12 Days 11 Nights
Experience the wonders of New Zealand without the crowd, while basing in luxury lodges hidden in splendid nature, drenched in generous hospitality and gourmet meal.
Step into the grand dame of Taupo or Lake Tarawera lodge before satiating in local wineries at Hawke’s Bay. Stay at one of the World’s Most Luxurious Wine Country Hotels on an ocean-view farmland lodge, followed by the exclusive wilderness of Minaret Station which is accessible only helicopters. Revel in the stunning Fiordland and Lake Wakatipu views, or at a luxurious boutique in town to experience Queenstown’s great outdoors.
Highlights
- Optional helicopter or flight excursions in Rotorua, Hawkes Bay, Minaret Station Alpine Lodge and Queenstown for total privacy
- Custom-built ride across a cattle farm and into the Te Mata Peak
- Return Helicopter transfers from Queenstown airport to your remote Alpine Lodge
- Private guided scenic helicopter flight excursion to Fiordland of New Zealand
- Private combined excursion of guided a super-yacht to Glenorchy and scenic helicopter flight over the over the Southern Alps
Itinerary Outline
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Day 1
Arrival in Auckland / Lake Taupo or Rotorua
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Day 2
Lake Taupo or Rotorua / Matamata / Waitomo / Lake Taupo or Rotorua
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Day 3
Lake Taupo or Rotorua
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Day 4
Lake Taupo or Rotorua / Hawke's Bay
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Day 5
Hawke's Bay
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Day 6
Hawke's Bay
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Day 7
Hawke's Bay / Queenstown - Minaret Station Alpine Lodge
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Day 8
Minaret Station Alpine Lodge
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Day 9
Minaret Station Alpine Lodge / Queenstown
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Day 10
Queenstown
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Day 11
Queenstown
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Day 12
Depart Queenstown
Itinerary
Arrival in Auckland / Lake Taupo or Rotorua
Arriving into Auckland, we drive 270km/3.5h to your hotel in Lake Taupo or Rotorua area to rest.
Lake Taupo or Rotorua / Matamata / Waitomo / Lake Taupo or Rotorua
Head to Mamata for your 1.5-hour Hobbiton Movie Set Tour (shared) to experience the real Middle Earth on the 1,250-acre sheep farm with picturesque view across Kaimai Ranges. Visit Green Dragon Inn, Party Tree, Bag End where Frodo and Bilbo’s adventures began and get lost among the hobbit holes. This afternoon, enjoy guided underground boat ride at Waitomo Glow Worm Caves (shared).
Lake Taupo or Rotorua
Marvel at New Zealand’s largest boiling mud pool and colourful hot springs at Wai-O-Tapu and Lady Knox geyser eruption (10.15am) before heading to Living MÄori Village of Whakarewarewa (shared) to experience MÄori culture and observe geothermal wonders such as PÅhutu Geyser, bubbling mud pools and steaming mineral pools. Feast on traditional Maori hangi lunch comprising of meet, potatoes, vegetables and bread stuffing prepared using geothermal cooking methods, with hot spring-cooked corn and dessert on the side. Coffee, tea and water is complimentary.
Lake Taupo or Rotorua / Hawke's Bay
Transfer 150-219km/2-2.5h to Napier. Relive the glamour of the jazz era on a Vintage Car tour of Napier’s Heritage & Art Deco Highlights (75m), completely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake. Thereafter, we transfer to your accommodation at Hawke’s Bay.
Hawke's Bay
Enjoy guided off-road buggy farm tour in a 6-seater (1.5h, shared) at a family-owned sheep and cattle farm, followed by afternoon tea on top of the farm with 360° views of Hawke’s Bay and Kaweka Mountain Ranges. This afternoon, enjoy Te Mata Peak tour on a custom-built 5700cc 4-passenger trike (2.5h, shared). Cruise along the coast, swing inland to the beautiful Tuki Tuki Valley and climb 400m to the top with 360° views of Hawke’s Bay which extends as far as the Ruapehu Volcano on a clear day!
Hawke's Bay
Hawke’s Bay is New Zealand’s 2nd largest wine region. Take a 4-hour private wine tour to 3-4 local wineries to taste some of the regions’ finest wine, including the famed Chardonnay.
Hawke's Bay / Queenstown - Minaret Station Alpine Lodge
Meet up with your driver for your transfers to Napier Airport for your flight to Queenstown.
Fly Napier/Wellington N8885 1000/1100
Wellington /Queenstown NZ605 1220/1345 (1h 50m)
Transit for your scheduled helicopter ride (shared) to Minaret Station Alpine Lodge. (Note: Due to weight restrictions, guests are allowed 1 suitcase weighing no more than 23kg/person, plus 1 small bag).
Minaret Station is located at Lake Wanaka, surrounded by the Southern Alps with picturesque glacial valley and untouched landscapes.
Minaret Station Alpine Lodge
Explore remote Fiordland by helicopter with gourmet BBQ picnic lunch. Get up close to majestic fjords, waterfalls, ancient blue ice glacier, isolated mountain lakes and observe unique wildlife otherwise inaccessible.
Minaret Station Alpine Lodge / Queenstown
After your scheduled morning helicopter ride (shared) to Queenstown, we transfer to your hotel to rest.
Queenstown
Start with private flight to the rugged West coast for wood-fed hot tub, kayaking or crawfishing with a specialist guide. Fly over Milford Sound with landing at Lake Erskine and Lake Wakatipu, followed by a private yacht cruise to Queenstown (2h) while feasting on fresh crawfish. Enjoy thrilling ‘Catch the Canyons’ Shotover Jet boat ride (shared) as your driver whips past rocky outcrops! End with Skyline Gondola ride to Bob’s Peak with panoramic Queenstown views. You can also take the driving seat with gravity-fuelled luge cart (suitable for all ages and abilities) across 800m of banked corners, tunnels and dippers.
Queenstown
Free day at leisure to partake in adventurous bungy jumping at Kawarau Gorge, ski diving, skiing or jet boating.
Depart Queenstown
Meet up with your driver for your transfers back to Queenstown airport.
Hotels & Tour Price
Includes
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis in hotel as stated on bed & breakfast basis at Eichardt's Private Hotel at Queenstown; bed, breakfast & diner basis at Taupo or Rotorua, Hawkes Bay & Minaret Station;
- All road transportation & transfer on private basis an air-conditioned minivan;
- Return Helicopter transfers from Queenstown to Minaret Alpine Lodge
- Local English-speaking driver guide in each city
- Tours and activities on shared, join in basis or private basis as stated
- All entrance fees in sights state
Excludes
- International Airfare
- Domestic flights in Economy Class as stated
- Lunches & dinners unless specify included
- Beverages in restaurants where meals are included
- Gratuities
- Personal expenses e.g. telephone bill & laundry
- Visa (if applicable)
- NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) for majority of travellers
- Travel insurance
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