Inspiration Itinerary - The best of NZ

North to South

for a Multi Generational Family

Multi Generational Family

Beginning in Auckland you’ll be airlifted by helicopter north to the magical Bay of Islands, a subtropical micro-region known for it’s stunning beauty and history. For those that love beaches and water activities this is paradise. Immerse yourself in your luxury retreat amongst a thousand acres of beaches, rolling hills, bird sanctuaries and historic sites. You’ll learn about contemporary Maori culture, charter to the local islands, hopefully see whales by day and kiwis at night -all tailored to suit your particular interests.

Travelling to the east coast, you’ll stay at ‘The Farm’ which stretches along the Hawke’s Bay coastline surrounded by rolling hills and rugged cliffs with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Leisure opportunities abound with golf, horseback riding, nature walks, buggy and bike adventures and the chance to get up-close to New Zealand’s most endangered and iconic bird – the kiwi.

Explore natures ultimate playground, the stunning Lake Taupo Region. An adventure and sporting mecca and nature-lover’s paradise with it’s beautiful forests and volcanic mountains. Learn about the Maori culture with a legendary tangata whenua (person of the land), take a native bushwalk through an untouched geothermal paradise with its vibrant colours before flying to your exclusive retreat on the edge of the Abel Tasman. Here you’ll meet your charter and have the freedom to create your day with options including kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, bush walks and hiking on golden sand beaches.

Your next stop is Kaikoura, one of the most beautiful and breathtaking locations with views of sheer cliff faces, craggy rocks and mountain ranges. Your accommodation, nestled 30 feet in the air, offers the perfect base to explore the waters off the peninsula, a complex marine system with an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds, making it an ideal place for ‘getting close to nature’. You’ll have the opportunity to paddle around the coastline guided by fur seals as they duck and weave around your kayak while searching for Dusky dolphins and blue penguins.

An onward charter flight will deliver you to Wanaka with it’s captivating views of Lake Wanaka and the surrounding mountains. This eco-sanctuary is yours to explore by 4×4 vehicle, horse riding through trails, rivers, beach forest and valleys, jet boating through some of the best terrain in the country, experiencing the West Coast and Milford Sound by air and a series of walks through this stunning countryside. This is the perfect place to enjoy some special family time before finishing up in the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown.

Embracing the spirit of New Zealand, this itinerary offers a plethora of family friendly fun, staying at our top, handpicked properties where there is plenty for everyone to enjoy!

22 UNFORGETTABLE DAYS

PLEASE NOTE:

This itinerary provides the perfect framework for a spectacular tour, however it can be designed to suit your preferred pace, price and pursuits. Contact us for a tailormade journey.

DAY 1-4 | KERI KERI | 4 NIGHTS

Arrive in Auckland and meet your heli transfer to the Bay of Islands, a subtropical micro-region known for its stunning beauty and history. Explore a thousand acres of beaches, rolling hills, wildlife sanctuaries and historic sites on foot or by boat. This is paradise for those that love beaches and water activities.

DAY 5-7 | CAPE KIDNAPPERS | 2 NIGHTS

Immerse yourself at The Farm which stretches along the Hawke’s Bay coastline surrounded by rolling hills and rugged cliffs with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. Leisure opportunities abound with golf, horseback riding, nature walks, buggy and bike adventures, and the chance to get up-close and learn about one of New Zealand’s most endangered and iconic birds.

DAY 8-10 | TAUPO | 3 NIGHTS

The Great Lake Taupo region is ‘Natures Ultimate Playground’, and is yours to discover. Learn about the Maori culture, participate in a traditional hangi (feast) and explore the untouched geothermal paradise of Orakei Korako with its boiling hot springs and vibrant colours.

DAY 11-13 | ABEL TASMAN | 3 NIGHTS

Explore the Abel Tasman by private charter with a range of activities including kayaking, swimming, snorkeling, bushwalks and hiking on golden sand beaches. Or you may simply prefer enjoy the spectacular setting and wonderful facilities of your exclusive retreat.

DAY 14-15 | KAIKOURA | 2 NIGHTS

Discover the Kaikoura peninsula, a complex marine system with an abundantly rich habitat for marine mammals and seabirds. Get close to nature as you kayak with fur seals while searching for chance encounters with Dusky Dolphins and blue penguins.

DAY 16-18 | WANAKA | 3 NIGHTS

The wilderness is yours to explore by 4×4 vehicle, horse riding along trails, rivers and beach forest, jet boating through alpine scenery and enjoying an aerial view of the West Coast, Milford Sound and Mount Aspiring National Park. There’s plenty to do to suit all interests.

DAY 19-21 | QUEENSTOWN | 2 NIGHTS

Spend time exploring the adventure capital of New Zealand. Take a guided rafting trip, discover the famous breathtaking skippers canyon, speed down the Luge tracks and dine in the city’s finest restaurants.

DAY 22 | END OF ITINERARY

Your journey ends here in Queenstown where you will board your international flight home.

WHERE YOU’LL STAY

A selection of New Zealand's finest...

The Landing – Bay of Islands, North Island

The Landing is a unique luxury retreat nestled among a thousand acres of beaches, native bush, farmland, bird sanctuaries and protected historic sites in the Bay of Islands in northern New Zealand. This is the landing place where Maori and European settlers first met and a great spot to relax and rejuvenate or enjoy outdoor activities. Read More

Cape Kidnappers – Hawkes Bay, North Island

Cape Kidnappers sits atop rolling hills and rugged cliffs on a 6,000 acre sheep and cattle farm with spectacular sea views in Hawke’s Bay on New Zealand’s North Island. Step out from your luxurious suite to explore this rugged terrain by Can-Am as you travel to the very edges of this vast coastal property. Read More

Huka Lodge – Taupo, North Island

A rich landscape of lakes, forests, waterfalls and mountains forms a stunning backdrop to this iconic New Zealand retreat in Taupo, the heart of the volcanic North Island and considered as one of the world’s top retreats. Leave the real world behind as you enter the gates of Huka Lodge on a beautiful stretch of the Waikato River. Read More

Split Apple Retreat – Kaiteriteri, South Island

Split Apple Retreat is an exclusive luxury lodge and wellness retreat located on the edge of the Abel Tasman National Park at the top of the South Island. With the Abel Tasman on your doorstep, Split Apple Resort is the perfect spot to explore beautiful walking tracks, golden beaches and pristine nature by foot, kayak, or on horseback. Read More

Hapuku Lodge – Kaikoura, South Island

Located in one of the most beautiful places in the world, Hapuku Lodge is a 5 star Eco-Retreat set on rugged coastline a few kilometers north of the eco-marine town of Kaikoura in the South Island of New Zealand. Nestled 30 feet in the air, the tree houses sit snugly at the base of the majestic Kaikoura Mountains. Read More

Mahu Whenua – Wanaka, South Island

Mahu Whenua is a luxurious high-country homestead in the middle of 55,000 hectares of some of the most iconic and dramatic natural alpine scenery just 20 minutes from Wanaka on New Zealand’s South Island. Immerse yourself in one of the most majestic and pristine parts of the world and be at one with nature. Read More

Eichardt’s Private Hotel – Queenstown, South Island

The grand dame of Queenstown, Eichardt’s Hotel provides a collection of beautifully designed suites and apartments rich in history and the grandest views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountains in the heart of Queenstown where everything is an easy stroll away. Eichardt’s Hotel provides the perfect base to suit every taste. Read More

NEED TO KNOW

21 nights / 22 days

START: Auckland, New Zealand | Finish: Queenstown, New Zealand

This itinerary provides the perfect framework for a spectacular journey but it is an example only. All journeys will be individually designed and quoted on a case by case basis.

Exellent and wonderful, reaching way above expectations.

Elizabeth Mackintosh

Julia you did a fantastic job - everything was first class. Well organised, efficient and stress free. We all agreed it was the best holiday we've ever had. Cant wait to travel with CSC again.

Milford family

We are so happy we put our trust in CSC, we had an amazing adventure and would recommend them to anyone.

Kim & Brad Balance

The trip exceeded my expectations and was the best family holiday I have ever had. Our children simply loved it and now I know more about African wildlife than they do about our own farm animals.

Rowntree family

Classic Safari are the people who genuinely know other culture and offer incredible insight to perfectly meet your expectations.

Melanie McMillan & Iain Jones

We loved it all. Our son wants to go back tomorrow. We would ALL go back again!

Laurence & Remi Cunningham

An amazing experience - the best family holiday we have ever had. We were extremely impressed by the meticulous attention to our itinerary. I can't speak highly enough of all the elements of this exciting journey!

Sheryl & Robert Taylor

Thank you for making our trip to Africa so spectacular. The attention to detail really made it special. It really was the trip of a lifetime.

Paul Cozzi

Very knowledgeable and patient. Our trip was all that we hoped for. Wonderful!

Jane & Robert Happell

Everything was perfect! Advice and information on destinations and activities hit everything I had hoped to experience. I contacted the Classic Safari Company upon recommendation and have now, in turn, recommended to others.

Tim Bradley

You can't improve on perfection. I had my best birthday and holiday with my family celebrating my 80th birthday in Africa. Everything that Julia organised was perfect and the whole trip was a highlight!

Buckingham Family

The trip of a lifetime, couldn't have dreamt of a better adventure if I tried.

Emma Jeffcoat

Absolutely everything was first class & so well organised.

Simon & Jackie Adams

Classic Safari Company has done it again! A unique experience that ticked all the boxes - wildlife, culture and dining experience. A dream come true!

Ros Wheeler

Their experience and knowledge of Africa is evident and we couldn't have been happier with the total package. This has given us a taste for Africa - now we are ready for more.

Andrew & Pip Stevens

If you want the most sensational experience in Africa let Julia and the staff at Classic Safari Co plan it for you! Their knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm for their job means your every wish will be fulfilled.

Miriam & Joseph Harrison

Classic Safari is the place to go to for "top end" adventure travel.

Ron & Alison Guthrie

Classic Safari Company were brilliant - 10/10

Di & Kingsley Yates

The Classic Safari Company is the best I have dealt with. Extremely knowledgeable & professional, friendly, patient & understanding of first timers to Africa.

Annette Whiley

It certainly was the best trip we have EVER had. The experiences were mind blowing. We want everyone we know to experience Africa - the animals, the people - magical.

Jo-anne & Dean Mifsud

Would do it all again and not change a moment. Best holiday ever!

The McGowan Tribe

An absolutely fantastic travel company - every one of the many trips they have organised for us over 22 years have been faultless and fabulous.

Judith & Roger Williams

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