North to South Luxury New Zealand Private Tour

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Why You Should Go

With New Zealand being such an elongated island, we feel a trip including visits to the North and South Islands are an ideal way to make the most of your time and experience as much as there is to offer in this extraordinary country! Begin your trip on the North Island in Aukland, Rotorua, and Wellington – offering  volcanic activity, beaches, and national parks. North Island is home to roughly 77% of New Zealand’s population, so you’ll find lots to do and see! We particularly love the Solitaire Lodge in Rotorua, offering guests a tranquil experience (known for its hot springs!) with the convenience of a cosmopolitan area just a short distance away.  Eventually, make your way to South Island for visits to Nelson and Queenstown. South Island is known for its less touristy beaches, fjords, dense rainforests, and mountain ranges. We consider it to be a more “rugged” version of the country, containing impressive adventure and nature activities (and in our personal opinion, the most delicious food due to its high focus on agriculture!). Edenhouse in Nelson will impress you as this property truly appreciates the nature surrounding it, intertwining you with the roots of the lush greens surrounding the area. With much to offer, you cannot go wrong visiting both upper and lower New Zealand!

Best Travel Time: Fall Winter

*The average cost of our fully comprehensive itineraries ranges from USD $4,000 – $6,000 per COUPLE per DAY. All of our private tour itineraries are inclusive of all luxury accommodations, private guide/driver throughout, meals as specified, INTERNAL air flights/rail /private transfers, & all taxes/service fees.

View on the tropical beach with golden sands and azure waters
Abel Tasman National Park near Nelson

Sample Itinerary

10 Days

Each private luxury tour is custom to the wishes of each client. This itinerary is a sample. Partnering with our long-established relationship with United Airlines, our sister company, TRAVNET, may provide competitive Polaris/Business Class international airfare, along with mileage points conversion.

1

Day 1

Fly to Auckland
Through our sister company, Premium Air Provider Travnet, we may assist with your international airfare, as well as with mileage points conversion.

2018, JAN 3 – Auckland, New Zealand, Panorama view, Beautiful landcape of the building in Auckland city before sunset. View from Cyril Bassett VC Lookout.
Auckland Skyline
2

Day 2

Arrive Auckland
Upon arrival in Auckland, you will be privately transferred to the Park Hyatt Auckland Hotel.

Meals:
Accommodations: Park Hyatt Auckland

Aerial of the Mount Eden volcano in Auckland, Newzealand.
Mount Eden Volcano, Auckland
3

Day 3

Waiheke Island Excursion
We feel a visit to Waiheke Island is not to be missed during time in Auckland. Easily accessible from the Park Hyatt’s location, you’ll take a ferry to the island where a private gourmet food and wine tour is the focus(!). The island has beautiful rolling vineyards producing luxurious wines, which you will be able to taste with a paired lunch. We also recommend a stop at an award winning olive-oil mill where some local and fresh favorites can be enjoyed!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Park Hyatt Auckland

Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island
4

Day 4

Transfer Auckland to Rotorua inc. a stop at the Waitomo Glowworm Caves en route
Enjoy a private transfer to Rotorua including a visit to Waitomo Glowworm Caves! Witness the stunning network of limestone caves located beneath the rolling hills of Waitomo. Learn the rich history of the caves and seize the opportunity to walk through a native forest which includes a waterfall, solar powered lights for a true experience of the glowworms, and treasures from the ancient Moa. From here, transfer to your hotel in the outskirts of Rotorua.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Solitaire Lodge

Abstract Art of Nature – Close Up of New Zealand Glow Worms in Cave
Glowworm Caves at Waitomo
5

Day 5

Private Tour of Rotorua inc. Floatplane Flight over Mount Tarawera
Begin today exploring Rotorua, a city famous for its rich Maori culture and natural volcanic wonders. This is an outdoor paradise offering cultural experiences and picturesque natural wonders to discover. After experiencing the city, you will have a spectacular floatplane flight over Mount Tarawera, which is the site of the largest volcano eruption in New Zealand history, to see how the eruption changed the landscape. On the way back to your hotel, enjoy an cultural experience stopping at the Maori cultural center and performance including the Haka where you’ll be treated to this culture’s manaakitanga (hospitality).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Solitaire Lodge

Mount Tarawera
Aerial View of Mount Tarawera
6

Day 6

Fly Rotorua to Wellington
Today, transfer to Rotorua airport and fly to Wellington. Upon arrival, transfer to Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate

Wellington Cable Car Trolley Cityscape in Summer,New Zealand
Wellington City View
7

Day 7

Property’s Farm Experience
Today, explore the on site farm at your Wharekauhau hotel, showcasing New Zealand’s legendary farming heritage, including sheep shearing demonstrations, and sheepdogs in action.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate

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Sheepdog Demonstration, Wellington
8

Day 8

Wellington at Leisure
Enjoy a day to relax and take advantage of your hotel’s amenities. Activities include visiting nearby downtown Wellington or Martinborough, visit a seal colony, hiking, biking, or travel to a nearby winery or olive grove for a tasting of the local agriculture.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate

Branch of Wine Grapes in the Vineyard. Martinborough. New Zealand
Wine Grape Harvest in Martinborough
9

Day 9

Fly Wellington to Nelson
Transfer to Wellington airport and fly to Nelson. Upon arrival, transfer to the charming Edenhouse Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Edenhouse

Panorama of Nelson City, reflected in the Maitai River, New Zealand.
Nelson City, New Zealand
10

Day 10

Nelson Private Touring 

Explore nearby Abel Tasman National Park’s coastline with activities such as kayaking, swimming and hiking as well as a visit to the Tonga Island Marine Reserve(!) where you can witness fur seals basking in the sun. You will also have the chance to walk through the most diverse coastal bush tracks on the Pitt Head Nature Loop, which will be rewarded with stunning and intimate views of Pukatea Bay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Edenhouse

Kayaker Abel Tasman at Nelson New Zealand’s National Park
Kayaking at Abel Tasman National Park
11

Day 11

Nelson at Leisure
Today, you are welcome to relax at Edenhouse and truly get in touch with the surrounding nature. There are also local wineries and food producers that you can visit, and you are welcome to take a bike ride along the “Great Taste Trail”(!).

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Edenhouse

unnamed
Great Taste Biking Trail, Nelson
12

Day 12

Fly Nelson to Queenstown
Transfer to Nelson airport and fly to Queenstown. Upon arrival, transfer just outside of the city to Matakauri Lodge.

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodations: Matakauri Lodge

Cityscape, sunset of queenstown with lake Wakatipu
Sunset over Queenstown
13

Day 13

Fiordland Private Touring inc. Helicopter Experience

To start, set off on a private helicopter flight across the southern Alps. Touch-down on the Milford Sound and enjoy a scenic cruise on the fiord where you’ll see stunning waterfalls, unique wildlife, St. Anne’s Lighthouse, and the Tasman Sea. You journey ends with an alpine snow landing for the ultimate Fiordland National Park experience(!) and a helicopter ride back to Queenstown. A scenic picnic lunch is included.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Matakauri Lodge

New Zealand Fiordland
Helicopter Ride in Fiordland
14

Day 14

Mount Aspiring National Park Tour

Enjoy this total wilderness adventure as you walk through an ancient beech forest and take a Dart River Wilderness jet trip. Your experienced jet boat driver will make frequent stops for you to explore and explain the geology of this ancient land. Enjoy lunch in the beech forest where you’ll be serenaded by nature’s soundtrack!

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodations: Matakauri Lodge

Jetboat
Jet Boat on the Dart River
15

Day 15

Fly Queenstown/Home

Freshly shucked oysters on ice
Freshly Shucked Oysters at a Food Market

Hotels

The sophisticated Park Hyatt in Auckland is quickly becoming one of the top hotel options in the city. We particularly love this property’s location on the water’s edge and giving guests stunning views over the Wynyard Quarter’s Lighter Basin and out to the Waitematā Harbour.With 195 guest rooms, it is a little on the larger spectrum but do not fret. The hotel is focused on providing high-touch service and a personal experience to all that stay here. The rooms are decorated in a classic style, with the idea of Maori wharenui (meeting house) in mind, while representing the indigenous culture in decor. The goal is to make guests feel like they are staying in a welcoming home versus a traditional hotel. The benefit of this hotel and its size are the facilities available such as four in-house restaurants serving fresh local ingredients ranging from three-course meals to afternoon tea, a day spa, an infinity pool, and a full fitness center.

Park Hyatt Auckland

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The sophisticated Park Hyatt in Auckland is quickly becoming one of the top hotel options in the city. We particularly love this property’s location on the water’s edge and giving guests stunning views over the Wynyard Quarter’s Lighter Basin and out to the Waitematā Harbour.With 195 guest rooms, it is a little on the larger spectrum but do not fret. The hotel is focused on providing high-touch service and a personal experience to all that stay here. The rooms are decorated in a classic style, with the idea of Maori wharenui (meeting house) in mind, while representing the indigenous culture in decor. The goal is to make guests feel like they are staying in a welcoming home versus a traditional hotel. The benefit of this hotel and its size are the facilities available such as four in-house restaurants serving fresh local ingredients ranging from three-course meals to afternoon tea, a day spa, an infinity pool, and a full fitness center.

From a spectacular and secluded lakeside location, the solitaire lodge was one of New Zealand’s first luxury accommodation properties that provides breathtaking views over Lake Tarawera with a lush natural bush and volcanic landscape backdrop. Although it is itself secluded, it is conveniently only 20-minutes from Rotorua’s downtown. With only 9 rooms(!), it is truly an intimate experience for guests to relax, unwind, and enjoy this tranquil location. Activities include horseback riding, spa treatment services inc. thermal springs, walking trails, water sports, and a professional fishing guide on hand for fun fishing experiences! The cuisine at the lodge is a true highlight serving fresh local foods such as local seafood and pickings from the kitchen’s own garden.

Solitaire Lodge

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From a spectacular and secluded lakeside location, the solitaire lodge was one of New Zealand’s first luxury accommodation properties that provides breathtaking views over Lake Tarawera with a lush natural bush and volcanic landscape backdrop. Although it is itself secluded, it is conveniently only 20-minutes from Rotorua’s downtown. With only 9 rooms(!), it is truly an intimate experience for guests to relax, unwind, and enjoy this tranquil location. Activities include horseback riding, spa treatment services inc. thermal springs, walking trails, water sports, and a professional fishing guide on hand for fun fishing experiences! The cuisine at the lodge is a true highlight serving fresh local foods such as local seafood and pickings from the kitchen’s own garden.

This is a spectacular 3,000 acre working sheep station/country estate that is a big favorite of clients seeking a private idyllic setting with many optional activities. The accommodations and dining here are world-class and certainly beyond 5-star luxury. The 16 white stucco cottages feature local native materials including wool, hemp curtains and various pebble mosaics. The spa is a big plus, in addition to a 65 ft. indoor pool, a tennis court and fitness gym. Of special note is the property’s gin-cured salmon, prepared with “Lighthouse gin” using water drawn from a nearby spring; Bev, Zen and I surely rate as among the most delicious salmon we have had anywhere! Activities include horse trekking overlooking Palliser Bay, fishing, archery, picturesque hiking and mountain biking, even clay target-shooting! The pasturelands here climb through lake-dotted forests into the adjacent mountains, and can only be described as amazingly emerald green. The idyllic setting seems to evoke the pastoral cultural of New Zealand’s past(!).

Wharekauhau Lodge and Country Estate

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This is a spectacular 3,000 acre working sheep station/country estate that is a big favorite of clients seeking a private idyllic setting with many optional activities. The accommodations and dining here are world-class and certainly beyond 5-star luxury. The 16 white stucco cottages feature local native materials including wool, hemp curtains and various pebble mosaics. The spa is a big plus, in addition to a 65 ft. indoor pool, a tennis court and fitness gym. Of special note is the property’s gin-cured salmon, prepared with “Lighthouse gin” using water drawn from a nearby spring; Bev, Zen and I surely rate as among the most delicious salmon we have had anywhere! Activities include horse trekking overlooking Palliser Bay, fishing, archery, picturesque hiking and mountain biking, even clay target-shooting! The pasturelands here climb through lake-dotted forests into the adjacent mountains, and can only be described as amazingly emerald green. The idyllic setting seems to evoke the pastoral cultural of New Zealand’s past(!).

Situated on 48-acres of private grounds, we love the Edenhouse and its purpose to tying in nature with its aesthetic. Nelson, NZ is known for having the most sunshine hours of anywhere in the country. This property feels much more like a home, as it only accepts 6 guests at a time(!). The home boasts large rooms, outstanding views, and spacious bathrooms. Guests can relax indoors in the sitting room, formal dining room, library, den, and artist’s studio. Outdoors, guests can enjoy walks on the lush green grounds, visiting the nearby golden beaches and Abel Tasman National Park including kayaking, hiking, fly fishing, and wine tours(!). Our favorite part of this stunning property is by far the private garden spa, which offers relaxing views and an array of treatments.

Edenhouse

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Situated on 48-acres of private grounds, we love the Edenhouse and its purpose to tying in nature with its aesthetic. Nelson, NZ is known for having the most sunshine hours of anywhere in the country. This property feels much more like a home, as it only accepts 6 guests at a time(!). The home boasts large rooms, outstanding views, and spacious bathrooms. Guests can relax indoors in the sitting room, formal dining room, library, den, and artist’s studio. Outdoors, guests can enjoy walks on the lush green grounds, visiting the nearby golden beaches and Abel Tasman National Park including kayaking, hiking, fly fishing, and wine tours(!). Our favorite part of this stunning property is by far the private garden spa, which offers relaxing views and an array of treatments.

Positioned on the edge of Lake Wakatipu (10-minutes from downtown Queenstown), we love this picturesque property that offers stunning views of the Cecil and Walter mountain peaks. The nine-acre Relais & Chateau property has rolling green hills, a tranquil running stream, native plants, and a surrounding pine forest. Each of the twelve luxurious suites have private terraces that overlook the Queenstown lakeside and mountain views, a fireplace, sitting area, and a bathroom that overlooks the lake and mountains. The intimate spa has a full treatment menu as well as an infinity pool and full fitness center.

Matakauri Lodge

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Positioned on the edge of Lake Wakatipu (10-minutes from downtown Queenstown), we love this picturesque property that offers stunning views of the Cecil and Walter mountain peaks. The nine-acre Relais & Chateau property has rolling green hills, a tranquil running stream, native plants, and a surrounding pine forest. Each of the twelve luxurious suites have private terraces that overlook the Queenstown lakeside and mountain views, a fireplace, sitting area, and a bathroom that overlooks the lake and mountains. The intimate spa has a full treatment menu as well as an infinity pool and full fitness center.

Request Custom Itinerary

1

Thank you for your interest in Kipling & Clark. We look forward to serving you!


Please note we specialize in global private luxury travel, including private guides and drivers throughout,

high-quality accommodations, inclusive of safari lodges and ryokans, in-country rail/air, and all taxes/service fees.


Dependent on destination and seasonality, our comprehensive private tour costs are upward of USD 5K-6K per couple per day.

                                         (312) 351-3121

                            rlynch@kiplingandclark.com



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Location

Overview

Temperature
Highs: High 60’s
Lows: Mid 50’s
Area
268,021 SQ KM
103,483 SQ MILES
Capital
Wellington
Population
4.9 Million
Language
English & Maori
Currency
New Zealand Dollar

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