Family Tour of New Zealand
Experience Maori culture, kayak with dolphins, horseback though native bush, relax amongst New Zealand’s most beautiful wilderness environments, and adventure though glaciers.
Your Journey Outline
Day 1 to 5 Arrive Taupo | Experience | Stay at Poronui, Taupo
Day 5 to 8 | Experience the tip of the south | Stay at Bay of Many Coves Resort, Picton
Day 8 to 10 | Visit a natural Oasis | Stay at Hapuku Lodge, Kaikoura
Day 10 to 13 | Experience Central Otago | Stay at Minaret Station Alpine Lodge, Wanaka
Day 13 to 16 | Visit the adventure capital of the world | The Homestead at Lake Hayes, Queenstown
Day 16 | Return and end of tour
Full Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive Taupo
Arrive into Auckland Airport where you will be met off your flight for your VIP Meet & Greet to be fast-tracked through immigration, customs and bio-security. You will then be transferred through to the domestic terminal.
Fly Auckland to Taupo onboard a scheduled domestic flight.
Your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall in Taupo for your private road transfer to Poronui.
Upon arrival you will meet your guide and horse for the next four days. The horses are chosen for their temperament, are sure footed and well-schooled, ensuring a comfortable ride for all. The terrain you will cover over the next few days is rolling mountains and open valleys ideal for long loping canters. The vegetation is a combination of native beech forest, eucalyptus, manuka scrub (source of the famous manuka honey) and open grass land.
Your guide is passionate about horses, she comes with extensive experience in the schooling of young horses, ponies, competing and instructing. She knows the property intimately, is passionate about the outdoors and has an in-depth knowledge of New Zealand’s flora, fauna and local history.
Expect to see and hear many of New Zealand’s native birds including Native Pigeon, the shy Kaka, Fantail, and Tui. In the Game Estate, the Red Deer, Sika, Fallow, and Rusa are easy to spot.
This afternoon you will enjoy your first ride of many, making your way to the Safari Camp.
This evening, after your BBQ dinner under the stars, enjoy roasting some marshmallows on the open fire.
Overnight at Poronui Safari Camp, with breakfast, picnic lunch, and BBQ dinner included
Day 2 – Taupo
This morning after breakfast, enjoy a full day ride through the beech forest with spectacular vistas of the Mohaka Valley.
Enjoy a picnic lunch along the way.
Your ride today will finish at the Lodge, with the remainder of the day at your leisure
Some suggested optional activities include:
- Local walks
- Day spa
Overnight at Poronui Lodge, with breakfast, picnic lunch, canapes and dinner included
Day 3 – Taupo
Today you will enjoy a full day of riding through the Game Estate and beech forest into the Ripia Valley.
Stop along the way for a picnic lunch.
On arrival at the Mountain Hut you will be greeted by Tom Loughlin, Tangata whenua (person of land). A real opportunity to learn how the Maori existed, how they kept their culture and traditions alive for centuries and how they gathered, stored and cooked food.
This evening you have the opportunity to participate in creating a Hangi feast while sharing Tom’s knowledge and stories.
Overnight at Poronui Mountain Hut, with breakfast, picnic lunch, and a Hangi Feast included
Day 4 – Taupo
There will be an early start today, with a pre-breakfast ride to the Mountain Kitchen to enjoy your breakfast.
After breakfast you will enjoy a full day ride following the Ripia River and over the ridge back to the Poronui Valley, with a picnic lunch stop along the way.
Your ride today will finish at the Lodge where you will farewell your guide and horses.
Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Overnight at Poronui Lodge, with breakfast, picnic lunch, canapes and dinner included
Day 5 – Taupo to Picton
Your driver will meet you in the lodge lobby this morning for your private road transfer to Napier Airport.
Fly Napier to Blenheim via Wellington onboard a scheduled domestic flight.
Your driver will meet you in the arrivals hall in Blenheim for your private road transfer to the Picton Wharf.
Enjoy your private water taxi to Bay of Many Coves and spend the remainder of the day at your leisure
Some suggested activities may include:
- Sea kayaking (doubles & singles available)
- Paddle-boarding
- Take out a Dinghy
- Swimming
- Spa Treatments
Overnight at Bay of Many Coves, with breakfast included
Day 6 – Picton
This morning enjoy your private water taxi to Picton where you will meet your guide for your full day private kayak & walk experience. Depart Picton for the launch point at Ngakuta Bay, just 20 minutes scenic drive from Picton. Your day begins with a guided sea kayak tour in what is truly some of the best paddling in the Marlborough Sounds in the western arm of Queen Charlotte Sound. Within a short time you are exploring the shoreline, spotting rays and sea birds and learning about the lush native bush near the water's edge.
Your kayak tour concludes a few hours later at the small settlement of Anakiwa. Here you can don your tramping boots and pack and depart on your guided hike of the Queen Charlotte Track from Anakiwa to Mistletoe Bay. This section of the track passes through some of the nicest bush of the whole 70km walk and is a moderate walk of around 3-4 hours (11km). Views, bush, beautiful beaches - this walk has it all!
At the conclusion of the Queen Charlotte Track, you walk down to Mistletoe Bay in time for collection by a private water taxi to return to Bay of Many Coves
Overnight at Bay of Many Coves, with breakfast included
Day 7 – Picton
Spend today at your leisure
Overnight at Bay of Many Coves, with breakfast included
Days 8 – Picton to Kaikoura
This morning enjoy your private water taxi to the Picton Marina where you will collect your rental vehicle and self-drive to Hapuku Lodge near Kaikoura. The journey is approximately 2 hours, plus additional time for sightseeing along the way.
Arrive at Hapuku Lodge and spend the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.
Some suggested activities may include:
- Self-guided local walks
- Fishing
- Kayak with the Seals
- Quad Biking
- Kaikoura Museum
Overnight at Hapuku Lodge, with breakfast and dinner included
Day 9 – Kaikoura
This morning make your way to the township of Kaikoura, where you will head out on your Dolphin Encounter.
View the amazing scenery as your boat locates some dolphin, there is also a chance to observe other marine life on the tour such as the New Zealand Fur Seal, Albatross and occasionally Orca.
When the time is right you will be instructed by the crew on how to get the best out of your experience with the dolphins. Then it’s time to go into the water and start your encounter!
After you swim, the best idea is to take the wetsuit off and pull on warm dry clothing. This helps you to warm up again while the tour concludes and while you travel back to the harbour.
Return to Kaikoura with some time at leisure before you head over to check-in for your Whale Watch experience.
Kaikoura is New Zealand's world famous whale watching destination. Sperm Whales can be seen year-round while 7 other whale species visit regularly.
Every Scheduled Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents.
A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales.
Kaikoura often hosts the world's largest dolphin - the Orca - and is home to the world's smallest and rarest - the Hector's. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrels and 7 types of Shearwater.
Your Whale Watch experience will end in Kaikoura with the remainder of the day at your leisure.
Overnight at Hapuku Lodge, with breakfast and dinner included
Day 10 – Kaikoura to Wanaka
Today at your leisure, self-drive to Christchurch Airport and return your rental vehicle.
Fly Christchurch to Queenstown onboard a scheduled domestic flight.
Arrive into Queenstown Airport and be welcomed by the team at Minaret Station Alpine Lodge - board your helicopter for a transfer (with luggage) to Minaret Station, champagne for the grown up's enroute ... what an arrival!
Arrive at Minaret Station and choose from a myriad of adventures, walking and biking on site, jumping under the waterfall and soaking in your private hot tub...
Some suggested activities may include:
Overnight at Minaret Station, with breakfast, lunch, canapes and dinner included
Day 11 – 13
Explore Milford Sound, the Mt Aspiring National Park - high country picnics, estate to plate cuisine or meet the animals down on the farm at the edge of Lake Wanaka. For the more adventures, head in the heli for snow landings on spectacular glaciers and ice climbing. Overnight down in the Fjords, dive, fish and adventure all with the private guides and experiences available exclusively from Minaret Station.
Day 13 – Wanaka to Queenstown
Today at your leisure, heli transfer directly or self-drive to The Homestead at Lake Hayes - a Luxury Villa of New Zealand. The journey (by road) is approximately 1 hours plus additional time for sightseeing along the way.
Arrive at The Homestead at Lake Hayes and spend the remainder of the afternoon at your leisure.
Some suggested activities may include:
- Day trip to Arrowtown and/or Glenorchy
- Local self-guided walks
- Shotover Jet
- Onsen Hotpools
- TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Farm
- Day trip to Fiordland / Milford Sound
- Scenic Flight
- Fly-Fishing
- Visit local wineries
Choose from a private chef or enjoy reservations at some of New Zealand's best restaurants located nearby.
Overnight at The Homestead at Lake Hayes
Day 14 to 16 - Queenstown
Experience a tailor made itinerary created for your interests and those of your families - the list of experiences and adventures on your doorstep is extensive!!
Day 16 – Queenstown
This morning self-drive to Queenstown Airport and return your rental vehicle.
Fly Queenstown to Auckland or Christchurch for forward international connections or directly from Queenstown to Australia.
Poronui is the perfect scene for just about any outdoor adventure. Set in the foothills of the Kaimanawa mountains in the central plateau of the North Island, this unique environment provides visitors a taste of so much that is special about New Zealand. Even more impressive is the range of natural habitats and environmental features available in one location, from indigenous beech forest to rolling manuka-clad hills and miles of pristine fishing water.
A helicopter flight deep into the mountains will uncover some of the most legendary and challenging fly fishing in the world. Not for the feint-hearted, the angling up here can be technically difficult but extremely rewarding.
The seclusion of Poronui lends itself to being an ideal location for a corporate retreat. Move away from the distractions of the office and out into a space where creative and strategic thinking flow freely. Couples fall in love with Poronui’s numerous and picturesque locations as they make for phenomenal wedding photos.
But the magic of Poronui is not only in its breath-taking location and the quality of the outdoor experience -- the genuine Kiwi warmth of the staff and the camaraderie you share with guides and fellow adventurers will ensure memories for years to come. Share stories and tall tales over dinner or gather round the breakfast table to plan your day ahead. Chefs at this luxury property delight in surprising guests with a plethora of dining experiences from sundowners in a field and picnics next to the river to gourmet tasting menus in the Wine Cellar.
For a bit of downtime, the Stables area is a short walk from the lodge and plays host to more than just horses. It is a modern sports and relaxation centre with gym and health club facilities - including steam, sauna, and massage treatment rooms. Guests can also enjoy a game in the Snooker Room on the full-sized antique English billiard table or simply unwind.
Savour the delights of fresh local seafood and other provincial produce in our waterfront café, guest-lounge and fine-dining restaurant. Hosting takes place around 5.30pm on the deck overlooking the bay, or perhaps by the fireplace in cooler months, where you can savour the local Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and enlightening discussion. The accompanying canapés feature seafood from the Sounds or cheeses and other regional specialities. Our cellar offers a broad selection of Marlborough’s finest wines balanced with national and international labels. Executive Chef, Hannes Bareiter has a natural flare for creative gastronomy and a passion for techniques that maintain the integrity of pure ingredients. On offer is an exciting a la carte menu, international breakfast options, vegetarian menus and an exceptional Degustation Menu. You might be lucky to coincide with the trawler delivering your fresh fish! And the views: there are few places with such a luxurious, mouth-watering, sensory combination.
"If you could but be a bird you could more fully appreciate the beauty that is Kaikoura." That was our inspiration – how could we put our guests among the birds?
Our seductive crops of Manuka and Kanuka suggested the solution: station people in the tree tops and they would be closer to the mountains, closer to the ocean, closer to the birds. And that is what we have tried to do – allow our guests to nest in the treetops in a luxurious version of a child’s tree house.
A contemporary country lodge, Hapuku Lodge & Tree Houses is composed of five luxury tree houses set 30 feet (10 metres) above the ground in the canopy of native Kanuka. An additional four luxury lodge suites and the Olive House suite provide additional accommodation.
The idyllic setting adds to the allure, with the wild deer wandering on the resident farm, olive groves and a vineyard – all set up against the picturesque backdrop of the Kaikoura ranges.
