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Overlooking Queenstown on a sunny day with the lake and mountains in the distance

New Zealand
The Wonders down under

Ten days in magical New Zealand, from Auckland 
to Christchurch to Queenstown, with customized
excursions on both the North and South Islands
and one sighted guide per person
October 23 – November 1, 2026

Introduction

New Zealanders call their country ‘the last best place’ and we are hard put to disagree. With sophisticated cities, sparkling uncrowded beaches, spectacular snowy mountains and gin-clear rivers, all set in a temperate climate with abundant sunshine, New Zealand feels like paradise on earth. (Sue Bramhall, Mind’s Eye’s founder, was married here 30 years ago.) Mind’s Eye Travel began planning this tour before the pandemic and is pleased and proud to be able to offer it at long last.

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Mind’s Eye Travel’s ‘Escape to Paradise’ cruise through the Fiji Islands, October 16 – 23, will link directly to our New Zealand adventure. For the Fiji itinerary, please click here.

Please Call 207-542-4438 to check availability for this trip. 

Itinerary

DAY 1, Friday October 23
The north island: Auckland

Arrive in the morning at Auckland International Airport, where we will be met by our hosts from Ability Adventures. Auckland, the ‘City of Sails,’ where the America’s Cup regatta took place in 2021, is nestled between two picturesque harbors and has many scenic islands. We’ll have a guided walking tour of the city and then, in mid-afternoon, check into our hotel overlooking Princes Wharf. This evening we will have our usual meet & greet dinner.

DAY 2, October 24
Auckland

Today we hop on a ferry from downtown Auckland to Tiritiri Matangi Island, where we’ll visit a wildlife sanctuary that is one of New Zealand’s most important and exciting conservation projects. Here, as an introduction to natural New Zealand, we’ll be introduced to some of the country’s unique native flora and fauna. Lunch will be al fresco, picnic-style.

Day 3, October 25
Auckland and Rotorua

A busy day in the rolling green hills of the Waikato farming district and the Taupo Volcanic Zone, with a stop on the way in ‘Middle Earth’—Hobbiton, the Lord of the Rings movie set. We’re free for lunch in the café and then we will continue on to Rotorua to soak up the culture and history of New Zealand’s indigenous people, the Maori. 

We begin with a guided tour of this historic valley and its stunning landscape of native bush, geysers and bubbling mud pools. We’ll visit the Kiwi Conservation Centre and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Dinner will be a buffet of fresh produce, traditionally cooked meats and seafood, and a selection of desserts at the Pātaka Kai Restaurant & Bar, which overlooks a geothermal wonderland. 

Then we’ll go to Te Aronui a Rua, the ornately carved meeting house, for a performance that includes a pōhiri, the traditional Māori welcome, waiata (song), mōteatea (chant) and a stirring haka. We’ll wrap up our evening with a stroll back into the geothermal landscape while sipping hot chocolate. Tonight and tomorrow night we’re at the Sudima Hotel on the shore of Lake Rotorua.

Day 4, October 26
Rotorua

This morning we will visit Lake Taupo and Huka Falls, where we’ll have many options to choose from, including a jetboat ride up the Waikato River, a visit to the Honey Centre or a stroll along the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake. Rotorua has something for all tastes, from adventure activities to arts and crafts, and some excellent shopping as well as a wonderful ‘Eat Street’ where we’ll be free for lunch and dinner. This evening we visit the thermal spa for a relaxing soak in the natural hot spring pools.

day 5, October 27
The South Island: Christchurch

This morning we’ll take a short domestic flight to Christchurch, on the South Island, and move into another Sudima Hotel. Christchurch, the ‘Garden City,’ was devastated by earthquakes in 2010 and ‘11 but it has re-emerged as a vibrant and beautiful metropolis. We’re free for lunch in any of the riverside-market food stalls and this afternoon we’ll visit the International Antarctic Centre, where we can experience a taste of what life is like on the frozen continent south of New Zealand. Free for dinner.

day 6, October 28
Christchurch

This is our day to explore Christchurch by tram and river punt. Free for lunch and then we’ll ride the gondola to the top of the Port Hills and enjoy a walk along the rim of the extinct Banks Peninsula Volcano. Later in the day, for those who are interested (and wind permitting), there is the option to add a blo-karting adventure in sail powered-tandem land carts. Free for dinner.

day 7, October 29
Christchurch & Mt Cook

Today our coach takes us south across the Canterbury Plains to the Mackenzie Basin and Tekapo, a beautiful, turquoise-colored glacial lake. We’ll stop at the Salmon Farm, which offers a fantastic array of salmon-based items—If fish isn’t your thing, plenty of home-baked foods are available at the Wrinkly Ram—for a picnic en route. Then we continue on to Mt. Cook Village in the heart of the Southern Alps. Mt. Cook, or Aoraki, is New Zealand’s tallest mountain and lies within the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area. We’ll stay here tonight, at the Hermitage Hotel. 

This region has snow-capped peaks, glaciers, alpine vegetation and the crispest, clearest mountain air. We can explore some of the village trails, visit the Sir Edmund Hilary Alpine Centre or simply revel in the grandeur of the alpine environment. For those who wish, other options include lake excursions by small boat or kayak and helicopter or small plane sightseeing flights. Free for dinner.

day 8, October 30
Mt Cook & Queenstown

After a leisurely breakfast, we continue south over tussocky Lindis Pass into the Central Otago District and on through the rugged Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown. En route, we’ll enjoy a vineyard tour and wine tasting. Other options include a visit to an adjoining cheesery or, for the more adventurous, bungee jumping or a zip-line adventure. In late afternoon, we’ll continue on to Queenstown and settle into the Novotel Lakeside hotel. Free for dinner.

day 9, October 31
Queenstown

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and flanked by the Remarkable and Eyre Mountains, Queenstown is arguably one of the most scenic spots in the world—and it is unquestionably the adventure capital of New Zealand. Today we have a long list of activities to choose from, including strolls on lakeside trails, visits to the ice bar, Kiwi Birdlife Park or the botanic gardens, and a ride on the Skyline Gondola. Or we can go tandem biking, take a jetboat outing on the river or the lake, or even try skydiving. Retail therapy is available too, in Queenstown’s world-class shops. 

this evening we will board the steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Here we’ll learn about sheep farming in the high country and then enjoy a sumptuous final evening BBQ meal. Finally we’ll take the boat back to Queenstown for our last night in New Zealand.

day 10, November 1 , 2026
Queenstown to Auckland for international flights home

Depending on your flight time there may be an opportunity for some further exploring or shopping before transferring to Queenstown International Airport in time for your overseas flights home. 

Prices

  • Per person, double occupancy, $13,900

  • Per person, single occupancy, add $1,900

  • A $1500 deposit per person is required to reserve space; the balance will be due 60 days before the trip, after which fees will no longer be refundable; the flight from Rotorua to Christchurch is nonrefundable. There is a $100 cancellation fee.

Included in the prices

  • One sighted guide for each visually impaired traveler

  • 9 night's accommodation, 9 breakfasts, 4 dinners and 1 picnic lunch; all activities as described

  • Airport transfers and ground transportation

Not included in the prices

  • International airfares, alcoholic beverages, personal items and gratuities for local guides and sighted guides

  •  Additional fees may apply to certain excursions or activities as noted below. 

Optional Activities

​Prices, in New Zealand dollars, are as of late April 2025, when US$100US bought approximately NZ$180. The exchange rate in NZ is usually highly favorable to Americans.

  • Rotorua eco-tour in an amphibious ‘duck,’ WWII landing craft — two hours, $110NZ

  • Christchurch blo-karting — 45 minutes, $50NZ per person

  • Mt. Cook - Sir Edmund Hilary Alpine Centre — two-day pass, $25NZ

  • Mt. Cook - glacial lake excursion — three hours, $195NZ

  • Mt. Cook - helicopter or small plane flight and glacial landing — $595NZ

  • Queenstown Kawarau Bungee Jump — $320NZ

  • Queenstown Kawarau zipline — $50NZ

  • Queenstown Kiwi Birdlife Park — admission $60NZ

  • Skyline Gondola ride — $66NZ

  • Tandem sky-dive — from $400NZ

  • Tandem bike hire — from $80NZ per day

  • Shotover jetboat river or lake trip — from $169NZ

Please note

  • One Mind’s Eye sighted guide will be provided for each client.

  • If you prefer to bring your own sighted guide, please call for discounts.

  • If you are connecting from the ‘Escape to Paradise’ Fiji Islands cruise, our guides will meet the flight from Suva to Auckland.

  • If you are traveling from the US, in order to arrive in Auckland on the morning of October 23, that flight departs California on the morning of October 21 and crosses the International Date Line. The flight takes approximately 14 hours—plenty of time for movies, meals and a full night’s sleep.

  • Mind’s Eye Travel can arrange for the group to fly together from California to Auckland.

  • Mind’s Eye Travel recommends trip insurance. 

  • Our trips are non-smoking and not combinable with any other offer except (in this case) the ‘Escape to Paradise’ Fiji Islands cruise.

Book this trip

Please Call 207-542-4438 to check availability for this trip. 

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