Click Here to View Your Vacation
Exploring New Zealand's Wonders featuring the North & South Islands
From geothermal springs and ice fields to stunning fjords and Maori culture, experience New Zealand at its best. Spend two nights discovering the sun-soaked Bay of Islands. Stand in awe of the giant kauri tree. Spend 2 nights in Christchurch and see how the city is reinventing itself. Admire the ice fields and glaciers surrounding Mt. Cook. Stay in Dunedin, a little slice of Scotland in the South Pacific. Cruise Milford Sound in dramatic Fiordland. Savor a captivating 3-night stay in Queenstown, the "Adventure Capital of the World." The vibrant lifestyle of the Pacific Islands welcomes you.
Call to Book
1-800-222-7448
Additional Information
Depart from Home
Cross the International Dateline and begin the adventure of a lifetime by skipping a day ahead.
Auckland, New Zealand - Tour Begins
Your tour opens in Auckland, the "City of Sails," consistently rated one of the world's best places to live. Auckland's Polynesian population instills into its chic atmosphere the vibrant feel of the Pacific Islands. This evening, join your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner.
Auckland
Come to know the best of Auckland during a panoramic city tour featuring the America's Cup Village, the War Memorial, bustling Queen Street, and the Auckland Harbour Bridge. The afternoon is yours to explore New Zealand's largest city on your own. Perhaps you will choose to go on an optional America's Cup sailing experience.
Auckland - Bay of Islands
Depart Auckland and travel north to the Bay of Islands, your home for the next 2 nights. This sun-soaked region boasts more than 144 islands and warm waters with abundant marine life. Visit the Waitangi Treaty House, the site where Maori and British leaders signed the 1840 treaty establishing New Zealand as a nation, to enjoy a traditional Welcome Ceremony and tour.
Bay of Islands
Begin the day with a cruise that features the bay's famous Hole in the Rock. Look out at the Cape Brett Lighthouse, standing nearly 500 feet above sea level at the edge of the Cape Brett Peninsula. The rest of the day is yours to independently explore Paihia - the quaint town known as "the jewel of the Bay of Islands."
Bay of Islands - Matakohe - Rotorua
Leave the sparkling waters of the Bay of Islands behind and head to Matakohe in the heartland of the North Island. Make a stop at the Kauri Museum and come to know the stories surrounding the giant kauri tree that can live for 2,000 years. Discover how the early settlers used this abundant tree to build a life for themselves. Later, continue on to the town of Rotorua, known for geothermal activity and Maori culture.
Rotorua
Find yourself amid the dramatic geothermal landscape of Rotorua, known as the Maori capital of New Zealand. Visit Whakarewarewa, a Maori cultural and geothermal experience. Explore an authentic Maori village where people live using natural geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes as they have done for centuries. In the evening, experience ceremonial Maori rituals at an authentic Hangi dinner and performance.
Rotorua - Wellington
Today we travel to Wellington - New Zealand's capital city, known as the "Windy City", a coastal city nestled against the mountains.
Wellington
Embark on a city tour of Wellington. See the Beehive - New Zealand's Parliament; historic St. Paul's Church; and the Old Government Building, the largest wooden building in the Southern Hemisphere. Explore the Te Papa Tongawera Museum, a fascinating center dedicated to art, history, and the Maori culture before enjoying an afternoon and evening at leisure. With your free time, perhaps you'll consider a ride on the Wellington Cable Car to the suburb of Kelburn for stunning panoramic views of the city.
Wellington - Picton - Christchurch
Board a ferry and sail across Cook Strait. Experience what is considered to be one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world. Arrive in Picton on the South Island where you will have free time for lunch. Continue along the breathtaking east coast to the largest city on the South Island, Christchurch.
Christchurch
Christchurch, the "Garden City," is recreating itself after a devastating earthquake in 2011. See firsthand how this city is evolving on a sightseeing tour that highlights the city's magnificent gardens and elegant park district. Pay a visit to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, a leader in the conservation of New Zealand species. Here, you'll have the chance to view New Zealand's "Big 5" - kiwi, kaka, tuatara, kea, and takahe - up close and personal. Learn about the local indigenous culture of the Maori, with a paddle on the Avon River in a traditional canoe or 'waka'.
Christchurch - Mt. Cook Region
Journey through New Zealand's unspoiled wilderness and arrive in the Mt. Cook region, where permanent ice fields and glaciers blanket the ragged peaks. The Maori word for Mt. Cook is Aoraki, which means "cloud piercer." This is where famed New Zealand mountaineer Sir Edmund Hillary honed his skills before conquering Everest. You can take a nature walk, enjoy an optional glacier flightseeing tour (weather permitting), or simply meditate on the beauty of the Southern Alps.
Mt. Cook Region - Dunedin
Travel to Dunedin, situated on the southeast coast of New Zealand. One of the earliest European settlements on the islands, Dunedin holds proudly to its Scottish heritage and traditions. Enjoy time to explore this cultural city on your own.
Dunedin
Start your morning with a panoramic tour, visiting Larnach Castle and Baldwin Street - the world's steepest public road. Later, spend time at the Royal Albatross Centre, the only mainland breeding location in the world for these otherworldly birds. Albatrosses are the focus in many seafaring myths, and their epic wingspan can reach nearly 10 feet.
Dunedin - Queenstown
Drive past vineyards, amazing landscapes and the charming towns of Central Otago as you head to Queenstown. Dubbed the "adventure capital of the world," it's a mountainside town set against the shores of Lake Wakatipu. In the afternoon, it's your choice! Go bird watching at the Kiwi Birdlife Park -OR- take a gondola to Bob's Peak for stunning views of the area.
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
During a cruise of the beautiful Milford Sound, you will see why this fjord is one of the most visited sites on the South Island. With rock faces that rise nearly 4,000 feet on either side, the scenery will take your breath away. On your return to Queenstown, perhaps you will consider an optional scenic flight, allowing you to see the landscape from an entirely new perspective.
Queenstown
Enjoy a relaxed start to your day or head out to explore. Try an optional tour taking you through the stunning Queenstown countryside showcasing many of the locations where blockbuster movies have been filmed and learn about the gold rush that first brought travelers to the region. Cruise Lake Wakatipu surrounded by Queenstown's stunning landscape aboard an iconic coal-fired steamship. Then, enjoy a BBQ dinner lakeside followed by a sheepdog demonstration before cruising back.
Queenstown - Tour Ends
Your adventure comes to a close today, leaving you with many pleasant memories of a wonderful trip.
Departure Dates
|
Start: September 18, 2024 End: October 6, 2024 Price: $6,099 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: October 9, 2024 End: October 27, 2024 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: October 23, 2024 End: November 10, 2024 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: October 30, 2024 End: November 17, 2024 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: November 6, 2024 End: November 24, 2024 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: December 27, 2024 End: January 14, 2025 Price: $6,599 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: January 8, 2025 End: January 26, 2025 Price: $6,599 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: January 15, 2025 End: February 2, 2025 Price: $6,599 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: January 22, 2025 End: February 9, 2025 Price: $6,599 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: February 3, 2025 End: February 21, 2025 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: February 19, 2025 End: March 9, 2025 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: February 20, 2025 End: March 10, 2025 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: February 26, 2025 End: March 16, 2025 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: March 5, 2025 End: March 23, 2025 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: March 12, 2025 End: March 30, 2025 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: March 17, 2025 End: April 4, 2025 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: March 19, 2025 End: April 6, 2025 Price: $6,499 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: April 23, 2025 End: May 11, 2025 Price: $5,999 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
|
Start: April 30, 2025 End: May 18, 2025 Price: $5,999 pp | Land Only Get an Estimate |
Get an Estimate
Product Code: Member Choice Vacations-675
All pricing and offers for accommodations and other non-air travel are per person, based on double occupancy, capacity controlled and subject to availability and change without notice. Pricing does not include taxes, fees, fuel surcharges, gratuities, resort fees, or airfare unless otherwise noted and is valid on new bookings only. Prices, fees, and other restrictions are subject to supplier policies. All offers, including but not limited to, bonus amenities, upgrades, prices, and group benefits are based on select dates, resorts, room categories, and/or fare codes. Specialty pricing may require proper identification. Cancellation penalties, blackout dates, and other restrictions may apply. When traveling outside the United States a valid passport is required. It is the sole responsibility of the passenger to have the proper documentation and identification required by the United States and other governments at the time of travel. When passports are required, it must be valid for a minimum of six months past your date of return. AAA strongly recommends the purchase of AAA Travel Protection. Usage of a credit card for travel arrangements may provide additional protection, please consult your credit card policies. Under certain circumstances the package price may be subject to supplemental price increases imposed by the supplier. Price increases include, but are not limited to fuel surcharges, taxes or fluctuations in foreign exchange markets that may be imposed after the date of purchase. Air-inclusive prices do not include government imposed taxes and fees, including but not limited to a September 11th Security Fee, U.S. or international government imposed taxes and fees, Federal Excise Fees, among others. Some carriers charge additional fees for checked bags, fuel surcharge, meals, etc. Please check the carriers website for details. Air-inclusive pricing is based on select departure cities. Prices from other cities may vary. AAA Northeast acts solely as a sales agent for travel suppliers and is not responsible for the actions or inactions of such suppliers. We monitor all of the information presented on our website; however, we do not assume responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of the offers displayed. Review full Travel Disclosure and Consent at time of booking.