New Zealand Land of Wonders

New Zealand is a separate planet, where you should definitely visit at least once in your life. We offer an itinerary across the North and South Islands, which covers the main attractions of the country.

Auckland
Go behind the scenes of the film industry at Wētā Workshop Unleashed. See the city and 53 volcanoes in the surrounding area from the Sky Tower (from the height there are views for 80 km in all directions). Visit the Auckland Museum and Zoo. Watch Bryde's whales and dolphins in the Hauraki Gulf Marine Park and try local wine there. Swim in transparent kayaks in the Goat Island Marine Reserve and admire the starry sky over Great Barrier Island, one of the first in the world to receive the status of International
Dark Sky Sanctuary.

Waiheke
A 40-minute ferry ride from Auckland, this island welcomes you with white sand beaches, vineyards and olive groves. Take in the views while flying on a zipline. Sample premium wines at over 30 wineries on the island. Local winemaking has been influenced by Croatian, Lebanese and English traditions.

Waitomo
Visit the Waitomo Glowing Caves and take a boat ride along an underground river.

Rotorua
Experience Maori traditions and visit the largest geyser in the Southern Hemisphere, Pohutu. Take a floatplane ride over the Orakei Korako Geothermal Park and Lake Rotoiti, and relax in the hot springs.
Experience extreme sports at Velocity Valley, from jet skiing at 100 km/h to falling 43 m.
See the hot springs and craters of Waimangu Volcanic Valley and take a boat ride on Lake Rotomahana. Raft down a waterfall on the Kaituna River.

Taupo
See Maori rock paintings visible only from the water while boating on Lake Taupo. Visit Huka Falls, a phenomenal 11-metre drop.

Tongariro National Park
New Zealand's first national park and a two-time (!) UNESCO World Heritage Site for its extraordinary natural beauty and Maori cultural significance, Tongariro is a work of volcanic art and a wonderful place for
walking and hiking. There are several routes in the park, including the Alpine Crossing (20.2 km), which can be completed in a day.

Wellington
Climb Mount Victoria for 360-degree views.
Ride the historic funicular railway from the city centre to the Botanic Gardens, overlooking the city and harbour. Visit the country’s oldest zoo and the Te Papa Tongarewa National Museum. Kayak and watch the sunset on the waterfront. Stargaze at the Carter Observatory, a state-of-the-art planetarium home to the relic Thomas Cook Telescope.

Marlborough
The Marlborough wine region is famous for its sauvignon blanc, pinot noir and sparkling wines. It is part of the classic New Zealand wine route, a 300-mile (485 km) route with over 100 wineries.
Swim with dolphins of 5 species in the Marlborough Sounds. See a collection of WWI and WWII aircraft and fly the world's only working Avro Anson at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.

Hanmer Springs
Spend a day on the water at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa, relax in natural pools filled with 34-42 degree thermal water and visit a forest of wooden sculptures.

Christchurch
In the largest city on the South Island, stroll through the 160-year-old botanical gardens, take a boat ride on the Avon River and explore the city on a historic tram.
Meet New Zealand's feathered symbol, the kiwi, at Willowbank Sanctuary and the gorillas at Orana Sanctuary. There, see rhinos, lions and tigers and feed giraffes. Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of colour, play and inspiration in the "Giant's House", whose sculptures are generously decorated with mosaics.
Watch sperm whales, dolphins and penguins in Kaikoura.

Aoraki National Park / Mount Cook
Rise by helicopter over the majestic Lake Tekapo, the Southern Alps, boundless glaciers and 23 three-thousanders, including Mount Cook, the highest peak in the country. The largest glacier in New Zealand, the Tasman, is located on the territory of this park. Go hiking, climb mountains and relax by the lake.
Stay in a luxury waterfront retreat and stargaze at night, either with the naked eye or through a telescope.

Hampden / Moeraki
Halfway between Hampden and Moeraki, check out the famous Moeraki Boulders – mystical stone spheres. Each giant weighs several tons, rises 2 meters above the beach and is 65 million years old.

Dunedin
Relax on the picturesque beaches: swim or surf.
Meet penguins, fur seals and sea lions, as well as royal albatrosses.
Visit the Otago Museum, which has 1.5 million (!) exhibits, ranging from Japanese weapons to moa eggs (giant birds exterminated by the Maori in the 16th century).
Admire Victorian and Edwardian architecture and enjoy a tea ceremony at Larnach Castle.

Stewart Island
Enjoy unspoilt nature at Rakiura National Park, which translates as ‘Land of Shining Skies’ and boasts stunning sunsets and the Northern Lights from March to September.

Fiordland National Park
New Zealand’s largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fiordland National Park offers a world of fjords, waterfalls and snow-capped peaks. The 14 fjords that line the south-west corner of the South Island are 100,000 years old. See Milford Sound, which Rudyard Kipling called ‘the eighth wonder of the world’, from above on a helicopter tour. And spot seals and penguins on a cruise through Doubtful Sound, the deepest fjord at 421m. Marvel at the 619m Browne Falls and take a bushwalk.

Queenstown
In the alpine town of Queenstown, enjoy white water rafting, jet skiing and river surfing. Mountain biking, lakeside camping, skydiving and helicopter tours make for a fun day out. And when it’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, Queenstown becomes the ski capital of the world.

Wanaka
Wanaka is a fantastic region for piloting. Fly a light aircraft, including a vintage Tiger Moth biplane that served as a training aircraft for the Royal Air Force. See lakes, rivers, forests and
mountains from above. Visit a plane and classic car museum. Solve the world’s first mega-maze at Puzzling World.

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers – Christchurch
Fly over giant glaciers by helicopter. Explore the blue ice on foot. Marvel at the mirror-like Lake Matheson, which on a clear day reflects New Zealand’s highest peaks, including Mt Cook and Mt Tasman.
Then the TranzAlpine Express takes you to Christchurch on a scenic route through gorges, mountain valleys, rivers and lakes.