New Zealand Uncovered
New Zealand Uncovered
New Zealand Uncovered
17 Days Starting in Auckland, New Zealand and ending in Christchurch, New Zealand
Visiting: Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Punakaiki
Tour operator:
Tour code:
ZAAC26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, Rail Tours, Wildlife Tours
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "New Zealand Uncovered" tour, a captivating journey through the stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage of New Zealand. Starting in Auckland and concluding in Christchurch, this tour offers a blend of leisure, culture, and adventure. Experience the warmth of a Be My Guest lunch at a Waikato dairy farm, delve into Maori traditions at Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, and witness the natural wonders of Rotorua's geysers and thermal springs. Traverse the breathtaking Milford Sound, explore the vibrant cities of Wellington and Queenstown, and marvel at the unique Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki. Travel in style with private transfers, a scenic TranzAlpine train journey, and stay in premium hotels throughout. This tour promises an unforgettable exploration of New Zealand's diverse beauty and cultural richness.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Auckland
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: The Cordis
Meals Included: Dinner
Auckland is the kind of place you could lose yourself in for a couple of weeks. Arrive at your leisure and explore new waterfront precincts, or just ready yourself to meet fellow travellers at dinner.
Day 2: Auckland
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: The Cordis
A little bit of leisure, a little bit of culture – today is one of those days. Peek behind the scenes of maritime racing history on the New Zealand Maritime Museum’s America’s Cup Tour. Your Travel Director then takes you around the city, pausing at Bastion Point for epic photo opportunities.
Day 3: Auckland - Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Meals Included: Lunch
Leave Auckland behind and journey into the countryside for an exclusive family-style Be My Guest lunch in the Red Barn on a working dairy farm. Expect country banter and farm-to-table fare prepared with a lot of love. The next hot spot – in every sense of the word – on your NZ holiday is Rotorua. Visit Te Puia to see and support Maori artisans at work, then continue your Rotorua tour at the steamy Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, a staggering valley where geysers pop and thermal springs jettison skywards.
Day 4: Rotorua Free Time
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Meals Included: Dinner
Today, choose your own adventure. We have plenty of ideas for the paths you might follow. Tonight, dive deep into Maori culture at Te Pā Tū Māori Experience, an important hub keeping tradition, art and music alive. Oh, and exciting Māori cuisine. Enjoy forest kai horotai (seasonal canapés) and chef choice aperitif, followed by a seasonal three-course dinner.
Day 5: Rotorua - Wellington
Location: Wellington
Accommodation Name: Rydges Wellington
Say goodbye to Rotorua and hello to the raging rapids of Huka Falls, where 220,000 litres of water barrel over this massive waterfall every second. Your outlook then unfolds into the dreamy landscape of Lake Taupo. Traverse the volcanic Central Plateau to NZ’s cool little capital of Wellington.
Day 6: Wellington
Location: Wellington
Accommodation Name: Rydges Wellington
Your day in Wellington should – must – begin with a coffee. The city is known for its ubercool cafés and with coffee in hand you will head out on city sights tour to take in highlights such as its iconic cable car, parliament, and Mt. Victoria. Your tour ends at Te Papa, the national Museum of New Zealand, where you may choose to visit the groundbreaking exhibitions on offer. Later you may decide on an optional tour. Lord of the Rings fans will rejoice with a special tour and visit to Weta Workshop. Or choose to visit Zealandia's ecosanctuary restoring 225 hectares of forest. Tonight, there are so many restaurants and bars to choose from. Ask us for recommendations or explore at your leisure.
Day 7: Wellington - Kaikoura
Location: Kaikoura
Accommodation Name: Sudima Kaikoura
Meals Included: Dinner
This morning cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound and continue to Kaikoura, a marine life haven. On arrival be treated to a biodiversity talk from Sabrina Leucht, founder of Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust, and learn about the work the trust is doing towards Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, at this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Tonight, dine at Hiku, which celebrates what Kaikōura is all about - kai moana and dramatic sea and mountain scapes.
Day 8: Kaikoura - Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Enjoy a relaxed start this morning or sign up for one of several local wildlife experiences available. Sign up for a scenic flight for a bird's-eye view, get up close to dolphins by boat or kayak (both own expense), or sample tasty crayfish at waterside fish-and-chip shops. Follow the coast and Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, home to innovative architecture, art institutions and restaurants.
Day 9: Christchurch - Twizel
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Distinction Mackenzie Country Hotel Twizel
From its cardboard-crafted Cathedral to its gold-clad central library, Christchurch has well and truly rebuilt itself since the 2010/11 earthquakes. But South Island locals still cherish a simple life, as you’ll discover over a Be My Guest afternoon tea with retired farmers Angie and Stan Taylor at their home Morelea on the edge of Lake Tekapo.
Day 10: Twizel - Dunedin
Location: Dunedin
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Oamaru has a rich history and proud heritage, enriched by passionate and perhaps quirky locals. Explore the shops, galleries and traditional crafts within some of the Southern Hemisphere's most complete Victorian streetscapes, before landing in Dunedin.
Day 11: Dunedin - Te Anau
Location: Te Anau
Accommodation Name: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas
From sheep farms to rugged mountains, today is one of contrasts. Venture into Fiordland National Park toward the South Island’s largest lake and the lakeside town of Te Anau. You'll experience the thrill of jet boating on scenic Lake Manapouri, home to Pomona Island, where native birds are under threat - and this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience is helping to protect them through a community-based conservation project.
Day 12: Te Anau - Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
Your journey towards Milford Sound/Piopiotahi traverses native rainforest, alluvial flats and meadows, with mirrored lakes, thundering waterfalls, dramatic rocky ranges and millennia-old valleys. Your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi boat tour, cruising through this wild expanse, provides enough drama for an entire travel year – you still have the streets of Queenstown to explore.
Day 13: Queenstown Free Time
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
Meals Included: Dinner
Adrenaline-junkies may wish to get some perspective on a tour of the gorges of Skippers Canyon. Gourmand at heart? Perhaps a Central Otago wine tour? (Both own expense). Your day ends on a dreamy TSS Earnslaw cruise across Lake Wakatipu, landing at Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead.
Day 14: Queenstown - Franz Josef
Location: Franz Josef
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
From Arrowtown’s tree-lined avenues (where you've been visiting a bygone time) to Central Otago’s gleaming lakes, nature rules. Alpine scenery tiers into rainforest along the West Coast, where Thunder Creek Falls and the glacier-studded Mt. Hooker steal the scene. Welcome to the town of Franz Josef, home to Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere, which is ideally explored on an optional helicopter flight – you may be able to land and walk across the ice-fall.
Day 15: Franz Josef Glacier - Punakaiki
Location: Punakaiki
Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Punakaiki
Explore the small but lively Franz Josef/Waiau village before venturing to Hokitika, home of New Zealand's native jade greenstone. Then steel yourself for the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes of Punakaiki, a sliver of South Island geology that is as humbling as it is awe-inspiring. After a spectacular day, spend the night at an eco-friendly, waterfront resort.
Day 16: Punakaiki - Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
Accommodation Name: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
We’ve got you sorted on a morning tour of legendary Monteith’s Brewery, which is followed by lunch. The best is yet to come – all aboard for the scenic TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch, through tunnels and over viaducts, with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys.
Day 17: Farewell From Christchurch
Location: Christchurch
How many travel highs can you pack into a holiday? This itinerary has certainly pushed the boundaries. Now all you have to do is go home and sort through all those photos.
What's Included
Mode of Transport
Travel in style with private airport transfers, a scenic TranzAlpine train journey, and comfortable coach rides between destinations, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.
Accommodation
Stay in centrally located premium hotels including The Cordis in Auckland, Millennium Hotel Rotorua, Rydges Wellington, Sudima Kaikoura, Distinction Christchurch Hotel, and more, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
-
What unique cultural experiences are included in the New Zealand Uncovered tour?
The tour includes an exclusive Be My Guest lunch at the Red Barn, a working dairy farm in Waikato, and a deep dive into Maori culture at the Te Pa Tu Maori Experience, where you can enjoy traditional art, music, and cuisine.
-
How does the tour contribute to conservation efforts in New Zealand?
The tour includes a visit to the Kaikoura Wildlife Centre Trust, where you will learn about wildlife rescue and rehabilitation efforts. Additionally, there is a community-based conservation project on Pomona Island aimed at protecting native birds.
-
What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour offers private airport transfers, a scenic TranzAlpine train journey, and comfortable coach rides between destinations to ensure a seamless travel experience.
-
What type of accommodation can I expect on the tour?
You will stay in centrally located premium hotels such as The Cordis in Auckland, Millennium Hotel Rotorua, Rydges Wellington, Sudima Kaikoura, and Distinction Christchurch Hotel, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout your journey.
-
Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are several optional activities such as a Lord of the Rings tour in Wellington, a scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier, and a Central Otago wine tour in Queenstown.
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
2024 Feb
2025 Mar
2025 Apr
2025 Jun
2025 Sep
2025 Oct
2025 Nov
2025 Dec
2025 Jan
2026 Feb
2026 Mar
2026 Apr
2026 Jun
2026 Sep
2026 Oct
2026 Nov
2026 Dec
2026 Jan
2027 Feb
2027 Mar
2027
Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 19, 2024 - Dec 05, 2024Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 18, 2025 - Mar 06, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 11, 2025 - Mar 27, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 25, 2025 - Apr 10, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Apr 08, 2025 - Apr 24, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 24, 2025 - Jul 10, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 16, 2025 - Oct 02, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 07, 2025 - Oct 23, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 21, 2025 - Nov 06, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 04, 2025 - Nov 20, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 18, 2025 - Dec 04, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 02, 2025 - Dec 18, 2025Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 16, 2025 - Jan 01, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 06, 2026 - Jan 22, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 20, 2026 - Feb 05, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 03, 2026 - Feb 19, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 17, 2026 - Mar 05, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 10, 2026 - Mar 26, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 24, 2026 - Apr 09, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Apr 07, 2026 - Apr 23, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Apr 14, 2026 - Apr 30, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Apr 21, 2026 - May 07, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 02, 2026 - Jun 18, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Jun 23, 2026 - Jul 09, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 01, 2026 - Sep 17, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 08, 2026 - Sep 24, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 15, 2026 - Oct 01, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Sep 29, 2026 - Oct 15, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 06, 2026 - Oct 22, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 13, 2026 - Oct 29, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 20, 2026 - Nov 05, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Oct 27, 2026 - Nov 12, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 03, 2026 - Nov 19, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 10, 2026 - Nov 26, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 17, 2026 - Dec 03, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Nov 24, 2026 - Dec 10, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 01, 2026 - Dec 17, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 08, 2026 - Dec 24, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 15, 2026 - Dec 31, 2026Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 22, 2026 - Jan 07, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Dec 29, 2026 - Jan 14, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 05, 2027 - Jan 21, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 12, 2027 - Jan 28, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 19, 2027 - Feb 04, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Jan 26, 2027 - Feb 11, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 02, 2027 - Feb 18, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 09, 2027 - Feb 25, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 16, 2027 - Mar 04, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Feb 23, 2027 - Mar 11, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 02, 2027 - Mar 18, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 09, 2027 - Mar 25, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 16, 2027 - Apr 01, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 23, 2027 - Apr 08, 2027Tuesday - Thursday
Mar 30, 2027 - Apr 15, 2027Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 100 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.