on other G Adventures tours, like meals, private transport, and activities.
PHYSICAL RATING: 2 - LIGHT Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
TRIP TYPE: SMALL GROUP Small group experience; Max 16, Avg 12.
AGE REQUIREMENT: 12+ All travellers under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
2024 Dates (subject to availablility)
| 2024 | Prices From |
| Nov - 17, 24 | Adult £4299pp |
| Dec - 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 | Adult £4549pp |
New Zealand Journey includes:
- ACCOMMODATIONS Hotels (10 nts), cruise boat (1 nt, seasonal).
- MEALS 11 breakfasts, 2 dinners
- TRANSPORTATION Private vehicle, plane, train, boat, walking.
- STAFF & EXPERTS CEO (Chief Experience Officer) throughout, local guides.
Day 1 - AUCKLAND
Arrive at any time.
Hotel: City Life Auckland or similar
Day 2 - AUCKLAND
Enjoy a morning orientation walk before catching a ferry to Waiheke Island. Visit two local wineries to learn more about New Zealand's burgeoning wine industry and the history of wine production in the country while sampling some of the local blends, of course.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Journeys Highlight Moment Waiheke Island Wineries Meals included: Breakfast
Hotel: City Life Auckland or similar
Day 3 - AUCKLAND / ROTORUA
Drive to Rotorua, stopping for an excursion at Waitomo Caves where you'll take a boat ride through the cave and see thousands of flickering glowworms lighting up the walls.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel Rotorua or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Featured accommodation
Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Day 4 - ROTORUA
Enjoy a free day in Rotorua which sits over an active geothermal zone with bubbling mud pits and multi-coloured pools. Opt to visit one of the geothermal sites, or go whitewater rafting. This evening visit Tamaki Maori Village and enjoy a private welcome and talk from a “Kaumātua” (an elder in Māori society). After, watch an extravagant performance about local myths and legends while dining on traditional Hangi cuisine.
Exclusive Inclusions: Your Journeys Highlight Moment Meet a Maori Elder
Hotel: Millennium Hotel Rotorua or similar Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Featured accommodation
Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Day 5 - ROTORUA / CHRISTCHURCH
Enjoy free time this morning in Rotorua before catching a flight to Christchurch. This afternoon, meet with a local expert and explore lesser-known paths around Christchurch on a unique walking tour of the city.
Hotel: Chateau on the Park Hotel or similar
Day 6 - CHRISTCHURCH / FRANZ JOSEF
Enjoy one of the world’s great scenic train trips on the TranzAlpine train, crossing the scenic Southern Alps to New Zealand's glacier region. Disembark and finish the journey over the highest pass in the Southern Alps in a private vehicle before transferring to a beautiful rainforest lodge, your home for two nights.
Hotel: Rainforest Retreat or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 7 - FRANZ JOSEF
Enjoy free time to explore the area. Opt for a helicopter hike, ice walking on the glacier, or soaking in hot pools among stunning scenery.
Hotel: Rainforest Retreat or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 8 - FRANZ JOSEF / QUEENSTOWN
Take a stunning scenic drive through the rugged rainforest along the west coast to Queenstown.
Hotel: Peppers Beacon Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 9 - QUEENSTOWN / FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK
Embark on an amazing wilderness cruise through Fiordland National Park. Led by onboard naturalist guides, we have the chance to see dolphins, fur seals, birds, and penguins, with the option to kayak. Spend the night onboard in comfortable cabins (seasonal) with time to relax on deck and stargaze.
Meals included: Breakfast | Dinner
Day 10 - FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK / QUEENSTOWN
Enjoy early morning wildlife viewing along the fiord as we cruise back to port, then return to Queenstown.
Hotel: Peppers Beacon Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 11 - QUEENSTOWN
Enjoy a free day to explore on your own, visit a winery, or cruise on a historic steamship. Feeling a bit more adventurous? Opt to go bungee jumping, jet boating, skydiving, paragliding, or mountain biking. This evening enjoy a gondola ride with spectacular views of the city and surrounding landscape.
Hotel: Peppers Beacon Hotel or similar
Meals included: Breakfast
Day 12 - QUEENSTOWN
Depart at any time.
Meals included: Breakfast
Image Gallery
Rotorua
Queenstown
Auckland
Rotorua
Fjordland
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 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
Southern Spotlight Escorted Tour
- Christchurch
- Omarama
- Dunedin
- Te Anau
- Queenstown
- Franz Josef
- Visit Mount Cook National Park
- Trip on the Tranzalpine Train
- Cruise the stunning Milford Sound
- Visit some great cities
8 Nights from £2597pp
Long White Cloud Escorted Tour
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Milford Sound
- Te Anau
- Dunedin
- Wellington
- Hawkes Bay
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Visit Franz Josef Glacier
- Cruise the stunning Milford Sound
- Ride Tranzalpine - one of the world's great rail journeys
- Scenic ferry crossing from South to North Island
18 Nights from £8757pp
Northern Spotlight Escorted Tour
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- Rotorua
- Wellington
- Experience the glowworms at Waitomo Caves
- Explore the Bay of Islands and the famous Hole in the Rock on a cruise
- Visit Te Papa - New Zealand's national museum
- Regional Dining Experience - Hangi (food cooked underground) at the Tamaki Maori Village.
7 Nights from £2202pp
New Zealand Journey
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Fiordland National Park
- National Geographic Journey
- See Geo Thermal Rotorua
- Visit Fjordland National Park
11 Nights from £4299pp
Explore the North Island a Small Group Tour
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- The Coromandel
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Small Group Escourted Tour
- Visit Geothermal Pools & geysers in Rotorua
- Experience Maori culture with a cultural performance and fest
- Travel on Wellington’s famous Cable Car
10 Nights from £6675pp
Highlights of the South Island a Small Group Tour
- Wellington
- Nelson NZ
- Abel Tasman
- Punakaiki
- Fox Glacier
- Wanaka
- Te Anau
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
- Small Group Escourted Tour
- Enjoy wine tasting in Marlborough
- Scenic cruise through Milford Sound
- Visit the famous Pancake Rocks
13 Nights from £7515pp
New Zealand Up Close Rail Holiday
- Auckland
- Hamilton
- Rotorua
- Wellington
- Marlborough Sounds
- Kaikoura
- Christchurch
- Hokitika
- Franz Josef
- Queenstown
- Travel onboard the scenic Tranz Alpine Train
- Experience the bioluminescent glowworm caves of Waitomo
- Escape on nautical adventures along Milford Sound, Queen Charlotte Sound and Lake Wakatipu
- Discover Haast Pass on a unique Kiwi-style Road Trip adventure
16 Nights from £9340pp
Discover New Zealand a Small Group Tour
- Auckland
- Bay of Islands
- The Coromandel
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Nelson
- Abel Tasman
- Punakaiki
- Fox Glacier
- Wanaka
- Te Anau
- Queenstown
- Christchurch
- Small Group Escourted Tour
- Visit the spectacular geothermal valley where you will see geysers, mud pools & hot springs
- Cruise the scenic Milford Sound
- Learn about Maori culture with a feast and powerful cultural performance
22 Nights from £10325pp
