The below itinerary is only a suggestion, we offer tailor-made personal service and solutions to help you plan your perfect vacation. This itinerary is also available in the reverse direction.
Day 1 Arrive Queenstown
Welcome to New Zealand! Upon arrival into Queenstown, enjoy a private transfer to Eichardt’s Private Hotel, which will serve as your luxurious accommodation for the next 3 nights. With a fantastic location in the heart of Queenstown, Eichardt’s has Lake Wakatipu on its doorstep.
Day 2 Milford Sound Heli Cruise
Today is devoted to spectacular scenery. Enjoy a 4 hour excursion by helicopter through the dramatic alpine landscapes of Fiordland National Park and arrive to the spectacular Milford Sound in style. Upon arrival, board a nature cruise for a leisurely itinerary that allows you to soak up the views in an unrushed fashion. Capture spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, and towering peaks on your camera, and keep an eye out for fur seals, dolphins, and penguins along the way. After the cruise, fly back over the fjords and land on an age-old glacier. We’ll shut down the helicopter here to enjoy peaceful serenity swept well away from frenzied crowds.
Day 3 Queenstown at Leisure
With today entirely free to explore Queenstown at your leisure, you can visit historic Arrowtown and learn the mining history of the region or perhaps take a wine tasting tour through Otago to sample excellent pinot noirs. If you’re looking for more of an adrenaline rush, Queenstown is the perfect base for bungee jumping, sky diving, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, zip-lining, canyon swinging, luging, and more!
Day 4 Queenstown to Christchurch (Flight) drive to Kaikoura (181km / 112mi)
After a short flight (not included) to Christchurch, take a drive to the beautiful coastal town of Kaikoura, where the mountains meet the sea. Your accommodation is at Hapuku Lodge + Treehouses, a luxurious treehouse 10 meters above the ground with breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and the pacific coast. Each room has a luxurious spa bath, wood-burning fireplace, and custom-designed furnishings, and you can enjoy delicious gourmet meals at Hapuku’s restaurant, take a swim in the heated lap pool, indulge in spa treatments or get out and about with complimentary use of mountain bikes.
Day 5 Swimming with Dolphins or a Whale Watching Cruise
Today you have a choice of one of two sightseeing options, both sure to leave you with lifelong memories:
Option 1: Swim with the dolphins
A chance to swim with adorable dusky dolphins! These playful dolphins reside in Kaikoura’s coastal waters year-round, and pods of 100 dolphins or more are common. Get into the water and watch with delight as the dolphins swim, leap and play around you.
Option 2: Whale Watch Cruise
Embark on a whale watching cruise to see giant sperm whales in action. While these year-round residents are always the star of the show, a typical tour can also include New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season, you may also see migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales and southern right whales.
After your tour, the afternoon is free to do as little or as much as you like.
Day 6 Kaikoura to Blenheim (128km / 80mi)
Departing from the marine playground of Kaikoura, take a jaw-dropping coastal drive north to wine country. Grab lunch at one of the roadside stalls selling incredibly fresh and fantastic lobster, then continue on to Blenheim, the capital of New Zealand wine country.
Day 7 Private Tour of Marlborough’s Wine Region
Forget the driving today as we take you on a private tour of the Marlborough wine region. Enjoy a range of gourmet treats and wine tastings like the famous Cloudy Bay before embarking on a cruise through the Marlborough Sounds. Take in the natural beauty of the landscapes that lay before you, then visit a greenshell mussel farm and taste them—freshly steamed—alongside a well-matched Marlborough sauvignon blanc.
Day 8 Blenheim to Auckland / Waiheke Island (Flight)
By day eight it’s time to say goodbye to the South Island. Drop off your rental car at the airport and take a short flight (not included) to Auckland – New Zealand’s most populous city – then enjoy a private transfer to the ferry terminal and take a ferry to Waiheke Island. As Auckland’s chic and stylish neighboring island, you’ll find an eclectic mix of vineyards, sophisticated restaurants, holiday homes, artist studios and galleries, and golden sand beaches. Your home for the next 2 nights is The Boatshed, a glorious boutique hotel right on the seaside, with fabulous views over Oneroa Beach.
Day 9 Waiheke Island
After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a private tour around Waiheke to experience award-winning wines, homemade goods, art and beautiful scenery. The inhabitants of the island are a diverse bunch of creative, passionate and original people, drawn together by a communal love of the island and its unique lifestyle. A “small is beautiful” philosophy yields low quantities of extremely high-quality produce, which in turn makes for some of New Zealand’s most delicious wines. By evening, you’ll return to The Boatshed for your second night.
Day 10 Waiheke Island to Auckland
Today, your fabulous New Zealand vacation comes to an end. After taking the ferry back to Auckland, a private transfer will be waiting to bring you to the airport or your hotel.