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Explorer Tour of New Zealand

This 16 day tour starts in Auckland and finishes in Christchurch.

This journey across Aotearoa takes you from the Coromandel Peninsula and the North Island’s geothermal heart to the South Island’s soaring alpine peaks and wild coastal shores. You’ll balance iconic cultural encounters and coastal explorations at Cathedral Cove with high-altitude thrills, featuring a flight into the majestic Milford Sound and a world-class rail crossing on the TranzAlpine.

While this itinerary serves as a great starting point, we invite you to connect with our travel specialists, who can help tailor these experiences into a larger New Zealand journey personalised to your interests.

Accommodation type on this tour is: Motels.

Rental car insurance included

Rental car inclusions: Unlimited kilometres,airport/ferry terminal fees, additional drivers.

This tour can be customised to suit you precisely - just request here.

This tour also features:

Included activity: The Visitor Promise - Cultural Learning Course

Included activity: Electronic Travel Guide and In-Country Support App

Included activity: Private Transfer Auckland Airport to your Auckland Accommodation with Tourcorp

Included activity: Glacier Explorers

Included activity: Milford Sound Fly, Cruise, Fly with Milford Sound Scenic Flights

Included activity: TranzAlpine Scenic Train: Greymouth to Christchurch

Included activity: Shared Transfer from Christchurch Train Station to Christchurch CBD Accommodation with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: Private Transfer from Accommodation to Airport with Christchurch Touring Company

Included activity: Driving Creek Railway & Potteries - EyeFull Tower Tour

Included activity: Cathedral Cove Scenic Cruise

Included activity: Original Ziplining Experience with Rotorua Canopy Tours

Included activity: Te Ra Daytime Experience at Te Puia

Included activity: Hawkes Bay Half Day Wine Tour with Grape Escape

Included activity: Entry to Te Papa The Museum of New Zealand

Included activity: Interislander Ferry Wellington to Picton

Itinerary summary for: Explorer Tour of New Zealand

Day 1: Arrive into Auckland the 'City of Sails'
Accommodation: Oaks Auckland Hotel

Day 2: Scenic rails and seaside bliss
Accommodation: Oceans Resort Whitianga

Day 3: Exploring the Coromandel’s Crown Jewel
Accommodation: Oceans Resort Whitianga

Day 4: From sparkling shores to geothermal wonders
Accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Day 5: Culture and forest flights
Accommodation: Silver Fern Suites & Spa

Day 6: Volcanic shores to vineyard valleys
Accommodation: Navigate Seaside Hotel

Day 7: Explore world class wineries.
Accommodation: Navigate Seaside Hotel

Day 8: Through wine country to the Capital
Accommodation: Adina CityLife Wellington

Day 9: The great inter-island cruise
Accommodation: Harbour View Motel

Day 10: Southbound via the Pacific Coast Highway
Accommodation: Terra Vive Luxury Suites and Apartments

Day 11: Glaciers, lakes and the mighty Aoraki-Mt Cook
Accommodation: Mt Cook Motel

Day 12: Wind through Lindis Pass and The Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown

Day 13: The ultimate Milford Sound experience
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Queenstown

Day 14: Queenstown to the wild West Coast
Accommodation: Punga Grove Motel & Suites

Day 15: Experience New Zealand's premier rail journey, the TranzAlpine
Accommodation: Terra Vive Luxury Suites and Apartments

Day 16: Depart Christchurch today