AAT Kings

• 11 Dinner (D)
• 16 Breakfast (B)
• 1 Lunch (L)

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

• Medium level of fitness required.

• Day 1: Flights to arrive by 4.00pm into Auckland AirportDay 17: Flights to depart anytime from Christchurch Airport
  Return Airport to Hotel transfers are available to purchase on request.
  Flights to and from your tour are not included in the tour price.

Meet your fellow travellers over welcome drinks and dinner in Auckland. This hosted gathering offers a relaxed introduction to the group and a chance to share what draws you to New Zealand.

Set in a city shaped by two harbours and a strong maritime identity, the evening marks the start of a journey across both islands. Your Tour Director can help you get acquainted with the experiences ahead.

Explore America’s Cup racing history on a guided visit to Auckland’s New Zealand Maritime Museum. See exhibits connected to competitive sailing and boat-building, including a replica of the coveted America’s Cup trophy.

Auckland’s sheltered harbours have long supported its sailing culture, earning the city the nickname City of Sails. The museum visit brings the engineering, rivalry and national pride behind this maritime tradition into focus.

Join a guided tour of Auckland, pausing at Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial and taking in views towards Mission Bay. Look across the waterfront and surrounding city from one of its most recognisable viewpoints.

Bastion Point, known as Takaparawhau, also holds profound significance in New Zealand’s Maori land-rights history. The tour pairs Auckland’s coastal scenery with a clearer sense of the people and events that have shaped the city.

Explore Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland on an exclusive guided visit near Rotorua. An expert guide introduces its bubbling mud pools, vividly coloured Devil’s Bath and the mineral-rich Champagne Pool, with a mocktail and canapés included.

Volcanic heat and dissolved minerals create the striking colours and restless surfaces of this geothermal landscape. The private visit offers time to appreciate the sights, sounds and sulphurous atmosphere with expert insight.

View the rushing waters of Huka Falls from a panoramic lookout near Taupo. Watch the Waikato River compress into a narrow channel before surging over the falls in a striking display of turquoise water and white spray.

The force comes from an estimated 220,000 litres of water passing over the falls each second. This viewpoint makes the scale and sound of one of the North Island’s best-known natural landmarks immediately tangible.

Discover Wellington on a city sights tour featuring landmarks such as the Wellington Cable Car, Parliament and Mount Victoria. Take in the compact capital’s steep hills, harbour setting and civic heart with a guide.

The tour finishes at Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, where you can choose whether to explore the exhibitions independently. Museum admission, where applicable, is not included in this city tour.

Cross Cook Strait by ferry between New Zealand’s North and South Islands, with the route entering the sheltered waterways of Queen Charlotte Sound. Watch the shoreline change from open strait to forested hills and winding inlets.

Although the crossing connects two stages of the journey, its coastal scenery makes it an experience in its own right. The sounds form part of the Marlborough Sounds, a maze of sea-filled valleys at the top of the South Island.

Discover Christchurch on a city tour that highlights its evolving architecture and public spaces. See how contemporary design sits alongside older elements of the South Island’s largest city.

The 2010 and 2011 earthquakes profoundly changed Christchurch’s centre. Buildings such as the Cardboard Cathedral and Turanga central library illustrate the ingenuity behind its rebuilding, making the city’s streets a compelling record of recovery and renewal.

Join Stan and Angie Taylor for afternoon tea at Morelea, their home overlooking Lake Tekapo. Watch Angie demonstrate her celebrated pavlova and hear Stan share stories from a lifetime spent farming in New Zealand.

This Be My Guest visit offers a personal introduction to rural South Island life. A homemade dessert, local conversation and views of the lake give the gathering a character quite different from a café stop.

Explore Oamaru’s Victorian streetscape, browsing shops, galleries and traditional crafts housed within its historic buildings. Take time to notice the detailed facades and the creative businesses that occupy them today.

Built in part from locally quarried limestone, Oamaru’s nineteenth-century commercial buildings form one of the Southern Hemisphere’s notably intact Victorian precincts. The visit brings together the town’s architectural heritage and the work of its present-day artisans.

Travel by jet boat on Lake Manapouri and learn about the community conservation project protecting native birds and restoring vegetation on Pomona Island. Pause in quieter places to absorb Fiordland’s lake and mountain scenery and look for trout.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience combines an exhilarating ride with insight into the care of a fragile island environment. Local stories and conservation work give added meaning to the landscape.

Cruise Piopiotahi / Milford Sound beneath sheer rock faces, rainforest-clad slopes and waterfalls in Fiordland National Park. From the water, take in the scale of this deep, glacier-carved fiord and its changing light and weather.

Part of the Te Wahipounamu World Heritage area, Piopiotahi is shaped by ancient ice and the region’s heavy rainfall. Mist, mountain reflections and cascades make each passage through the fiord feel closely tied to the conditions of the day.

Cross Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a historic steamship, to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead and a farm show in a setting framed by Queenstown’s mountains.

The steamship’s traditional character and the working-farm atmosphere offer a distinctive way to experience the lake. The evening brings together a scenic crossing, regional hospitality and a glimpse of high-country farming life.

Explore Arrowtown’s tree-lined streets and preserved historic centre, where small buildings recall the town’s gold-rush past. Wander among the shopfronts and take in the setting beneath the surrounding Central Otago hills.

Founded during the nineteenth-century gold rush, Arrowtown retains a scale and streetscape that distinguish it from nearby Queenstown. Its heritage gives travellers a tangible introduction to the prospectors and communities who once worked in this landscape.

See Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere / Franz Josef Glacier from a scenic viewpoint near Waiau / Franz Josef. Look towards the glacier and the steep, forested valley it has helped shape over time.

This West Coast glacier descends from the Southern Alps into an unusually temperate, rainforest-fringed landscape. The viewpoint provides a ground-level perspective on its setting; visibility depends on the weather and conditions on the day.

Visit the Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki on New Zealand’s wild West Coast. See limestone formations that appear stacked in thin layers, set against the spray and swell of the Tasman Sea.

These distinctive rocks were shaped over immense spans of time by geological processes and coastal erosion. The visit offers a close look at one of the coast’s signature landscapes, where rock, sea and weather give the shoreline its rugged character.

Follow a self-guided journey through the Pounamu Pathway, exploring stories of Poutini Ngai Tahu and the Mawhera Pa settlement. Immersive presentation developed in collaboration with Weta Workshop brings local history and culture into focus.

Pounamu, or New Zealand greenstone, has enduring cultural significance and deep connections to the West Coast. This experience centres the perspectives and stories of the people of the region rather than treating the landscape as scenery alone.

Ride the TranzAlpine train from Arthur’s Pass towards Christchurch, crossing the Southern Alps through tunnels and over viaducts. Watch for beech forest, river valleys, gorges and alpine peaks through the train’s panoramic windows.

Rail travel gives this mountain crossing a different pace from the road, with broad views into otherwise hard-to-reach terrain. The route is celebrated for the contrast between its rugged alpine sections and the open country approaching Canterbury.

Soak in the thermal waters of Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa during your time in Rotorua. Choose a restorative bathing experience in a city renowned for the geothermal activity beneath its streets and surrounding landscape.

Rotorua’s hot springs are part of its distinctive volcanic setting, making a spa visit a way to experience that natural energy at a gentler pace. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Explore Rotorua by amphibious Duck vehicle, travelling on roads and splashing into local lakes aboard a vehicle inspired by Second World War-era amphibious craft. The change from street to water gives this sightseeing tour its playful character.

From the lakes, see another side of Rotorua’s landscape beyond its geothermal attractions. Commentary adds local context to the journey. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Explore Te Papa Tongarewa, New Zealand’s national museum on Wellington’s waterfront, at your own pace. Choose from exhibitions addressing the country’s people, natural environment, art and history.

Te Papa’s collections and interpretive displays offer a deeper understanding of Aotearoa beyond the landmarks seen on a city tour. The itinerary allows you to choose whether to visit; any applicable exhibition or entrance fee is at additional cost, and arrangements can be made on tour.

Explore Zealandia, a fenced ecosanctuary restoring 225 hectares of forest near central Wellington. Walk through protected habitat and look for native wildlife while learning about the project’s long-term conservation goals.

Zealandia offers an unusually accessible view of ecological restoration in progress, with native species given space to thrive close to the capital. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Wander the grounds of Dunedin’s stately castle on the Otago Peninsula, taking in its gardens and historic setting. This visit offers an architectural contrast to the city’s coastal scenery.

Commonly known as Larnach Castle, the nineteenth-century house reflects the ambitions of Dunedin’s colonial-era prosperity. Its gardens provide space to appreciate the estate and its elevated position. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Cruise the waters around Dunedin in search of wildlife, including little penguins. View the Otago coastline from the water and listen for guidance on the species that inhabit this part of the South Island.

The Otago Peninsula and its surrounding waters are known for varied seabird and marine habitats. A cruise offers a different perspective on that environment, though wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Sample sustainably made gin in Dunedin and discover how a local producer approaches flavour and production. A guided tasting gives you the chance to notice the botanicals and aromas that distinguish each spirit.

Dunedin’s creative food and drink scene adds a contemporary dimension to a city often recognised for its Scottish heritage and historic streets. This tasting is an optional experience at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Explore the rugged scenery of Skippers Canyon near Queenstown on an optional excursion. Take in steep gorges and the remote terrain associated with Central Otago’s gold-mining past.

The canyon offers a striking contrast to Queenstown’s lakeside streets, with a landscape shaped by both natural forces and nineteenth-century prospecting. Specific stops depend on the tour offered locally. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Taste cool-climate wines in Central Otago on a guided tour from Queenstown. Visit local producers and sample wines while learning how the region’s seasons and landscape influence what grows here.

Central Otago is especially known for Pinot Noir, with vineyards set among dry hills, valleys and alpine scenery. The tour offers a flavour-led introduction to this distinctive wine region. It is optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Visit Kiwi Birdlife Park in Queenstown to learn about New Zealand’s native birds and conservation efforts. Spend time in a dedicated wildlife setting and discover more about the species the park works to protect.

The kiwi is a powerful national symbol, yet its secretive habits make it difficult to encounter in the wild. A park visit provides a closer educational experience. This optional activity is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Ride a KJet jet boat on the Shotover River for a fast-paced Queenstown experience. Feel the acceleration on the water and see the river landscape from a low, close-up perspective.

Jet boating is closely associated with New Zealand’s adventure culture, and Queenstown is one of its best-known centres. This choice is designed for travellers seeking an active contrast to the region’s scenic viewpoints. It is optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Explore the scenery around Glenorchy on a tour from Queenstown, travelling towards the mountain and lake landscapes that have appeared in The Lord of the Rings films. Look out over the northern reaches of Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding ranges.

Glenorchy’s small settlement and expansive alpine setting make it appealing beyond its screen connections. The tour is optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Fly above Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere / Franz Josef Glacier for an aerial view of ice, mountain slopes and the West Coast’s dramatic terrain. Conditions permitting, the available flight may include an opportunity to land and walk on the ice.

From above, the glacier’s scale and its setting between high alpine country and temperate rainforest become especially clear. Flight routes and any landing depend on weather and operating conditions. This optional experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour.

Experience Maori culture at Te Pa Tu in Rotorua through traditions, art, music and storytelling. Enjoy seasonal forest kai horotai, a chef-selected aperitif and a three-course dinner as part of this hosted cultural evening.

Food and performance provide a welcoming setting for learning about living Maori traditions rather than viewing them solely as history. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience supports the sharing and celebration of Indigenous culture.

Hear directly from the founder of Kaikoura Wildlife Centre Trust, Sabrina Luecht, during a biodiversity talk about local wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Learn how the trust responds to the needs of animals along this wildlife-rich coastline.

Kaikoura is known for the meeting of mountains and sea and for its abundant marine life. This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® experience connects the region’s natural appeal with the practical work involved in protecting its wildlife.

Visit Weta Workshop in Wellington for a behind-the-scenes look at the creative craft associated with films including The Lord of the Rings. Discover how skilled makers develop props, effects and detailed fantasy worlds.

Wellington’s screen industry has helped make the capital an international centre for film production. This tour focuses on the practical artistry behind what appears on screen. It is an optional experience at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Take a scenic flight over the Kaikoura coast, where mountains, beaches and turquoise water meet. From the air, look for whales in the waters offshore while appreciating the sweep of the coastline.

Kaikoura’s deep offshore waters support a rich marine environment, making it a well-known place for whale watching. Sightings depend on wildlife and conditions and cannot be guaranteed. This optional flight is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Cruise the waters off Kaikoura in search of dolphins and see the coastline from a marine perspective. Keep watch for pods while mountains form a dramatic backdrop to the open sea.

Kaikoura’s abundant marine life makes boat-based wildlife viewing a distinctive choice here. The experience offers time on the water rather than a distant view from shore, although sightings are never guaranteed. This optional cruise is at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.

Kayak along the Kaikoura coast with a guide, paddling close to the rocky shoreline and watching for seals resting on the rocks. The low vantage point puts you near the movement and sounds of the sea.

This active outing reveals the meeting of Kaikoura’s marine habitat and mountainous coastline. Wildlife encounters and the route depend on conditions, with appropriate distance maintained from animals. It is optional, at additional cost and bookable on tour, subject to availability.