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LUXURY LODGES OF NEW ZEALAND
North and South Islands
New Zealand is a land of breathtaking contrasts, where snow-capped mountains tumble into turquoise lakes, lush rainforests meet golden beaches, and wide open skies stretch above untouched wilderness. But beyond the stunning scenery lies a world of unforgettable experiences: heli-hiking on ancient glaciers, fly fishing in crystal-clear rivers, wine tasting in sun-drenched vineyards, and stargazing from remote alpine valleys. After a day of adventure, relax in one of New Zealand’s world-class luxury lodges, where fine dining, spa treatments, and warm Kiwi hospitality await.
DAY 1
Welcome to New Zealand
On arrival at Auckland International Airport you will be met airside by a representative of Southern Crossings who will assist with customs clearance and luggage collection, and escort you into the Arrivals Hall. From here, you will be met by your private driver and vehicle who will transfer you to your hotel.
Your afternoon is at leisure.
Where You Will Stay
Park Hyatt Auckland (5 star)
DAY 2
Great Barrier Island Waiheke Island
This morning depart Auckland aboard your private scenic aircraft for a full day excursion designed to showcase the very best of the City, Great Barrier Island, and Waiheke Island. You will be treated to a breathtaking journey through the picturesque Hauraki Gulf, where you will witness stunning coastal landscapes and encounter a rich diversity of marine life within the expansive 1.2 million-hectare coastal waters and islands. Upon reaching the magnificent Great Barrier Island, your tour guides will accompany you on a captivating 3 hour tour unveiling the island's unique ecosystem, natural beauty, and diverse landscapes. Your flight will then take you over the scenic Coromandel Peninsula as you make your way to Waiheke Island.
On arrival at Waiheke Island, you will be met by your private driver and vehicle for a full day guided sightseeing tour of the Island's vineyards. Your private tour allows you to craft your own personal itinerary, choosing from a delightful selection of fascinating people, places and tastes which combine to make Waiheke Island so unique. Your knowledgeable local guide will take you to three or more of the island’s highly regarded vineyards, where you can taste a selection of their fine wines and learn about what makes Waiheke wines among some of the best in the world.
Enjoy a three course lunch stop with a glass of wine at one of Waiheke’s top vineyard restaurants. On conclusion of your excursion, rejoin your private helicopter and pilot for your return scenic flight to Auckland
Where You Will Stay
Park Hyatt Auckland (5 star)
DAY 3
Discovering Middle Earth
You will be met at your accommodation by your private driver and vehicle for your scenic transfer to Matamata (approximately a 2 hour 30 minute journey). Enjoy a privately guided visit to Hobbiton, by discovering the real ‘Middle Earth’. Set on the most picturesque private farmland, you can visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies in a fascinating guided tour.
Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey through the unequivocal beauty of the land with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. During your tour you will see Hobbit Holes, The Mill, double arched bridge and other structures and gardens built for the films. Enjoy a refreshment at The Green Dragon Inn on conclusion.
Following your excursion, you will be met by your driver and will continue to your Lodge in Taupo.
Where You Will Stay
Huka Lodge (5 star)
DAY 4
Hiking Lake Taupo
This morning you will be met at your accommodation by your private guide and vehicle for your hike through one of the Great Lake Trails along the edge of Lake Taupo, complemented by a refreshing cruise on the lake.
Travel to the settlement of Kinloch, graced with spectacular views of Lake Taupo and the mountains of Tongariro National Park. Set off on a nine kilometre hike (approximately 2.5-3 hours) through dense native bush with good shade cover. Look out for native birds, rewarewa trees and giant ferns. After an initial ascent to the Codger’s Rock Lookout, you will be rewarded with glorious views toward crescent-shaped Kawakawa Bay before descending toward it.
Emerge from the bush at Kawakawa Bay to board your awaiting private launch. The relaxing atmosphere on board will be a welcome respite after the hike’s exertion! Venture onto Lake Taupo’s azure waters, visiting charming bays and inlets only accessible by boat. Enjoy a delicious lunch accompanied by wine and beer, which has been included today. Following lunch there is the opportunity to fish before visiting the remarkable Ngatoroirangi Mine Bay Maori rock carvings.
Return to Taupo Boat Harbour mid afternoon and onwards to your lodge.
Where You Will Stay
Huka Lodge (5 star)
DAY 5
Cape Kidnappers
You will be met at your accommodation by your private driver and vehicle for your scenic transfer to Hawke's Bay.
Departing Taupo you’ll head away from the lake and up over the Kaimanawa Ranges. Pass by the largest pine plantation in the Southern Hemisphere before descending past the many vineyards of Hawke’s Bay.
Continue through the Art Deco city of Napier before arriving at Cape Kidnappers where you will spend the next 3 nights.
Where You Will Stay
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers (5 star)
DAY 6
Hawke's Bay Wineries
This morning you will be met at your accommodation by your private guide and vehicle for your full day tour during which you will visit some of the best wineries in Hawke’s Bay and taste their award winning wines.
Hawke’s Bay is the oldest and second largest wine growing area in the country. You will talk with the personalities who are passionate about crafting these world class wines.
Enjoy a winery lunch at a vineyard suggested by your guide.
Return to your hotel where the afternoon is at leisure.
Where You Will Stay
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers (5 star)
DAY 7
Golf & Relaxation
Today enjoy a round of golf at Cape Kidnappers Course.
Completed in 2004, this spectacular golf course has been hailed as one of the great modern marvels in golf. Built on a ridge-and-valley landscape and with stunning sea views, Cape Kidnappers Golf Course plays high above the ocean atop dramatic cliffs. With cliff-edge fairways perched 140 metres above sea level and with surface that remains firm and fast, this course offers holes unlike anything you find elsewhere in the world.
This afternoon enjoy the Spa and relax at the hotel.
Where You Will Stay
Rosewood Cape Kidnappers (5 star)
DAY 8
Welcome to the South Island
You will be met at your accommodation by your private driver and vehicle and transferred to Napier Airport where you will fly to Christchurch.
On arrival at Christchurch Airport you will be met by your private driver and vehicle and transferred to your Lodge.
This afternoon enjoy a cooking lesson at Otahuna Lodge with executive chef Jimmy McIntyre. Culinary excellence is a cornerstone of the Otahuna experience with Jimmy providing an overview of the philosophies behind the Lodge’s celebrated food and wine programme. Classes incorporate a harvesting visit to Otahuna’s organic working gardens, provide an introduction to planning menus and offer a special chance to learn first-hand cooking techniques in their kitchens before tasting the dishes for yourself.
Where You Will Stay
Otahuna Lodge (5 star)
DAY 9
Akaroa
This morning meet your driver and head off on your full day Akaroa excursion.
You will be driven around the base of the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula, where from the hilltop, you will have wonderful views out over Akaroa Harbour. The drive down from the crater of this extinct volcano, following the shores around to the French influenced village of Akaroa.
Here you will board your vessel for an unforgettable experience on the Akaroa Harbour, where you will have the chance to swim with dolphins. Akaroa is the only place on the planet where you can swim with one of the world’s rarest and smallest dolphin, the Hector’s Dolphin. Wetsuits, masks, snorkels, showers, and hot drinks have been included today.
After your cruise, enjoy a picnic lunch. You will then have an opportunity to wander around the charming 175 year old French harbourside village of Akaroa with its museum of settlers’ history, studios and art and craft shops.
Where You Will Stay
Otahuna Lodge (5 star)
DAY 10
Ahuriri Valley
Today will be met by your private driver for your scenic transfer to The Lindis via the Canterbury Plains, Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki (approximately a 4 hour 30 minute journey).
Taking the Inland Scenic Route, travel towards the mountains across the vast Canterbury Plains, New Zealand’s largest farming region. Pass through many small farming communities as you climb the foothills towards the Mackenzie Country.
As you arrive in the high country, huge barren landscapes bordered by the soaring Southern Alps and dotted with azure blue lakes await you.
Where You Will Stay
The Lindis Lodge (5 star)
DAY 11
Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
Enjoy a full day excursion from The Lindis, exploring the wider Aoraki Mount Cook region, including two helicopter flights and a privately guided glacier walk in a wilderness environment of towering mountains, glaciers and ice fields.
You will be met by your private guide and vehicle for scenic transfer to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park where you will meet your private ski plane or helicopter. Enjoy a scenic flight beneath the towering Aoraki Mount Cook, landing on a remote glacier where you will be met by your qualified mountain guide. Equipped with an ice axe, crampons and attached to your guide, expect a truly empowering experience as you steadily explore an icy wilderness environment usually the realm of professional mountaineers.
After a gourmet packed lunch, the helicopter/ski plane will land and whisk you back to Aoraki Mount Cook Village.
Where You Will Stay
The Lindis Lodge (5 star)
DAY 12
Queenstown
Today you will be met at your hotel by your driver for your scenic transfer to Queenstown via the Mackenzie Country and the Lindis Pass.
Travel over the beautiful Lindis Pass into Central Otago. Your drive will take you up over the Crown Range Road, New Zealand’s highest road, where you will take in the spectacular views as you descend the other side into Queenstown.
Afternoon is at leisure.
Where You Will Stay
Rosewood Matakauri (5 star)
DAY 13
Milford Sound Expedition
Today you will be transferred to Queenstown Airport to meet your private helicopter for your flight to spectacular Milford Sound. Enjoy an insider’s look at the highlights of Milford Sound, the West Coast and the surrounding Southern Alps glacier areas as your pilot shares favourite spots discovered over the years.
Fly high over the snow-capped Southern Alps to Milford Sound, a 17 km long glacial fiord known for its unique natural features including extremely steep bedrock walls extending up to two thousand metres above sea level. Soar the length of the Sound, absorbing magnificent views toward lush rainforests and dramatic waterfalls below.
Where the Sound reaches the Tasman Sea, your helicopter will head north. You may observe seals in their natural colonies enroute. Land on a rugged, remote West Coast beach bordered by an ancient forest of trees and ferns and wonder if you have entered a scene in an otherworldly movie. Next you will ascend to glacial areas, touching down in an alpine setting.
Where You Will Stay
Rosewood Matakauri (5 star)
DAY 14
Central Otago Wine Tour
Meet your driver this morning and head to the Central Otago wine region.
Let your experienced wine guide lead you on a tasting journey through three contrasting Central Otago wine sub-regions; Gibbston, Bannockburn and Cromwell. Indulge in a cheeseboard which accompanies one wine tasting, and savour a unique lunch with 5 dishes cooked in retired oak barrels and perfectly matched with 5 wines.
This afternoon return to your hotel where the afternoon is at leisure.
Where You Will Stay
Rosewood Matakauri (5 star)
DAY 15
Farewell
As your unforgettable journey in New Zealand comes to a close, your driver will meet you for a private transfer to the airport.