Discover New Zealand New Zealand, North Island

Queenstown arrival

On arrival at Auckland International Airport you will be met airside by a representative of SouthernCrossings who will assist with customs clearance and luggage collection, and escort you into the arrivals hall.

Fly Auckland to Queenstown 

On arrival at Queenstown Airport you will be met by your private driver and vehicle and transferred to your accommodation (approximately a 20 minute journey).

Helicoptor & Jet Boat Tour

This morning you will be met at your accommodation and transferred to Queenstown Airport
(approximately a 30 minute journey) to meet your private helicopter for the excursion to majestic Milford Sound. Fly through the grandeur of the Southern Alps over rainforests, frozen lakes, ice capped mountains to the rugged West Coast with its ancient forest of trees and ferns. Here you will have the opportunity to view
seals in their natural colonies before landing at a remote West Coast beach. The helicopter then ascends into the mountains to touchdown in an alpine setting. The views are overwhelming, with their many crevasses and blue and green ice falls.
You will then return to Glenorchy where you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch.
This afternoon enjoy your exciting shared wilderness jet boat excursion. Following a briefing you will board your jetboat for the journey deep into the heart of the world-renowned Mt Aspiring National Park, where myth, heritage and fantasy come to life. You’ll experience a unique combination of breath-taking scenery and an exhilarating jet boat ride as you travel up the braided, glacier-fed rivers. Your guides give you their authentic touch, talking about the area’s rich history, the
Greenstone Trail and countless Maori legends. Time and conditions permitting, the guide will stop the boat so that you may enjoy a brief walk (approximately a 2 hour 30 minute duration - a total of 2 hours jetboating, plus check in time).
Following your jet boat excursion you will be met by your private vehicle and driver and transferred back to your accommodation (approximately 45 minutes journey).

Day Tour

This morning you will be met at your accommodation by your private vehicle and driver for a full day of local sightseeing, tailored to suit your interests. View the Shotover River which rushes hundreds of feet below us and the fabulous alpine surrounds of Queenstown. Continue to Queenstown Hill Viewpoint and picturesque Lake Hayes which is a favourite for photographers and artists for its mirror reflections. Enjoy a visit to Arrowtown, which has become an attraction as an example of a living historic goldmining town. Strict preservation orders protect the originality of the town's historic buildings, and the excellent Lakes District Museum has many displays pertaining to the pioneering past of the district. We suggest you enjoy lunch at one of the many local cafes. Continue to the Kawarau Bridge to watch the action at the world's first bungy bridge, established in November 1988. The Kawarau Bungy Centre is an ecologically designed building which has been created in harmony with the unique landscape of the region and includes merchandise, cafe, interactive and interpretive areas, with excellent views of the 43 metre jump itself. View the Lord of the Rings 'Pillar of the Kings' site and perhaps sample some of the world famous pinot noir from the region.

You will be returned to your accommodation later this afternoon (approximately an 8 hour duration).

Ahuriri Valley arrival

Today you will be met at your accommodation by your private driver and vehicle for your scenic transfer to Ahuriri Valley via the Mackenzie Country and the Lindis Pass (approximately a 2 hour 30 minute journey). Travelling north, first have the opportunity to visit the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown. Then, another detour opportunity awaits, the climb over the Crown Range Road, New Zealand’s highest road. At the other end is the delightful town of Wanaka, often described as Queenstown before the tourists arrived. Continue north over the beautiful Lindis Pass and up onto the Mackenzie Basin, a high country region known for its dramatic mountain scenery and stunning azure blue lakes.

Ahuriri Valley Day Tour

This morning enjoy a tour of The Ahuriri Valley. Travel down Birchwood Road sighting wetlands, wildlife and the geological timeline that exists in the Huxley and Barrier Ranges of the Southern Alps of New Zealand (approximately a 1 hour 30 minute duration).

Later today enjoy your Black Diamond experience. A long way off the beaten track is the Black Diamond, a purpose built, quintessentially The Lindis, private fine-dining experience. The options are numerous on how you make your way to this unique location, choose from a guided horse-trek, a selfguided or guided hike, or be escorted in a motor vehicle into the remote reaches of the Ahuriri Valley. Upon arrival at the Black Diamond, enjoy a glass of Louis Roederer Collection champagne, followed by your selected menu choice. The structure itself denotes a restrained beauty, with a singular peaked roof, sun drenched patio area, and full glass front, allowing uninterrupted views down the valley. The Black Diamond in skiing indicates challenge, adventure, and reward, and the Black Diamond Experience at The Lindis delivers exactly that, drenched in tranquil luxury.

Christchurch arrival

Today, continue your journey north up the South Island with your private vehicle and driver from Lake Pukaki to the city of Christchurch (approximately a 4 hour drive). Continue through the amazing Mackenzie Country today, a region bordered by the soaring Southern Alps and studded with beautiful lakes. Then descend onto the Canterbury Plains, New Zealand’s largest farming region and take the Inland Scenic Route through small farming towns before arriving in New Zealand’s second largest city of Christchurch.

Akaroa Boat tour

This morning you will be met at your accommodation by your private driver and vehicle for your full day Akaroa excursion. You will be driven around the base of the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula, where from the hilltop, you will have wonderful views out over Akaroa Harbour. The drive down from the crater of this extinct
volcano, following the shores around to the French influenced village of Akaroa. Here you will board your two hour Private Charter harbour cruise. Enjoy the views as your skipper keeps a watchful eye out for rare Hector Dolphins, New Zealand Fur Seals and Little Blue Penguins. Enjoy this afternoon exploring Banks Peninsula with your guide to the fabulous Okains Bay Maori and Colonial Settlers museum to get a full feel of what is Akaroa’s unique history.
After your cruise enjoy a picnic lunch which is included today. You will then have an opportunity to wander around the charming 175 year old French harbour side village of Akaroa with its museum of settlers’ history, studios and art and craft shops.
This afternoon you will then be returned to your accommodation (approximately an 8 hour duration).

Hawke’s Bay Arrival

This morning you will be met at your accommodation by your private driver and vehicle and transferred to Christchurch Airport prior to your onward flight (approximately a 40 minute journey).

Fly Christchurch to Napier.

On arrival at Napier Airport you will be met by your private driver and vehicle and transferred to your accommodation (approximately a 45 minute journey).

Cape Kidnappers atv tour

Today enjoy your guided Can-Am (four wheel drive ATV vehicle, seating up to three passengers) tour at Cape Kidnappers. Your experienced guide will drive you to discover the sheer expanse of the property inaccessible to the public and regular vehicles. The Can-Am Tour will take you to the furthermost reaches of the property with unrivalled views south towards Ocean Beach and Bare Island. You will be driven to the Plateau Gannet Colony where you can observe the largest mainland colony of gannets in the world you are then guided through the old creek bed, across expansive farmland and down to the historic Rangaika Beach (approximately a 2 hour 30 minute duration).
Later today you will be met at your accommodation by your private ranger for forest bird feeding time. Have the opportunity to spot KaKa, Kakariki, North Isaland Robin, Tomtil, Whitehead and other native species. You many even spot an endangered Duvacel’s Gecko. Learn about the re-introduced species and what the Cape Sanctuary team and volunteers do the support these growing populations.

Taupo arrival

This morning you will be met at your accommodation by your private vehicle and driver and transferred to Taupo (approximately 2 hours 30 minutes journey).
En-route enjoy a visit to Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters) New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse active volcanic area with dramatic geysers, mineral terraces, lakes, craters and bubbling mud pools. As you follow the trails you are introduced to a uniquely different natural landscape, the key to what you see lies below the surface, of one of the most extensive geothermal systems in New Zealand extending over 18 square kilometres (allow approximately 1 hour 30 minutes).
Following your visit you will be transferred to your accommodation.

Guided Bush Walk

This morning you will be met at your accommodation by your guide before being transferred to Kinloch to enjoy a nine kilometre hike (approximately a 2 hour 30 minute duration) through native bush to the beautiful Kawakawa Bay situated in the Western Bays of Lake Taupo.

At Kawakawa you will meet your private launch to enjoy a half day charter on Lake Taupo, visiting the many bays and inlets accessible only by boat. Lunch, wine, beer, and fishing licenses have been included today.

After returning to Taupo mid-afternoon you will be transferred back to your accommodation (approximately a 5 hour duration).

Day at lesuire

While at leisure at Huka Lodge we recommend the following optional local experiences:

- Go fly fishing on the surrounding rivers, or trolling on Lake Taupo

- Visit the scenic Huka Falls and surrounding trails with views to the breathtaking Waikato River

- Play golf at either of the two world class courses nearby, Kinloch and Wairakei

- Visit culturally significant tribal Maori locations and learn about sacred practices with a local guide

- Get the adrenaline pumping on the Hukafalls Jet and view the staggering amount of water flowing over these falls every second

- Walk through the lush forest at Aratiatia Scenic Reserve and watch the dam gates open, filling a dry gorge with fast-flowing rapids (gates open three times a day)

- Explore geothermal wonders in the region including Craters of the Moon, Wai-o-tapu, and the many different locations in Rotorua

- Put your hiking shoes on and walk the Tongariro Crossing, which some consider the best day hike in the world

- For the more adventurous, try bungy jumping, quad biking, sky diving, gliding, or even racing around a track in a real Formula Challenge race car

- Enjoy one of the many bush walks in the area, guided or unguided, or hop on a mountain bike

- Visit Lava Glass, a glass blowing studio where you can see the artisans at work and wander around the unique sculpture garden

- Take a helicopter flight over the many thermal areas of the nearby Rotorua region

- Soak in the thermal waters of local hot springs

- Play tennis, petanque, or croquet onsite at Huka

- Indulge in an organic skincare or massage treatment onsite

Departure

Today you will be met at your accommodation by your private driver and vehicle and transferred to Auckland International Airport prior to your onward flight (approximately a 3 hour 30 minute journey). Your journey takes you north over the green rolling farmland of the Waikato to Auckland. Have the opportunity to travel via the sparkling glowworm caves of Waitomo of the Lord of the Rings film site at Hobbiton before arriving in the sprawling southern suburbs of Auckland and making your way into the city.