Experience New Zealand’s vast beauty on a journey that moves from Auckland’s harborside charm to Rotorua’s geothermal landscapes, Wellington’s creative pulse and the wide-open drama of the South Island.
18 days
|From £5,345 pp
Experience New Zealand’s vast beauty on a journey that moves from Auckland’s harborside charm to Rotorua’s geothermal landscapes, Wellington’s creative pulse and the wide-open drama of the South Island.
This twelve-night escape has been curated for slow exploration, meaningful encounters and moments of quiet connection with nature. You’ll journey through volcanic valleys, sail across Marlborough Sounds, walk lakeside trails beneath snow-dusted peaks and stand before the stillness of Milford Sound. Every detail is shaped for ease, balance and discovery.
Begin in Auckland, the City of Sails. Settle into The Hotel Britomart, your calm, contemporary base in the heart of the city.
Spend your time wandering the waterfront, exploring local galleries and cafés, or taking in panoramic views from the Sky Tower. The streets around Britomart offer a gentle mix of dining, design stores and coastal atmosphere, ideal for easing into the journey ahead.
Collect your car and drive south through Waikato’s rolling green farmland toward Rotorua, a region steeped in geothermal power and Māori tradition. En route, visit the famous Hobbiton and wander the Shire’s storybook hills before continuing toward Rotorua’s steaming valleys.
Stay at Regent of Rotorua, a boutique retreat close to the lake. Explore Waimangu Volcanic Valley, where native forest is interspersed with colourful geothermal pools, then cruise across the still waters of Lake Rotomahana.
In the evening, immerse yourself in Māori food, storytelling and song, gaining insight into the culture that shapes this region.
Fly south to Wellington, New Zealand’s compact, creative capital. Stay at InterContinental Wellington, moments from the harbour.
Explore the National Museum of Te Papa, stroll through the city’s leafy botanical gardens or wander Cuba Street’s cafés and galleries. After dark, join a guided walk in Zealandia, an eco-sanctuary where the elusive kiwi and other native species thrive in the wild.
Travel across the Cook Strait by ferry, drifting through the quiet inlets of the Marlborough Sounds before arriving in the sailing town of Picton. Collect your car and continue into the Marlborough wine region, where vineyards stretch across sunlit valleys.
Stay at The Vintners Retreat and spend your days exploring artisan food producers and renowned wineries. Walk among the vines, taste acclaimed Sauvignon Blancs and take in the stillness of the surrounding hills.
Drive south along the Pacific coastline to Kaikoura, where snow-tipped mountains meet deep ocean. Stay at The Hamptons, a relaxed seaside base.
Head out by boat in search of dolphins, seals and the region’s famous sperm whales. The following day, walk the Kaikoura Peninsula Track for views of dramatic cliffs and fur seal colonies, learning about the region’s geology and maritime history as you explore.
Continue south to Christchurch, known as the Garden City. Stay at The Observatory Hotel, a characterful property within the city’s arts precinct.
Wander Hagley Park, explore the botanic gardens or simply enjoy the gentle balance of urban life and open green space. The next morning, board the famed TranzAlpine train, journeying west through the Canterbury Plains toward Arthur’s Pass for a day of alpine walking and expansive landscapes.
Travel toward Lake Tekapo, part of a UNESCO Dark Sky Reserve. Settle into Ranginui B&B, a lakeside escape with views of turquoise water and surrounding peaks.
Explore the region at your own pace: visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at sunrise, walk through Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park or return in the evening for stargazing under some of the clearest skies in the southern hemisphere.
Drive south through shifting high-country landscapes to Queenstown, framed by Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables mountain range. Stay at Queenstown House Boutique B&B, a warm and elegant retreat.
Cruise Milford Sound, watching waterfalls tumble down sheer cliffs, then return by light aircraft if weather allows, taking in glaciers and peaks from above. Your final day is yours to shape. Spend it wine tasting in Otago, hiking the breathtaking mountain trails, or simply unwind with a quiet soak in a cedar hot tub overlooking the valley.
After a journey shaped by wilderness, coastlines and thoughtful connection, begin your journey home.
Explore Queenstown’s iconic bungee jumping and skydiving with private access, expert guides, and sweeping views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables.
A privately arranged after-hours vineyard dinner in Hawke’s Bay, pairing seasonal cuisine and library wines in rare seclusion, curated by Do Not Disturb.
A visit to Tekapo’s alpine hot pools at dusk offers rare stillness in one of New Zealand’s most elemental landscapes. As daylight fades over Lake Tekapo and the Southern Alps, warm mineral water, crisp air, andly timed darkening skies combine to create a moment of physical and mental ease.
A privately arranged heli-hike on Franz Josef Glacier offers rare access to one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most dramatic ice landscapes. Reached by helicopter and explored on foot with an expert guide, this experience reveals the scale, movement, and fragility of the glacier far beyond what is possible from valley viewpoints.
Experiencing the Bay of Islands after the last day boats return to harbor reveals a quieter side of New Zealand’s most storied seascape. With beaches emptied, light softening, and the water settling, this privately timed moment offers rare calm in a place usually defined by movement.
Entering a glowworm cave with a private guide transforms the familiar tourist route into an intimate encounter with New Zealand’s underground magic. Soft lighting and the quiet hum of dripping water, this experience offers a rare moment of calm and wonder beneath the surface.
Tell us how you want to feel, we’ll take it from there.
“Our trip was truly magical and full of core memories that will last us a lifetime.”
Michael • Bora Bora Honeymoon
“We just returned from an incredible journey through Ireland, and we couldn’t have had a better experience”
Brad • Ireland Adventure
“This was a flawless experience right from the beginning, we had so many thoughts and ideas flowing around and they took all of them and perfectly curated the most beautiful honeymoon for us.”
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