21-Day Exclusive Holiday By Sea, Air and Land

Here is a holiday that makes you feel like you have had a vacation—there is no rushing around on this itinerary. Enjoy exceptional scenery and stay three nights in each location, ensuring you will return home revived. It includes the country's most incredible landscapes and scenic highlights, cultural and historical attractions, delicious food and wine, and excursions such as a private helicopter flight and charters.

With its rich history, diverse landscapes, and endless opportunities for exploration, New Zealand is the ultimate destination for those seeking both adventure and relaxation. Arrive by helicopter to an exclusive oasis, far away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Maybe a champagne picnic above the clouds is your idea of perfect, as your private chef prepares a gourmet lunch. Soak the day away in an idyllic cedar-lined hot tub as you take in the sunset views over the river. Or start the day with a private yoga session to help your senses unwind and obtain that perfect blissful vibe.

Day 1: Bay of Islands (3 nights)

Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to the lodge. Relax!
The Bay of Islands is a subtropical microregion known for its stunning beauty and history. It's an It'sdise for those who love beaches and water activities. A three-hour drive or 35-minute flight north of Auckland, the Bay of Islands encompasses 144 islands between Cape Brett and the Purerua Peninsula. It includes the boutique towns of Opua, Paihia, Russell and Kerikeri. Embark on a voyage of discovery and enjoy the beauty of this area when you join a daily cruise, charter a yacht or hire a sea kayak.

Day 2: Sail the IslaNds

Relax as we sail along the stunning coastline of the Bay Of Islands. Whether you are seeking a relaxing day on the water, an island adventure or a bit of both, we have a sailing charter to suit you. Unwind and experience the freedom and tranquillity of being on the water. Embark on an island adventure and go snorkelling, swimming or paddle boarding. OR: New Zealand is home to some spectacular big game fishing, and the Bay of Islands is no exception. If you want the thrill, the chase, and adrenaline-pumping excitement that comes with big game fishing, the Bay of Islands is the place for you.

Day 3: Sea from the air

The Bay of Islands, with its turquoise clear blue waters and white sandy island beaches, is simply stunning from the air. There is a range of shared scenic flights or helicopter trips along the coast to remote islands or Cape Reinga, the northernmost point of New Zealand.

Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland/Waiheke Island (3 nights)

Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is a multi-cultural urban oasis of food, music, arts and culture. It's whIt'ssparkling waters and lush landscapes meet city sophistication. Visit the West Coast's Sand beaches, explore one of the 48 volcanic cones, or sip wine on Waiheke Island. Or stay on Waiheke, a haven of beautiful vineyards, olive groves and beaches, just a 40-minute ferry ride from downtown Auckland. In landscape, lifestyle and experience, Waiheke is a world away. The white sandy beaches at Oneroa, Palm Beach and Onetangi slope gently down into the Hauraki Gulf and are perfect for swimming, kayaking, or picnicking.

Day 5: Wine and Gourmet Food

A Private tour is a sweet snapshot of the wines and wonders of Waiheke, the 'island of long shelter'. Explore beaches, vineyards, and idyllic scenery with tastings, lunch, and a boatload of local knowledge. And it's not just wine—Waiheke also offers whiskey, liqueurs, gin, and craft beer tastings! Combine this with cultural heritage. Listen to ancient stories about times gone by while you explore the island's most exciting collections of Māori carvings, art galleries, spectacular scenery and places of interest.

Day 6: Discover by bike

Have a day to relax, enjoy a spa, or discover the island by bike. When it comes to exploring this island, biking offers a unique and exciting perspective. The island's topography includes gently rolling hills to steep climbs, providing ample opportunities for leisurely rides and challenging adventures.

Day 7: Waiheke Island - Taupo/Rotorua (3 nights)

Rotorua is known for bubbling mud pools, shooting geysers, and natural hot springs. It also showcases our fascinating Māori culture. Rotorua has everything from crystal-clear streams and magical forests to epic biking trails and thermal mud pools. The city offers everyone a raft of attractions and experiences, from adventure-seekers to those looking to unwind. Or stay in Taupo. Taupō was created nearly two thousand years ago by an enormous volcanic eruption that darkened the skies in Europe and China. Taupō is a great lake for water skiing, sailing and kayaking. But what Taupō is known for is fly fishing and international golf courses.

Day 8: Culture in Rotorua

Journey deep into the Tarawera region's history, culture and natural wonders with an unforgettable guided tour. Your guide will enthral, educate and amuse you with tales of Tarawera's history and legends, and you'll enjoy a unique combination of Māori culture and geothermal and ecological elements throughout. Enjoy a full-day boating adventure on Lake Tarawera, including a freedom walk to the stunning Tarawera Falls, a geothermal Hot Water Beach visit, and a rewarding soak in a beautiful natural bush hot pool. OR: Meet a multi-talented chef, outdoorsman, and local hunting guide, as well as a repository of Maori knowledge about food. Gathering, planting, hunting, preparing, storing, cooking, eating - Kai Waho is Tom's company, bringing Maori food experiences to you.

Day 9: Hike/boat Lake Taupo

A guided hike and cruise will take you from Kinloch to Kawakawa. A 4WD will collect you and your party and whisk you to the start of a scenic two-hour hike to Kawakawa Bay. Once you have journeyed to your collection point at the edge of Lake Taupō, take a deep breath and enjoy the western lake views before heading off. A stunning launch will take you across Lake Taupō's azure waters; stop for a BBQ lunch and take a gentle cruise back into the Taupō Marina. Or: Enjoy a full day in the water with a guided fly fishing trip. Our internationally recognised Orvis Endorsed guides will take you to some of the most beautiful spots in the area, including the banks of the Tongariro River in the angler's paradise, Tūrangi.

Day 10:Taupo - Nelson/Abel Tasman National Park (3 nights)

Nelson Tasman, in the northwest of New Zealand, is the sunniest region in New Zealand. She is known for its stunning landscapes and golden beaches. Perhaps it's that or the location, but Nelson Tasman has long been a magnet for creative people, with one of the country's best working artists and galleries. Or stay in Abel Tasman. Abel Tasman National Park is New Zealand's biggest park, perfect for relaxation and adventure. Crystal-clear streams tumble down mossy valleys to join the ocean. Granite and marble formations fringe the headlands, cloaked in regenerating native forestand perfect crescent of golden sand beaches.

Day 11: Relax at the Lodge

A day to relax, energise and reflect.
Private yoga sessions are available with highly skilled instructors. Choose between Hatha, Iyengar, Astanga and Vinyasa yoga. Sessions are held in our Yoga Pavilion in the retreat's rose garden. Learn how to meditate quickly and effectively. The sessions will be punctuated with specialist treatments by awakened therapists, including several different massage and energy therapies, yoga exercises, and cooking classes.

Day 12: Cruise National Park

Cruise On Your Boat In The Abel Tasman. Get a taste of all the Abel Tasman has to offer from the comfort of an Abel Tasman Charters' boat. You can decide to stay on board and relax or take one of the kayaks for a paddle. Go for a swim, snorkel over the marine reserve or be dropped off for a bush walk. Enjoy a delicious lunch, and then do it all again. Plan the day your way; take longer to explore the hidden bays and estuaries.

Day 13: Abel Tasman - Christchurch/Akaroa (3 nights)

Christchurch is a vibrant city that offers spectacular culture, heritage, and nightlife – along with the world's world-renowned tunnelling right on its doorstep. Over a decade after two earthquakes devastated the city, it is being rebuilt and reimagined. Some of the eye-catching blue-stone heritage buildings may have gone, but in their place are new spaces designed for modern city living. This includes more green spaces, with the most considerable swath of land twice the size of Central Park in New York. Or stay in Akaroa. Akaroa is one of AotearZealand'sealand's most populated towns. It is famous for its French cuisine, spectacular harbour, sightseeing, and rare dolphins.

Day 14: On Farm

Just as the tide ebbs and flows, the seasons and colours of a working farm change throughout the year, from luscious greens in spring to tussocky golds by autumn. Take a guided 4WD tour across the farm and watch sheep and dogs at work. Enjoy the atmosphere of the shearing shed, and if you're lucky, see the skilled shearers in action. We encourage guests to explore and be as hands-on as they like.

Day 15: On the coast

The sheltered, turquoise waters of Pigeon Bay and the surrounding area along Annandale's coast are the playground to many wildlife, including the friendly Hector's dolphins, fur seals, blue penguins, and bird colonies. Explore the coastal waters and enjoy another dimension of the area, a kayaking experience led by locally trained guides.

Day 16:Christchurch - Fiordland National Park

One of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand, Fiordland National Park never fails to enthral travellers.
This natural environment features stunning fiords, spectacular waterfalls, and snow-capped peaks. Ancient rainforest clings impossibly to the mountains, waterfalls tumble hundreds of meters into massive fiords, and shimmering lakes and granite peaks look the same today as they did a thousand years ago.

Day 17: Exclusive Helicopter Milford Sounds

It is one of the most beautiful places in the world to discover by helicopter, together with one of our local helicopter pilots and experts. The sightseeing includes mountains, glaciers, beaches, wildlife, lakes, waterfalls and Milford Sound. The wild food picnic in a remote spot is a gem. And more profound experiences can include snorkelling for your lobster and abalone (crayfish and paua in NZ-speak), discovering jade (pounamu, greenstone) in the wilderness, spending time with whitebait or lobster fishermen, hermits or farmers.

Day 18: Guided walk in Fiordland

See Fiordland by foot, join a guided walk to get real insight, and safely learn more about the spectacular natural surrounds in this famous World Heritage Area. Experience the raw beauty firsthand; step out into the forest and mountains with a local, knowledgeable guide to share in this awe-inspiring world. Fiordland offers many options to give you a great experience, no matter your motivation or fitness level. The Great Walks Kepler, Milford and Routeburn Track are part of New Zealand's premier track network and, with such diverse scenery, offer a great introduction to hiking in the wilderness for all ages.

Day 19: Te Anau - Queenstown/Wanaka

With its towering mountains and a lakeside location, Queenstown/Wanaka is a hub of adventure, bursting with adrenaline. There's a tiger right through to spring and activities such as bungy jumping, sky diving, canyon swinging, jet boating, horse trekking, and river rafting all year round. It is also a renowned cycling destination, providing everything from easy scenic tracks to backcountry trails and road rides to heli-biking and the Southern Hemispheres. Central Otago area is one of the most scenic wine-growing areas in New Zealand. Vineyards are sandwiched between rugged mountains, rocky River gorges, and crystal-clear lakes.

Day 20: Wine, Food and FUN

If you're a wine-lover or a foodie, there's no doubt you're itching to discover both our world-renowned culinary experiences and the hidden gems that locals love. During your stay, immerse yourself in Queenstown's vibrant food and wine scene by sampling local produce, learning the stories of growers, brewers and bakers and taking the time to savour this place.
Missing some excitement: World-renowned for its adventure, Queenstown is home to many adrenaline activities, including jet boating, bungy jumping, white water rafting, skydiving and even indoor thrills – all guaranteed to get your blood pumping!

Day 21: Last minute Shopping

Queenstown boasts excellent shopping with luxury brands, iconic New Zealand design stores, souvenirs, boutique fashion and adventure sports equipment, all centrally located in the compact town. Queenstown is also home to art galleries, book shops, and specialty food and wine stores, just waiting for you to gather ingredients for a lovely picnic somewhere in town.