The Finer Things

This morning your private driver will collect you from your accommodation for the scenic drive to Matamata where you will experience your privately guided Hobbiton Movie Set Tour. En route to Matamata, a stop will be made for lunch (lunch at your own expense).

Following arrival at Hobbiton, your tour starts with a drive through the picturesque 1,250-acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges.

Your private guide will escort you through the ten-acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton Movie Set was created. Hobbit holes, The Green Dragon Inn, The Mill and other structures can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth.

Specially brewed beverages are available at The Green Dragon Inn as you complete your tour. You will then return to The Shires Rest Cafe with the opportunity to visit The Shire Store.

Following this wonderful experience, you will be returned to your Rotorua accommodation this afternoon.

Included meals: Breakfast

This morning you will be met for your private transfer to the Rotorua Airport where you will board your flight to the top of the South Island's stunning Nelson Tasman Region.

On arrival in Nelson, you will be met for your private transfer to your stunning country estate in the sublimely beautiful Ngatimoti Valley, between Nelson City and Abel Tasman National Park.

Included meals: Breakfast

One of the most unique, immersive day trips offered, Eat! Nelson Tasman Tour is about exclusivity, scenery and slowly peeling the lid off of this beautiful region to reveal the most delectable, quintessentially Nelson Tasman gastronomic pleasures.

Following collection from your accommodation, you will take a one and a half hour walk with your guide into one of Nelson City's celebrated native bush settings where your guide will help you identify the northern South Island's beautiful flora and fauna. Following success with 'summiting' The Grampians wilderness reserve, you will have earned the delights that await your discovery today.

Including a special late lunch during which you'll have the opportunity to sit, relax and enjoy the delights by many of the artisan producers you will meet today while relaxing in your spectacular dining location.

Your guide will delight in introducing you to their friends who stand at the helm of this spectacular region's culinary scene. Visits with an otherwise inaccessible olive grove where you'll meet the artisan's behind some of the most delectable olive oil in New Zealand, the fishing port, a local artisan smallgoods (salami & sausage) producer, your guide's favourite cheese specialists and some of the most awe-inspiring environments make this an unforgettable encounter with Nelson Tasman.

If you love getting under the skin of a destination, meeting the people who make the place tick and tasting the foods unique to the region; you'll love Eat! Nelson Tasman. A truly special, totally exclusive experience that allows you to celebrate your time together in our beautiful region in style.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you will be collected from your accommodation for your small group scenic cruise in the northern South Island's celebrated Abel Tasman National Park. From the boat, you will have option of kayaking, swimming and bush walking some of Abel Tasman's beautiful Coastal Track along with a visit to the Tonga Island Marine Reserve. Gourmet lunch, snacks and refreshments are all included.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning, you will be met at your accommodation for your private transfer to the Nelson Airport where you will board your flight to the South Island's largest city of Christchurch where on arrival, you will be transferred to your comfortable hotel.

Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city and the gateway to New Zealand's South Island. Bordered by hills and the Pacific Ocean, it is situated on the edge of the Canterbury Plains that stretch to the Southern Alps. Buildings and public art, such as clocks, memorials, statues and fountains, are part of the heritage of this beautiful city, giving a real sense of how the city has grown as well as commemorating the past, present and future.

It is a relaxed lifestyle – the shopping is excellent, and restaurants provide a multi-ethnic culinary mix topped off with a uniquely New Zealand flavour. From great-tasting food to festivals, Christchurch and the surrounding Canterbury Region provide a number of unique events and festivals – the Festival of Flowers, the International Buskers Festival, Showtime Canterbury and the Winter Carnival to name a few.

Included meals: Breakfast

Today's private half day your will include a drive around Christchurch's city centre. Here you can assess the progress of the rebuild following the 2010/2011 earthquakes. Your guide will discuss the reasons for the event, it's impact and the exciting plans for the future. You will also delve into the history of city and briefly explore the beautiful Botanic Gardens where you will discover why New Zealand's flora and fauna is unique. City stops will include the Re-Start Mall, the Transitional Cathedral (Cardboard Cathedral), and the Tannery shopping precinct. If time permits you will head to the Port Hills which overlook Christchurch and present stunning views of the city, Canterbury Plains, Lyttleton Harbour and the distant Southern Alps.

Following your morning tour, we highly recommend lunch at Riverside Market where vendors cover the globe relative to cuisine ethnicities available with our personal favourite being Dosa Kitchen. Following lunch, a relaxed walk around Christchurch's treasured Hagley Park is a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.

Included meals: Breakfast

This morning, you will collect your late model, automatic rental vehicle (Toyota RAV4 or similar) and depart Christchurch for your journey to Lake Pukaki (approx. 4 hours’ driving time). Following your journey through Canterbury’s patchwork quilt of the Plains, you will reach the rich golden landscapes that pave the way for your arrival into Lake Tekapo. This glacial fed turquoise blue lake is a hive of activity for everything outdoors.

After a recommended stop and time to take in the majestic surrounding scenery, you will continue on to Lake Pukaki with views never ceasing to take your breath away.

On arrival, you will check in to your gorgeous Lodge accommodation overlooking the lake and mountains. Lakestone Lodge is a purpose built, off grid, luxury Lodge positioned in a spectacular location on the shores of Lake Pukaki.

Imagine waking up to some of the most stunning views in the country; imagine watching breath-taking storms roll over the Southern Alps from the comfort of your luxuriously appointed guestroom; imagine sharing a fine wine as the sun sets on Aoraki Mount Cook and watching its reflection in the stunning turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki; imagine star gazing from your own private bathtub in one of the clearest skies in the world - well imagine no more! Lakestone Lodge is the perfect base for some incredible experiences!

Lake Pukaki itself is a shimmering blue jewel set into a grand alpine playground - an iconic New Zealand landscape of high mountain peaks, glacier fed alpine lakes and golden tussocks stretched beneath an endless sky.

Included meals: Breakfast

Today, we highly recommend the drive up the south side of Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook Village to take in one of our favourite walks in the park, the Hooker Valley Track. This enjoyable walk leads you up the Hooker Valley towards Mount Cook itself. With multiple glacier fed river bridge crossings and, in fine weather, dramatic views right to the summit of Mount Cook, this is a wonderful way to enjoy one of New Zealand's most beautiful National Parks and the country's tallest mountain. The return hike into Hooker Lake, complete with small icebergs and multiple glaciers, is around 3 – 3.5 hours.

Following your walk, lunch in Mount Cook village and a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre is also highly recommended. The Centre is a tribute to Sir Edmund Hillary - humanitarian, ambassador and one of the world's greatest explorers. The centre showcases the Aoraki Mount Cook region, its people, and its place in the universe.

The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre's 126-seat custom-designed theatre is the world's only theatre with 2D, 3D and a Digital Dome Planetarium contained within the same space. Cutting edge technology allows the 2D screen to raise up for storage while the 3D screen is in use and the Digital Dome Planetarium to lower into place when required. In the foyer of the theatre you will find the museum showcasing the history of the Mount Cook region through transport, climbing, The Hermitage Hotel, and pioneer extraordinaire, Sir Edmund Hillary himself.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today you will depart for your journey to Queenstown in the heart of the spectacular Southern Lakes District of Otago.

You will love every moment of this road trip as you head south and witness the scenery change dramatically from colourful roadside wildflowers to the smooth tussock-covered saddle of the Lindis Pass – scenery as perfect as a landscape painting.

From the Lindis Pass you will continue on past picturesque Lake Dunstan to Cromwell then through the spectacular Kawarau Gorge and into Queenstown (approx. 4 hours’ driving time excluding stops).

Upon arrival into this spectacular lakeside setting, you will return your rental vehicle and make your way to your well-appointed accommodation.

Please note: We do recommend setting your luggage down at your accommodation prior to returning your rental vehicle for utmost convenience.

Queenstown is sophisticated and tremendously scenic. Its lake and mountain landscape is suited to almost any kind of adventure; but Queenstown is just as well-known as a place for indulgence. The area’s history is intertwined with gold. In 1862, two sheep shearers struck it rich at the edge of the Shotover River. The ensuing gold rush town was named Queenstown because '...it was fit for Queen Victoria'.

Adventure activities include guided mountain biking and heli biking, bungy jumping, jet boating, horse trekking and river rafting. Indulgent experiences include exceptional food and wine, lake cruises, boutique shopping and leisurely games of golf.

Included meals: Breakfast

Your full day biking adventure today allows you to really experience the stunning surround of the Queenstown Trails and Wakatipu Basin and its magnificent scenery.

Your day starts with a transfer to Queenstown Bay, where you are given thorough directions, a map and trail tips before setting off on your adventure.

Ride the highlights of the Queenstown Trail as you make your way towards Arrowtown. At approximately 12:30pm you will reach Arrowtown where you will enjoy a picnic lunch and some free time to explore this historic gold mining town. After lunch you will ride a beautiful section of trail from Arrowtown downstream to the spectacular Gibbston Valley.

This trip can be catered to any level and is well supported along the way; distances can be tailored to your needs with vehicle support at designated points along the trail allowing you to hitch a ride.

Your shuttle will depart from Gibbston Valley at 4.30pm ensuring you are back at your accommodation by approximately 5:00pm.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning your incredibly scenic helicopter flight will initially take you over Ben Lomond and the Richardson Mountains and then over spectacular peaks and the pristine blue waters of Lake Erskine, before continuing to the source of the Sutherland Falls, Lake Quill.

From here you will head towards the rugged West Coast and then fly up Milford Sound itself past the iconic Mitre Peak.

Discover isolated valleys of ancient forests and pristine rivers famous for their fishing, as well as mountains sculptured from ice over thousands of years. Upon landing in Milford, enjoy a short nature walk and gain that iconic Fiordland National Park photo. Experience an exhilarating flight past spectacular mountains and blue-green ice falls and land upon Mount Tutoko glacier in the heart of Fiordland National Park.

Included meals: Breakfast

Today your full day adventure combines total wilderness walking through ancient beech forest in the Mount Aspiring National Park, with the "Dart River Jet Safari" traveling to the start of your privately guided walk through one of the most scenic high mountain big river valleys to be found in New Zealand.

The Jet Boat drivers know their river intimately and their superb skills behind the wheel compliment frequent stops on this unique journey to explain the geology and lore of the ancient and unspoiled lands you traverse.

Two fascinating hours and 35km later your guide will meet you at a secret spot on the banks of the Dart River then lead you on a very gentle ascent under a canopy of native beech forest where birdsong supplies an unrivalled, natural soundtrack.

This is in an area where our touring partner is the only company allowed to walk through.

Following your amazing day in some of New Zealand’s most spectacular backcountry environs, you will be returned to your accommodation.

Please note: the jetboating portion of today's experience will be conducted in a small group setting.

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Your trip today begins at the Adventure Centre in Queenstown where you’ll meet your guides for your pre-trip safety information. (We would ask that you advise us of any medical, health or other safety related information before the trip departs.)

Then, it’s a 10 minute drive to the base where you will be fitted with canyoning gear. Following this, your guides will lead your small group through beautiful, ancient beech forest to the start of the canyon.

Descend and explore the canyon by zip line, abseiling (rappelling) waterfalls, slides, plunging into natural pools, floating down narrow passageways and cascading down chutes – all in beautiful natural surroundings.

It’s an awesome and exhilarating feeling. You can choose the level of challenge you want throughout the trip – your guides can provide easier routes and they will instruct you through every adventure!

Then it’s a short drive back to base where you’ll appreciate your outfitter's investment in heated changing rooms and hot showers.

No previous canyoning experience is required but you should be confident in moving water and have a reasonable level of fitness.

Included meals: Breakfast

Today is yours to enjoy at leisure in this spectacular, action packed location.

Some recommended optional activities include a trip to Walter Peak High Country Farm and Homestead for tea onboard the historic steamship, the TSS Earnslaw; a visit to the charming little village of Arrowtown; or perhaps, should you feel inclined towards a hike today; our enthusiastic recommendation would be that you take the scenic and rewarding hike up to the Ben Lomond Saddle in the mountains behind Queenstown independently.

The first portion of the track is through Douglas fir stands via the Skyline Gondola Access Road requires medium to good fitness and at about 800 metres, alpine tussocks and Dracophyllum dominate the landscape. There are magnificent views of the lake and mountains.

The next portion of the track to the saddle is on a gentler slope, but the last pitch to the top of Ben Lomond is very steep. The demanding climb offers spectacular panoramic views and on clear days Mounts Earnslaw / Pikirakatahi and Aspiring / Tititea can be seen from the summit (1748 metres) should you wish to continue on from the Saddle to the Summit.

The walk from the trailhead to the Saddle is approximately 4 hours return while the Summit hike takes approximately 6 – 8 hours return for those with average – good fitness.

Whether you choose to do the shorter or longer, more challenging hike, our recommendation for lunch would be a packed picnic from the centrally located Vudu Cafe & Bakery.

Included meals: Breakfast

Today you will be met at your accommodation and privately transferred to the Dunedin Airport. From Dunedin, you will farewell this spectacular country and board your flight home via Auckland.

Included meals: Breakfast