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Day 3: Explore Queenstown (photo 4), Fabulous New Zealand
Nationwide · Guided Coach

Fabulous New Zealand

  • 6 days, 5 nights
  • Auckland to Christchurch
  • Hotel 4 star

Overview

Day 5: A full day to take in everything the adventure capital has to offer. 6 days through the North and South Islands, running Auckland to Christchurch. Along the way: Te Pā Tū Evening Māori Cultural Experience - Dinner Included, Rotorua afternoon at leisure, Rotorua Duck Tours City & Lakes Tour. Every night is booked and the travelling is handled, so the itinerary below is what you actually do rather than a list of things you could arrange yourself.

  • 5 nights accommodation
  • 6 included activities
  • 5 meals included

Trip highlights

Included in your price

  • Te Pā Tū Evening Māori Cultural Experience - Dinner Included
  • Rotorua afternoon at leisure
  • Rotorua Duck Tours City & Lakes Tour
  • Explore Queenstown
  • Air New Zealand flight Rotorua to Queenstown
  • Queenstown Skyline Gondola Ride

What is included

5 nights of accommodation, staying in hotel 4 star
5 nights of accommodation, booked and confirmed before you travel
Coach travel throughout with a driver guide
6 included activities and entries along the way
A detailed day by day itinerary with every booking reference
Support from a New Zealand based specialist while you travel

This itinerary can be customised: extra nights, different rooms, more activities or a different vehicle. Tell us what you would change.

Where you will go

Overnight stops, in route orderVisited, not overnightIncludes the Cook Strait crossing3 overnight stops across 6 days. Select a stop to jump to that day.

Day by day itinerary

Your journey:AucklandRotoruaQueenstownLake TekapoChristchurch

Aucklandview on Google Maps

New Zealand’s Most Awarded Cultural Attraction, presenting Te Pā Tū. Feast on song, drama, tradition, and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within the forest Pā (village) blanketed by towering Tawa trees, blazing bonfires, and a forest-formed amphitheatre. Te Pā Tū shares Māori history, traditions, and cultural aspirations across 4-hours of celebration and feasting. These events change with each season of the Maramataka, the Māori lunar calendar.

Rotorua and Waitomo Caves Tour and Te Puia with FlexiTours - Lunch Included

Travel from Auckland to Rotorua and visit the famous Waitomo Caves along the way. This tour showcases some of the most iconic destinations on North Island. Discover Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal activity and rich Māori heritage. Enjoy a guided tour of the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves and explore the geothermal wonderland of Te Puia. Your journey concludes in Rotorua.

AucklandTourism New Zealand
Included this dayMillennium Hotel RotoruaLunch

Millennium Hotel is Rotorua’s largest 4-star deluxe hotel. Perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Five levels of accommodation offer guests a wide variety of scenic views.

Rotoruaview on Google Maps

This afternoon is completely at your leisure to explore one of New Zealand most unique towns. Take a stroll along the beautiful lakefront, take a guided tour at either Wai-O-Tapu or Waimangu Volcanic Valley and experience the geothermal features Rotorua has to offer. Also not to miss is the Rotorua Duck Tour around the city and lakes providing you with history and a thrill ride. You might also like to take a helicopter ride to view the Volcanic Peaks of Mount Tarawera at 3680 feet or cycle the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest. You could also travel on the paddle boat, 'Lakeland Queen' on Lake Rotorua. Alternatively, you might want to try something more adventurous like zipping through a native forest with Rotorua Canopy Tours.

Rotorua Duck Tours City & Lakes Tour

You haven’t seen Rotorua until you’ve seen it from a Duck. Discover Rotorua in the most unique way possible with the City and Lakes Tour. This unique sightseeing adventure takes place on land and water, on-board a WWII amphibious Duck. Unlike any other tour in Rotorua, the duck tour is the best way to see the city and experience the beauty of the surrounding lake district all at once. Your tour begins right in the heart of the city where you will discover the sights and sounds, and learn all about the rich history and diversity that makes Rotorua such a unique destination. With your conDUCKtor, you will venture out of town to the spectacular lakes district where you will see magnificent views of Mt Tarawera and splashdown into Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) and Lake Okareka.

Included this dayMillennium Hotel RotoruaBreakfast

Queenstownview on Google Maps

Well-known as New Zealand’s ‘adventure capital’, Queenstown is home to a range of adventures, from the world’s first and most famous bungy jumps to jet boat thrills, white-water rafting, and skydiving. However, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced, action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of beautiful Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by many historic, gastronomic, and scenic wonders. Take a stroll through the beautiful lakefront parks and gardens, browse through market stalls on weekends, dine in wonderful al-fresco restaurants, or ride on the 100-year-old historic Steamship - TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station. Take the Queenstown Gondola up to Bob’s Peak and soak up the panoramic views of the magnificent lake and mountain ranges. And after all of that, if you do want the adrenaline rush, Queenstown is known for taking your pick from the Shotover Jet, Canyon Swing, Zipline, Luge, or Heli-hike.

Private Transfer Queenstown Airport to your Accommodation

On arrival you will be met by a private driver and delivered to your Queenstown accommodation.

Air New Zealand flight Rotorua to Queenstown

Private Transfer - Rotorua Accommodation to Rotorua Airport with Ready2Roll

You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to Rotorua Airport.

Included this dayMillennium Hotel QueenstownBreakfast

Right in the heart of the action, the Millennium Hotel is just minutes from Queenstown’s central shopping and entertainment district. Outdoor activities such as bungy jumping, white water rafting and jet boating are just some of the easily accessible activities nearby in New Zealand’s adventure capital.

Queenstownview on Google Maps

Departing from Queenstown sit back and relax aboard a luxury glass-roofed coach to enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary and plenty of photo opportunities. After a morning tea break in Te Anau, the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. On reaching Piopiotahi-Milford Sound, board your vessel for a leisurely cruise in the fiord. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforests, mountains and wildlife. Rain or shine, every day in Piopiotahi-Milford Sound will leave you in awe. It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information, see here.

Included this dayMillennium Hotel QueenstownBreakfast

Queenstownview on Google Maps

Hop aboard the Skyline Gondola - the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere! From which you can take in the awe-inspiring views of this spectacular landscape. Sit back and relax as you enjoy panoramic views of The Remarkables, Walter Peak, Cecil Peak, Coronet Peak and the magnificent Lake Wakatipu.

Discover Queenstown and its surroundings

With such an abundance of activities on offer, one day in Queenstown is never enough! For more thrills, you can choose from jet boating, luging, bungy jumping, or a canyon swing. If golf is your game, the exceptional Millbrook Golf Course is the place for you. If you prefer wine, head down the Gibbston wine trail to sample some of the region’s best Pinot, or explore a little further afield - the nearby historic gold mining township of Arrowtown is a popular destination and features many original buildings and features. At the head of Lake Wakatipu sits Glenorchy. The scenic drive here is worth the trip alone; however, upon arriving in this peaceful township, you could easily rest the day away. Nearby is the start of the Routeburn Track, one of New Zealand’s Great walks. You can enjoy a section of this track as a day walk. Alternatively, head over the Crown Range to the beautiful lake town of Wanaka, famous for its iconic tree in the lake. To appreciate the natural beauty that surrounds this area, a scenic flight or skydive will take your breath away.

Included this dayMillennium Hotel QueenstownBreakfast

Lake Tekapoview on Google Maps

This small group, fully-guided day trip combines all of the key highlights in the area with magnificent views of the famous Lake Tekapo, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and Tasman Glacier. The ultimate way to get from Queenstown to Christchurch. Led by famously passionate tour guides, notorious for bringing your journey to life by sharing their stories and rich background knowledge, in modern, comfortable minibuses packed with extras ensuring your comfort and safety.

Good to know

Departures

This itinerary departs on the dates that suit you, subject to availability. Peak season (December to February) books out early, so enquire well ahead for summer travel.

Make it yours

Add nights, upgrade rooms, swap activities or extend into the other island. Tell us what you would change and we will re-quote, no obligation.

Never travelling alone

Your whole itinerary lives in a smart travel app with live vouchers, maps and daily guidance, and your own travel specialist is reachable seven days a week while you are on the road. If plans change, we rearrange them in real time.

Watch: Milford Sound on this itinerary

Asked before booking

Still deciding? Worth a read: How many days do you actually need in New Zealand? · The best time to visit New Zealand, from people who live here

  1. Tell us about your trip

  2. Get your firm quote

  3. Shape it until it fits

  4. Confirm with a 20% deposit

  5. Everything is booked for you

  6. Travel with us beside you

The Silver Fern Promise

You never hand over more than a small deposit

Nothing to enquire, nothing until your quote is confirmed in writing, and never more than your deposit until the balance falls due 70 days before travel. Deposits can be paid by card, which keeps your card scheme’s protections in play.

How your money is protected

A firm quote within one business day

Availability checked with our New Zealand operations team and confirmed in writing, not an automated estimate.

No booking fees, and nothing to pay to enquire

Quotes are free and carry no obligation. You pay a deposit only once the itinerary is right and you say go.

One person, before and during your trip

The same specialist plans your trip and is reachable while you are travelling, alongside in-country support seven days a week.

100% Pure New Zealand InsiderQualmark Gold, the official quality mark of New Zealand tourismInsider status, Tourism New Zealand 100% Pure New Zealand Specialist Programme. IATA certified. Every itinerary is operated by a Qualmark Gold certified New Zealand tour operator.

Questions before you enquire? Email hello@silverferntravel.com and ask. No form required.

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