At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Embark on an unforgettable adventure with your partner through New Zealand as you explore both islands, in a once in a lifetime kind of experience.
Tick New Zealand off your bucket list with this complete New Zealand itinerary, where you will check out the best each island has to offer. Start your trip in Queenstown, a bustling city set against the dramatic Southern Alps - the perfect starting point for your trip - as you make your way to explore some of New Zealand's most iconic regions, such as Fox, Punakaiki, Abel Tasman, Rotorua, Auckland, Bay of Islands, and Matakana. Plus, take part in some of the region's most exciting activities and spend the night in unique accommodations.
Have a look at what your dream New Zealand trip with your partner could look like:
- Relaxed travel pace with two to three nights at selected accommodation
- Sixteen nights in eight locations staying in B&Bs, hotels, and cottages/cabins
- Five activities included
- Intermediate SUV hire included
If you would like to book your New Zealand holiday for you and your partner, contact one of our travel specialists, obligation-free, to find out how we can help you experience an authentic and unforgettable experience down under. Below, you can discover our suggested locations.
Route and Impressions
![new-zealand](/img/maps/map-new-zealand-fc.png)
![Enjoy a day trip to the northern tip of Lake Wakatipu by jet boat](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=b3914f2ff4ec544b97e18eaa21db90ed 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=4f577347b4bf14549ac69b355367fb64 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=9e117cd2f1d94a215c1fd98c2d61dc60 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/family/see-and-do/nz-queenstown-jet-boat-view-family-see-and-do-adventurous.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=85c483f5306a278c0779b73f230d90f7 400w)
![Doubtful Sound cruise on day five](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Neuseeland_Doubtful-Sound.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=4cb8d94e07708c435b3e9e5ec8fb7674 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Neuseeland_Doubtful-Sound.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=b6dee186320c5bf4ac44efc325f62898 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Neuseeland_Doubtful-Sound.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=835599c22b113b8df4391d6b6e34e5fe 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/general/Neuseeland_Doubtful-Sound.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=3adf81bce9849c1150644b087d664446 400w)
![Heli hike on Fox glacier on day seven](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-fox-glacier-miles-holden.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=6472e367c75c64cdedd5e45a61875397 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-fox-glacier-miles-holden.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=74e63874f771781307a79bf51abfed86 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-fox-glacier-miles-holden.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=38000f7eae0493c7b3a47c21bd4b6fa0 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-fox-glacier-miles-holden.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=caf88a5d2dd0a746590caab9023a56dd 400w)
![Travel at a relaxed pace and find the hidden gems of the West Coast Route](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/cars-roadtrips/nz-west-coast-punakaiki-road-solo-compact-car.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=953b2e39f6a01b26f82151b3e1446f9e 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/cars-roadtrips/nz-west-coast-punakaiki-road-solo-compact-car.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=2477f6bca2c5b0e33344c60726e97058 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/cars-roadtrips/nz-west-coast-punakaiki-road-solo-compact-car.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=2d1d4b7e33ba40eadad13ba07d051105 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/cars-roadtrips/nz-west-coast-punakaiki-road-solo-compact-car.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=cd2842d34baa581ff38dc0cf8ec97716 400w)
![Discover the crystal waters of Abel Tasman](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/nz-south-Kajakken_in_Abel_Tasman.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=f804b4abbaac77bf03b3a4d24495ccc8 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/nz-south-Kajakken_in_Abel_Tasman.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=ecafaeaa59efdeb38d64a61c52c75b4e 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/nz-south-Kajakken_in_Abel_Tasman.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=3d8d7fcce8c2b920b9515cc805fbddf8 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/nz-south-Kajakken_in_Abel_Tasman.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=d990ed2d2c8a8a629fdcad3358d909d6 400w)
![Kayak the crystal clear waters of Abel Tasman + spot seals on day ten](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/NZ-Abel-Tasman-Seal.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=2696fa391d20f4d00e14d67c00d8373a 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/NZ-Abel-Tasman-Seal.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=2df9289e43c2042d87c71ab7e2ec2f6d 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/NZ-Abel-Tasman-Seal.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=208df7d5c009eea8b8e508a8939c30b9 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/NZ-Abel-Tasman-Seal.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=a35713be7036c96e51dac08f8afe1f2f 400w)
![Visit geothermal wonders with a local guide](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/Rotorua-geothermal-activity-821-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=b8d17d7abcf5587e5aed1203bb5ca5a6 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/Rotorua-geothermal-activity-821-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=b6800fb0c42390cfe5b9ec4b873e0036 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/Rotorua-geothermal-activity-821-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=0423371be906cd087cbb1d20e781df11 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/General-activities/Rotorua-geothermal-activity-821-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=ccc5de4863c18c64bfb2c3bbe45d891c 400w)
![Explore the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua with a local Maori guide on day thirteen](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=f3770af42b7c8adc905be322c2396878 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=048b8d159dab334e7823b62356bfd8d3 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=892395b93eee518798aa390f8f76b3ed 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-rotorua-geysir-8.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=99dfa345a356944f419383b1dc7e3fa3 400w)
![For 360 degree views of Auckland City, walk to the summit of Mount Eden](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-auckland-mount-eden-viewpoint.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=4d7136b93a0a9ce5add01d0349864393 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-auckland-mount-eden-viewpoint.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=503c12a0723e8ce6e1db7f72175e12b9 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-auckland-mount-eden-viewpoint.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=c8b4931c586320afd776d6ee4670ca08 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/example-itinerary/nz-north-auckland-mount-eden-viewpoint.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=a55a524ad006b5b66d9790d8d63056b9 400w)
![Experience the magic of the Bay of Islands](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-hone-bay-of-islands-boats-water-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=5907b7fe8a03af93fde919ccb1280396 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-hone-bay-of-islands-boats-water-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=29115d02ec97416af06ec04e82d36bda 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-hone-bay-of-islands-boats-water-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=f8253bbc2cfdced02e25fe76ea238748 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/discoverpage/nz-hone-bay-of-islands-boats-water-discoverpage-regions.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=096ce89278e1a6f060e754d4708791bd 400w)
![Sailing through Bay of Islands on day sixteen](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-bay-of-islands-sailing-catamaran-beach-friends-see-and-do-easy-going.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=3dac1d829c0456c932135f104994d416 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-bay-of-islands-sailing-catamaran-beach-friends-see-and-do-easy-going.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=506329e3886128fbc8e066a0fe86ff0e 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-bay-of-islands-sailing-catamaran-beach-friends-see-and-do-easy-going.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=7a1c27a1eecae38043e86e3a02b9f925 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/friends/see-and-do/nz-bay-of-islands-sailing-catamaran-beach-friends-see-and-do-easy-going.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=96eb74ef7501bcbc0f59fe29af38fb28 400w)
![Visit the Matakana Village Farmers Market](https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/besttime/nz-matakana-farmers-market-solo-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=750&q=80&w=1000&s=b99c90aeb6e782823c5edd2208491d24 1000w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/besttime/nz-matakana-farmers-market-solo-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=600&q=80&w=800&s=79088183875adb8ea2e7c38225fefd88 800w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/besttime/nz-matakana-farmers-market-solo-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=450&q=80&w=600&s=1a1924e7a3774f10fd2da0f72209dd22 600w, https://cdn-travelessence.imgix.net/travelessence/new-zealand/solo/besttime/nz-matakana-farmers-market-solo-best-travel-time.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=crop&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=300&q=80&w=400&s=4c5fc3fe37642edb966df487e67e5dbe 400w)
£6,450 Per person
- Return Economy Flights
- Domestic flights
- Sixteen nights accommodation
- Intermediate SUV hire
- Enjoy fully CO2 compensated travel
- Five pre-booked exclusive activities
- 24-hour local support network while you travel
Ready for the holiday of a lifetime?
Discover a world beyond ordinary
At TravelEssence, we specialise in crafting custom-made holidays that take you off the beaten path and create memories to last a lifetime. We believe in connecting with the heart and soul of a place, introducing you to the locals who call it home. Engage in conversations with fascinating individuals who will share their stories, traditions, and way of life, leaving an indelible mark on your journey.
Contact us
Questions? Speak to one of our specialists by phone Mon - Sat 0900 until 2100. You can discuss your travel plans in detail where and when it suits you, also in the evenings and on weekends on a no obligation basis.