Unbelievable scenery, from soaring snow capped mountains to lush ancient rainforests, stormy windswept beaches to desolate volcanic plateaus and verdant green countryside.

- New Zealand is a land of contrasts.

Hop ‘across the ditch’ and experience the vast variety of experiences the beautiful country of New Zealand has to offer. Each of the following itineraries also includes a signature Southern Crossings experience to provide you with a personalised and beneath-the-skin introduction to the wonderful people and places that make New Zealand a must visit destination.

These itineraries provide just a small sample of the endless possibilities in New Zealand. With so much more to explore right across the country, if you can’t find your ideal escape here, we’ll tailor an itinerary that is just right for you.

New Zealand

Auckland’s Island of Wine

Geothermal Forces of Rotorua*

Christchurch and Banks Peninsula

Experience Directory

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Browse through the images below and click through to further details of these extraordinary experiences available in New Zealand and curated exclusively by Southern Crossings

North Island Food, Wine and Adventure*

Spectacular South Island Scenery*

Short Breaks (3 night long weekends and city stays)

North and South Island (week long adventures)

*The above packages are offered as self-drive itineraries; please ask for details if you require alternative transport options.

Iconic Queenstown and Milford Sound*

Panoramic ocean and island views with world class vineyards, cellar doors and restaurants.

Discover why Waiheke Island has become the playground of the Auckland elite. New Zealand’s third most populated island, Waiheke boats rolling green countryside, quiet white sandy beaches, gallery filled townships, and most famously, some of New Zealand’s trendiest vineyards and cellar doors. Swim and roam by day, then watch the sun set over Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf from your vineyard perch.

Your full day private tour of the island allows you to craft your own personal itinerary, choosing from a delightful selection of fascinating people, places and tastes which combine to make Waiheke Island so unique. Your knowledgeable local guide will take you to three or more of the Island’s highly regarded vineyards, where you can taste a selection of their fine wines and learn about what makes Waiheke wines among some of the best in the world.

Price: From NZD$2,565.00 per person (based on double/twin share, NZD$5,130.00 total for two people).Inclusions: Return airport transfers between Auckland Airport and the Auckland ferry terminal. Return ferry tickets

between Auckland and Waiheke Island. Return transfers between the Waiheke Island ferry terminal and your accommodation. Three nights’ accommodation at The Boatshed. Daily breakfast. Full day private guided wine tour. New Zealand GST at 15%.

Auckland’s Island of Wine

Erupting geysers, boiling pools of mud and volcanic colours of every kind.

Surrounded by steaming lakes, bubbling hot pools and bursting geysers, Rotorua is host to some of the world’s most incredible earth forces. Combine that with some of New Zealand’s most unique and varied Maori cultural experiences, Rotorua is a must visit destination.

Experience the unique landscape and history of Mount Tarawera. Infamous for its eruption on in 1886, Mt Taraweracreated the world’s youngest geothermal valley of Waimangu, at the same destroying the legendary Pink and White Terraces. Your fully guided walking experience begins with an off road 4WD experience through native bush, transporting you to the craters edge, and includes an optional run in to the heart of the volcanic crater.

Visit to Waiotapu, New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse active volcanic area with dramatic geysers, mineral terraces, lakes, craters and bubbling mud pools.

Enjoy entrance to the Polynesian Spa, enabling you to enjoy a relaxing experience on the tranquil shores of Lake Rotorua. Renowned for its healing waters and decadent therapies, discover why people have flocked to these waters since the 1800s.

Price: From NZD$2,585.00 per person (based on double/twin share, NZD$5,170.00 total for two people).Inclusions: Four day full size rental car hire with insurance and GPS. Three nights’ accommodation at Peppers on the Point.

Breakfast daily. Private guided hike up Mount Tarawera. Admission to Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland. Admission to Polynesian Spa. New Zealand GST at 15%.

Geothermal Forces of Rotorua

Rediscover the southern city of Christchurch and explore the hidden gem of Banks Peninsula.

The ‘Garden City’ of New Zealand. Historic architecture, art galleries, parks, landscaped gardens and the River Avon meandering through the city centre creates a tranquil and charming atmosphere, reminiscent of the city’s English heritage.

Enjoy a half day private guided tour of the city, tailored to suit your interests. Shop at the iconic department store of Ballantynes, and get lost in the maze of laneway stores that have opened up around Cashel Mall. Stop by the stalls of the Riverside Market for lunch, or settle in for a longer stint at the bars lining the Avon River on The Terrace. Then perhaps get your culture fix at the restored Arts Centre or Canterbury Museum.

Discover Akaroa, a historic settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano 85 kilometres from the city. Explore the village with its French colonial architecture, craft stores, and cafés. Then jump aboard a cruise of the harbour. You will see the rare, native Hector’s Dolphin and also have the chance to spot the world’s smallest penguin, the White Flippered Little Blue Penguin, New Zealand Fur Seals and sea birds.

Price: From NZD$2,265.00 per person (based on double/twin share, NZD$4,530.00 total for two people).Inclusions: Return airport transfers. Three nights’ accommodation at The George Hotel. Half day private guided tour of the

city. Full day private guided tour to Akaroa with shared harbour cruise. New Zealand GST at 15%.

Christchurch and Banks Peninsula

New Zealand’s most famous destinations and iconic scenery.

The ‘Adventure Capital of the World’. Set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, amidst the towering peaks of the Southern Alps, the scenery provides a perfect backdrop for endless activities and an idyllic haven in which to relax.

Enjoy a scenic flight to Milford Sound viewing hanging valleys, alpine lakes, and cloud-piercing summits. After landing you will join shared guided nature cruise on which you will view plant and wildlife. You may have the opportunity to see seals, birds, rare dolphins, and penguins. Be amazed by the size and grandeur of the fiord’s cliff faces rising hundreds of metres out of the water.

Also experience a thrilling 60 minute Queenstown jetboat ride at speeds of up to 95kph. Unforgettable thrills, spins and exhilaration across three waterways in one of the world’s most stunning locations.

Price: From NZD$1,495.00 per person (based on double/twin share, NZD$2,990.00 total for two people).Inclusions: Four day full size rental car with full insurance and GPS. Three nights’ accommodation at Millbrook Resort.

Breakfast daily. Shared Milford Sound excursion with return scenic flights and cruise on the fiord. One hour shared jetboat ride. New Zealand GST at 15%.

Iconic Queenstown and Milford Sound

Sample the North Island’s best food and wine regions, with a touch of light adventure along the way.

Start in Auckland and head straight out to exclusive Waiheke Island, an island just 45 minutes from downtown Auckland known for it’s gorgeous beaches, local artists and dozens of Mediterranean like vineyards with world class cellar doors and restaurants. Taste the best the island has to offer on a privately guided tour.

Head back to the mainland, collect your rental car and head south over the green rolling farmlands of Waikato towards Rotorua, where you’ll see volcanic activity such as boiling pools of mud and torrents of steam rising out of the ground. Continue to Taupo, the town on the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake. Walk through the native bush around the lake to a secluded bay where you’re met by a luxury yacht for a lunch cruise back to town.

Make your final journey over the hill to the Hawke’s Bay, one of New Zealand’s premier wine and food destinations. Cycle between the vineyards which are all blissfully linked by cycle ways, check out the majestic gannets at the local colony, and explore the boutiques of the fanciful Art Deco town of Napier.

Price: From NZD$9,139.00 per person (based on double/twin share, NZD$18,278.00 total for two people).Inclusions: Private transfer from Auckland Airport to the Auckland ferry terminal. Return ferry tickets between Auckland

and Waiheke Island. Return transfers between the Waiheke Island ferry terminal and your accommodation. Seven nights’ accommodation (two nights at Marino Ridge, Waiheke Island, two nights at Point Villas, Taupo and three nights at Craggy Range Cottages, Hawke’s Bay. Breakfast daily. Two lunches. Private transfer from the Auckland ferry terminal to the rental vehicle depot. Six days SUV rental hire with full insurance and GPS. Private guided tour of Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland. Private guided walk and cruise at Lake Taupo. Private guided Hawke’s Bay cycling wine tour. Private guided gannet colony sunrise tour. New Zealand GST at 15%.

Upgrades: Ask us about upgrading your accommodation to super luxury lodges.

North IslandFood, Wine and Adventure

A South Island adventure full of mountains, lakes, rainforests and alpine resort towns!

Start in the proud city of Christchurch and discover its emerging art, shopping and restaurant precincts. Spend a day on the adjacent Banks Peninsula and explore the gorgeous French town of Akaroa, picturesquely set on a harbour teeming with acrobatic dolphins and elusive penguins.

Begin your self drive adventure by traversing the rich farmlands of Canterbury and climbing into the staggeringly beautiful Mackenzie Country, and area chock full of bright azure blue lakes and soaring snowcapped mountains. Visit the village at the foot of the ‘Sky Piercer’, New Zealand’s tallest mountain, and cruise a lake full of icebergs breaking off the huge glacier at its terminus.

Continue to world famous Queenstown and explore the regions most scenic areas around Lake Hayes and charming Queenstown. Cap the day off with an unforgettable helicopter flight to UNESCO World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park to see stunning Milford Sound. Have a taste of adventure on a thrilling jetboat ride too.

Price: From NZD$7,069.00 per person (based on double/twin share, NZD$14,138.00 total for two people).Inclusions: Private transfer from Christchurch Airport to your accommodation. Seven nights’ accommodation (two nights at

The George, Christchurch, two nights at Lakestone Lodge, Mackenzie Country, and three nights at Hulbert House, Queenstown. Breakfast daily. One dinner. Private guided tour of Akaroa and Banks Peninsula. Six day SUV rental car with full insurance and GPS. Shared Glacier Explorer cruise. Half day private guided tour of the Queenstown region. Shared helicopter excursion to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound with alpine landing. Shared one hour jetboat excursion.

Upgrades: Ask us about upgrading your accommodation to super luxury lodges.

Spectacular South Island Scenery

If you haven’t found your ideal escape among these suggestions, we’ll tailor an itinerary that’s just right for you.