New Zealand Panorama
New Zealand Panorama
Tour Overview
You don’t need to do everything to appreciate a destination – sometimes the best journeys are those when you have time to immerse yourself in a city. This Queenstown to Auckland tour will have you wandering the streets of Auckland on the hunt for a great restaurant, soaking in Rotorua’s thermal springs, stopping to appreciate Maori culture and enjoying adventure with a side of wine in Queenstown.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome To Queenstown
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
Queenstown deserves its destination crown. And after an orientation tour on arrival, you’ll have plenty of time to explore before time at your leisure. Hit us up for dining recommendations.
Day 2: Queenstown & Surrounds
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
Get a taste of country life combined with good old fashioned southern hospitality as you meet a ‘Southern Girl’ local farmer at Real Country. Have demonstrations of Horse communication and Working sheep dog mustering. Try your hand at a Stock whip cracking lesson, and feed and interact with the friendly farm animals, as part of this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Plus, for every guest, we donate funds to The Fairlight Foundation, Advancing Women in Agriculture. Then you'll think you've stepped back in time when you arrive in the former gold-mining village of Arrowtown. Come dusk, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw; the only thing more inspiring than the peaks of the Remarkables that surround is the festive atmosphere welcoming you to Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead awaits.
Day 3: Queenstown Free Time
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
You clearly need more than one day to appreciate Queenstown and its surrounds. And when we say surrounds, we mean Milford Sound. Today sign up for an optional tour to Milford Sound. Travel through World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park for exceptional views as you pass through dense rainforest and pass by towering mountains. On arrival to Milford Sound embark on a cruise to experience the eighth wonder of the World. Don’t be surprised if you see dolphins and seals playing in the wake of waterfalls. If you like things fast-paced, opt for bungy jumping or jet-boating. You are in the adventure capital of New Zealand, after all.
Day 4: Queenstown - Auckland
Location: Queenstown
Accommodation Name: Horizon by SkyCity Auckland
Touching down in Auckland, you’ll immediately understand why it’s known as the ‘City of Sails’ – New Zealand’s largest city has two lovely yacht-filled harbours, which you can explore at our leisure this afternoon.
Day 5: Auckland - Rotorua
Location: Auckland
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Today is set to sparkle – quite literally – as thousands of bright green and blue glowworms light up your next destination: the Waitomo Caves. Tonight, you'll experience Te Puia's world-famous hāngī buffet dinner. Enjoy spectacular geothermal views while dining on a range of delicious New Zealand flavours. The menu is smartly sophisticated, infusing Māori flavours, with an array of global cuisines and cooking styles. After dinner you will get to enjoy a cultural performance that will take place in their finely carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. Witness a pōwhiri (traditional welcome), waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant) poi and haka. The evening culminates at the powerful Pohutu Geyser. where, armed with hot chocolate and steamed pudding, you'll view one of New Zealand's geothermal wonderlands.
Day 6: Rotorua
Location: Rotorua
Accommodation Name: Millennium Hotel Rotorua
Cute and cuddly, NZ’s national bird, the kiwi, is also endangered. Go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery and hatchery to learn how breeding programs are helping the population thrive. The natural drama reaches boiling point at Whakarewarewa, a staggering valley where geysers pop and thermal springs jettison skywards. Cap off your day at a Farewell Dinner with your Travel Director and companions.
Day 7: Farewell From Rotorua And Auckland
Location: Rotorua
Short, sweet, and packed with highlights – how else to describe this wonderful week?
What's Included
What's Not Included
-
Flights to and from the start/end of the trip
Flights to and from the start/end of the trip are not included in the trip price.
-
Optional tours and activities
Optional tours and activities, such as the Milford Sound tour, bungy jumping, and jet-boating, are not included.
-
Personal expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
Mode of Transport
Enjoy seamless travel with included internal flights between Queenstown and Auckland, as well as return airport transfers. Note that flights to and from the start/end of the trip are not included.
Accommodation
Stay in centrally located premium hotels including the Millennium Hotel in Queenstown and Rotorua, and Horizon by SkyCity in Auckland, ensuring comfort and convenience throughout your journey.
Check out our Q&As
-
What kind of fitness level is required for the New Zealand Panorama tour?
The tour requires a low level of fitness.
-
Are flights included in the New Zealand Panorama tour package?
Flights to and from the start and end of the trip are not included in the trip price. However, internal-holiday flights are included.
-
What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?
You will stay in centrally located premium hotels, such as the Millennium Hotel in Queenstown and Rotorua, and Horizon by SkyCity in Auckland.
-
What kind of cultural experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a visit to Te Puia for a hāngī buffet dinner and a cultural performance featuring traditional Māori elements like pōwhiri, waiata, mōteatea, poi, and haka.
-
What kind of wildlife experiences are included in the tour?
You will visit a kiwi nursery and hatchery to learn about breeding programs for New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi. Additionally, you may see dolphins and seals during the optional Milford Sound cruise.
-
What kind of activities are available in Queenstown?
In Queenstown, you can explore the town, visit a local farm for demonstrations and activities, cruise across Lake Wakatipu, and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner. Optional activities include a tour to Milford Sound, bungy jumping, and jet-boating.
-
What is the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience included in the tour?
The MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience includes meeting a local farmer at Real Country, participating in activities like horse communication demonstrations, sheep dog mustering, stock whip cracking lessons, and interacting with farm animals. Funds are donated to The Fairlight Foundation for every guest.
-
What kind of dining experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a hāngī buffet dinner at Te Puia with a range of New Zealand flavors and a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
-
What kind of geothermal experiences are included in the tour?
You will visit the Waitomo Caves to see glowworms and Whakarewarewa Valley to witness geysers and thermal springs.
-
Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
The beauty of taking a holiday with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.
-
Can I join the tour once it has departed?
It is important to adhere to departure times while on tour for the comfort of everyone on-board, and to make sure no one misses out on the planned experiences. The coach will not be able to wait for you, and in some instances, if you miss a departure time you will need to make your own way to the next destination to re-join the tour.
-
Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
AAT Kings operated Guided Holidays have competitive single supplement rates available if you prefer to confirm your own room. Or we can match you to share with a guest of the same gender at no extra cost. If we fail to match you, we will accommodate you in a single room at no extra cost.
-
How long has the tour company been trading?
Over 100 years
-
What documents will I receive before I travel?
We will email your documents to you approximately four weeks before your departure date provided you have completed your pre trip registration using the My Travel Portal. If you’ve booked through a travel agent, your documents will be emailed directly to your agent.
Reviews of this operator
1 Select your preferred date
2025 Mar
2025 Apr
2025 Jul
2025 Oct
2025 Dec
2025 Jan
2026 Feb
2026 Mar
2026 Apr
2026 May
2026 Jul
2026 Sep
2026 Oct
2026 Nov
2026 Dec
2026 Jan
2027 Feb
2027 Mar
2027
Friday - Thursday
Jan 24, 2025 - Jan 30, 2025Friday - Thursday
Mar 14, 2025 - Mar 20, 2025Friday - Thursday
Apr 18, 2025 - Apr 24, 2025Friday - Thursday
Jul 04, 2025 - Jul 10, 2025Friday - Thursday
Oct 03, 2025 - Oct 09, 2025Friday - Thursday
Dec 05, 2025 - Dec 11, 2025Friday - Thursday
Jan 23, 2026 - Jan 29, 2026Friday - Thursday
Feb 06, 2026 - Feb 12, 2026Friday - Thursday
Feb 20, 2026 - Feb 26, 2026Friday - Thursday
Mar 13, 2026 - Mar 19, 2026Friday - Thursday
Mar 27, 2026 - Apr 02, 2026Friday - Thursday
Apr 03, 2026 - Apr 09, 2026Friday - Thursday
Apr 17, 2026 - Apr 23, 2026Friday - Thursday
May 15, 2026 - May 21, 2026Friday - Thursday
Jul 03, 2026 - Jul 09, 2026Friday - Thursday
Sep 04, 2026 - Sep 10, 2026Friday - Thursday
Oct 02, 2026 - Oct 08, 2026Friday - Thursday
Oct 16, 2026 - Oct 22, 2026Friday - Thursday
Nov 06, 2026 - Nov 12, 2026Friday - Thursday
Nov 13, 2026 - Nov 19, 2026Friday - Thursday
Dec 04, 2026 - Dec 10, 2026Friday - Thursday
Jan 01, 2027 - Jan 07, 2027Friday - Thursday
Jan 22, 2027 - Jan 28, 2027Friday - Thursday
Feb 05, 2027 - Feb 11, 2027Friday - Thursday
Feb 19, 2027 - Feb 25, 2027Friday - Thursday
Mar 05, 2027 - Mar 11, 2027Friday - Thursday
Mar 12, 2027 - Mar 18, 2027Friday - Thursday
Mar 26, 2027 - Apr 01, 2027Book with Confidence
-
Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
-
Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
-
Terms and Conditions