Pure New Zealand: North & South Islands

Summary

Kia Ora and welcome to New Zealand. You’ll begin your journey in the nation’s largest city, Auckland. Home to around a third of the entire New Zealand population, Auckland is a stylish, cosmopolitan city set around two grand harbours.

Step on board Scenic Eclipse II and be warmly greeted with a glass of Champagne. Settle into your luxurious suite, meet your butler and fellow travellers and toast to the journey ahead.

Please book your flight to arrive into Auckland prior to 02:00 PM.

Summary

Looping around the Coromandel Peninsula, we'll arrive in Tauranga (pronounced 'toe-run-gah') this morning. Set along the edge of the beautiful Bay of Plenty, this is New Zealand’s busiest port, with its revamped waterfront packed with excellent cafes, restaurants and bars.

Freechoice:
Kiwi Geysers & Maori Crafts at Te Puia: Explore Te Puia village and Whakarewarewa's geothermal valley, visit the Kiwi House, and enjoy a Maori lunch before returning via Bay of Plenty's agricultural heartland.

The Little Tribe That Could: Visit one of the local Maori Iwi at their marae. Be greeted by them, hear their history and legends, and join in a traditional Maori “hangi” style meal.

Truffle Farm Visit: Visit a boutique truffe farm, the owners will host you around their oak and hazel tree truffle orchard to learn about the art of truffle cultivation.

Tauranga Highlights & Kiwifruit: Discover The Elms, a historic colonial house. Explore the agricultural heartland and learn more about the kiwifruit. End your day sampling local fruits at a community hall.

As New Zealand as it Gets: Explore Kevin McCardle's gallery, taste organic milk, fruits, and local produce at nearby farms and orchards. Dive into history at New Zealand's largest archaeological complex.

Summary

We'll arrive in Gisborne at lunchtime, so you have time for a leisurely breakfast on the Yacht Club Terrace, coffee on the verandah of your suite or even a swim in the Vitality Pool.

Known affectionately as Gizzy, this is the first city in the world to see the sunrise. Gisborne has a reputation for exceptional food and wine, and the surrounding countryside makes up the third-largest wine producing region in the country.

Freechoice:
Coastal Steam Train Sojourn: Board New Zealand's last WA Class Locomotive for a scenic steam train ride to Muriwai. Enjoy a welcome drink, commentary, and a Maori performance before returning to Gisborne.

East Cape Cycling Experience: Discover Gisborne, the "City of Rivers," on a historic tour. Cycle with your guide through landmarks, monuments, and historic sites, learning about its significance as the first place to greet Maori explorers and Captain James Cook.

A Taste of Gisborne: Join our fully guided 4.5 km tour around the port, rivers, and town beaches, connecting you to three great taste sites. Enjoy tasty morsels and history along the way.

Summary

Wake up in Napier this morning and you’ll feel as if you’ve stepped back almost 100 years into the past. In 1931, the centre of the town was razed by an earthquake and then rebuilt in the Art Deco style of the day. Today, it retains all the charm and style of its heyday with the largest collection of authentic Art Deco buildings on earth.

Freechoice:
Cape Kidnappers & Gannet Safari: Drive along the Hawke’s Bay coast to the gannet colony. See them dive into the sea and observe their distinctive behaviors while also keeping an eye out for newly hatched chicks.

Hawkes Bay Express: Explore Napier on a modern road train, travelling along Main Street, admiring early settler’s homes, visiting the old port village and hearing stories of the past.

A Tale of Two Hawkes Bay Wineries: Enjoy a panoramic drive through Hawke’s Bay coast, stopping at two award-winning wineries.

Art Deco City Walking Tour: Discover Napier's Art Deco highlights, starting with a short film about the 1931 earthquake followed by a guided walking tour of the city centre.

Food & Fibre: Meet the farmers of the beautiful Maraekakaho Valley, producing honey, alpaca fibre and alpaca meat, before enjoying a tasting at Hawke Ridge Wines.

Summary

Wellington, perched on the Cook Strait, is dubbed the windiest city. Stroll its walkable centre, visit the iconic Beehive Parliament Building, and explore designer boutiques, galleries, and museums. Known as "Wellywood," it's also New Zealand's film hub, home to Weta Workshop, famed for "The Hobbit" and "Lord of the Rings" films.

Freechoice:
Sights of Wellington & Gallipoli Exhibition: A groundbreaking exhibition from Te Papa museum and Weta Workshop, telling the story of New Zealanders in the Gallipoli campaign.

Sights of Wellington & Te Papa: This tour provides a colourful glimpse into the history and culture of Wellington. Visit New Zealand's Te Papa Tongarewa Museum with a guided tour.

E-bike Wellington City Tour: Experience the stunning Wellington Waterfront and surrounding bays on an electric bike tour while your guides share stories of Wellington's culture and history.

Wellington by Foot: This guided walk includes the historical district, Parliament Grounds and the National Library and Wellington’s iconic waterfront featuring stunning harbour views.

Enrich
Maori Cultural Performance: Take a quick trip from the Port of Wellington to the Whare Tapere Building, where you'll receive a traditional Maori welcome. Enjoy a Powhiri and Kapa Haka performances and learn about local history and legends.

Summary

Scenic Eclipse II will call at two ports in Tasman Bay today. Kaiteriteri is arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful beach, a perfect arc of golden sand fronting startlingly blue water. It’s also the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park, a gorgeous coastal park known for its sea kayaking, walks and wildlife.

It’s just a short cruise to the city of Nelson. One of the sunniest cities in New Zealand, it’s bursting with open-air cafes, bustling markets, breweries, cycling trails and the pretty Botanic Gardens. Enjoy a late departure tonight, giving you a chance to experience a little Kiwi hospitality after dark.

Freechoice:
Kaiteriteri Cruise & 3hr Nature Walk: Cruise to Anchorage Beach in Abel Tasman National Park for a guided walk, learning about the park’s wildlife and admiring coastal views. You'll be transferred by coach to Nelson.

Cruise & Beach Stop: Sail to Anchorage Beach in Abel Tasman National Park, meet your guide, enjoy bird songs, and trek to Pitt Head for coastal views. You'll be transferred by coach to Nelson.

Nelson Walking Tour: Join a guided walk through historic Nelson, New Zealand’s second oldest city and culture capital. Soak up the village atmosphere that makes it so popular.

Summary

Wake up early this morning so you can experience the beauty of sailing into the Marlborough Sounds. Ask the butler to bring you coffee to your suite so you can soak it in from your private verandah.

Spend the morning in Picton, a picturesque small town that looks almost tropical with its towering palm trees and clear turquoise water. Wander the pretty waterfront promenade, lined with shops, cafes and galleries, or visit the museum inside the Edwin Fox convict ship dry docked offshore. Picton is a short drive from the famous Marlborough wine region, which produces around two thirds of New Zealand’s wine.

Freechoice:
Queen Charlotte Sounds Explorer: Cruise through the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound, enjoying commentary from your friendly guide, and explore Arapawa Island formerly a whaling base and now flourishing with aquaculture.

Marlborough Sounds Link Pathway Walk: Follow the new Link Pathway on a guided walk. Admire views of Mhelarlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Sound, and look for native birds.

Wines of Marlborough: Discover New Zealand's wine country on a scenic tour from Picton. Enjoy stunning views and wine tasting in Marlborough wine region.

Seafood Odyssea: Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound, enjoying local delicacies and scenic views. Learn about the region's history and wildlife from expert crew.

Summary

Sailing north along the east coast of the island, you’ll arrive in Kaikoura early this morning. This tiny town sits in a spectacular natural environment, flanked by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the snow-capped Seaward Kaikoura Range on the other. The town began life as a whaling station in the mid 1800s; visit the oldest surviving building, Fyffe House, or the Kaikoura Museum to learn more about its history.

It’s an ideal place for wildlife encounters. Whales, fur seals and dolphins live permanently in these waters, and an impressive array of seabirds fill the air, including the mighty albatross.

Freechoice:
Kaikoura Whale Watch Cruise: Venture into the Pacific's depths for awe-inspiring encounters with magnificent sperm whales while expert guides share their insights.

Albatross Encounter Cruise: Discover Kaikoura’s renowned birdlife on a 2.5-hour tour. Guides will throw chum into the water to attract albatross and more.

Kaikoura Sightseeing Overview: Explore Kaikoura's stunning seaside landscape features a three-hour tour with a bush walk, Ohau stream, Ohau Point, and a fur seal colony, offering beautiful coastal vistas and a photo stop.

Kaikoura Coastal Panorama Walk: The half-day walking tour visits a main lookout with stunning mountain and ocean views, Fyffe House, and a seal colony.

Summary

Wake up in Port Chalmers, the port for the city of Dunedin. The oldest European settlement in New Zealand, it was founded in 1848 and has a proud Scottish lineage – in fact, Dunedin is the old Gaelic name for Edinburgh. Stroll the well-preserved streets to admire the grand Victorian and Edwardian architecture built with funds from the area’s gold rush.

Outside town, the surrounding Otago Peninsula is regarded as one of the country’s top wildlife and eco-tourism destinations. Look out for the abundant birds, penguins, seals and sea lions.

Freechoice:
Larnach Castle & Garden Tour with High Tea: Enjoy a guided tour of the 1871 Lanarch Castle followed by tea. Meet the current owner for a walk through the stunning gardens.

Olveston Historic House & City Sights: An unforgettable tour for architecture enthusiasts. Marvel at magnificent stone structures and ornate facades from the city’s heydey.

Penguin & Wildlife Experience: A scenic one-hour tour along the shores of Otago Harbour spotting wildlife like NZ fur seals. Visit a breeding colony of cormorants and penguins.

Spirits of the No.8 Family Distillery: Discover the secret of artisan spirits on a tour of the distillery. See the process and taste different award-winning spirits.

Summary

Stewart Island sits 30 kilometres off the southern tip of the South Island. It is one of the last inhabited outposts before you reach Antarctica, with its only settlement, the tiny village of Oban, clinging bravely to the northern shore.

Remarkably remote, Steward Island is also a place of spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. The island is a haven for many birds, including the cute and curious brown kiwi, who outnumber humans and are active day and night. The Maori name for Stewart Island is Rakiura, which means the land of glowing skies.

Freechoice:
Southern Coastal Wildlife Cruise: Board a 75-foot high-speed catamaran to explore beautiful Paterson Inlet, admiring Big Glory Bay, Kaipipi Bay, native forest and rugged beaches.

Ulva Island & Guided Walk: Explore Ulva Island wildlife sanctuary, known for its rare bird and plant species. You may even catch glimpses of the secretive kaka or wekas.

Summary

Discover the unparalleled beauty of Milford Sound, nestled in New Zealand's Fiordland National Park. Marvel at the sheer grandeur of this natural wonder as you cruise along its pristine waters, surrounded by towering cliffs that rise hundreds of metres high. Prepare to be enchanted by the mesmerising sight of cascading waterfalls and the captivating beauty of this majestic landscape carved by ancient glaciers.

Weather and conditions permitting, you might have a chance to book an optional flightseeing helicopter tour^ and soar above Fiordland National Park, sighting Milford Sound, dubbed “the eighth wonder of the world”.

Summary

Your cruise ends today in Bluff, the first European settlement in New Zealand. Disembark after breakfast as you say farewell to the crew and new friends. You'll be transferred to Queenstown for your overnight stay.

Summary

After spending your final night in Queenstown, it’s time to leave this wonderful island nation. Or perhaps choose to extend your journey to explore New Zealand’s outdoor and adventure capital.

As you head home, take with you fond memories of your time in the Land of the Long White Cloud and the most indulgent moments on board Scenic Eclipse II.

^Flights on board the two helicopters are at additional cost, subject to availability and regulatory approval, weight restrictions, medical approval, and weather conditions. #Spa treatments at additional cost. 

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the cruise will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.