New Zealand in Depth: Auckland to Queenstown

Highlights

• Begin with three nights in Auckland, with the harbour, waterfront neighbourhoods and volcanic viewpoints all within reach.

• See Rotorua’s geothermal landscape, where steaming ground, hot springs and Māori culture make this one of New Zealand’s most distinctive stops.

• Spend time in Hawke’s Bay, known for wineries, Art Deco Napier and countryside stretching towards the Pacific.

• Travel through Marlborough and Kaikoura, bringing together vineyard country, mountain scenery and a coast famous for marine wildlife.

• Cross the Southern Alps by rail from Christchurch to Greymouth, one of the most scenic stretches of the journey.

• Head down the wild West Coast to Franz Josef, where rainforest reaches towards snow-capped mountains and glacier country.

• Finish with Wanaka and four nights in Queenstown, surrounded by lakes and the Southern Alps.

Auckland, Rotorua and Hawke’s Bay

Start in Auckland with time to explore the harbour and waterfront or head up Mount Eden for views across the city before picking up the car and driving south. In Rotorua, steaming geothermal landscapes and hot springs give you one of the most distinctive stops of the trip, while Māori culture is an important part of the region too.

Continue to Hawke’s Bay, where vineyards and orchards stretch inland from the Pacific. Spend time in Art Deco Napier, then head out to the surrounding wineries for a tasting or lunch among the vines.

Wellington, Marlborough and Kaikoura

Wellington brings you back to the coast, with its harbour, waterfront and Te Papa museum all within easy reach. From there, continue into Marlborough, New Zealand’s best-known wine region, where you can visit cellar doors around Blenheim and try the Sauvignon Blanc the area is famous for.

Further south, Kaikoura is where the mountains meet the Pacific. Head out whale watching, walk part of the peninsula or look for seals along the coast before continuing towards Christchurch.

Christchurch, Franz Josef and Wanaka

From Christchurch, board the train across the Southern Alps to Greymouth, travelling through mountain valleys and high-country scenery before reaching the West Coast. Pick up another car and continue south to Franz Josef, where rainforest sits beneath snow-capped peaks and glacier country.

From there, head towards Wanaka for a night beside the lake. Take a walk along the water, drive into the surrounding mountains or simply enjoy the views before the final stretch to Queenstown.

Queenstown

Finish with four nights in Queenstown, surrounded by Lake Wakatipu and the Southern Alps. Ride the gondola above town, visit nearby Arrowtown, cruise the lake or use one of the days for Milford Sound, where sheer cliffs and waterfalls rise around the fjord.

It gives you a strong finish to a journey that has already taken you through geothermal landscapes, wine country, coastlines, glaciers and some of New Zealand’s most dramatic mountain scenery.

Terms and Conditions

Economy flights from Dublin to Auckland via London and Kuala Lumpur, departing 01/08/2027, with checked baggage included. Three nights in Auckland, two nights in Rotorua, two nights in Napier, one night in Wellington, two nights in Marlborough, one night in Kaikoura and two nights in Christchurch. Eleven days’ automatic car hire from Auckland to Christchurch are included. Rail travel from Christchurch to Greymouth is included, followed by three days’ automatic car hire and two nights in Franz Josef, one night in Wanaka and four nights in Queenstown. Return flights from Queenstown to Dublin via Auckland, Kuala Lumpur and London are also included. Based on two adults.

20 nights from €6,000 per person