Nature & Landscapes · Oceania
New Zealand: Beyond Vistas & Vineyards
TOUR CONCEPT
New Zealand: Beyond Vistas & Vineyards
February 10 - 24, 2027
New Zealand is a land that invites wonder — where dramatic landscapes, living culture, and a deep respect for the natural world shape everyday life. This thoughtfully paced journey moves beyond iconic views and celebrated vineyards to explore the deeper stories written into the land itself.
Designed and hosted by TourMagination, this experience is rooted in an appreciation of God’s creation, expressed through mountains and glaciers, geothermal valleys, dark-sky reserves, and fertile coastlines. Along the way, travelers engage with Māori heritage, conservation efforts, rural life, and contemporary New Zealand culture — not as spectators, but as welcomed guests.
The journey balances guided discovery with time to slow down, breathe deeply, and be present. Gentle walks, outdoor encounters, shared meals, and space for personal exploration allow the landscapes to speak for themselves. From vineyard-covered islands and thermal regions in the North Island to alpine lakes and glacier-fed valleys in the South Island, each day invites reflection, gratitude, and connection.
🟡 Tour In Development
JB Miller
Tour Expert
New Zealand
Countries Visited
15 Days
Duration
Moderately Active
Activity Level
Trip Highlights
Auckland & Waiheke Island - Begin in New Zealand’s largest city, where urban energy meets coastal beauty, and cross to Waiheke Island to enjoy its celebrated vineyards, beaches, and relaxed island culture.
Rotorua’s Geothermal & Cultural Landscapes - Experience Rotorua’s steaming geothermal valleys, bubbling mud pools, and thermal features alongside rich Māori cultural traditions that add depth and meaning to this remarkable region.
Napier & Hawke’s Bay Wine Country - Discover the Art Deco elegance of Napier and the sun-soaked vineyards of Hawke’s Bay, one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions known for both heritage and hospitality.
Wellington, New Zealand’s Capital - Explore Wellington’s vibrant waterfront, national museums, and creative food scene at the cultural and political heart of the country.
The Southern Alps: Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Aoraki / Mount Cook & Queenstown - Travel across the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo’s turquoise waters and Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, before concluding in Queenstown beneath the dramatic peaks of the Southern Alps, where alpine scenery and lakeside beauty define the journey’s grand finale.
DAY 1 • February 10, 2027
Auckland
Arrive in New Zealand and transfer to the hotel. Late afternoon guided introduction to Auckland’s waterfront, neighbourhoods, and cultural story. Welcome dinner at a relaxed pace.
DAY 2 • February 11, 2027
Auckland → Rotorua
Travel south through the Waikato region. Arrive in Rotorua, the heart of New Zealand’s geothermal and Māori cultural landscape. Evening cultural experience with shared hāngī dinner and performance.
DAY 3 • February 12, 2027
Rotorua
A full day in Rotorua exploring geothermal landscapes and Māori history. Travelers may choose between a guided volcanic crater walk or a restorative hot springs wellness experience. Lunch and dinner at leisure.
DAY 4 • February 13, 2027
Rotorua → Taupō → Napier
Scenic drive past volcanic landscapes and Lake Taupō. Continue to Napier for an afternoon panoramic tour and wine tasting. Evening free or early group dinner.
DAY 5 • February 14, 2027
Napier → Wellington
Travel south through rolling farmland with a guided visit to Pūkaha National Wildlife Centre, highlighting conservation and native species. Continue to Wellington. Evening at leisure.
DAY 6 • February 15, 2027
Wellington
Guided exploration of the capital including Mount Victoria, Botanical Gardens, Parliament precinct, Old St. Paul’s Church, and Te Papa Museum. Afternoon and evening free.
DAY 7 • February 16, 2027
Wellington → Christchurch
Fly to the South Island. Guided introduction to Christchurch’s post-earthquake renewal story. Evening progressive dinner walking tour.
DAY 8 • February 17, 2027
Christchurch → Lake Tekapo
Travel across the Canterbury Plains into the Mackenzie Basin. En route farm visit highlighting rural life. Arrive in Lake Tekapo, part of a Dark Sky Reserve.
DAY 9 • February 18, 2027
Lake Tekapo ↔ Aoraki / Mount Cook
Day excursion into Mount Cook National Park. Glacier explorer boat trip and optional guided walk. Return to Tekapo for a relaxed evening.
DAY 10 • February 19, 2027
Lake Tekapo → Wānaka → Queenstown
Scenic alpine drive via Lindis Pass. Lakeside walk in Wānaka with lunch. Continue through Central Otago wine country to Queenstown. Group dinner on arrival.
DAY 11 • February 20, 2027
Queenstown
A full day at leisure. Optional activities include Arrowtown, lake cruise, gondola, gentle hikes, or winery visits.
DAY 12 • February 21, 2027
Queenstown
A second unstructured day to slow the pace and allow personal choice. Optional storytelling or reflection gathering in the evening.
DAY 13 • February 22, 2027
Queenstown → Auckland
Fly north to Auckland. Afternoon and evening at leisure.
DAY 14 • February 23, 2027
Auckland & Waiheke Island
Ferry to Waiheke Island for a full-day island experience, including vineyard lunch, olive oil tasting, coastal scenery, and time to explore the village.
DAY 15 • February 24, 2027
Departure from Auckland
Group transfers to Auckland International Airport for flights home.
Pricing
Prices to be confirmed here shortly.
Inclusions & Experience
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Carefully selected four- to five-star equivalent hotels that reflect the character and history of each destination. Preference will be given to centrally located properties known for comfort, service, and a strong sense of place rather than chain uniformity.
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Transportation is designed to be reliable, comfortable, and unhurried, supporting the reflective nature of the tour. A private motor coach will be provided throughout the journey with experienced drivers.
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Meals emphasize local cuisine and regional specialties, restaurants that reflect cultural and social life, and a comfortable pace that allows space for conversation.
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TourMagination will serve as the tour operator and primary logistical coordinator, ensuring a smooth and well-supported travel experience from start to finish. Throughout the journey, licensed local guides will be engaged for city orientations and visits to key historical, cultural, and heritage sites. These guides bring deep regional knowledge and lived perspective, helping illuminate each place’s unique stories, traditions, and context.
In addition to professional guiding, the tour will be shaped by narrative and shared reflection — weaving together history, culture, and community through meaningful storytelling rather than just sightseeing. The goal is not only to visit significant places, but to understand them through the voices of those who know them best.
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Entrance fees to scheduled museums, historic sites, and cultural landmarks are included as part of the tour experience. Site visits are thoughtfully paced to encourage depth of understanding rather than information overload, allowing time to engage meaningfully with each place.
The itinerary also makes space for walking, observation, and quiet reflection in historic urban settings, inviting participants to absorb the atmosphere of each location and consider how history, culture, and everyday life continue to shape the communities they encounter.
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This journey is designed as a private, small-group experience with approximately 15–25 participants, not including tour leaders and local guides. This size allows for greater flexibility, more personal interaction, and a sense of shared discovery that is difficult to achieve in larger tour groups.
The tour is intended for discerning travelers who value depth over speed, learning over box-checking, and quality of experience over quantity of sights. The atmosphere will be collegial and reflective, fostering meaningful conversation, curiosity, and connection — both with the places visited and with fellow travelers.
Help Shape This Tour
Pre-register and help us finalize this tour. Your interest lets us know this journey should move forward — and you’ll be the first invited when registration opens.
By pre-registering, you will:
Receive early access to final dates and pricing
Be the first invited to reserve a space once registration opens
Have an opportunity to share feedback as the itinerary is finalized
Help us decide whether this tour will move forward
Pre-registration is free and non-binding.
Pre-Register
*Pre-registration does not commit you to travel—but it does help us plan and reserve priority access for you when registration opens.
TOUR EXPERT
JB Miller
Teacher · Adventurer · Epicurean · Bridge Builder · Fun-Loving Storyteller
JB, a former financial services executive with more than forty years of experience, has embraced retirement as a time to pursue his passions and share new adventures with others. Five years of organizing and leading “people-to-people” tours to Cuba allowed him to combine his love of travel, learning, and connecting with people.
Travel has always been one of JB’s greatest joys. For him, it’s not only about discovering new places and cuisines but also about building bridges across cultures and creating shared memories. He likes to think of himself as fun, outgoing, and a little adventuresome—and he enjoys a good joke along the way.
Questions?
Reach out to our team at office@tourmagination.com
or by phone at (877) 668-2732.