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Geothermal wonderland with bubbling mud pools, clouds of steam, and natural hot springs, Rotorua, North Island of New Zealand
Home/Destinations/Australia & New Zealand/New Zealand/New Zealand Essentials: Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Queenstown
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New Zealand Essentials

  • Discover Auckland’s harbours, city landmarks, and wild west coast beaches on a full-day exploration.
  • Journey through the luminous Waitomo Caves before arriving in Rotorua.
  • Witness Rotorua’s geysers, mud pools, and lakes while learning about Māori traditions and artistry at Te Puia.
  • Feast beneath the forest canopy at Te Pā Tū, where Māori storytelling and seasonal cuisine come together.
  • Cruise Milford Sound from Queenstown, gliding past waterfalls, sheer cliffs, and playful dolphins in Fiordland’s serenity.

8

Days

55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel
55 Years of Expertise in Tailor-Made Travel

Trip Features

Active Elements
An image of a shoe in movement
Includes light adventure or movement for added discovery.
Epic Scenery
Line image of mountains and clouds in a beautiful locale
Showcases landscapes that elevate parts of the journey.
Family Friendly
Icon of a teddy bear to signify kid friendly
Fun, safe adventures to delight travellers of all ages.
Iconic Landmarks
Icon of the pyramids in Egypt
Features renowned sites that capture the essence of each destination.

Trip Itinerary

At a Glance

DAY

1

Arrive in Auckland

DAY

2

Auckland City of Sails Walking Tour

DAY

3

Auckland to Rotorua via the Waitomo Caves

DAY

4

Eco Thermal Park Tour & Cultural Evening

DAY

5

Depart Rotorua for Queenstown

DAY

6

Milford Sound Tour with Cruise & Fixed Wing Flyback

DAY

7

Queenstown at Leisure

DAY

8

Depart from Queenstown

Travel Itinerary
Trip Starts
Trip Stop
Trip Ends

What to Expect

Explore what moves you.

Most Popular Time to Travel

Know when to go.

Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
City 870Partly Cloudy
16°C / 61°F
35mm / 1.4"
City 882Occasional Showers
17°C / 62°F
64mm / 2.5"
City 572Light Rain
18°C / 65°F
74mm / 2.9"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.
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Popularity rating
ExcellentBased on 5,219 Reviews
Verified
The booking processs was really easy. Katie was very communicative and was very responsive. Every change we asked for, she quickly replied. The room arrangements had a small hiccupp but Katie fixed it within minutes! All the excursions were a blast and well planned. The trip was a bucket list trip and was everything we hoped for. Alison M
Verified
Allan Birkett at Goway has been an absolute godsend! Over the past year, he has helped me plan numerous vacations—especially honeymoons—and has been an incredible partner every step of the way. He is always quick to respond, patient with my clients' frequent changes, and goes above and beyond to help whenever an issue comes up. His knowledge, professionalism, and dedication make my job as a travel advisor so much easier. I truly appreciate everything Allan does and highly recommend him to anyone looking for exceptional service. Thank you, Allan, for always being thereBrooke Echols
Verified
Our 2-week trip to Normandy, Switzerland and Italy after we disembarked from the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton in mid-May was superb. Michael Keon did an amazing job of putting together highlights for us to see and visit with the short time we had. All the train reservations, private and small group tours and transportations were very well coordinated, on time, and usually exceeded our expectations. Drivers were courteous and knowledgeable. Mike did a wonderful job getting everything coordinated, in spite of our almost “last minute” booking. I booked a month-long trip through GOWAY back in 1989 for Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and they were superb then. So I tried them again, and found the entire organization to be even better. Mike was quick to respond to any questions that came up regarding booksings and times, regardless of the 6-hour time difference. Just superb! Although we had a nasty experience in Milan, GOWAY was very responsive and saw to our requests and our needs. Again, Michael Keon is the person who coordinated our travel. I will ask for Mike when I travel again with GOWAY. I recommend GOWAY highly. PJ Wheeler
Verified
A BIG THANK YOU to Goway Travel, Brooke Theron and all of the partners onsite. Our trip to Africa was incredible, memories that will last forever. Everything planned and more went perfectly. The guides, the excursions, the accommodations, everything, was just spectacular. Fortunately, everything ran on time, no delays, no problems. Thank you again!! Linda Irias
Verified
I have been blessed to have an amazing rep, Farooq Qaisar! He has helped me find the best spots for my clients to experience and when I am looking for something and just can't figure it out, he is able to put together something better than I was thinking. He my go-to and I am thankful for all his help over the years!Sherri
Verified
Goway helped plan our two week trip to Peru and they (Virginia in particular) did a great job. The on-site logistics with Condor Travel went very smoothly, and the trip exceeded our expectations overall. They proactively suggested changes to our initial itinerary which were welcomed. I would recommend them and would work with them again in the future.Kate O'Neill
Verified
We entrusted Goway with every detail of our trip from start to finish and they came through for us superbly! Every single detail was smooth sailing. It was a joy to plan our travels with Goway!! We had an amazing trip of a lifetime! E&D
Verified
I recently went on an African Safari with my brother-in-law and sister and another couple who I knew. The entire experience was absolutely unbelievable. The complete details were flawlessly coordinated from the transfers to the breathtaking lodges. Our guides Peter showed us Kenya and Maulid Tanzania were very knowledgeable and very sharp eyes for finding the animals. We were able to see the animals up close, learn a lot about the people, birds , vegetation etc. We had several sundowners in the bush really added to a magical experience with beautiful sunsets. I would highly recommend Goway to all my friends, they will not be disappointed. Thank you to Bijal for the excellent African Safari that you put together for us. You were wonderful.Nancy Hay
Verified
We enjoyed our trip very much. I was very pleased by the hotel, tours, and itinerary selections that Alice Teramoto made for us. It was all well organized and easy to follow. Thank you very much for helping us have a great experience in Peru.IN
Verified
Everything was planned perfectly. The excursions were so small and personal. Ask for Mark! I have already planned another trip back to the Oregon wine country with Mark. Claire

What do the experts say?

Mikayla McInnis

Mikayla McInnis

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
The food in New Zealand is incredible, and New Zealanders are rightly proud of their paddock to plate cuisine. Almost everything is sustainably grown and processed, from lamb and seafood to vegetables and fruit.
Mary Georgiou

Mary Georgiou

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
About 20 percent of New Zealand is made up of National Parks, Forests, and Nature Reserves. And they’re all free to enter!
Mary Georgiou

Mary Georgiou

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
The Māori cultural experiences and performances offered throughout the North and South Islands are well worth seeking out. If the opportunity presents itself, definitely take part in a hāngī
Mary Georgiou

Mary Georgiou

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
Looking for a great restaurant in New Zealand? Try The Bunker in Queenstown, Plato in Dunedin, Manu in Christchurch, and Oppies Fish & Chips in Rotorua
Erin Hutchinson

Erin Hutchinson

Destination Specialist
Learn More About This Expert
All Blacks rugby is huge in New Zealand. If you’re a sports fan, be sure to check out a home game. The All Blacks typically play their home test matches during the months of July, August, September and sometimes October

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