Splendours of New Zealand with Auckland & Huka Lodge - Cruise & Land Journey: 19 days Auckland to Christchurch

Arrive in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. Settle into the Park Hyatt Auckland, your Scenic Special Stay, which offers waterfront views and cosmopolitan charm. This evening, join your fellow travellers for a welcome dinner, raising a toast to the unforgettable journey ahead across the North Island of New Zealand.

Continue your exploration of the ‘City of Sails’, so named for its bustling marinas full of boats and picturesque harbourside setting. A melting pot of cultures, Auckland offers world-class dining, stylish waterfront precincts, and a thriving arts scene, all within easy reach of pristine beaches, rainforests, and wine regions, making it a gateway to both adventure and relaxation.

Scenic Freechoice:
Enhance your Auckland visit with a selection of Scenic Freechoice activities:

Auckland Harbour Cruise: Enjoy panoramic views of the skyline, waterfront, iconic landmarks and volcanic islands with live commentary of Auckland’s maritime heritage.

Waitakere Wilderness Experience: Explore black sand beaches and native rainforest on a guided half-day tour. Admire traditional Maori carvings and learn about their significance for the area. Wander rainforests among lush native silver ferns, manuka and kauri trees before arriving at your pinnacle vantage point overlooking the Tasman Sea.

Auckland City Revealed Tour: Learn about Auckland’s history, culture and volcanic landmarks. Gain insights into the Maori history of the area and the legends and stories behind region and see some of Auckland’s most picturesque vistas.

Flavours of Our City Walking Tour: Discover Auckland through its vibrant food culture on this guided tour that blends gourmet indulgence with city exploration. Stroll lively streets and hidden laneways as you sample artisan cheeses, handmade chocolates and freshly roasted coffee. Along the way, your guide shares stories of Auckland’s history, diverse cultures and iconic landmarks. 

Scenic Enrich
New Zealand Rugby: Connect with the heart of New Zealand culture, rugby, as you learn about the spirit of the game that shaped the nation. Your All Blacks experience includes being guided by a former All Black or Black Fern, followed by a wine-matching dinner at one of Auckland’s top restaurants.

Leaving Auckland today you’ll journey into Middle Earth with a visit to Hobbiton™ Movie Set, exploring detailed film sets from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, including the Shire’s iconic hobbit holes and lush gardens. Continue to Taupo, home to New Zealand’s largest lake. Check into Huka Lodge in one of the world’s most prestigious luxury lodges for a three-night special stay.

Enjoy a full day at leisure at Huka Lodge, set on 30 acres along the picturesque Waikato River that is rich with trout. Optional experiences include fly-fishing, guided hikes, lake cruises or nearby golf. For a relaxed day, play tennis, pétanque or croquet, wander the gardens, or enjoy a drink on the riverbank. Your culinary journey continues with local produce incorporated into an innovative menu for your included breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Start the day with a full a la carte breakfast before exploring the facilities of the lodge. Enjoy either a game of tennis, a few hours in the wellness centre or a dip the pool and spa. Retire for a relaxing afternoon and enjoy your in-suite mini bar, which is replenished daily. Tonight, enjoy a multi-course degustation dinner in the restaurant.  

Today, depart Huka Lodge and the Taupo region as you head north toward Auckland. En route, stop at the National Kiwi Hatchery to learn about its conservation and breeding program dedicated to protecting New Zealand’s iconic kiwi birds.

Continue to Auckland, where you will step aboard your Scenic Discovery Yacht and be welcomed with a glass of Champagne, setting the tone for your unforgettable Signature Yacht Cruise. Meet the Captain and crew before setting sail into the azure waters of the South Pacific. 

With its pale sandy beaches, vine-draped hills and clear Hauraki Gulf waters, Waiheke has long been regarded as one of the world’s most appealing island retreats. Popular with day trippers arriving by ferry from Auckland, it sees only a select number of smaller cruise vessels anchoring off its gently folded coastline, preserving a relaxed, village-like feel. You might follow a headland path shaded by crimson-flowering pohutukawa, paddle between sheltered bays by kayak, or linger over tastings at boutique estates to understand why Waiheke is often described as New Zealand’s “Island of Wine”.

This evening, perhaps visit Elements for dinner, where Italian specialities and regional wines complement the day's vineyard discoveries. 

Begin your morning at sea with a refreshing dip in the Vitality pool on Deck 10, followed by a leisurely coffee at the Observation Lounge. Alternatively, join an early guided meditation session, embracing the tranquillity of the open sea.     

Every day on board Scenic Eclipse II, a true culinary journey awaits, with up to 10 extraordinary all-inclusive culinary experiences and eight bars and lounges. You may decide to return to the Yacht Club for lunch, or opt for Azure Bar & Café, where you can graze throughout the day.    

As dusk falls, the hardest decision you have to make is in which direction to wander. Elements is the main dining experience, where the menu ranges from Italian to steak and seafood. Channel the spirit of Asia at Koko’s Asian Fusion, which also comes with a sushi bar and private Night Market+ experience. Journey to France at Lumière+, complete with a Champagne bar, or dine in the privacy of your suite, choosing from a comprehensive 24-hour menu.

Arriving in Napier, it can feel as though the clock has paused in the 1930s. After a devastating earthquake in 1931, the city centre was almost entirely rebuilt in the Art Deco style of the era, with clean lines, pastel facades and geometric detailing. Today, its palm-lined streets, sunlit promenades and carefully preserved buildings create one of the world’s finest concentrations of authentic Art Deco architecture, complemented by a relaxed café culture and easy access to Hawke’s Bay’s acclaimed vineyards. 

Later, after sailing, visit the open bridge on Deck 7 to meet the Captain and navigational team, and gain first-hand insight into a Scenic Discovery Yacht’s state-of-the-art technology from one of the most inspiring vantage points on board.

It’s worth waking up early this morning so you can experience the Marlborough Sounds as you sail into Picton. Ask your butler to deliver coffee to your suite so you can soak it in from your private verandah.   

Spend the day in Picton, a picturesque town that looks almost tropical with its towering palm trees and clear turquoise water. Wander the pretty waterfront promenade, lined with shops, cafes and galleries, or visit the museum inside the Edwin Fox convict ship, dry docked offshore. Picton is a short drive from the famous Marlborough wine region, which produces around two-thirds of New Zealand’s wine.

This evening, perhaps enjoy fine French dining at Lumière+, where Champagne and elegant cuisine echo the sophistication of the Marlborough region.

Scenic Eclipse II will call at two ports in the Tasman Bay today. Kaiteriteri is arguably New Zealand’s most beautiful beach, a perfect arc of golden sand fronting startling blue water. It’s also the gateway to the Abel Tasman National Park, a gorgeous coastal park known for its sea kayaking, walks and wildlife.  
 
It’s just a short cruise to the city of Nelson, one of the sunniest cities in New Zealand. It’s bursting with open-air cafes, bustling markets, breweries, cycling trails and the pretty Botanic Gardens. Enjoy a later departure tonight, giving you a chance to experience a little Kiwi hospitality after dark.

Return on board for a nightcap at the Sky Bar, where the evening extends with cocktails and conversation under the stars.

You’ll arrive in Kaikoura later this morning. This tiny town sits in a spectacular natural environment, flanked by the Pacific Ocean on one side and the snow-capped Seaward Kaikoura Range on the other.   The town began life as a whaling station in the mid 1800s; visit the oldest surviving building, Fyffe House, or the Kaikoura Museum to learn more about its history. It’s also an ideal place for wildlife encounters. Whales, fur seals and dolphins live permanently in these waters, and an impressive array of seabirds fill the air, including the mighty albatross.  This evening, relax at the Observation Lounge with a book, or gather with fellow guests at the Scenic Lounge Bar to share the day's wildlife encounters.

Arrive this morning in Akaroa, site of New Zealand’s only successful French settlement. Established by French settlers in 1840, it still carries its heritage lightly with French street names, characterful cottages and a Gallic note in some of its cafés and cuisine. Akaroa also looks over a sheltered harbour frequented by rare Hector’s dolphins, and is framed by an historic lighthouse and rolling green hillsides.  Back on board, tonight could be the night you enjoy Night Market @ Koko's+ with new friends. Stay up late at the Scenic Lounge Bar or retire to the Observation Lounge library for a moment of blissful solitude before bed.

Begin your morning at sea with a refreshing dip in the Vitality pool on Deck 10, followed by a leisurely coffee at the Observation Lounge. Alternatively, join an early guided meditation session, embracing the tranquillity of the open sea.

Every day on board Scenic Eclipse II, a true culinary journey awaits, with up to 10 extraordinary all-inclusive culinary experiences and eight bars and lounges. You may decide to return to the Yacht Club for lunch, or opt for Azure Bar & Café, where you can graze throughout the day.

Visit the open bridge on Deck 7 to meet the Captain and navigational team and gain first-hand insight into a Scenic Discovery Yacht’s state-of-the-art technology from one of the most inspiring vantage points on board. 

Step into history as you cruise Doubtful Sound, named by Captain Cook in 1770 when its narrow entrance persuaded him to sail elsewhere. Today, its breathtaking beauty remains wonderfully secluded, offering a serene escape. Glide past towering cliffs, keep an eye out for playful bottlenose dolphins, and perhaps spot the elusive Fiordland crested penguin along the shore.

Later, enjoy the serene beauty of Dusky Sound as Scenic Eclipse II gently cruises through one of New Zealand’s largest and most dramatic fjords. Towering rainforest-clad cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and mist-covered peaks create a breathtaking backdrop. Accessible only by sea or air, this remote wilderness offers a rare and intimate cruising experience, setting a tranquil tone for the rest of the day.

The rugged West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island offers some of the country’s most stunning scenery. You’ll cruise through Fiordland National Park, which covers more than 1.2 million hectares of granite peaks, shimmering lakes, deep black fjords and spectacular waterfalls. 

Rudyard Kipling described Milford Sound as the ‘eighth wonder of the world’. The best way to experience the sound is from the water and today Scenic Eclipse II will cruise slowly through this spectacular place, coming close to land so you can admire the waterfalls tumbling from 1,000-metre cliffs and look out for seals sunning themselves on the rocks. You may like to join fellow guests on the Sky Deck to watch the magic unfold over a cocktail. 

Stewart Island sits 30 kilometres off the southern tip of the South Island. It is one of the last inhabited outposts before you reach Antarctica. Its only settlement, the tiny village of Oban, clings bravely to the northern shore.    

This is New Zealand off the grid, a remote place of spectacular scenery and abundant wildlife. The island is a haven for many birds, including the cute and curious brown kiwi, who outnumber humans and are active day and night. The Mãori name for Stewart Island is Rakiura, which means the land of glowing skies.

Return on board for dinner at Koko's Asian Fusion for a vibrant contrast to the island's tranquillity, before live music brings your evening to a gentle close.

Wake up in Port Chalmers, the gateway to Dunedin, one of New Zealand’s most historic cities. Founded in 1848, it has a proud Scottish lineage – in fact, Dunedin takes its name from the old Gaelic for Edinburgh, Dùn Èideann. Stroll the well-preserved streets to admire grand Victorian and Edwardian architecture, much of it built on wealth from the Otago gold rush.

Outside town, the surrounding Otago Peninsula is regarded as one of the country’s leading wildlife and eco-tourism destinations, where you can keep a look out for abundant birdlife, penguins, seals and sea lions.

This evening, perhaps indulge in a treatment# at the Senses Spa, or enjoy a leisurely dinner in your suite, where your butler can create an intimate dining experience tailored to your preferences.

Your Signature Yacht Cruise ends in Timaru, a charming port town known for its stunning coastal landscapes and warm Kiwi hospitality.

After one last sumptuous breakfast on board, it’s time to bid farewell to new friends and the Scenic Eclipse II crew, taking with you memories for a lifetime. 

You will join a standard transfer from Timaru to Christchurch.

Please book your flight to depart out of Christchurch after 02:00 PM.

#Spa treatments and services at additional cost. Daily activities may be subject to change; please consult your Daily Wonder for updates. 
+All drinks on board, including those stocked in your mini bar, are included, except for a very small number of rare, fine and vintage wines, Champagnes and spirits. Specialty restaurants require a reservation, enquire on board.  
^Experiences on board our two helicopters and submersible are at additional cost, subject to regulatory approval, availability, weight restrictions, medical approval and weather conditions.

Submersible not in operation in New Zealand. 

The itinerary is a guide only and may be amended for operational reasons. As such Scenic cannot guarantee the voyage will operate unaltered from the itinerary stated above. Please refer to our terms and conditions for further information.