New Zealand Vacation
Aukland, Waiheke Island, Rotorua, Christchurch, Greymouth, Franz Josef, Lake Wanaka, & Queenstown
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Experience the adventurous spirit, rich cultural history and stunning natural geographic features—which includes volcanoes, geothermal springs, alpine lakes and more—of this island nation that you’ll discover in each unique experience you are immersed in at every destination.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:
- Māori Pōwhiri (Welcome Ceremony)
Begin your adventure with a traditional Māori Pōwhiri (welcome ceremony), where you are immersed in the centuries-old traditions and proud culture of New Zealand’s indigenous people. - Spellbound Glowworm & Caves Tour
Stand in awe as you enter a dark cave that becomes illuminated with a brilliant glow emanating from thousands of glowworms that cover the canopy above you. - America’s Cup Sailing Experience
Set sail on an epic adventure as you cruise around Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour on an actual America’s Cup Yacht. - After-Hours Auckland Zoo Tour
Spend an evening among the amazing animals of the Auckland Zoo on a very special private after-hours tour. - Zip Lining & Bush Walk
Get a whole new perspective of the rainforest—from above and below—as you zipline amongst the treetops of the canopy, then take a walking tour through the fauna and flora on the ground. - Franz Josef Glacier Hike
Take an unforgettable hike across the rainforest floor along the Waiho River, in the shadow of the massive Franz Josef Glacier. - National Kiwi Hatchery Experience
Visit this remarkable hatchery where you’ll get a look at the conservation cycle of the native New Zealand kiwi, from egg incubation through hatching. - Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat
Soak up the breathtaking scenery of Mt. Aspiring National Park as you cruise across the crystal-clear waters of the Te Waipounamu World Heritage area on an exhilarating jet boat tour. - Private Winery Tour & Tasting
Savor the regional flavors of the wine produced at Gibbston Valley Winery on a private tour of this iconic destination in Queenstown.
*For Adventures on the Adult-Exclusive New Zealand vacation, you’ll experience:
- Stonyridge Vineyards Visit
Tour this must-visit vineyard located on the beautiful island of Waiheke, which has been producing some of the world’s finest red wines. - Premium Red Wine Tasting
Following a tour of the vineyards, you’ll experience a premium red wine tasting featuring some of Stonyridge Vineyard’s world-renowned red wines.
Adventure Daily Itinerary
Day One
Arrive in Aukland
Kia Ora and welcome to Auckland! Upon your arrival at Auckland Airport (AKL), you will be greeted by an Adventures by Disney representative who will take you and your luggage to your hotel.
Welcome Reception at the Hotel
Gather together with your fellow Adventurers and Adventure Guides to get to know each other as you kick off your amazing New Zealand adventure together!
Welcome Dinner at the Hotel
Break bread with your family and new friends as you get to know each other over a delicious meal at the hotel featuring regional dishes made with fresh, local ingredients.
Meals Included: Dinner
Day Two
Auckland Fish Market Tour with Chef Paulie
Fuel up with breakfast at the hotel, then scintillate your senses as you join AFM Seafood School’s head chef, Paulie Hooton, on a privately guided tour of the Auckland Fish Market, the cornerstone of New Zealand seafood since 1904. Walk amongst the fishmongers and local chefs as they check out dozens of fish species throughout the market. You’ll also visit the Sanford Company Fish Market, a seafood industry leader in sustainability, and their auction room.
Seafood School Cooking Demo & Class
Join Chef Paulie for an interactive, hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn how to create delicious regional dishes that feature the freshest local ingredients. Menus can be tailored to fit most personal preferences, including: vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.
Lunch Featuring Meals Prepared in Seafood School
Enjoy the fruits (or fish) of your labor as you dig into the fresh dishes you created during your Seafood School class.
America's Cub Sailing Experience
Take the helm, trim the sails and steer on course as you come aboard and sail an actual America’s Cup Yacht. Cut through the waters of Auckland’s Waitematā Harbour on this thrilling, private experience.
Alternate Activity - Sky Tower Observation Deck
For Guests who prefer their adventures high in the sky, they can venture up 720 feet (220 m) to the Skydeck that sits just below the main antenna and offers stunning 360-degree views of the city.
Auckland Zoo Private After-Hours Tour
Capybaras and meerkat and kiwi, oh my! And so many more—in fact, the Auckland Zoo is home to 135 species and over 1,400 animals. Discover a menagerie of mammals, birds and ectotherms on your private, after-hours tour of this amazing zoo. You’ll also get a look at the Vet Hospital and experience a live animal interaction.
Māori Welcome & Te Wao Nui – The Living Realm Tour
Experience a moving and immersive performance that is deeply rooted in the culture of New Zealand. Hear stories as sung by authentic Māori performers set in the backdrop of Te Wao Nui – the Living Realm habitat, Aotearoa’s (the Māori name for New Zealand) largest home of native and exotic wildlife.
Private Dinner at Auckland Zoo
Experience true zoo dining at Te Puna, Auckland Zoo’s new café that overlooks the Orangutan Habitat. Featuring special climbing structures, the new space allows the orangutans and gibbons to explore all around you.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Three
Passenger Ferry to Waiheke Island
After breakfast at the hotel, board a passenger ferry at the downtown Auckland ferry terminal and cruise past Auckland’s magnificent coastlines and beautiful islands on your way to Waiheke Island.
EcoZip Adventures Zip Lining & Bush Walk
Take to the sky, as you soar high above the island’s vineyards stretched out below you on a thrilling, state-of-the-art flying-fox zip line. Following your flight, you’ll cool off on a privately guided bush walk beneath the canopy of the regenerating rainforest and Māori storytelling. This is a truly eco-immersive forest experience you won’t soon forget.
Private Lunch at Mudbrick Restaurant & Winery
Savor spectacular local flavors in an idyllic setting set against a backdrop of unparalleled beauty overlooking the sea.
On Your Own in Oneroa
Stroll along the gorgeous beaches or explore the shop and café-lined streets of this quaint island village.
Passenger Ferry to Auckland
Board the ferry for your return trip to Auckland.
Dinner & On Your Own in Auckland
Explore the sights of Auckland, a major city located in the north of New Zealand’s North Island. Take a stroll around Queen’s Wharf and Viaduct Basin area, an easy walk from the hotel, where you’ll find a bevy or shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants in the harbor-front district. Be sure to ask your Adventure Guides for a dinner recommendation that will satisfy your entire family—or discover a new favorite place as you explore the city.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day Four
Coach Ride to Waitomo
Board a coach for the ride to Waitomo, a village on New Zealand’s North Island that’s famous for its extensive underground cave system. Among these are the Glowworm Caves with its waterfalls and limestone formations. Explore this natural wonder that was under the sea some 30 million years ago, until shells and shell fragments were buried and eventually formed limestone. Gradually, with movements of the Earth’s crust, the limestone was lifted above sea-level.
Lunch at a Local Café
Enjoy a casual lunch featuring tasty and healthy ingredients that are, whenever possible, locally sourced and add true New Zealand flavor to the menu. Dine in the restaurant’s contemporary setting that offers views over Waitomo Village to the bushclad hills from a relaxing deck area.
Spellbound Glowworm & Caves Tour
Glide gently along an underground stream, as you pass below an illuminating galaxy of glowworms that increase in brilliance as your eyes adjust to the darkness. Marvel as you get an up-close look at these fascinating creatures. Then, head into Te Anna O Te Atua, the Spirit Cave, as you follow in the ancient footsteps of Ngati Kinohaku, local Māori who led Dr. Thompson deep into the caves on a quest for the bones of giant, extinct birds.
Marae Experience
Immerse yourself in Māori culture as you enter a marae (communal house or sacred place) and receive a traditional Māori welcome. You’ll also experience Māori traditions as you take part in hands-on cultural activities. The activities include a viewing of hāngī meal prep, a traditional method of cooking where fish, chicken and root vegetables are cooked in a pit dug in the ground.
Private Māori-Prepared Hāngī Feast
Join the Māori for a traditional hāngī feast prepared in your honor during your visit to the marae.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Five
National Kiwi Bird Hatchery Interactive Experience
After breakfast at the hotel, spend a remarkable morning at New Zealand’s leading location for kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing since 2008. This fun and informative interactive experience takes you through the kiwi conservation process from egg incubation to getting a look at newly hatched chicks.
Farm Tour with Dog Herding & Sheep Shearing
Explore 350 acres of lush farmland on your visit to the world-renowned Agrodome. Encounter various animals, including cattle, pigs, llamas and deer. You’ll even get to stop and feed some sheep and alpacas. Plus, visit the Bee & Honey Center for a tasting of the famed Manuka honey, followed by a stop at Bowen House, where you’ll see an amazing dog herding demonstration, followed by a sheep-shearing demonstration.
Lunch at Bowen House
Enjoy a lovely private lunch at the farm’s historic Bowen House.
Rotorua Canopy Tour
Get a bird’s-eye view of Rotorua’s 1,000-year-old forest canopy as you soar through the trees on a thrilling zip line ride. Learn all about forest restoration efforts as your kiwi guides take you on a remarkable tour of this beautiful region.
Alternate Activity - Interpretative Forest Walk
For Adventurers that prefer to stay on the ground, the interpretative forest walk offers an excellent opportunity to explore this fascinating forest area via a walking tour led by knowledgeable kiwi guides.
Adult Dinner on Eat Street
Dine and share tales of your adventure in the company of your fellow Adult Adventurers at a select restaurant on Rotorua’s popular restaurant row, Eat Street.
Junior Adventurer Dinner Buffet & Movie Night at Hotel
Junior Adventurers gather together for an evening featuring kid-friendly food, fun and a Disney film!
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Six
On Your Own Visit to the Te Puia Geothermal and Maori Cultural Park
After breakfast at the hotel, guests will be transferred to Te Puia and will be free to enjoy the morning visiting the features of this beautiful park, which includes geothermal features such as spurting geysers and bubbling mudpots, as well as a full-scale Maori Marae that is adorned with amazing carvings, and the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute where Guests can see stone and wood carvings and traditional Maori weavings come to life in the active workshops. Following the visit, Guests will be transferred to Rotorua’s airport for lunch and flight to Christchurch.
Pre-Flight Lunch at Airport
Grab lunch at the airport before boarding your flight to Christchurch International Airport (CHC).
Arrive in Christchurch
Welcome to New Zealand’s South Island. Featuring the massive Southern Alps, rolling farmland and the vast Canterbury Plains, the South Island is celebrated for its rugged natural beauty. Along with numerous glaciers, fjords, lakes and mountains, the region is also renowned for its famed vineyards and gourmet foodie destinations.
Punting on the Avon River
Soak up the scenic surroundings of the Christchurch Botanical Gardens and Central City as your private punter poles your flat-bottomed boat along the tranquil surface of the Avon River during this iconic Christchurch activity.
Check-In at the Hotel
While your Adventure Guides check you in, explore the facilities at the Crowne Plaza Christchurch which combines international standards with “Kiwi flavor.” Opposite Victoria Square, the hotel is located in the heart of the city and just a few minutes’ walk from major attractions.
Dinner On Your Own in Christchurch
Take a short walk to downtown Christchurch where you can discover the many sights this east coast city has to offer—including a bevy of restaurant options that are sure to please any palate. Work up an appetite, then find a new favorite restaurant on your own, or ask your Adventure Guides to recommend a local favorite.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day Seven
TranzAlpine Train Ride to Arthur’s Pass
After breakfast at the hotel, embark on an epic railway adventure that is known as one of the world’s great train journeys! Traverse 139 miles (223 kilometers) of train tracks through some of the most stunning natural landscape not just in New Zealand’s South Island, but the world. As you travel from Christchurch to Greymouth, you’ll encounter awe-inspiring vistas, including the ice-fed Waimakariri River, the majestic Southern Alps and miles of native beech forest.
Lunch at Monteith’s Brewing Company
In Greymouth, follow up your amazing train expedition with a delicious meal at this local brewery that serves up an amazing array of delicious dishes with Kiwi flare.
On Your Own in Hokitika
Spend some time taking in the sights of this self-described “cool little town” on the South Island’s West Coast. Connect with the friendly characters you encounter as you peruse the art galleries, stop in the quaint shops—a great place to pick up remarkable carved pounamu, or New Zealand jade carvings—and stroll along the inviting beach for a photo op with the “Hokitika” driftwood sculpture on the sand.
Check-In at Te Waonui Forest Retreat – Franz Josef Glacier
Experience bliss as you enter this haven amid New Zealand’s pristine wilderness. Crafted to an impeccable standard, this deluxe and innovative retreat offers a healthy, environmentally safe habitat that focuses on your mind, body and soul.
Adult Dinner at The Canopy Restaurant in the Hotel
Indulge your taste buds with a 5-course tasting menu featuring fresh, locally-sourced ingredients with your wellbeing in mind.
Junior Adventurer Patio Party Dinner
Get together for a patio party with your fellow Junior Adventures for an evening of fun, complete with a menu of pizza and burgers on the hotel’s back patio.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Eight
Franz Josef Glacier Valley Hike
Hike amongst the spectacular scenery that surrounds you along the valley floor as you approach the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier. Trek amongst the lush rainforest alongside the Waiho River on the ancient path where the glacier once stood, while encountering an eco-system of flora and fauna.
Lunch at a Local Restaurant
Relax and recharge following your hike with a delicious meal featuring regional fare at a local restaurant.
On Your Own Time in Franz Josef
Explore the sights in this small South Island New Zealand town that include—for an added fee—the West Coast Wildlife Center where you can see a Rowi Kiwi, the world’s rarest kiwi! You may also want head over to the Glacier Activity Center to take a relaxing dip in the restorative hot pool, or schedule an appointment at the hotel spa (additional fee applies).
Dinner On Your Own in Franz Josef
Discover a local spot to satisfy your appetite following an adventure-filled day, or ask your Adventure Guides to recommend a restaurant.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day Nine
Travel to Wanaka
After breakfast at the hotel, journey along “the most scenic drive in New Zealand” on your ride to Wanaka. Along the way you’ll make 3 leg stretching stops at beautiful locations that include: Lake Matheson, Thunder Creek Falls and Haast Blue Pools.
Lunch at Makarora Country Cafe
Enjoy the rural ambiance—and a tasty meal—at this local Kiwi café en route to Wanaka.
On Your Own Time in Wanaka
Take time to get acquainted with this lakeside resort town that offers unparalleled views of Lake Wanaka and the snowcapped mountains in the distance, as well as lovely shops and cafes. Known as the gateway to the Southern Alps’ Mount Aspiring National Park, you’ll revel at the natural beauty of beech forests and alpine lakes that surround you.
Check-In at Hotel St. Moritz Queenstown
Embrace the idyllic surroundings of the Hotel St. Moritz, featuring a scenic view that stretches from Lake Wakatipu to The Remarkables mountain range. The hotel itself embodies the spirit of this amazing location.
Private Dinner at the Hotel
Gather with your fellow Adventurers for a delightful private meal to recount your adventures from the fun-filled day.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Ten
Private Dart River Horseback Riding
Saddle up for a gentle ride amid the breathtaking scenery of Dart Valley. This pristine landscape, which has been featured in many popular films, is renowned for its exceptional beauty. This gentle, guided horseback tour offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Lunch at Camp Glenorchy Eco Retreat
Dine on a private catered meal in a destination that is steeped in natural splendor and was created using green design and philosophies. Camp Glenorchy meets the most rigorous sustainability standards.
Dart River Wilderness Jet Boat
Feel the exhilaration as you speed and spin across the crystal clear waters of the Te Waipounamu World Heritage area on a guided jet boat tour. Journey into world-renowned Mt. Aspiring National Park, where Māori myths and legends come to life all around you.
Dinner On Your Own in Queenstown
Arrive back in Queenstown and head to town to find a new favorite spot to dine on the local flavors of the region. Be sure to ask your Adventure Guides to recommend one of their favorite dining establishments.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch
Day Eleven
On Your Own Time in Arrowtown
After breakfast at the hotel, step into New Zealand history as you discover the quirky charm of Arrowtown, a gold rush town set in the beautiful, glacier-carved Arrow Basin. Whether you’re looking to take a relaxing walk on one of the many scenic trails, pan for gold in the Arrow River, shop for the perfect souvenir in the many quaint shops in town or just people watch while enjoying a cup of coffee at a local café, you’ll feel at home in the vibrant, small-town atmosphere of this close-knit community.
E-Bike Ride to Gibbston Valley Winery
Take to the car-free trails on an e-bike along the Arrow River as you pass through the region’s picturesque forests, streams and surrounding mountains. You’ll cross suspension bridges, including the iconic Kawarau Suspension Bridge, also known as Bungy Bridge.
Lunch at Gibbston Valley Winery
Enjoy a private lunch amid the picturesque surroundings of Gibbston Valley Winery.
Private Winery Tour & Tasting/Junior Adventurer Olive Oil Infusion Activity or Juice Tasting
Bring out your inner oenophile on this private tour of Gibbston Valley Winery. Visit Home Block, the region’s oldest vineyard, and head into the wine cave where you’ll see winemakers plying their craft. Plus, savor the local flavors at a tasting of the winery’s premium handcrafted wines, including one or two of their celebrated pinot noirs.
While the adults are touring and tasting, Junior Adventurers will enjoy an olive oil infusion activity or a juice tasting.
On Your Own Time in Queenstown
Spend the afternoon exploring Queenstown, where you can soak up some local culture at a museum or peruse the local shops for the perfect souvenir. You can also take a lovely lakeshore stroll on the groomed pathways of Queenstown Gardens.
Depart on the TSS Earnslaw
Board the TSS Earnslaw, a 1912 Edwardian vintage steamer that is an iconic Queenstown attraction, for a memorable voyage to Walter Peak Station, a former farm and sheep ranch famous for the production of merino wool. Delight in the stunning scenic backdrop as you enjoy a slice of rural Kiwi life—and take advantage of reserved seating.
Farm Show at Walter Peak Farm
Enjoy a private show featuring an entertaining display of dog herding and sheep shearing.
Farewell Dinner at Walter Peak
Gather for a final meal with your fellow Adventurers as you swap stories while dining on a succulent gourmet BBQ Buffet at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Day Twelve
Transfer to Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
After a final meal at the hotel, bid your fellow Adventurers and newfound friends a fond poroporoaki as you depart at any time for Queenstown Airport (ZQN). Batched and private transfers are based on flight schedules, so be sure to check your departure time and plan accordingly.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip Overview Details
FLIGHT INFORMATION- Arrive: Auckland Airport (AKL)
- Return: Queenstown Airport (ZQN)
Park Hyatt Auckland
Pullman Rotorua
Crowne Plaza Christchurch
Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Hotel St. Moritz Queenstown
28 MEALS
11 Breakfasts, 10 Lunches, 7 Dinners
AGES
Minimum Age: 8
Suggested Age: 10+
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