Kia Ora New Zealand

Kia Ora New Zealand

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17 Days From

$6460

$5814

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on the "Kia Ora New Zealand" adventure tour, a captivating journey through the stunning landscapes and rich cultural heritage of New Zealand. Begin in Auckland, exploring its vibrant waterfront precincts, before heading to the historic Bay of Islands, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. Experience the enchanting glowworms of Waitomo Caves and delve into Maori culture in Rotorua. Cruise across Cook Strait to the South Island, witness the dramatic landscapes of Kaikoura, and explore the breathtaking Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park. Enjoy a scenic train journey aboard the TranzAlpine through the Southern Alps, and discover the unique wildlife and natural wonders of this beautiful country. With comfortable accommodations, expert guides, and a variety of included meals, this tour offers an unforgettable exploration of New Zealand's iconic sites and natural beauty. ...more ...less

Highlights

  • Explore the vibrant waterfront precincts of Auckland.

  • Discover the historic significance of the Bay of Islands and the Treaty of Waitangi.

  • Experience the magical glowworms in the Waitomo Caves.

  • Delve into Maori culture and geothermal wonders in Rotorua.

  • Cruise across Cook Strait from Wellington to Picton.

  • Witness the dramatic landscapes and marine wildlife of Kaikoura.

  • Cruise the breathtaking Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park.

  • Enjoy a scenic train journey aboard the TranzAlpine through the Southern Alps.

Itinerary

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Day 1: Welcome to Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

Location: Auckland

Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre

Auckland is hypnotic, the kind of place you could easily lose yourself in for a couple of days. Or weeks. Arrive at your leisure and explore waterfront precincts filled with yachts or just meet fellow travel companions at a Welcome Reception tonight.

Day 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands

Auckland, New Zealand

Location: Auckland, Bay of Islands

Accommodation Name: Copthorne Hotel and Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

Say goodbye to the ‘City of Sails’ as you journey north to New Zealand’s dramatic Bay of Islands from Auckland – 140 islands ringed by turquoise sea. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical significance: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, between Captain William Hobson and Māori chiefs. Your guide, perhaps a descendent of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance of the site, while pointing out the world’s largest ceremonial war canoe and a carved meeting house.

Day 3: Bay of Islands Free Time

Location: Bay of Islands

Accommodation Name: Copthorne Hotel and Resort

Meals Included: Breakfast

If there’s a travel destination that inspires wanderlust, the Bay of Islands is it. Today, trip the light fantastic and head off in whatever direction you please. Perhaps travel up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach. Or glide around on an historic tall ship, enjoy a cruise to the iconic Hole in the Rock or join a tour of Russell and learn more about the settling of the Bay of Islands.

Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland

Auckland, New Zealand

Location: Whangarei, Auckland

Accommodation Name: Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, New Zealand’s most northerly city is well and truly on your radar. Whangarei is like the country in a tantalising snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Explore at your leisure before sinking back into your seat for the mesmerizing commute back to Auckland.

Day 5: Auckland - Rotorua

Auckland, New Zealand
Rotorua, New Zealand

Location: Auckland, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua

Accommodation Name: Ibis Rotorua Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Another day on a tour in Auckland. Lucky you. After a morning of sightseeing, set your GPS for the Waitomo Caves tour. This place is radiant – quite literally. While cruising cavernous waterways, your route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, delve deep into Maori culture and traditions at Te Puia. The Te Pō Indigenous Experience begins with a delicious buffet dinner of locally sourced cuisine and an authentic Māori twist in each dish.  Following dinner, view an exhilarating cultural performance that takes place in our beautifully carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. Afterward, enter the geothermal valley on our waka (electric shuttle) and discover one of New Zealand’s most magnificent geothermal wonderlands – featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, and beautiful native bush. Enjoy a hot chocolate, seated on a naturally heated rock terrace overlooking the powerful Pōhutu Geyser.

Day 6: Rotorua Free Time

Rotorua, New Zealand

Location: Rotorua

Accommodation Name: Ibis Rotorua Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Explore at your own pace today, but with plenty of tips from your Travel Director. Want a bit of down time?  We wouldn’t blame you for simply blissing out at Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of today’s opportunity to visit the sights featured in The Lord of the Rings movies at Hobbiton. These beautiful landscapes are not only a bucket list tour for Hobbit fans but a gorgeous countryside getaway.

Day 7: Rotorua - Wellington

Wellington, New Zealand

Location: Huka Falls, Lake Taupo, Wellington

Accommodation Name: Travelodge Wellington

Meals Included: Breakfast

You’ll hear Huka Falls well before you see it – at this natural wonder, a staggering 220,000 litres of water thunder over an 11-metre-high waterfall every second. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, its waters so vivid and blue you’ll think someone has taken the glasses off your nose and cleaned them for the first time. Traverse the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand’s cool little capital, Wellington, where there are so many restaurants and bars to choose from, you’ll need a guidebook. Wait, you have an in-the-know Travel Director to talk to about your Wellington tour.

Day 8: Wellington - Picton

Wellington, New Zealand

Location: Wellington, Picton

Accommodation Name: Picton Beachcomber Inn

Meals Included: Breakfast

Wellington is known for its uber-cool cafés, designed to fuel you through a session at Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Onwards to the Interislander for a cruise across Cook Strait, from the North Island to the South, through a maze of arms and inlets.

Day 9: Picton - Christchurch

Christchurch, New Zealand

Location: Picton, Kaikoura, Christchurch

Meals Included: Breakfast

There aren’t many beaches more dramatic than the sands of Kaikoura. Bonus points if you spot a sea lion or sperm whale frolicking offshore, Kaikoura is the marine wildlife centre of New Zealand. Talk to your Travel Director for tips on the essential restaurants to dine in tonight – Christchurch has reinvented itself in more ways than one.

Day 10: Christchurch - Omarama

Christchurch, New Zealand

Location: Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Omarama

Accommodation Name: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

A Christchurch tour shows you that the city is not only rebuilding itself after the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes, but is changing the way architects think about design. Case in point the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library. From here, your outlook is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience in Takapo, hosted by passionate guides, will forever change the way you see the night sky. You'll see for yourself it may be one of the quietest spots on the planet, yet it has one of the busiest skies in the universe.

Day 11: Omarama - Dunedin

Location: Oamaru, Dunedin

Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Meals Included: Breakfast

If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck. Oamaru, with its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings, stands proud before you journey further south toward the 'Edinburgh of the South'. Dunedin’s Scottish ancestry is everywhere you look, from the manicured grounds of Otago University to Larnach Castle. It’s easy to while away the afternoon in the city’s atmospheric art-lined alleys. Or venture further afield to discover the wildlife that thrives in this pretty pocket of the country – fur seals and penguins among them.

Day 12: Dunedin - Te Anau

Location: Dunedin, Te Anau

Accommodation Name: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Departing Dunedin this morning, rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are replaced by soaring mountains as you weave your way into Fiordland National Park and the South Island’s biggest lake and the town of Te Anau, home to magical glowworm-filled caves accessed by boat across the lake. We highly recommend a visit. Soak up the serenity – it doesn’t get any better than this.

Day 13: Te Anau - Queenstown

Queenstown, New Zealand

Location: Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Queenstown

Accommodation Name: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown

Meals Included: Breakfast

From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route through Fiordland National Park is an intoxicating union of beech forests, alluvial flats, meadows and mirror-like lakes. Gin-clear rivers carve the countryside, with all roads leading to Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Cruising this World Heritage-listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating a misty curtain across sheer escarpments. Venture out into the Fiord on a sightseeing cruise, where dolphins and seals are a common sight.

Day 14: Queenstown Free Time

Queenstown, New Zealand

Location: Queenstown

Accommodation Name: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown

Meals Included: Breakfast

Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on the high-octane jet boat ride, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friends at a wildlife centre. Wherever you wander, make sure you’re back in time to glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner.

Day 15: Queenstown - Franz Josef/Waiau

Queenstown, New Zealand

Location: Queenstown, Arrowtown, Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka, Franz Josef/Waiau

Accommodation Name: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Meals Included: Breakfast

Try and keep count of today’s lakes. Leaving Lake Wakatipu behind, Arrowtown appears on the horizon. We know you’ll want to linger in the movie-set-like streets, lined with trees and character-filled boutiques. But Lake Dunstan awaits, as do its orchards. Pause to refuel on flavour-packed stone fruit. Then there’s Lake Hawea followed by Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, the pretty town of Franz Josef/Waiau awaits. Get some perspective on an optional scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it.

Day 16: Franz Josef/Waiau - Christchurch

Christchurch, New Zealand

Location: Franz Josef, Hokitika, Christchurch

Meals Included: Breakfast

Swap snow for pounamu (native greenstone or jade) in Hokitika: the pounamu found here is the stuff jewellery dreams are made of. Just when you thought your adventure couldn’t get any better, you’ll aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for 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

Christchurch, New Zealand

Location: Christchurch

Meals Included: Breakfast

Two New Zealand islands. Multiple glaciers. Endless lakes. Thermal springs. Black beaches, and white beaches. An endless parade of wildlife. We hope you find the words to describe this epic adventure to your family back home.

What's Included

  • Specialist team of Travel Director and Driver Guide

    Travel with a specialist team of a highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide.

  • UNESCO World Heritage Sites

    Visit Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

  • National Park Entrance Fees

    Entrance fees to national parks are included in the tour.

  • Transport

    The tour includes a cruise across Cook Strait, a sightseeing cruise in Milford Sound, and a scenic train journey aboard the TranzAlpine train.

What's Not Included

Flights

Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price.

Mode of Transport

The tour includes a cruise across Cook Strait, a sightseeing cruise in Milford Sound, and a scenic train journey aboard the TranzAlpine train.

Accommodation

Enjoy comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres, including stays at various hotels such as Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre and Copthorne Hotel and Resort.

Dining Summary

  • 16 Breakfast (B)
  • 5 Dinner (D)
  • 2 Highlight Dinner (HD)
  • 1 Farewell Dinner (FD)

Fitness Requirement

  • Low level of fitness required

Flexible Holidays

  • Want to get your heart racing? Explore the extremes of the North Island then feel the natural rush of Queenstown. Or just laze by the pool. Your choice…

Flight information

  • Flights to and from the start/end of your trip are not included in the trip price. Day 1 – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Auckland AirportDay 17 – flights to depart any time from Christchurch Airport

Iconic Sites

  • You don’t need a reason to visit World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. But if you’re looking for one, make it shimmering Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. This place is nature amplified.

Natural Wonders

  • End-of-the-Earth drama awaits in the Bay of Islands, where 140 droplets of land unite powdery beaches with dreamy pockets of forest.

What to Bring

  • Comfortable walking shoes Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat Water bottle Warm layers in cooler months Camera

Check out our Q&As

  • What kind of dining experiences are included in the tour?

    The tour includes 16 full breakfasts, 5 dinners, 2 highlight dinners, and 1 farewell dinner.

  • Are flights included in the tour package?

    Flights to and from the start and end of the trip are not included in the trip price.

  • What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

    The tour offers comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres, including stays at hotels such as Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre and Copthorne Hotel and Resort.

  • What is the fitness requirement for this tour?

    A low level of fitness is required for this tour.

  • What are some of the unique experiences included in the tour?

    Unique experiences include visiting the Waitomo Caves to see glowworms, delving into Maori culture in Rotorua, cruising across Cook Strait, and enjoying a scenic train journey aboard the TranzAlpine through the Southern Alps.

  • What kind of wildlife might I see on this tour?

    You might see marine wildlife such as dolphins and seals during the Milford Sound cruise, and possibly sea lions or sperm whales in Kaikoura.

  • Is there any free time during the tour to explore on my own?

    Yes, there are several days with free time, such as in the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, and Queenstown, where you can explore at your own pace.

  • 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

Ann Purcell  

Well worth the money

24-Feb-2023

Absolutely wonderful trip. Tastes of southern Australia. Hotels were good quality. Sightseeing was amazing. Manuela our travel director was lovely. A great trip all round

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Lynda Whittingham  

Particularly loved QUEENSTOWN (jet boat) and plane ride over Mt Cook

18-Feb-2023

Great guide “Dexter” who was pleasant and knowledgeable, skilled and pleasant driver, Aaron, interesting activities, and comfortable hotels in good locations. I have been on organized bus trips in different countries and this company stands out. I would travel with them again. Read less ...more ...less

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Trusted Customer  

Milford Sound , West Coast , Queenstown, Christchurch

22-Feb-2023

The most professional tour group i have ever travelled with. Both tour director (Hope) & driver (Dave) had extensive knowledge of NZ. Highly recommended.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Keith Jones  

Christchurch, Milford Sound and the Franz Joseph Railway journey

02-Mar-2023

Very professional service throughout. Friendly experienced tour guide imparting excellent knowledge and local anecdotes. Friendly professional driver enhanced the overall pleasure. Excellent hotels throughout the holiday.

Feefo Trusted Reviews
Allison Cooper  

Wonderful experience, highlight had to be Uluru so spiritual and beautiful

22-Feb-2023

Very professional. Excellent travel director very knowledgeable and a lovely guy. Amazing experience seeing do many great places.

Feefo Trusted Reviews

1 Select your preferred date

Saturday - Monday

Sep 20, 2025 - Oct 06, 2025
$6460 $5814 (USD)

Operator discount: -$646 (USD)

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    AAT Kings requires a minimum deposit of 200 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of aat kings charges.

    Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

Kia Ora New Zealand

17 Days Starting in Auckland, New Zealand and ending in Christchurch, New Zealand

Visiting: Auckland, Bay of Islands, Whangarei, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Huka Falls, Lake Taupo, Wellington, Picton, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Omarama, Oamaru, Dunedin, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Arrowtown, Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka, Franz Josef/Waiau, Franz Josef, Hokitika ...more ...less

Tour operator:

AAT Kings

Tour code:

LABC26

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

20 - 50

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

5-99

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Adventure Tours

Activities:

Boat/Cruise Excursion

From: $6460 $5814 (USD) Operator discount: -$646

NB: Prices correct on 17-Mar-2025 but subject to change.

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