Auckland: Best of New Zealand: Holiday of a Lifetime

Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland, New Zealand.

Upon arrival to Auckland International Airport, please make your own way to hotel.

AUCKLAND / TĀMAKI MAKAURAU - an exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city's many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach. The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand's biggest city, and the population mix of European, Maori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World.

Meet with your Goway Tour Director at hotel lobby for a city orientation tour this afternoon including the bustling downtown and waterfront areas, see panoramic views of the city from the Auckland Domain and the pretty north shore from the Auckland Harbour Bridge

Drop off to SkyCity Orbit Restaurant where 3 course dinner is reserved for this evening. Return to hotel after dinner.

Depart Auckland this morning. Meet your driver at the hotel for the journey to Rotorua including visit at Hobbiton and Waitomo Cave

Hobbiton Movie Set Tours|Hobbiton Movie Set Tour & Marquee Festive Feast Lunch
Join us and experience the real Middle-earth at the Hobbiton Movie Set, where, in the heart of the Waikato region, you can step into the lush pastures of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Your guide will then escort you around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations and explaining how the movie magic was made. You will be fully guided around the 12 acre set; past Hobbit Hole, the Mill and into the world-famous Green Dragon Inn, where you will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive Hobbiton Southfarthing beverage to conclude your own Middle-earth adventure.

Experience the taste of the Shire with a delicious buffet lunch served in the Party Marquee. The painted canvas exterior, vibrant bunting and colourful lanterns means visitors are immersed in the festive magic of the movies. The Party Marquee is adjacent to The Green Dragon Inn, with the garden bar seating overlooking the Hobbiton Movie Set, providing an exquisite view for all our guests. Your meal is served buffet style from a specially themed table, bursting with hobbit fare, with shared table seating to dine family style with your group.

Depart Hobbiton and travel to Waitomo. Arrive at Waitomo for a guided tour through the spectacular Waitomo Caves and an underground boat ride through the famous 'Glowworm Grotto'

Waitomo Glowworm Caves|Waitomo Glowworm Caves
Your guided tour will take you through over 250 metres of stunning underground scenery commencing with the impressive Cathedral. Your tour begins at the upper entrance of the cave and proceeds along a low narrow passage to the Tomo, a deep limestone shaft. Your experienced tour guide will deliver a highly informative commentary about the formations, sharing stories, cultural legends and the natural wonders of this living masterpiece and the history of the area. The highlight of your tour is an unrivalled boat trip through the spectacular Glowworm Grotto.

Marvel at Mother Nature's light display as you glide silently through the starry wonderland of the Glowworm Grotto. Meander underground along the Waitomo River and gaze in silence at the myriad of glow worm lights that make up the Glowworm Grotto. As you enter this galaxy of tiny living lights, you'll immediately experience a serene ambience and be fascinated and intrigued by tiny glowworms that light your way. Duration: 45mins.

Continue journey to Rotorua. After check-in to hotel, dinner is reserved at hotel this evening.
ROTORUA - located on a volcanic plateau, and formerly a spa town, Rotorua is most famous for its geothermal activity. Rotorua is the main place in New Zealand where aspects of Maori traditions can be seen, from wood carvings, and meeting houses, to a Hangi Dinner and Maori dances. Native and introduced tree species abound locally and combined with several picturesque lakes, Rotorua is a fascinating mix of culture and nature.

Commence your Rotorua sightseeing and visit various attractions.

Agrodome| Farm Show & Farm Tour
An exciting and informative insight into agriculture in New Zealand. You’ll hear amazing facts and have a few laughs as you’re introduced to 19 breeds of sheep. Then, witness a live sheep shearing demonstration and a fun sheep auction with bidding from the floor and audience participation. But the animal stars are not just sheep. The remarkable farm dogs will amaze you, as they demonstrate their ability to respond to commands and keep those sheep (and ducks!) in line! If a hands-on experience is what you want, jump up on stage for the opportunity to feed the baby lambs or even hand-milk a cow! After the Farm Show, jump outside to the dog trial area to watch the talented dogs in the dog trial. Duration approx. 1 hour.
Climb aboard the all-weather, all-terrain vehicle. Along the way, there are fascinating things to learn - and a few laughs too! You’ll get to hand-feed and take photos with all sorts of friendly animals, including Romney sheep, cattle, deer, llamas, ostrich, pigs and alpaca! During your ride you may even spot some rare breeds of sheep. Duration approx. 1 hour.

Te Puia|Te Ra - 90 Minute guided Tour
Be guided through the greenstone, wood carving and flax weaving schools at the New Zealand Māori Arts & Crafts Institute, Rotowhio Pā, Kiwi Conservation Centre and Te Whakarewarewa geothermal valley (an ancient valley where geysers, mud pools and boiling waters still play after 40,000 years) including Pōhutu geyser.

Te Pa Tu|Evening Experience
Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (village) –blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and forest-formed amphitheatre.
Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Summer: Tū Te Rā - Across this lunar phase, the sun expresses optimal energy, the days are longer, and light nourishes the natural world. Tū Te Rā celebrates abundant harvest and explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace.

These can include roasted tuna (native eel), creamy pāua (abalone) on rewena (bread) crostini, foraged greens, chunky smoked kahawai, ember warmed kumara and restorative kawakawa tea.

Torch light guides manuhiri (guests) to a lavish but relaxed four course feast. Hāngī remains hero but it shares the table with lesser-known Māori delicacies, prepared fusion style.

Wagyu pincanha, Watercress chimichurri, taro gratin – even kumara ice-cream - each dish is inspired by or infused with traditional ingredients, stories, or cooking techniques.
Whether dining al fresco or in our wharekai (dining room) we celebrate the spirit of hākari (feasting) and of Aotearoa, New Zealand

Meet with your driver today at hotel lobby and transfer to airport for your domestic flight to Queenstown

On arrival to Queenstown airport, meet with your driver and trasfner to hotel. After check-in to hotel, the rest of the day is free at leisure.

QUEENSTOWN/TAHUNA - is the South Island's most popular resort, set alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu, under the gaze of the Remarkables Ranges. See the contrast of smooth glacier rounded hills, and jagged mountain summits that reach high above the ancient ice floor. The town is renowned for its jet boating, bungy-jumping, skiing and awe-inspiring scenery. Local story has it, that the gold prospectors of the 19th century pronounced the town as "fit for any Queen", and so she was called Queenstown.

This evening we transfer to the Skyline Gondola for a scenic ride to the Stratosphere Restaurant, located at the top of the Gondola

Skyline Queenstown|Gondola and Dinner
Enjoy a scenic Gondola ride and sumptuous buffet-style dinner at Stratosfare Restaurant, serving iconic New Zealand dishes infused with international influences. Allow at least 15 minutes to travel up the Gondola prior to the time booked for dinner.

After dinner, we will be transferred back to our hotel.

Travelling along the Milford Road (between Te Anau and Milford) is one of the finest alpine drives in the world. The scenery is exceptional, ranging from broad grassy flats, dense rainforest, and towering mountains through to glacial lakes and alpine herb fields.

The schedule allows plenty of time for short nature walks and photo stops along the way.

RealNZ | Milford Sound – Cruise & Hot Plated Meal
On arrival at the Milford Wharf, board your Real NZ vessel for your cruise of Milford Sound. The cruise takes in the length of Milford Sound, and offers excellent viewing of waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. Hot plated meal included on cruise.
MILFORD SOUND: Stunning surroundings at the heart of Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area. In Maori legend, the fiords were created not by rivers of ice, but by Tu Te Raki Whanoa, a godly figure who came wielding a magical adze uttering incantations. Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is without doubt his finest sculpture. Luxuriant rainforest clings to sheer rock walls washed with waterfalls. In the foreground stands Mitre Peak, dominating the skyline. Whatever the fiord’s mood, teeming with rain or with sun glistening on deep water, it will inspire you

Return to Queenstown in the early evening.

Today is at your leisure in Queenstown - the place to complete your adventure 'to do' list: Skydiving, bungy jumping, jetboating, canyon swinging, whitewater rafting, parapenting, heli-skiing. Home to the world's first commercial jet boating, bungy jump and river surfing, there's something in the air. Queenstown's reputation as the world's favourite adrenaline destination is well deserved. From the mild to the wild you'll find your adventure threshold here. The expansive natural physical environment offers superb air, water and land based activities. 

Depart Queenstown and travel to Christchurch. Drive through some of the most scenic landscapes in New Zealand, We will journey through the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, renowned as the “most English city outside of England”.

On arrival to Christchurch, enjoy an orientation city tour before check-in to hotel.

CHRISTCHURCH/OTAUTAHI - the Garden City, lies on the level plains that initially attracted the closely knit Church of England settlers that settled the area. The largest of the South Island cities, Christchurch retains something of the English nature of its origins - the willow and oak-lined River Avon and clustered mediaeval stone buildings.

Meet with driver at hotel lobby and transfer to local restaurant for dinner.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning. This is the end of your Holiday of a Lifetime. If flying out of Christchurch there is a transfer included to Christchurch airport to connect with any onward travel arrangements.