On this 11-day, all-inclusive adventure to New Zealand, you will enjoy the best of both islands. This luxury vacation will include highly rated hotels, activities, local guides, transportation throughout, all meals, daily excursions, and more! There is something for everyone!

Please note that everything is entirely optional. The itinerary and hotels are subject to change due to weather and availability. This retreat is a little more active as we will be moving from place to place as we explore both islands, but we hope to provide you with a nice mixture of relaxation and excursions. Please also note that the retreat officially starts on the first day during the welcome dinner and ends after breakfast on the last day.

Please plan to fly into Auckland (AKL) on the first day and out of Queenstown (ZQN) on the last day of the retreat.

* We are currently on a waitlist for this retreat. Please add yourself to the wait list if you are interested in joining us in New Zealand.

Amy Walker, MSW, LCSW, CCM, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Owner of Walker Wellness Retreats. She started Walker Wellness Retreats in 2016 due to her love for travel and helping others experience the world. 

Amy works as an online mental health therapist when she is not leading international retreats. She is passionate about helping individuals and couples work through barriers and find new ways to communicate, connect, and thrive. She loves international travel, wine tasting, whale watching, and the outdoors. Amy works alongside her husband, Brian Walker, to run Walker Wellness Retreats. 

To meet more of the Walker Wellness Retreats team, visit the About Us page on our website. 

You need to apply and be approved for the NZeTA before arrival.

Apply for the NZeTA online and stay for a maximum of 3 months. 

In the event of trip cancellation before the 90-day deadline, $500 of the deposited amount is non-refundable, as well as any airfare, train tickets, or ferry tickets purchased as part of your trip package due to the strict cancellation policy by foreign carriers ( If applicable).

Trip cancellations requested after the final payment deadlines listed above are non-refundable, and guests are encouraged to file a claim with their travel insurance for reimbursement. 

In the unlikely event Walker Wellness Retreats cancels the retreat, guests will be provided a full 100% refund of their booking. 

Lastly, we partner with several third-party booking platforms with separate deposit and cancellation policies. Please refer to their specific cancellation policies if booking through a third-party partner.

Questions about refunds or cancellations? Click here to view our payment and cancellation policy.

The deadline to book an international retreat is 30 days before the retreat begins; however, some exceptions can be made based on availability. Please email us at contact@walkerwellnessretreats.com to inquire about booking after the deadline.

Welcome!

Upon arrival at Auckland Airport (AKL), Amy Walker will greet you with a Walker Wellness Retreats sign. Transportation to the hotel will be provided.

Depending on your arrival time, the day is free to spend at your leisure before the retreat officially begins this evening with a group welcome dinner and retreat orientation. 

7:00 pm - Dinner at Oyster & Chop at 7:00 pm. Meet in the lobby at 6:30 pm.

Situated in the heart of Auckland's vibrant Viaduct Harbour with great water views from every table, their menu showcases the finest beef and lamb, grass and grain fed, sourced domestically and internationally from the best suppliers. You'll find our beef and lamb cuts listed by breed, fed, and country of origin, all prepared to your liking on our state-of-the-art grill – the engine of our kitchen.

They also proudly feature a wide selection of the freshest seafood, emphasizing oysters from Auckland and Northland's best producers supplied daily and our world-renowned native flat shell Bluff oysters when in season.  

The two-course meal is included and alcoholic beverages at your own expense. Your tour guide will also join you this evening to meet you all!

Lodging:

QT Auckland

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure. 

8:00 am - Auckland Sightseeing (Rangitoto Island Walk)

This morning, our guide will meet us at the reception of QT Auckland, and together, we will take the 10-minute walk to the ferry terminal to take the ferry and enjoy a beautiful hike up Auckland's youngest island and volcanic crater, Rangitoto. This Iconic Island in the heart of Auckland feels like a world away for the millions who call Auckland home. An easy climb through the pōhutukawa forest and lava fields gives way to panoramic views of Auckland and the Hauraki Gulf from the summit of this volcanic island.

Please wear appropriate footwear, bring water, and anything else you may need, as Rangitoto Island has nothing on there to buy! Return to Auckland in the afternoon. 

A packed lunch will be provided to take with you, and will be delivered to your hotel prior to departure.

7:00 pm - Dinner at Orbit 360

Tonight, we will dine at Orbit 360, the Skytower's rotating restaurant with spectacular views of Auckland. 

Soaring high above Auckland, you'll discover Orbit, a truly iconic New Zealand brasserie offering diners sensational views - and food to match. Situated at the top of Auckland's Sky Tower, the dining room rotates once every hour, providing a truly unique experience with incredible 360-degree panoramas of the city, the Hauraki Gulf, and beyond.

Lodging:

QT Auckland

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure. 

8:00 am - Auckland to Waiheke Island

This morning, we will ferry out to Waiheke Island to enjoy a guided tour of the Island, stopping at several boutique wineries such as Casita Miro, Kennedy Point Winery, and Stonyridge for wine tastings. We will finish our time at Mudbrick Winery, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch with incredible views out over the Hauraki Gulf towards Auckland City. 

12:30 pm - Lunch at Three Seven Two, Waiheke Island

Three Seven Two is named for the first three numbers of the Waiheke phone number, and it's something of a metaphor for this cheerful beach spot right across the road from Onetangi. It's a sprawling space with a big dining room – terracotta tiles and blond wood chairs – and a big outdoor area of long tables under white tablecloths. The menu, by the excellent Bronwen Laight, is produce-driven and seasonal. 

We'll return to Auckland in the late afternoon and enjoy dinner at one of the beautiful waterfront restaurants that line the Viaduct Harbour.

6:30 pm - Dinner at White + Wong's

White + Wong's 'East meets West' cuisine takes classic street foods from China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand – the noodles, soups, curries, and delicious dumplings – and creates an eclectic menu to pick and choose from to suit.

Flavorsome massaman and red curry pastes made from scratch. Oysters and sashimi with freshly ground wasabi root. We're not purists, so if it's tasty, White + Wong's are steaming it, frying it, and serving it up fresh and fast. In some dishes, you'll find untouched classics like the bang bang chicken and BBQ pork buns, while in others, whole Peking Ducks, numbing & fragrant prawns, and BBQ meats are our take on Chinese street food, tweaked and re-imagined. White + Wong's brings big and fresh Asian flavors to the central viaduct right on the water.

Note - It is kindly asked the table be vacated by 8.00 pm. Alcohol drinks are not included. 

Lodging:

QT Auckland

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure. 

8:00 am - Depart Auckland for Rotorua

Today, we will bid farewell to the 'City of Sails' and head south to Rotorua, a hot spot for Māori culture and geothermal activity. En route, you will visit Hobbiton and The Shire's Rest, the only remaining film set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit Trilogies (included activity).

The drive is about 3.5 hours (~250 km)

11:40 am - Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with lunch

Report to The Shire's Rest by 11:10 am. Our Tour will begin at 11:40 am, followed by a meal in the Party Marquee at 1:40 pm. 

Experience the taste of the Shire™ with a delicious buffet lunch served in the Party Marquee. The painted canvas exterior, vibrant bunting, and colorful lanterns mean visitors are immersed in the festive magic of the movies. The Party Marquee is adjacent to The Green Dragon™ Inn, with the garden bar seating overlooking the Hobbiton™ Movie Set, providing an exquisite view for all our guests. This meal is buffet style from a specially themed table, bursting with hobbit fare, with shared table seating to dine family style with our group.  

Fall in love with the Alexander family sheep farm, just as acclaimed director Sir Peter Jackson did, as you journey through the unequivocal beauty of the land, with the mighty Kaimai Ranges towering in the distance. Our guide will then escort us around the set, showing the intricate detailing, pointing out the most famous locations, and explaining how the movie magic was made.

We will be fully guided around the 12-acre set, past Hobbit Holes™, the Mill, and into the world-famous Green Dragon™ Inn, where we will be presented with a complimentary, exclusive Hobbit™ Southfarthing™ beverage to conclude our Middle-earth™ adventure.

Arrive in Rotorua in the late afternoon and perhaps explore Kuirau Park mud pool reserve and view the stunning government gardens and lakefront. This afternoon/evening, you can experience a relaxing soak in the thermal waters of the famous Polynesian Spa (optional – extra cost).

7:00 pm - Dinner at Rydges (Chapmans Restaurant & Bar)

The promise of good food and great company is part of Chapman's Restaurant's legacy.

This family-friendly restaurant is famous for its buffet, which serves delicious seafood, including prawns, house-smoked South Island salmon, succulent roasts, and mouth-watering desserts.

The menu also boasts home-baked bread, a range of fresh, seasonal salads, meats, and daily changing hot dishes. Rotorua locals and visitors have enjoyed our famous buffet for years. Alcohol drinks are not included.

Lodging: Rydges Rotorua

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure. 

9:30 am - Waimangu Volcanic Valley + Lake Rotomahana Cruise

Discover the Waimangu Volcanic Valley and Lake Rotomahana with the Full Waimangu Experience. We'll enjoy beautiful walking & hiking trails woven through a natural geothermal ecosystem. Complete the experience with a 45-minute boat cruise around Lake Rotomahana, the final resting place of the Pink & White Terraces.

Our first stop for the day is Waimangu Volcanic Valley - a wonderland of geothermal activity. We will visit the world's largest hot spring, sinter terraces, and stunning hot and cold pools of many colors. We'll also enjoy a cruise above the once-famous Pink and White Terraces buried by the eruption of Mt Tarawera in 1886.

1:00 pm - Lunch at Atticus Finch

Atticus Finch was created with your enjoyment in mind!

The Atticus Finch team will turn our dining experience into more than just a meal – a destination to linger over lively conversation, playful plates, and thoughtful concoctions.

4:30 pm - Te Pā Tū - Tū Te Rā Summer Harvest Celebration

Pick-up from outside Rydges Rotorua will be at 4:30 pm. 

Tū Te Rā is a summer celebration aligned with the maramataka – the Māori lunar calendar. This is when the sun expresses optimal energy, the days are longer, and light nourishes the natural world. Tū Te Rā celebrates the abundant harvest of this season and explores concepts, rituals, and stories of ancient Māori warfare and peace in a feast of culture and cuisine.

This four-hour evening is a feast of knowledge and divine seasonal kai (cuisine) within our forest Pā (sanctuary), its tawa trees, and crackling bonfires.

Kai horotai (morsels) welcomes guests with seasonal favorites that may include crispy pork and candied apple encased in kawakawa leaves, pāua (abalone), pickled pikopiko (native fern frond), smoked fish, ika mata (ceviche) and chilled kawakawa tea.

Within the forest-formed amphitheater, attention shifts to stories relayed through haka, song, and drama before torchlight guides manuhiri (guests) to an al fresco dining space with a three-course feast.

The famous hāngī shares a table with Māori fusion dishes developed and curated by celebrated Māori chefs, prepared by our own ringawera (hot hands). If the weather is inclement, we serve dinner al fresco on warmer nights and in our wharekai (dining room).

Celebration Includes
 — Haka Pōwhiri
 — Four hours haka, song, connection
 — Forest kai horotai (summer season canapes)
 — Complimentary chef choice aperitif
 — Seasonal three-course dinner

Please note this is a cashless site, accepting all major credit and debit cards for bar purchases. 

Lodging: Rydges Rotorua

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure. 

Today will include a private tour of the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves and a domestic flight to Queenstown, New Zealand.

321 km, 4 hours driving, 2-hour flight

9:30 am - Cave World Waitomo - Private Footwhistle Glow Worm Cave Tour

Our private guide will help enhance every aspect of our time at Footwhistle. After meeting the guide at the Caveworld office, we will enjoy an air-conditioned scenic shuttle to our family-owned cave. Our guide will bring the rich history of Waitomo to life, setting the scene for your journey into the earth.  This tour will be about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

Our tour begins with a short walk through breathtaking New Zealand bush, where you might catch a glimpse of our native NZ birds – part of the Caveworld conservation effort. Our guide will lead us down to the entrance of the cave, where, on this intimate tour, we will discover the beauty of the New Zealand Glowworm and learn about the cave formations and beauty of Footwhistle Cave (also known to local Maori as Te Anaroa Cave).

This tour is the perfect opportunity to take your Camera/tripod and take time getting those special shots. The environmentally-conscious solar-powered lights are kept low so you can appreciate the magnificent Glowworm displays at their best, only inches away. The guide can help you out with the best camera settings to get your best holiday pic.

As you journey through the cave, you will be delighted and amazed, always with the soothing sound of the Footwhistle cave stream flowing in the darkness below.

Complete the tour by enjoying a complimentary Kawakawa tea while you relax in our ponga hut nestled in native forests and surrounds.

11:30 am - Lunch at Stoked Eatery

We'll take a slight 15-minute detour to the small town of Te Kuiti and enjoy a Set Munu lunch at Stoked Eatery!

Following this, we'll continue to Auckland, departing the North Island and flying south to New Queenstown. Queenstown is a beautiful town on Lake Wakatipu's shores and surrounded by the magnificent Southern Alps.

5:45 pm - Depart from Auckland Airport (AKL)

• Airline: Air New Zealand
• Flight Number: NZ 625
• Terminal D

7:40 pm - Arrive at Queenstown Airport (ZQN)

• Airline: Air New Zealand
• Flight Number: NZ 625

8:30 pm - Dinner at Sherwood

"Things don't travel very far before you eat them at Sherwood. On a piece of land covered with bracken, a few wilding pines, and an abandoned kitchen sink, we created a large vegetable garden, which farms under organic principles. It changes how we cook: growing seasons in Queenstown are shorter because of the southerly position, so particular varieties of plants come and go very quickly, and we have to take advantage of that." 

Enjoy Sherwood's "Leave it to Us" three-course set menu tonight. Alcoholic drinks are not included.

Lodging:

Sherwood Queenstown 

The morning is yours to explore Queenstown at your leisure and participate in some of the fantastic activities this 'Adventure Capital of the World' offers. Options for the adventurous include Skydiving, Bungy Jumping, Jet Boating, Canyon Swings, White Water Rafting, Flyboarding, and Paragliding.

12:00 pm -Lunch at Cargo at Gantley's

This historic stone building was built in 1865 by Patrick Gantley to provide food, drink, and lodgings in the Gold Rush era. Cargo at Gantley's opened as a summer pop-up in the summer of 2019/2020 …. It closed briefly in April and May of 2020 thanks to Covid-19, then was re-opened with fresh enthusiasm in June. No matter the season, you have to check this place out! Enjoy a shared platter lunch in 'The Nook.' 

*Alcoholic beverages are additional and not included. 

5:00 pm - Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Dining, including TSS Earnslaw Cruise

For a dining experience like no other, cruise across Lake Whakatipu on the iconic TSS Earnslaw and discover Queenstown's incomparable fine dining destination.

Cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw across to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Once at the lakeside Colonel's Homestead Restaurant, savor the delicious aromas as our chef has the best local produce sizzling away on the grill.

• Gourmet barbecue dinner at the Colonel's Homestead Restaurant
• Return scenic cruise on board the historic TSS Earnslaw Vintage Steamship
• Be entertained by the farm demonstration and see the farm dogs at work 
• Duration: 3 hours 30 mins - 4 hours

What to bring

• Shoes (non-slip)
• Warm clothing/jacket
• Sunscreen/sunglasses
• Camera
• Personal medication, including for asthma and allergies

Please check in by 4.40 pm

After dinner, watch the farm dogs in action with a sheep-herding demonstration and say hello to the other farm animals. Finally, cruise home under the southern stars and enjoy the fresh night air as the lights of Queenstown.

Lodging: Sherwood Queenstown

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure. 

Rated one of the world’s “Top Ten Classic Hikes,” the Routeburn Track is a must-do. This track combines personal achievement and awe-inspiring scenery to make this trip unmissable. 

We will enjoy a relaxed pace stroll on the half-day walk through the breathtaking forest. Surrounded by rivers, waterfalls, and native birds, you will be transported to a world of peace. In other words, this is the ultimate alpine adventure. 

A packed lunch to take with you will be provided from the famous Fergbaker, including chicken sandwiches, sweet muffins, and a bottle of still water. Your guide will collect these fresh from Fergbaker this morning and pick up some fresh fruit and muesli bars for a snack.

5:45 pm - Skyline Queenstown - Gondola Return and Dinner at Stratosfare

We'll plan to arrive at the Gondola base (53 Brecon Street) by 5:00 pm to ensure sufficient time to collect our tickets and take the Gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak. 

We'll take a scenic ride in the iconic Skyline Gondola and enjoy the stunning views as we ride the steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere! We’ll be carried 480 meters above Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu to the top of Bob's Peak, where we’ll enjoy a spectacular 220-degree panorama with breathtaking views of Coronet Peak, The Remarkables, Walter and Cecil Peak, and, of course, Queenstown.

At the top, we'll enjoy a sumptuous dinner experience at Skyline’s Stratosfare Restaurant & Bar. As you dine, the floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views of Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the surrounding mountains will captivate your day. Alcoholic drinks are not included. 

Lodging:

Sherwood Queenstown

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure. 

This morning, we will visit one of Lake Wanaka's five islands. Mou Waho Island is the most remote and beautiful. With its steep rocky coastline, small secluded beaches, diverse birdlife, and a hidden lake (Arethusa pool), which sits atop the island. 

We'll depart the hotel as a group and meet at the boat at the jetty next to the Marina on Lakeside Road 1 at 8:50 am. 

9:00 am - Mou Waho Island Cruise and Nature walk (~4 hours)

A visit to Mou Waho Island offers the perfect combination of a lake cruise, nature walk, wildlife encounter & outstanding panoramic views. A thirty-minute cruise takes us to this nature reserve in the middle of Lake Wanaka, surrounded by stunning alpine vistas.

Once on Mou Waho Island, your eco guide points out the varied native plants and birdlife, including the rare Buff Weka, a very inquisitive flightless bird (extinct on mainland NZ since 1920)

A one-hour guided bush walk on return is included, which takes you up to reveal the island's secret – a serene lake right on top of the island! Unique and very photogenic (Optional). Or you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the birdlife at the beach and shelter at the island base with your own morning or afternoon tea.

Please note:

Wear good walking shoes and bring a water bottle, day backpack, hat, or rain jacket, depending on the weather. Also, bring any medications you may require on the tour, e.g., EpiPen for allergies.

Following this, we will enjoy a wine tour with Wanaka Wine Tours. This small group wine tour offers a relaxed and personal introduction to the wines and scenery of the Central Otago region. This tour is a great way to explore award-winning vineyards hidden amongst the rugged landscape of Central Otago. 

1:30 pm - Wanaka Wine Tours - Boutique Central Otago Wine Trails

We will be picked up at 1:30 pm from the Lake Wanaka Isite, 103 Ardmore Street. 

Discover some of Wanaka and Central Otago's fabulous vineyards and scenery while meeting numerous characters that produce these gorgeous, award-winning wines. We'll take you to the little gems quietly making a big name for themselves with their dedication to creating the best possible wine. Here, you'll get up close and personal with the vineyard owners and winemakers. The Boutique Wine Tour includes tastings at three vineyards and a delicious barrel-cooked, 5-course banquet lunch, matched with five unique wines. Whether you are a complete wine novice or a dedicated wine connoisseur, we will ensure you have an enjoyable time!

6:30 pm - Dinner at Cardrona

Our in-house bar and restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and popular amongst house guests, locals, and visitors. Our focus is on serving traditional pub favorites with a twist, using the freshest seasonal produce from the region. Central Otago is home to some of New Zealand's top artisan food producers, and we endeavor to buy locally wherever possible. Our wine list features top-quality drops from some of the region's best wineries, and we have a selection of premier craft beers on tap.

Lodging:

Sherwood Queenstown 

Breakfast at the hotel at your leisure.

Today, you will have free time to explore the Milford Sound independently by driving, cruising, or taking a flight.

We have made this excursion optional due to not everyone wanting to take a scenic flight and maybe not everyone wanting to spend most of the day traveling by bus to the Milford Sound. We recommend the flight option due to the long drive time to reach the Milford Sound from Queenstown (7 hours round trip by bus)

Milford Sound is arguably the most scenic destination in New Zealand. Milford Sound offers a sweeping landscape of jagged snow-capped mountains, shimmering fjords and lakes, towering waterfalls, and emerald greenery.

Please book this excursion in advance if you wish to experience the awe-inspiring Milford Sound:

- The scenic flight excursion can be booked in advance through Milford Flights here.

- Or the scenic drive/cruise option can be booked in advance through Viator here.

We'll have our group farewell dinner after returning from Milford Sound.

Soda Restaurant:

Table reservation for 10 people on Sat, 17 February at 7:30pm
Booking name: Amy Walker
Booking ref: A7R969

Lodging:

Sherwood Queenstown 

Depart at the time that works best for your international flights. Amy Walker will arrange transportation to the Queenstown airport for your flight back home or onto Australia for those joining us for that retreat. Your retreat officially ends after breakfast today.

If you have a later flight, we recommend exploring Queenstown and its surroundings. If you want the adrenaline rush Queenstown is known for, pick from the Shotover Jet, Canyon Swing, Zipline, Luge, or Heli-ski. 

Please note this retreat ends in Queenstown, so departing flights need to be booked out of Queenstown.

Thank you so much for choosing Walker Wellness Retreats for your adventure to New Zealand!