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Roads are well maintained, distances are manageable, and our New Zealand itinerary includes a ferry crossing between the North and South Islands.
September through April is the most popular season with milder temperatures and longer daylight hours. Shoulder seasons are a great option for people who prefer fewer crowds.
Māori culture is woven into daily life, place names, and local traditions. Collette's tours include opportunities to learn about storytelling, carving, song, and traditional Māori practices.
New Zealand is known for wines like Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir. Pair these with cuisine featuring local, grass-fed lamb, seafood, and seasonal produce or try food prepared with Māori cooking methods.
Tour Manager
I'm a proud New Zealander and have been fortunate to spend the past 18 years sharing my country with travelers from around the world as a Tour Manager. I love bringing New Zealand's stories to life, whether it's the history of early explorers, the traditions of Māori culture, or the spectacular landscapes that make Aotearoa so unique. My goal is to help guests leave with a genuine connection to the places we've visited.
Tour Manager
Born and raised in New Zealand, I've worked in tourism for almost 40 years in a variety of roles. Traveling since I was 19, my first big adventure was living in Mexico City which really opened my world. Today, my feet are firmly planted in the Deep South of my country's South Island, which officially makes me a "Southern Belle." I enjoy engaging with people from all over the world and showing them this fantastic country of ours.
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Cruises, seeing the wildlife and Native people and learning about their culture! So many great experiences!!!
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I appreciated the inclusion of the indigenous tour guides throughout the tour. It helped me to better understand the many contributions they made to the the history of Australia and New Zealand. I was impressed on how the government has valued the culture of these indigenous people by collaborating their beliefs into the many buildings, parks, and politics of the cities. I also enjoyed the host dinner I attended. Margaret was an awesome hostess. She shared her home grown vegetables as well as used the apples from her tree to make a delicious apple dessert that made me appreciate the time she put into make our visit special. We shared a lively conversation about many things throughout the evening. It's these experiences that I will remember most of all.
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Wonderfully planned and executed tour.
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Collette does an excellent job at providing land tours. They have active itineraries that provide a great combination of local tours and free time to explore on your own. The guides are extremely knowledgeable about local customs, traditions and points of interest. Their online app is excellent for communicating the daily schedule, local points of interest, local dining and local maps for each area where you spend a night. They have a good combination of provided group meals and meals on your own to explore and enjoy at your own pace.
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Great tour guide! Loved the animal park!
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The sights and experiences packed into this 19-day tour were simply unforgettable. Every day offered new adventures on land or sea. Our tour manager was knowledgeable, adding incite to the experience with stories and background information as we traveled the length and breadth of both north and south islands. My day on Milford Sound, including optional flight back to Queenstown, was one of spectacular beauty and exciting adventure.
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This was a bucket list trip that we very much enjoyed. You never realize how large Australia is until you have to be on 11 airplanes for your trip. The trip to Uluru was very good, however, we felt like the order of travel could have been better arranged as we lost two days of travel getting there and back. The camel ride was excellent. We very much enjoyed Sydney, the Opera House, the bridge climb, and the national aboriginal guide that shared much information. Carin’s was a great experience, as scuba diving on the great barrier reef was a life list fulfilled. We are experienced divers and would have liked to have had a better experience there. Melbourne was beautiful and we so much enjoyed everything we did there. Wayne, our guide, gave us excellent suggestions as to things to see on our own. We loved New Zealand and would like to return there at some point. The flight that we took over the glaciers to return to our hotel was disappointing as our pilot did not share anything that we could see. We loved Mount Cook and that complete experience overnight. Wayne was so very knowledgeable in sharing everything about Australia and New Zealand. We also did the extension to Fiji. The Crowne Plaza resort was lovely, the excursions showed the Third World country that Fiji is. Fiji is a beautiful place, but it was not at all what I expected. The captain Cook excursion there was very nice. We also did scuba on that excursion, which was also disappointing. All in all, it was a beautiful trip that we are glad we experienced.
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Our tour guides, Lia in New Zealand and Australia was awsome. Her knowledge of the land and people was remarkable. Lia has a personality that fits with any group that she tours with. Lia has personality plus! Our secondary guides, were also great, they fit our tour group perfectly. Tui, our guide in Figi was also magnificent.. Tui, made us all fell like we were part of his family and part of the Island. I love all the tours, but I must admit the snorkeling, bungi jumping, panning for gold and the Ramon Burr's Bertanical Garden were my favorites.
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everything was great! loved Sydney opera house, the animal reserves, the bridge in Sydney is awesome. New Zealand was probably my favorite. rode the gondola up and over the rainforest, then when we got back to the top we paid to para-glide. It was totally awesome!!
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Many! Sydney Bridge Climb was amazing. Visiting cities of Cairns, Melbourne - adventure of a lifetime. Going to the outback, so glad this was included. Sad to have to miss Alice Springs. Queenstown and Christchurch were destinations that I would go back to.
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Wanting a unique travel experience far away from my daily life that would also be restorative, I chose this tour. It was the best decision I could’ve made. Traveling by coach, we were able to see the breadth of New Zealand’s landscape. This became very meditative and restorative. Our tour guide, and driver, provided historical, cultural and geographical facts about places we were traveling through and to. My favorite places: The Bay of Islands and Christchurch. The first for its breath-taking beauty and our first exposure to the crystalline waters of NZ. Christchurch as I loved the Canoe experience on the river, filled with play and song, and the thoughtful design of the city in rebuilding itself and street art everywhere! Manna.
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We saw many cultural places and each city had many great places. We had a wonderful time in Rotorua and we were amazed by the Māoris villages. Clare Martin was a perfect guide. She was so informative about everything we saw! We enjoyed Christchurch, Queenstown and the Milford Sound! All of the hotels and restaurants were wonderful! We also had a visit to Arrowtown and enjoyed that town. We were so impressed by this tour!
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Tour guide was top notch. Just can't sing her praises enough,. Thank you Clare.
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Tour guide Clare was just top notch in every way.
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I've already filled out Collette's survey. This trip would have been perfect if there was an option to tour Hobbiton.
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Mt Cook hike, Milford Sound boat ride, Queenstown walking tour
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Watching the sunset at Uluru (Ayers Rock) with a glass of champagne was magical! Hiking up the mountains from the beach in New Zealand and enjoying the view from the top was unforgettable. And our Tour Manager, Anna Bouzain was the best ever!
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The tour was put together very well. From the scenery of New Zealand to the animals and Great Barrier Reef of Australia, it would be impossible to pinpoint one favorite memory.
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The tour was all that I imagine. The most memorable was the camel ride at sunrise to Ayers Rock. The small tour group made it a better experience. Our tour director Gavin made the tour more personable and special. The native individuals we met were exceptional in explaining their culture. The parks we went to with live animals to experience and learn about their habitat. Seeing Mt. Cook in it is splendid glory was a highlight as well as snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef.
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I’ve always dreamed about going to New Zealand, to see the lush green hills, oceans and sheep grazing in the pasture. This was so much more than that. Was it because of our tour leader and our coach driver? Yes they made the days so pleasant, lots of laughs and memorable sites. Of course, the history of the development of New Zealand and the cultures that lived there that founded the country were fascinating as well. Great food, yummy beers made there and the brightest of blue skies made the trip one that I’ll never forget. Dexter the tour operator and Fenton the coach driver are a great team together. Definitely would highly recommend this adventure! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️
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From geothermal springs and extensive glaciers to stunning fjords and Maori culture, experience New Zealand at its best.
View 19-Day Itinerary
Venture through the natural splendor of New Zealand's Southern Alps and the stillness of Australia’s rugged Outback.
View 20-Day ItineraryTravel within the country is primarily by road so you can enjoy landscapes up close rather than flying over them. Collette’s New Zealand tour also includes a Cook Strait ferry crossing between the North and South Islands — often considered one of the most scenic ferry journeys in the world — connecting Wellington and Picton through the Marlborough Sounds.
New Zealand is a year-round destination, but its peak travel season aligns with the Southern Hemisphere’s spring, summer, and early autumn — from September through April. These months offer longer daylight hours and milder weather, especially well-suited for sightseeing and scenic drives on guided tours. Shoulder seasons (spring and fall) are particularly popular with Collette travelers because they balance pleasant weather with fewer crowds. Winter months are cooler, especially in the South Island, and some scenic routes can be affected by weather conditions.
Collette’s New Zealand tours are designed with comfort, pacing, and support in mind. Hotels are strategically located, transportation is included, and your days include a balance of sightseeing, cultural experiences, and free time. While the tour includes walking and outdoor experiences, it is rated at a moderate activity level, making it well suited for travelers who are reasonably active but prefer guided logistics and expert support throughout their trip.
Collette’s New Zealand tour is considered a moderate activity-level experience. Travelers can expect regular walking—such as city sightseeing, cultural visits, and nature-focused excursions—but activities are not overly strenuous. Most days include time off to explore, balanced with comfortable travel and planned breaks. This makes the tour ideal for travelers who enjoy being active but do not want an adventure-only tour or packed itinerary.
U.S. passport holders generally do not need a traditional visa for short tourist stays in New Zealand, but they are required to obtain an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) prior to travel. Entry requirements can change, and Collette encourages travelers to review official New Zealand government resources and confirm documentation needs before departure. Collette does not issue visas but provides guidance as part of pre-travel planning.
Māori culture is a central part of Collette’s New Zealand experience. Tours include visits to regions such as Rotorua, where travelers learn about Māori traditions, storytelling, and daily life. These experiences provide context and understanding rather than staged entertainment, helping travelers appreciate how Indigenous culture shapes modern New Zealand.
New Zealand cuisine emphasizes fresh, local ingredients. On Collette tours, travelers can expect meals that feature grass-fed lamb, seafood, seasonal produce, and regional specialties. Māori cooking traditions, such as foods prepared using a hāngī (earth oven), are often introduced as part of cultural experiences. New Zealand is also internationally known for its wines — particularly Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir — produced in regions like Marlborough and Central Otago.
Yes. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted throughout New Zealand, including hotels, restaurants, and shops. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly used. Travelers may still want to carry a small amount of local currency for incidental purchases, but cash is rarely required. This makes travel logistics simple, especially on guided tours where many expenses are already included.
New Zealand’s geography, changing weather, and driving distances can make independent travel complex. Collette removes those challenges by handling transportation, accommodations, and sightseeing logistics. Travelers benefit from expert Tour Managers, thoughtful tour pacing, and access to experiences — such as scenic ferry crossings and cultural visits — that are seamlessly integrated into the journey. This approach is especially appealing to travelers who value ease, insight, and confidence while exploring a destination.
Yes. Collette’s New Zealand tour is designed to showcase highlights of both the North and South Islands. Travelers experience major cities, cultural centers, and iconic landscapes across the country, with travel between islands handled via ferry rather than internal flights. This allows for a more immersive experience of New Zealand’s diverse regions and scenery.
New Zealand is widely regarded as a safe and welcoming destination for international visitors. As with any travel, standard precautions apply, but crime rates are relatively low, and tourism infrastructure is well developed. Traveling with Collette adds an extra layer of reassurance through professional tour management, organized transportation, and 24/7 support during the trip.
Because New Zealand is a year-round destination, booking early is recommended — often 9 to 12 months in advance. This is especially important for popular travel windows between September and April. Booking ahead helps secure preferred departure dates and accommodation, while also allowing ample time for airfare coordination and travel documentation.
From handpicked hotels, restaurants, and cultural experiences to thoughtfully integrated free time, our on-the-ground team in New Zealand crafts journeys they'd want to take themselves.
Travelers always tell us that Tour Managers make the journey. It's like traveling with a friend who's got the inside scoop. They live in the destination and share hidden gems that only the locals know.
From the underwater splendor of the Great Barrier Reef to the towering Southern Alps of New Zealand – this is the South Pacific.
View 27-Day Itinerary
From Uluru's glowing sunset and the Great Barrier Reef, to Maori traditions, discover Australia and New Zealand's soul-stirring wonders.
View 23-Day Itinerary
