New Zealand offers unparalleled destinations and experiences, from snowboarding on its slopes to entering an impressive Hobbit hole! Experience traditional Maori culture, breathtaking beaches, and lush vineyards while visiting this incredible island nation.
Discover New Zealand from all perspectives with an escorted tour, covering land, air, and sea. Experience Lake Taupo and Auckland’s natural splendor; sail Milford Sound for an incredible cruise; visit Walter Peak High Country Farm;
Lake Taupo Cruise
Explore the culturally significant Maori Rock Carvings on Great Lake Taupo during this sailing excursion. Only accessible by boat, you will get close to this 14-meter high rock art while soaking up an unforgettable view and one of life’s postcard moments.
Onboard a relaxing sightseeing catamaran and cruise Lake Taupo for 1.5 hours. Enjoy breathtaking natural sights and captivating Maori mythology as part of this experience, including an up-close view of Matahi Whakataka Brightwell’s Mine Bay Maori rock carvings which depict Ngatoroirangi (who once ruled over Lake Taupo).
Ernest Kemp Scenic Cruises and Chris Jolly Outdoors Daily Scenic Cruises both provide scenic cruises to the rock carvings, featuring commentary and beer/wine for purchase on Ernest Kemp Cruises; with each passenger on these tours also contributing $1 towards The Opepe Farm Trust tree planting program with The Opepe Farm Trust.
Taupo Lake is famed for its large population of trophy-sized rainbow trout, so expect some success when fishing from a private charter on Taupo’s waters.
Auckland Cruise
Experience Auckland’s iconic sights aboard a sailboat as you dine on a 3-course meal during this unforgettable tour of Viaduct Harbour and Westhaven Marina, passing landmarks such as Auckland Harbour Bridge and Sky Tower – New Zealand’s tallest structure – along the way. Your captain provides live commentary about sailing as an Auckland pastime, history hosting America’s Cups, or helping hoist sails or steer the vessel if desired – something no other cruise offers!
Experience Auckland’s coast on a yacht cruise while watching for aquatic wildlife! Depart Viaduct Harbour and cruise past iconic landmarks such as Auckland Bridge, Westhaven Marina, Devonport’s charming neighborhoods, Hauraki Gulf Marine Park waters and Hauraki Gulf Marine Park while listening to informative commentary provided by your guide. Help out on deck or simply relax as you capture stunning images of Auckland city from Hauraki Gulf Marine Park waters.
Step into nature on this North Island cruise that starts with a scenic drive to Waitomo. Discover illuminated glowworms in a cave before visiting Hobbiton Movie Set from The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogies. Afterward, return by luxury coach back to Auckland for a guided tour of city highlights!
Milford Sound Cruise
Milford Sound (Milfordtahi), located within Fiordland National Park, is an incredible fiord. Rudyard Kipling once famously called it the Eighth Wonder of the World for good reason! With such captivating beauty on offer here.
Enjoy breathtaking views from a cruise around a fiord as you get up close and personal with its magnificent waterfalls and rock walls. This round trip nature cruise aboard a purpose-built catamaran is an absolute must for travelers visiting New Zealand – see Mitre Peak as you gaze upon stunning waterfalls like Bowen, Sinbad Gully, Bridal Veil Falls, Fairy Falls, and Stirling Falls as part of your tour of this lovely fjord!
Cruises allow visitors to Milford Sound the chance to take in its breathtaking landscape in all its glory, with ocean waters reflecting off its cliffs and mountains for an impressive visual treat.
If you don’t own your own car, bus tours offer transport from and to Te Anau or Queenstown – making for a stress-free way of exploring either area! Simply ensure your camera battery is charged up and memory space available as taking pictures will likely become increasingly hard!
Walter Peak High Country Farm
As you sail across Lake Wakatipu on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for an authentic New Zealand experience aboard its vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, you’ll be welcomed by rural hosts who will guide you through Colonel’s Homestead where sheep shearing demonstrations are performed by skilled sheepdogs while you marvel at their remarkable skills as they round up herds of sheep. As you walk through the farmyard you’ll meet sheep, red deer and Scottish Highland cattle as well as learning all about life from locals themselves!
After your farm tour, enjoy an outdoor BBQ lunch or morning/afternoon tea on this historic property, stroll through its magnificent gardens, flowering plants and stunning alpine setting – perfect for relaxing and unwinding away from Queenstown’s main streets!
Queenstown icon TSS Earnslaw has been transporting passengers across Lake Wakatipu since 1912. Dubbed as “Lady of the Lake,” she played an essential role in connecting remote farming communities along the lake to wider society, remaining one of the largest steamships in Southern Hemisphere. Each winter for maintenance purposes she is replaced by a smaller motorised boat at reduced prices; tours depart from Steamer Wharf in Queenstown while No 6 Ritchies Connectabus service stops nearby with limited street parking available nearby – making sure everyone can experience all its charm!
