Kia Ora, Mr and Mrs Zook and welcome to your New Zealand Experience.
Based on your suggestions, we have put together an exclusive and carefully curated itinerary that showcases the very best our country has to offer. It includes a range of unique and unforgettable activities, along with a stunning selection of lodge and boutique hotel accommodation. Your expert travel planners Samuel St George and David Maxwell will make sure you are in good hands while experiencing this incredible country.
This promises to be one special journey. We look forward to hosting you throughout this fantastic experience... and welcome to New Zealand.
Nga mihi nui, with best wishes,
The Eighth Wonder Travel Team.
OVERVIEW
Dates: March 20th - April 8th 2019
Nights: 19
Days: 20
DESTINATION: QUEENSTOWN
March 20th - 25th 2019
5 nights
About two-thirds of the way down the South Island, in the middle of the Southern Alps, sits Lake Wakatipu, and on its shores, Queenstown. If ever a town deserves its reputation as the world’s adrenalin capital, surely this place does. You can bungee jump off bridges, or even out of a helicopter, take a jet boat ride through white-water canyons, heli-skiing in virgin powder snow, go extreme mountain biking, zip-line through valleys, and paraglide off mountains – you name, you can do it in Queenstown. There is, however, a more gentile side to Queenstown – one that includes luxurious, world-class lodges, superb wineries, great restaurants and scenery to die for… and five international-standard golf courses. This picturesque lakeside town has it in spades, whatever the season, whatever the activity. It absolutely must be part of any itinerary when visiting New Zealand.
ACCOMMODATION
AZUR LODGE
Fancy waking up in bed with a knock-out view of New Zealand wilderness? Set on a steep hillside two miles west of Queenstown, luxury boutique hotel Azur Lodge and its nine contemporary private villas command stunning, uninterrupted vistas of Lake Wakatipu, the majestic Remarkables range and Cecil and Walter Peaks. The freestanding stone and silver beechwood villas make the most of this alpine panorama with floor-to-ceiling windows and glass doors that open onto a spacious deck – and a spa bath designed to make you feel like you're bathing outdoors.
See website HERE
Room type: 1x Villa King Room
Includes: Return airport transfers by one of the Azur team in our private vehicle. Pre-dinner drinks and canapés. Homemade afternoon tea. Breakfast to be enjoyed either in-villa or at the main lodge. Transfers to/from downtown Queenstown upon request from 7am-11pm. Mini-bar including; beer, soft drinks, juices, water and snacks. Champagne, wine and spirits are available to purchase. Wi-Fi internet access. Complimentary access at Queenstown Gym.
DAY ONE - Wednesday 20th March 2019
5:30 am Arrive into Auckland International Airport on United Airlines flight UA6805 from Houston. VIP arrivals will greet you once you’ve departed the aircraft and guide you through customs and to the Domestic terminal.
7:05 am Board your flight to Queenstown on NZ0611 with Air New Zealand.
9:00 am Arrive into Queenstown Airport and pick up your rental vehicle.
10:00 am Depart to Queenstown and your accommodation. We have requested with Azur for an early check in.
*drive time is 20 minutes.
12:00 pm Enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure. We suggest a stroll around Queenstown’s precinct.
6:30 pm We have reserved a table at Rata restaurant for this evening.
DAY TWO - Thursday 21st March 2019
7:00 am Meet Vaughan Brookfield at the hotel entrance and depart on your photography lesson.
11:00 am Arrive back at the lodge.
11:45 am Depart to Arrowtown for lunch at Amisfield Winery.
*drive time is 25 minutes.
12:15 pm Lunch is reserved at Amisfield Winery.
3:00 pm Enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.
7:45 pm We have reserved a table at White and Wongs restaurant for this evening.
DAY THREE - Friday 22nd March 2019
8:30 am Meet the Over the Top team outside your hotel and depart to the Over the Top helicopter base at Queenstown Airport for your flight.
8:45 am Meet the team and be briefed on the flight and safety requirements.
9:00 am Depart on your Milford Sound Ultimate Experience. Picnic lunch hamper provided.
1:00 pm Arrive back at the helicopter base and depart with Mick (your wine guide) on your Central Otago wine tour.
5:00 pm Arrive back at your accommodation.
7:00 pm We have reserved a table at Botswana Butchery restaurant for this evening.
DAY FOUR - Saturday 23rd March 2019
9:00 am Meet your guide/driver at the lodge entrance and depart on your 4WD Back Country Farm Experience. Lunch is included.
1:00 pm Arrive back at your accommodation and enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.
6:45 pm We have reserved a table at La Rumbla restaurant in Arrowtown for this evening.
*drive time is 25 minutes from your lodge.
DAY FIVE - Sunday 24th March 2019
8:00 am Depart in your rental vehicle to Glenorchy for your Wilderness Safari, Dart River experience.
*drive time is 45 minutes.
8:45 am Arrive at the Dart River base on 45 Mull Street. The team will run through this mornings excursion before you depart.
12:00 pm Arrive back at the base and depart to Queenstown.
1:00 pm Enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.
7:00 pm We have reserved a table at The Grille restaurant for this evening.
DAY SIX - Monday 25th March 2019
9:30 am Checkout of your accommodation and depart to Queenstown Airport. Return your rental vehicle.
11:40 am Board and depart on your Air New Zealand flight to Christchurch. Flight number: NZ646.
12:40 pm Arrive into Christchurch for your layover.
1:50 pm Board and depart on your Air New Zealand flight to Napier. Flight number: NZ5774.
3:20 pm Arrive into Napier and pick up your rental vehicle.
3:45 pm Depart to the Farm at Cape Kidnappers and enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.
*drive time is 50 minutes.
6/6:30 pm Enjoy pre dinner drinks and canapés in the lodge.
6:30/7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
*Gentleman are required to wear a dinner jacket in the lodge for dining.
DESTINATION: HAWKES BAY
March 25th - 29th 2019
4 nights
An hour’s flight southeast of Auckland is Hawke’s Bay, a region of diverse and magnificent landscapes, from mountains and hill country down to inland and coastal plains. Blessed with fertile, alluvial soils and a warm temperate climate, Hawke’s Bay is home to hundreds of farms, orchards and vineyards, making it New Zealand’s agricultural powerhouse. For the tens of thousands of visitors that flock to the region each year, it’s the food and wine that are the biggest drawcards, and with good reason, as the Hawkes Bay produces some of the best of both the country has to offer. On the coast, sits the town of Napier, one of New Zealand’s busiest commercial ports and host to a growing number of cruise ships. It’s also the country’s Art Deco capital, having been almost completely rebuilt in the Style Moderne after a devastating earthquake in 1931.
ACCOMMODATION
THE FARM AT CAPE KIDNAPPERS
Set atop 6,000 rolling acres of stunning pastureland, The Farm at Cape Kidnappers affords spectacular 180-degree views of the Pacific Ocean. The cluster of luxury lodges at Cape Kidnappers are suggestive of a working farm – a marriage of river stone and weathered wood – and are the perfect setting for relaxation, seclusion, or romantic breakaways. Inside, the lodges combine rustic and textured materials with comfortable modern furniture. The are 22 suites available on the property, as well as the Owners Cottage, which is also available upon request.
See website HERE
Room type: Hilltop Suite
Includes: pre dinner drinks with canapes, dinner, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar (excluding liquor and wines) and use of lodge facilities excluding golf and spa treatments. Lodge facilities include infinity pool and hot tub, spa and fitness centre with lap pool, sauna & jacuzzi, tennis courts, three private beaches, mountain bikes and walking tracks.
DAY SEVEN - Tuesday 26th March 2019
8:30-9:30 am Tee off for your first round of golf at Cape Kidnappers. Cart and caddie included.
12:30-1:30 pm Lunch is available at the clubhouse at Cape Kidnappers.
2:00 pm Enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.
6-6:30 pm Pre-dinner drinks with canapés are available at the lodge.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
DAY EIGHT - Wednesday 27th March 2019
9:00 am Depart on your Can-Am tour of the property including a visit to the Gannet Colony.
11:30 am Arrive back at the lodge.
12:00 pm Cape Kidnappers will transfer you to Craggy Range for tastings and lunch.
12:30 pm Begin your private tasting.
1:00 pm Lunch has been reserved at Craggy Range.
3:00 pm Meet your driver and depart to the Farm at Cape Kidnappers.
6-6:30 pm Pre-dinner drinks with canapés are available at the lodge.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
DAY NINE - Thursday 28th March 2019
8:00 am Enjoy the day at your own leisure.
6-6:30 pm Pre-dinner drinks with canapés are available at the lodge.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
DAY TEN - Friday 29th March 2019
10:00 am Checkout of your accommodation and depart to Huka Lodge in Taupo. We recommend a drive through Napier and will give you a list of attractions to see before you depart.
*drive time approximately 2 hours 30 minutes.
1:30-2:00 pm Arrive into Taupo and check in to your accommodation at Huka Lodge.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
DESTINATION: TAUPO
March 29th - April 2nd 2019
4 nights
With its picture-postcard setting on the shores of the 240-square-mile volcanic crater lake from which it gets is name, Taupo (pronounced Toe-Pour) is one of the North Island’s premier resort towns. It has an abundance of great hikes, and is the jumping-off point for the famous Tongariro Alpine Crossing. The impressive Huka Falls are nearby, which also has great nature walks. Located at the geographic center of the North Island, the region is one of the most pure, beautiful and unspoiled parts of the country and is home to some of New Zealand’s most dramatic and spectacular forests. It is also a magnet for fly-fishing, and is emerging as one of the country’s most popular cycling destinations, both road and off-road.
ACCOMMODATION
HUKA LODGE
Founded in the 1920’s, Huka Lodge is considered the iconic New Zealand retreat. Sought by the world’s most discerning travellers, it enjoys an unrivalled riverside location and offers superb hospitality. Its 25 rooms are set in 17 acres of magnificently manicured grounds, nestled along the banks of the Waikato River. The rooms are split between 18 Junior Lodge Suites, one Lodge Suite and the two exclusive Huka Lodge Cottages. The Owners Cottage provides secluded accommodation for a maximum of eight guests in four bedrooms, and the superb Alan Pye Cottage has two bedrooms for four guests.
See website HERE
Room type: Jnr. Lodge Suite
Includes: Country style breakfast; as well as pre-dinner drinks served from 6.30pm. Guests meet for drinks in the Lodge Room and a five course set menu dinner follows emphasising the very best of New Zealand produce.
DAY ELEVEN - Saturday 30th March 2019
8:45 am Depart to the helipad courtesy of Huka Lodge.
9:00 am Meet your pilot and depart on the White Island and Mt Tarawera helicopter experience.
1:00 pm Arrive back at the lodge for lunch.
2:00 pm Enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
DAY TWELVE - Sunday 31st March 2019
8:30 am Depart to the harbour courtesy of Huka Lodge.
9:00 am Meet your Captain and crew and depart on your Lake Taupo Cruise. Lunch will be provided onboard.
1:00 pm Arrive back at the dock and transferred back to your accommodation, courtesy of Huka Lodge.
2:00 pm Enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
DAY THIRTEEN - Monday 1st April 2019
Enjoy the day at your own leisure.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
DAY FOURTEEN - Tuesday 2nd April 2019
9:00 am Checkout of your accommodation and depart north in your rental vehicle to the Sofitel Hotel in Auckland.
*drive time approximately 4 hours 30 minutes.
1:30 pm Arrive into Auckland and check in to your accommodation.
6:30-7:30 pm Eighth Wonder will be happy to make a restaurant recommendation for this evening.
DESTINATION: AUCKLAND
April 2nd - 4th 2019
2 nights
Auckland is New Zealand’s biggest city and is frequently rated as one of the world’s top cities for quality of life and liveability. Squeezed between two glistening harbors, Auckland’s narrow isthmus is home to one third of the country’s population – and for good reason. Known worldwide as the City of Sails, its center is a vibrant melting pot of style and culture, and its buzzing waterfront precincts are home to world-class dining and shopping experiences.
ACCOMMODATION
SOFITEL HOTEL
With views across Viaduct Harbour, this luxury waterfront hotel is located right in the heart of Auckland City, just 800m from the Sky Tower. Rooms are furnished in a simple, contemporary manner, and feature free WiFi, flat-screen TVs and iPod docks, plus Bose sound systems. Upgraded suites add living rooms. Amenities include an on-site spa with an indoor pool, a whirlpool tub and an exercise room. There's also a boutique restaurant offering a high-end menu, and a lounge bar.
See website HERE
Room type: Multiple rooms and suites available
DAY FIFTEEN - Wednesday 3rd April 2019
Rest and business day in Auckland.
6:30-7:30 pm Eighth Wonder will be happy to make a restaurant recommendation for this evening.
DAY SIXTEEN - Thursday 4th April 2019
10:00 am Checkout of your accommodation.
12:00 pm Depart in your rental vehicle to Auckland Domestic Airport.
1:50 pm Board and depart on your Air New Zealand flight to Kerikeri (Bay of Islands). Flight Number: NZ8268.
2:40 pm Arrive into Kerikeri and meet your driver who will transport you to the Lodge at Kauri Cliffs.
*drive time is 35 minutes
3:30 pm Arrive at the lodge and enjoy the afternoon in your beautiful surrounds.
6-6:30 pm Pre-dinner drinks with canapés are available at the lodge.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
*Gentleman are required to wear a dinner jacket in the lodge for dining.
DESTINATION: BAY OF ISLANDS
April 4th - 8th 2019
4 nights
Just a 45-minute flight north of Auckland is the stunning Bay of Islands, one of NZ’s top tourist drawcards. With its unspoiled coastline, beautiful sandy beaches, turquoise waters and 144 untouched islands, this region enjoys a subtropical climate, and so you can expect warm weather year round. The Bay of Islands Maritime Park is one of New Zealand’s best loved destinations, offering world-class diving and snorkeling, with an array of wildlife including, dolphins, whales, penguins and gannets. It also has great sailing, kayaking and big-game fishing. Not only is the region blessed with stunning natural beauty, it has enormous historical significance, as the site of New Zealand’s first permanent British settlement and the birthplace of European colonization in the country.
ACCOMMODATION
THE LODGE AT KAURI CLIFFS
Kauri Cliffs is a stunningly beautiful 5,400-acre estate, set on a remote plateau, high above the Pacific Ocean. It is home to one of the world’s most renowned golf courses, with most holes offering amazing views of offshore islands and the magnificent Pacific Ocean. Besides golf, the estate provides many other activities, including swimming, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, fishing and sailing. Kauri Cliffs is a sister property of Cape Kidnappers and Matakauri Lodge.
See website HERE
Availability: Suite
Includes: pre dinner drinks with canapes, dinner, full breakfast, complimentary mini-bar (excluding liquor and wines) and use of lodge facilities excluding golf and spa treatments. Lodge facilities include infinity pool and hot tub, spa and fitness centre with lap pool, sauna & jacuzzi, tennis courts, three private beaches, mountain bikes and walking tracks.
DAY SEVENTEEN - Friday 5th April 2019
8:30 am Tee off for your first round of golf at Kauri Cliffs. Cart and caddie included.
12:30 pm Enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.
6-6:30 pm Pre-dinner drinks with canapés are available at the lodge.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
DAY EIGHTEEN - Saturday 6th April 2019
8:45 am Depart to the helipad courtesy of Kauri Cliffs.
9:00 am Meet your pilot and depart on the Waipoua Forest and Cape Reinga helicopter experience.
10:00 am Touchdown at the Copthorne Hotel in Hokianga and be greeted by your guides and transferred to the Waipoua Forest for your Tane Mahuta tour.
12:00 pm Arrive back at the Hotel and depart north in your helicopter following the West Coast to Cape Reinga (top of New Zealand). Make your way back down the East Coast until you touch down at Kauri Cliffs.
*total flight time is 1 hour 30 minutes.
1:30 pm Arrive back at the Lodge and enjoy the afternoon at your own leisure.
3:00 pm Tee off for your second round at Kauri Cliffs. Cart and caddie included.
6-6:30 pm Pre-dinner drinks with canapés are available at the lodge.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
DAY NINETEEN - Sunday 7th April 2019
9:00 am Meet your driver outside the lodge entrance and depart to Waitangi wharf.
9:40 am Meet the Captain and crew and depart on your Bay of Islands sailing experience. Lunch will be provided onboard.
4:00 pm Arrive back at the wharf and depart back to the lodge.
6-6:30 pm Pre-dinner drinks with canapés are available at the lodge.
6:30-7:00 pm Dinner will be served in the lodge.
DAY TWENTY - Monday 8th April 2019
10:00 am Checkout of your accommodation.
1:30 pm Meet your driver outside the main entrance and depart in your private transfer to Kerikeri Airport.
3:05 pm Board and depart on your Air New Zealand flight to Auckland. Flight number: NZ8269.
3:50 pm Arrive into Auckland Airport.
7:30 pm Board and depart on your United Airlines flight to Houston. Flight number: UA6804.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
BAGGAGE HANDLING
Domestic flights allow two bags per traveller with a maximum weight allowance of 50lbs per bag for checked baggage (including golf clubs) and 15lbs per person for hand luggage. Baggage and personal effects are taken at owner’s risk throughout the tour, and baggage insurance is strongly recommended. Please consult your international air carrier for its specific restrictions regarding weight limits and baggage allowance.
INSURANCE
It is advisable that all participants take out comprehensive travel, medical, cancellation, curtailment and default insurance for the duration of the trip. Due to the remote and wild areas that will be visited, it is vital that all participants are covered for emergencies and other unforeseen circumstances. Eighth Wonder Travel will not be held responsible for participants travelling without insurance.
SPECIAL NOTICE FOR GOLFERS TRAVELLING TO NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand's rural-based economy requires strict bio-security, so it is important for golfers to enter the country with clean golf shoes and clean golf clubs. Anyone arriving with golf clubs and/or golf shoes will be diverted to quarantine inspection upon arrival in New Zealand. With clean shoes, clubs, and golf bags/travel covers, the inspection time should simply be a matter of minutes. For golfers with traces of dirt or grass, bio-security staff may clean the items and fines may be imposed on the spot. To ensure a speedy entrance, ensure that clubs, shoes, golf bags, and travel covers are free from dirt and grass.