Holiday Overview
If your time in New Zealand is limited, you can still cram in a lot of highlights. Flying between the islands saves time and is perfect for those who don’t wish to hire a car. This itinerary is perfect to tag onto an Australia stay or as part of an around the world itinerary.
7 nights, 8 days
Start Queenstown, Finish Auckland (V.V)
Islands visited: North and South Island
Highlights;
The dramatic scenery of the Southern Alps
Milford Sound Cruise
Maori Culture
Geothermal Rotorua.
Excludes International & Domestic Flights.
New Zealand Highlights includes:
- 3 Nights Accommodation Queenstown
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Coach Transfer Queenstown - Christchurch
- 1 Night Accommodation Christchurch
- 2 Nights Accommodation Rotorua
- Entrance to the Geo Thermal and Cultural Centre of Te Puia
- Small Coach transfer from Rotorua via Hobbiton to Auckland
- 1 Night Accommodation Auckland
Day 1 - Queenstown
Arrive in Queenstown, check into your chosen hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 - Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown
Take a full day tour to enjoy a cruise on Milford Sound. The tour includes hotel pick up and drop off, coach transfer to Milford Sound and a JUCY Cruise, along with an informative commentary and plenty of photo opportunities throughout the day.
Staying at Heritage Queenstown
Day 3 - Queenstown
Spend the day at leisure, perhaps take a walk by the lake or just enjoy the stunning views. In the evening take the Gondola to the top of the mountain for a stargazing guide to the Southern skies.
Staying at Heritage Queenstown
Day 4 - Queenstown - Christchurch
Take the intercity coach from Queenstown to Christchurch. Departing from the centre of Queenstown at 08:05 the journey takes around 8 hours and has multiple stop en route. Spend the evening at leisure in Christchurch
Day 5 - Christchurch - Rotorua
Take the short domestic flight from Christchurch to Rotorua. Spend the rest of the day exploring Rotorua at leisure.
Day 6 - Rotorua
Visit Te Puia a 70-hectare geothermal park right on the edge of Rotorua. It's home of the world famous Phutu geyser and the national carving and weaving schools. They also house the kiwi, New Zealand's most well-known bird and have daily Maori cultural performances, why not upgrade your experience with a steambox lunch including delicious food steam-cooked in a natural geothermal environment?
Staying at Pullman Rotorua
Day 7 - Rotorua to Auckland via Hobbiton
On this tour you are collected from your Rotorua accommodation by shuttle and transferred to Hobbiton Movie Set. On arrival at Shire’s Rest you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest “green set” in the world. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the door of Bilbo’s house, “Bag End”, looking out over the whole set to the hills in the distance. The tour ends with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn for a drink. After the tour your lunch is included at the Green Dragon party marquee before heading on to Auckland (arrival circa 15:00). Spend the rest of the day at leisure in Auckland
Day 8 - Auckland
Your New Zealand Highlights itinerary concludes today in Auckland.
Or, Why not extend your New Zealand trip with an 'unmissable experience' to the Bay of Islands before starting this itinerary?
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Milford
Rotorua
Hobbiton
Queenstown
Christchurch
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2026, 2027 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 917 5742 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
New Zealand’s Best of Both Islands
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
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- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
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- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
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Natural Wonders of Australia & New Zealand
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- Queenstown
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- Cairns
- Melbourne
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
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- Melbourne
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- Alice Springs
- Cairns
- Sydney
- Queenstown
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- Christchurch
- Rotorua
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- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
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New Zealand By Train
- Auckland
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- Marlborough Sounds
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- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
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- See Mount Ruapehu
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North Island’s Hot Spots
- Wellington
- Taupo
- Rotorua
- Auckland
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
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- Experience Maori Culture
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