Highlights of New Zealand (3360)

11 Day Tour from Auckland to Queenstown

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Your affordable New Zealand tour begins in Auckland with a two-night stay to start exploring this fascinating country. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city, including the Domain—its park surrounding a dormant volcano. You’ll travel through the lush farmland of Rotorua, home to New Zealand’s Maori culture, bubbling geothermal sites, and the setting for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. You’ll learn about the region’s natural wonders, agricultural and creative traditions, and the Maori culture.

Your value-minded New Zealand guided vacation continues with big sights to see throughout the north island. You’ll travel past New Zealand’s largest lake, Lake Taupo, on your way to visit the art-deco city of Napier. Go sightseeing in the New Zealand capital of Wellington, and take in its vibrant art and dining scene. See the Beehive and Parliament buildings, then take in the sweeping views of the harbor from Mount Victoria. Embark on one of the world’s most scenic ferry rides across the Marlborough Sound—keeping an eye out for dolphins, penguins, or whales on your way to Christchurch. Explore the land of towering mountains, rugged coastlines, and vast plains of New Zealand’s south island as you venture on to Queenstown. Enjoy free time to explore this “adventure capital” before your breathtaking cruise on Milford Sound. Here, be awed by waterfalls, sheer cliff walls, and tropical rainforests surrounding the marine home of seals, penguins, and dolphins.

This budget-minded tour of New Zealand is nothing short of spectacular. Enjoy the idyllic and fantastic scenes around each turn in your escorted vacation from Auckland to Queenstown.

Small-Group Discovery Dates Available

Select Cosmos South Pacific vacations are limited to an average of just 20 guests per departure. There’s always room to roam with extra space between you and other travelers—while still getting up close and personal to the experiences you’ve been dreaming of. Small-Group Discoveries include all the features of a traditional Cosmos escorted tour, complete with expert Tour Director, Driver, and Local Guides who ensure that your health and safety is our top priority. A Small-Group Discovery South Pacific vacation is the perfectly sized tour—without the crowds.

Headsets throughout your tour

Dates & Prices Book Online
800.646.5374
Highlights of New Zealand map

 Photo Highlights

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

  • Te Wahipounamu

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

This Cosmos travel package does not include meals. Most of our hotels offer anything from coffee to a full breakfast, so you can start the day the way you like best. At most lunch stops, your Tour Director will have information on local restaurants. Dinnertime is your chance to sample local cuisine. Sometimes your Tour Director will offer an optional dinner outing.

 Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVE AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND

Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand! Hotel rooms are available for immediate check-in. A pre-night is not required for early check-in. The remainder of the day is yours to relax or start exploring.

Day 2 AUCKLAND

This morning begins with a welcome briefing to meet fellow passengers and your Tour Director. Then, enjoy a sightseeing tour, discovering first hand why Auckland is regarded as one of the best places in the world to live. See the Domain, the city’s oldest park, developed around an extinct volcano. Highlights also include charming Parnell Village, bustling Queens Street, and the Viaduct Harbour. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Your Tour Director will have suggestions for additional sightseeing, shopping, and dining.

Day 3 AUCKLAND–ROTORUA

Leave Auckland this morning and journey through lush farm land to Rotorua, home to New Zealand’s Máori culture and geothermal wonders. Our first stop is Te Puia where a guided tour allows you to see bubbling mud, pools of boiling water, and the famous Pohutu Geyser, the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere. You’ll also have a chance to witness traditional Máori carving and weaving along with a Máori cultural performance. Then, visit Agrodome to learn more about one of the country’s major industries—sheep! This evening is at leisure.

Day 4 ROTORUA

Today is free to explore more of Rotorua. You may wish to take an optional excursion to visit magical Hobbiton, the set used as the Shire in the movie trilogies, The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Other options include a zipline and canopy tour, helicopter and floatplane flights over the volcanic valley, or a relaxing soak in a natural hot spring at the Polynesian Spa. In the evening, you may want to attend an optional Máori Hangi dinner and cultural performance.

Day 5 ROTORUA–LAKE TAUPO–NAPIER

Today we continue our journey on the North Island traveling past Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Later, arrive in Napier, located in the beautiful Hawk’s Bay region. This afternoon, a walking tour explains how a natural disaster resulted in Napier becoming one of the purest Art Deco cities in the world. With the rest of the day at leisure, you may wish to take a stroll on the beach, shop for a favorite souvenir, or visit the National Aquarium to see sharks, stingrays, penguins, and more.

Day 6 NAPIER–WELLINGTON

Continue to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city known for is vibrant art scene, world-class restaurant culture, and active outdoor lifestyle. Upon arrival, a sightseeing tour includes the famous Beehive and Parliament building and panoramic views of the city and harbor from the top of Mount Victoria.

Day 7 WELLINGTON–INTERISLANDER FERRY–PICTON–CHRISTCHURCH

Today, enjoy a special treat as you sail from Wellington to Picton and enjoy the spectacular Marlborough Sound on one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world. Make sure to have your camera ready as dolphins are frequent traveling companions of the ferry. On occasion, you might even spot a pod of whales or some penguins swimming by. Continue to Christchurch, the largest city on the South IsIand for an overnight stay.

Day 8 CHRISTCHURCH–LAKE TEKAPO–QUEENSTOWN

Our journey continues across New Zealand’s South Island today. This is the land of towering mountains, rugged coastlines, and sweeping plains. Stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo for a visit to the picturesque Church of the Good Shepherd. Later, arrive in Queenstown, the “Adventure Capital,” for a 3-night stay. This evening you may want to take the Skyline Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak, where you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu below.

Day 9 QUEENSTOWN

Today is free to explore on your own. You may want to take the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamship to Walter Peak Farm for a delicious lunch or dinner, discover a favorite boutique or art gallery, or take an exciting helicopter ride over the Remarkables Mountains.

Day 10 QUEENSTOWN. EXCURSION TO MILFORD SOUND

Today, enjoy a full-day excurison to breathtaking Milford Sound. Cruise to see cascading waterfalls, sheer cliff walls, tropical rainforest, wildlife including seals and dolphins, and fantastic scenery. It’s sure to be a highlight of your trip! Return to Queenstown late this evening. Note—The excursion to Milford Sound may occur on Day 9, based on weather and road conditions.

Day 11 QUEENSTOWN

Your vacation ends this morning.



Transportation:

Private, first-class air-conditioned motorcoach while touring, Intra-vacation flights.

 Tour Director

With COSMOS, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of a Tour Director. We’d like you to meet one of our Tour Directors, who average over a decade of experience and are representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

TESSA CLARKE

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

“Kia Ora! I'm Tessa, and I've been guiding in New Zealand for some time. I can't wait for you to come and immerse yourself in my country. My goal is that when you go home, you leave with a deep understanding of what it is to be a Kiwi - and that you have discovered things not found in the guide books. Ka Kite Ano (see you soon)!”

Tour Director - TESSA CLARKE

 Accommodations

 Optional Excursions

No matter what you’re into: food, wine, history, art, music or anything else, we give you the freedom to personalize your vacation with optional excursions that speak to your interests.

When you book your excursions with us, you can be assured that every optional excursion that we offer coordinates with the free time that you'll have in your destination, so you'll never have conflicts between included and optional activities. Our team of travel experts carefully selects each optional excursion that we offer to ensure that you receive the highest quality at a great value. Our tried-and-true partners have a finger on the pulse of the city in which they operate so they deliver the very best experiences. We offer experiences you cannot create on your own and because you’re booking with us, we coordinate all your transportation and timing needs.

The following optional excursions are examples only for this vacation. These may or may not be offered, and availability is subject to days of operation and seasonality. Please select a departure date to view optional excursions and pricing for a specific date (due to currency fluctuation, pricing shown is subject to change until purchased). Optional excursions are available for purchase on our MyCosmos site 90 days prior to the tour start date.

Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)


Auckland
Rotorua
Napier
Queenstown

Auckland

Sky Tower

Sky Tower

Enjoy incredible views of Auckland and the harbor from atop Sky Tower. Spot the key landmarks, a number of volcanoes, and historical locations within the greater Auckland area.

Price Range: $

Rotorua

Dinner with a New Zealand Family

Dinner with a New Zealand Family

Experience New Zealand "Kiwi" hospitality and a traditional 3-course dinner on this authentic New Zealand dining experience.

Price Range: $$$

Rotorua Duck Tours

Rotorua Duck Tours

Get a unique view of Rotorua's geothermal wonders on this fun excursion by Duck! Discover historic sights, Maori culture, and incredible natural beauty on this sightseeing adventure aboard a WWII amphibious vehicle that travels on both land and water.

Price Range: $$

Rotorua Zipline and Canopy Tour

Rotorua Zipline and Canopy Tour

Soar along 500-year-old Mamaku Forest on New Zealand's only native forest zipline canopy tour. This is an experience of a lifetime!

Price Range: $$$

Redwoods TreeWalk at Night

Redwoods TreeWalk at Night

The TreeWalk consists of 21 suspension bridges traversing between 22 Californian coastal redwoods. In the evening, the forest and ferns are illuminated by 30 suspended lanterns and multiple colored spotlights. It is a truly unique nighttime experience!

Price Range: $

Napier

Vintage Car Tour

Vintage Car Tour

Discover Napier's Art Deco heritage in style in a luxurious 1930's vintage car!

Price Range: $$$$

The Ghost Tour

The Ghost Tour

This haunting tour visits the grounds of the oldest prison in New Zealand.

Price Range: $

Queenstown

Walter Peak Evening Dinner

Walter Peak Evening Dinner

Cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the 103-year-old TSS Earnslaw steamship to enjoy a popular dinner excursion at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy great scenery, a delicious meal, and learn more about life on a New Zealand farm.

Price Range: $$$

Wilderness Safari

Wilderness Safari

Take a spectacular jet boat journey along the Dart's ever-changing braided river system. Awe-inspiring surroundings include breathtaking snowcapped mountains, ancient native forest, waterfalls, and glacial valleys frozen in time. Your excursion includes an easy guided walk through the Heritage Trail at Paradise, where your knowledgeable guide will enhance your experience with informative and entertaining commentary about the ancient native beech forest, the unique fauna, amazing history, and fascinating Maori legends. You will also ride aboard a 4WD coach along a scenic backroad route to view scenery that has formed the epic backdrop for Middle Earth in The Lord of the Rings movies.

Price Range: $$$$

KJet Thrill Ride

KJet Thrill Ride

KJet offers 60 minutes of unforgettable thrills, spins and exhilaration across three waterways in one of the world's most stunning locations.

Price Range: $$$

Cruise onboard the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamship

Cruise onboard the historic TSS Earnslaw Steamship

It is New Zealand's most iconic boat and one of Queenstown's most historic destinations. The leisurely cruise across beautiful Lake Wakatipu show cases some of Queenstown's spectacular alpine scenery while offering you plenty of time to explore a piece of Queenstown's living history - the 105-year-old TSS Earnslaw.

Price Range: $$

Queenstown Wine Trail Tour

Queenstown Wine Trail Tour

Take this tour and experience the true flavor of the local pinot noir and other wine varietals at three premium vineyards.

Price Range: $$$$

Walter Peak Farm and BBQ Lunch

Walter Peak Farm and BBQ Lunch

Cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the 103-year-old TSS Earnslaw steamship to enjoy a popular lunch excursion at the historic Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy great scenery, a delicious meal, and learn more about life on a New Zealand farm.

Price Range: $$$

Helicopter Flight over the Remarkables Mountains with Landing

Helicopter Flight over the Remarkables Mountains with Landing

See Queenstown's most famous and iconic mountain range from one mile high. This "Remarkable" excursion takes you towards the South Eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu where the Remarkables stand tall over Queenstown - one of only two Mountain ranges in the world that run directly North to South. Soar straight to the top and take in the views of the incredible alpine environment. On the top, we make a landing and shutdown the helicopter to allow you to take in the grandeur scale of the Wakatipu Basin. Take the ultimate photograph, breathe in the southern fresh air and you may even be lucky enough to enjoy some fresh snow. From there, your helicopter will take off and make its way back to base, showing off the picturesque scenery of Queenstown on the way down.

Price Range: $$$$

Discover Arrowtown and Wanaka

Discover Arrowtown and Wanaka

Discover the beauty of Arrowtown and Wanaka with a half-day tour exploring these stunning towns. Experience Arrowtown's charming streets, journey over the Crown Range (New Zealand's highest sealed road), and learn the history of the area and take in breathtaking views at every turn.

Price Range: $$$$



The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include International airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).

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