
Luxury New Zealand Holidays
New Zealand packs an extraordinary amount into two very different islands. In the North Island, Auckland and Wellington bring brilliant food, wine and city life, while Rotorua combines geothermal landscapes with rich Māori culture. Further north, the Bay of Islands and Coromandel Peninsula bring beaches, forest and beautifully clear water.
The South Island feels wilder still. Abel Tasman pairs golden beaches with coastal trails, Kaikōura brings mountains and marine life together, while the Southern Alps, glaciers and vast lakes create some of the country’s most dramatic scenery. Fiordland is the great finale, with Milford Sound and Doubtful Sound carved between rainforest-covered peaks, and Queenstown adds hiking, skiing, jet boating and some serious adventure.
Perhaps the best way to experience New Zealand is by road, linking small towns, vineyards, remote landscapes and exceptional lodges as you travel. The distances are manageable, the scenery constantly changes and the journey itself quickly becomes part of the experience.
Suggested itineraries for New Zealand
These example journeys will give you a starting point from which to plan your holiday to New Zealand. This collection of ideas includes our favourite combinations of hotels, regions and destinations. Every Turquoise itinerary is unique, so please treat these as inspiration and get in touch with our destination experts to create your bespoke journey and quote.

The Ultimate Round the World Adventure
30 nights from £15,995 per person
This itinerary brings together some of the world's most iconic destinations into one unforgettable journey, taking you…
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New Zealand by Campervan
14 nights from £3,800 per person
Freedom on the Open Road. Campervans not only provide more protection from the elements than camping under canvas,…
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New Zealand and Fiji Ultimate Escape
11 nights from £8,445 per person
Wonderful New Zealand and sublime Fiji are the perfect match for a memorable holiday. Visit Waiheke Island, Queenstown…
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New Zealand's Beaches, Vineyards & Lakes
14 nights from £6,995 per person
From snow-capped mountains to deep blue lakes, from hidden beaches to lush green rainforests, with fabulous…
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Perfect Pair - Tahiti and New Zealand
12 nights from £8,955 per person
Combine the buzz of the ski season in New Zealand's adventure capital, Queenstown, with overwater elegance in French…
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Luxury Australia – Sydney, Outback & Reef
16 nights from £16,495 per person
This Australia itinerary is one of the classics, it's tried and tested and showcases the very best highlights of this…
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Australia's Cities, Coast & Country
16 nights from £6,185 per person
A great combination of time in Sydney exploring the spectacular harbour, adventure in the Blue Mountains, Rugged…
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Australia Family Adventure – Outback to Islands
20 nights from £22,995 per family
A wonderfully stimulating family adventure through the vast wilderness of Australia’s north. Explore Kakadu and…
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Western Australia Wine, Wilderness & Reef
12 nights from £8,195 per person
Combine a few days exploring the cosmopolitan city of Perth, five days of R&R on the beach in Margaret River before…
View ItineraryBest time to visit New Zealand
New Zealand is a year-round destination, with each season bringing something different. December to February is summer, with long days ideal for beaches, hiking and road trips, while March to May brings quieter roads, autumn colour and beautifully settled weather.
June to August is winter and the focus shifts to skiing around Queenstown, Wānaka and the Central Plateau. September to November brings spring, with milder temperatures and excellent walking conditions. Weather can change quickly at any time of year, particularly in alpine and coastal regions, so it always pays to pack for a few different conditions.
Regions in New Zealand
New Zealand
South Island
The South Island compels you to succumb to the contagious Kiwi lust for life and you’ll find yourself jumping out of a plane or…
New Zealand
West Coast & Fiordland
The South Island’s untamed west coast stretches like a dramatic frontier, a place where rainforests meet glaciers and mountains…
New Zealand
Dunedin, Stewart Island & Southland
Cradled by rugged hills and a sweeping harbour, Dunedin is a blend of New Zealand charm, Scottish heritage and wild nature.…
New Zealand
Queenstown & Wanaka
Nestled among the soaring peaks and glacial lakes of New Zealand’s South Island, Queenstown and Wanaka are the siblings of the…
New Zealand
Kaikoura & Christchurch
Blessed with a striking location on the South Island’s north-east coast, where snow-capped mountains meet the ocean, Kaikoura is…
New Zealand
Marlborough & Abel Tasman National Park
At the top of New Zealand’s South Island, Marlborough and Abel Tasman National Park offer a double dose of natural beauty and…
New Zealand
Wellington & Martinborough
At the southern tip of the North Island, New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, has been referred to as the ‘Coolest Capital in the…
New Zealand
Hawke's Bay
Hugging the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Hawkes Bay is the country’s oldest and second largest wine region (after…
New Zealand
Rotorua & Taupō
The geothermal heart of New Zealand, Rotorua is, quite literally, a hotspot of activity. From bubbling mud pools, shooting…
New Zealand
Coromandel
This rainforest-clad peninsula, just two hours from Auckland, is blessed with over 400km of glorious coastline, golden beaches…
New Zealand
Aoraki Mount Cook & Mackenzie Region
In the heart of the South Island, along the backbone of the mighty Southern Alps, the Mackenzie Region is home to Aoraki Mount…
New Zealand
Auckland & Waiheke Island
Known as the ‘City of Sails’ owing to the number of boats and yachts dotted across the picturesque harbour, Auckland is the main…
New Zealand
Bay of Islands & Northland, New Zealand
A scenic 4-hour drive north of Auckland, or an easy 50-minute flight to the region’s airport in Kerikeri, the Bay of Islands is a…

New Zealand & Fiji
Pair New Zealand’s mountains, lakes, vineyards and road trips with Fiji’s warm lagoons, private islands and barefoot resorts for a journey that moves effortlessly from adventure to total switch-off.
Where to stay in New Zealand
Craggy Range Winery, Hawkes Bay
Sitting at the foothills of Te Mata Peak in the heart of New Zealand's renowned Hawke's Bay wine region, Craggy Range Winery offers an idyllic place to rest your head and sample some of the finest wines in the country.
Queenstown Park Boutique Hotel
This charming boutique hotel sits near the base of Bob's Peak just a short stroll from the vibrant heart of Queenstown, with views across weeping willow trees towards the magnificent Remarkables mountain range.
M Social Auckland
Overlooking Auckland harbour within easy reach of the city’s sights, M Social offers a fresh take on city living just steps from the waterfront. A short stroll from the lively Viaduct, with its array of bars and eateries, and close to Auckland's Sky Tower, M Social offers a great base to explore the City of Sails.
PurePods
Hidden in blissful isolation in various locations across New Zealand, 16 unique and supremely private PurePods take centre stage in their own slice of pristine landscape.
The Lindis
Like a set design from a Bond movie, The Lindis emerges from the landscape in the remote Ahuriri Valley in New Zealand's South Island, surrounded by snow-capped mountains and magnificent, uninterrupted views.
Huka Lodge, Taupo
Widely regarded as one of the finest retreats in the world, Huka Lodge is renowned for its fine food, impeccable service and idyllic location on the banks of the mighty Waikato River, a stone's throw from the powerful Huka Falls.
Bay of Many Coves, Marlborough Sounds
This delightfully relaxed and stylish retreat nestles amidst some of New Zealand’s most stunning scenery in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds.
Eagles Nest, Russell
Nestled on a private peninsula just minutes from Russell in the Bay of Islands, this secluded retreat comprises five truly unique, self-contained villas, each boasting stylish, contemporary accommodation with eclectic but casually elegant interiors.
Hapuku Lodge & Treehouses, Kaikoura
Nestled in the canopy of a kanuka grove with spectacular views of Kaikoura’s dramatic mountains and surf-washed coastline, the five unique and stylish Tree Houses are the undeniable jewels in Hapuku Lodge’s crown.
The Boatshed, Waiheke
Inspired by the early-settler boatsheds which scatter the shores up and down New Zealand, this contemporary ‘boatshed designed’ boutique hotel is an idyllic sanctuary in the heart of beautiful Waiheke Island.
New Zealand Highlights
Frequently asked questions for New Zealand
Answers to the questions we’re asked most often about New Zealand. If you have a more specific question, please get in touch with our destination experts.
British passport holders don’t need a visa to visit New Zealand, but you must have an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). This can be applied for online (NZ$23pp) or via the app (NZ$17pp) - visit nzeta.immigration.govt.nz for more information. A mandatory International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) is also payable when you apply for your ETA (the IVL cost is NZ$100pp from 1st October 2024). This funds tourism infrastructure and helps protect New Zealand's very special natural environment.
All visitors must also complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration which collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information to improve the safety and security of New Zealand. This can be completed online no more than 24-hours prior to starting your journey to New Zealand: https://www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/ Alternatively, a paper version can be completed on arrival.
IMPORTANT - Some third party websites offer visitors an ETA service and charge more for this. Be warned that these sites are unauthorised and do not operate on behalf of the New Zealand government, so please only use the link shown above, or download the super quick and easy app.
The currency is the New Zealand dollar.
There are no direct flights from the UK to New Zealand, but the most common route is via Los Angeles or Hong Kong – the journey time is around 25 hours in total. There are other options available.
The time difference is GMT +12 hours.
No vaccinations are currently recommended for New Zealand. For any current travel health advice, you should seek guidance from your GP at least four to six weeks prior to travel.
New Zealand Holiday Types
New Zealand Travel Inspiration
Best time to visit New Zealand
Being in the southern hemisphere, New Zealand’s weather is the opposite to that of the UK. Summer runs from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August and spring from September to November.

Lizzie Jones
19 Oct 20262 mins read
A Room With a View: Remote Escapes with Breathtaking Backdrops
There’s something undeniably magical about arriving at a dream destination, then realizing you don’t even have to leave your room to experience its beauty. Whether it's sipping champagne while gazing over misty mountain ranges, or waking up to the sound …

Lizzie Heeley
19 May 20254 mins read
Celebrating 100 Years: Huka Lodge Reopens Following Renovation
We are thrilled to celebrate the centenary of New Zealand’s iconic Huka Lodge at Taupõ. Part of the esteemed Baillie Lodges collection, this ‘grand dame of luxury lodges’ emerges this month from a NZ$ 20 million redesign, welcoming a new …

Suzy Higgs
15 Apr 20252 mins read
Top destinations for solo travellers
Solo travelling is a fantastic way to experience new countries at your own pace and in your own way. Turquoise offer tailor made holidays perfect for you! Independent exploring has become more popular amongst travellers, giving yourself alone time and …

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17 Mar 20254 mins read
The love of travel
Calling all Hodophiles…

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02 Jan 20252 mins read
World Ocean Day 2024
This World Oceans Day, we have hand-picked a selection of incredible experiences celebrating and protecting the planet’s most precious resource – the ocean! In line with this year’s theme, ‘Catalysing Action for Our Ocean & Climate’, discover top bucket-list worthy …

Lizzie Heeley
08 Jun 20247 mins read
Top Wildlife & Nature Holidays for International Earth Day 2024
This International Earth Day, we have curated a collection of wanderlust-inducing wildlife and nature holidays that shine a light on nature’s diverse marvels. From swimming with whale sharks to observing the release of baby turtles into the ocean, here are …

Lizzie Heeley
22 Apr 20247 mins read
Best Romantic Luxury Honeymoon Destinations for 2024/25
First of all many, many congratulations to those of you who are getting married and honeymooning in 2024. Although 2024 may be the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese Zodiac, here at Turquoise we are predicting it is the …

Lizzie Heeley
22 Dec 20236 mins read
Once-In-A-Lifetime Holidays & Destinations
Everyone should have one holiday in their lifetime, which is truly extraordinary. Experiencing a destination, a journey or an event so spectacular it blows the socks off everything else. Maybe it’ll be for a celebration, your retirement or a big …

Lizzie Heeley
21 Apr 20227 mins read

Why Choose Turquoise?
Family Owned & Run
We are one of the few remaining family owned and run operators of our size. We have direct relationships with every single destination, island, resort and hotel we work with, in order to deliver exceptional and truly personalised service.
Our Passion Runs Deep
We are - and always have been - mad about travel. For almost 25 years we've been scouring the globe for the best places to stay, the newest routes to take, the perfect people to meet. No-one will care more about your holiday.
Definition of Luxury
Luxury means something different to everyone. Whether you are seeking the silence of vast spaces, the isolation of a private island, the buzz of a new city, the adrenaline of a safari or anything in between, we listen, we learn, we advise.
Fun & Refreshing
We endeavour that every Turquoise experience is unique, fun and refreshing. Travel is all about experiences, about serendipitous moments and endless smiles. It is a joy and an honour to plan each and every Turquoise holiday.
Speak to our New Zealand specialists

Stuart Matthews
Tailormade Specialist

Jonty Higgs
Tailormade Specialist
What Our Travellers Say
“As enthusiastic retirees with a serious case of wanderlust, my wife and I now travel abroad at least four times a year.We'd been subscribed to The Turquoise Holiday Company mailing list for years, but it wasn't until we spotted a special offer for Thailand in November 2019 that we finally booked our first holiday with them.Interestingly, a few months earlier, while waiting for a flight to the Maldives in June 2019, we noticed another couple travelling with a Turquoise travel bag. At the time, we thought little of it, but looking back, it was perhaps an early sign that we were about to discover a travel company that would become our go-to specialist for luxury holidays.Our first experience with Turquoise was excellent and gave us the confidence to book a Maldives holiday for June 2020. Then, of course, COVID struck and brought the travel industry to a standstill. What impressed us most was the way Turquoise handled an incredibly difficult situation. Rather than leaving us in limbo, they worked tirelessly to rearrange our holiday multiple times, adapting to constantly changing restrictions and circumstances. Eventually, in November 2020, despite flying with a different airline and staying at a different hotel than originally planned, we were able to enjoy a much-needed Maldives escape when many other travel plans around the world had simply been cancelled altogether.That experience cemented our trust in The Turquoise Holiday Company. Since then, we have booked many holidays through them and now use them for the vast majority of our trips abroad.What consistently sets Turquoise apart is the quality of its people. Every member of staff we have dealt with has been knowledgeable, professional, friendly and exceptionally thorough. Their expertise, attention to detail and willingness to go the extra mile give us complete confidence that every aspect of our holiday is being carefully managed.In an age where genuine customer service can be hard to find, The Turquoise Holiday Company continues to deliver it in abundance. We would have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone looking for a travel agent that combines expert knowledge, outstanding customer care and absolute professionalism. They have played a major part in some of our most memorable travel experiences, and we look forward to booking many more adventures with them in the years ahead.”
“Right from first contact, Bethany & colleagues were great. Bethany adjusted the holiday offered several times to get it just how we wanted it, & it was everything she said it would be. We went to Coco Bodu Hithi & it was amazing, I thoroughly recommend it. Turquoise have a great app which was really useful & they were there for us all along the way, even sending me updates on flights. I recommend them 100%.”
“Everything was so efficient from our very first contact. We are not seasoned travellers so the support/help/advice we received from Lucy all the way through was so reassuring. Even the daftest question was never too much trouble. Looking forward to booking again for 2028 - we wouldn’t dream of looking forward alternative travel agents. Thank you so much 🥰”
“I am so thankful we used Turquoise Holidays! From start to finish they were exceptional. A shout out to Martha who designed and organised our honeymoon for us - she took the stress out of planning, understood the vision and put together our dream holiday. She was a pleasure to work with and it was beyond anything we could have imagined. I can’t tell you how relieved we were to have all of our transport and transfers sorted the other side. Especially for a trip like ours with lots of flights and travel, using Turquoise Holidays made it so much easier. We also used the concierge services to book activities and they were so helpful and kind. Will definitely use Turquoise again, I can’t wait for our next holiday!”
“Sophie was brilliant from start to finish. From the very first email she was professional but also had that friendly touch. Any amendments I wanted to our honeymoon plans she came back with the updated itinerary. Even after 5 iterations she was still incredible with the responses. I would highly recommend using turquoise travel and we will definitely be using them again”
“Amazing Family Holiday and just what we asked for! We wanted a resort and location that was approriate for small kids but had all the luxuries for adults, and Turquoise holidays provided a great service. Commincation was great and they took all the pain out of the small details and provided an excellent service and the value was outstanding!”
“Just got back from a fantastic Holiday in Mauritius with which I booked the Holiday with Turquoise Holidays. This is my first time I have booked with this company and I will have no hesitation in booking again, from start to finish the correspondence I had with Milly and the rest of the team at Turquoise as been outstanding. Thankyou Neil & Jane”
“Enjoyable trip to Canada.Jonty made excellent recommendations as always, hotels were great in every respect.Highly recommend Turquoise for their advice and insight into places and hotels at a very good price point. We have used many times in the past and will continue do use again in the future.”
“Mrs Stone organised all my flights details and extra help extremely well.”
“This was the best travel agent experience we have ever had. We went on a bespoke 5 week trip to Australia. Our agent, Stuart, designed a trip exactly matching our requirements and really listened to us when we described the brief. What came through strongly during the course of the trip was Turquoise’s ability to not just source the best properties/accommodation, but the best rooms in those properties. Likewise with the tours and activities that they organised — everything felt highly curated and considered. When any queries arose or we wanted to change the bugs, the team was super-responsive through the app. We will definitely use them again have recommended them to many friends.”
“We had a really good time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. The blend of activity and adventures in Sri Lanka mixed with the relaxation and tranquility of the Maldives, worked extremely well and the itinerary put together by Turquoise was excellent.Overall we were very impressed with Sri Lanka and whilst hectic at times enjoyed our busy agenda. We found all the accommodation wonderful and food was plentiful and enjoyable. We were pleased to have climbed the two rocks to see the sunset/sunrise albeit a bit daunting when we realised the climbing challenge ahead.Special mention has to go to our driver/guide Mahesh who was excellent and really helped make our trip run smoothly. He was knowledgeable, practical and always prompt.In fact our only hiccup occurred when trying to leave the Notary House to fly to Male. We had booked a 4am alarm call, bags to be picked up at 4.20am and “breakfast to go” ready for 4.30am. Fortunately we had used our own phone alarms as we awoke to a completely silent hotel, no alarm call, no bags collected and no breakfast, and no driver.We did however just about hear a car hooting and on seeing some lights at the end of the long drive to the hotel set off and found Mahesh. However, the gates were padlocked shut and Mahesh was locked out and we were locked in! Fortunately Mahesh had a number for the hotel and after ringing several times, an apologetic staff member appeared and unlocked the gate and off we went. Phew !After making our plane we successfully arrived in Male and took the speedboat to Velassaru. We thought the island was impeccably well kept and had obviously been recently modernised in many areas. Our room - 205 - was perfectly positioned close to the Chill Bar, and ideal for drinking cocktails and watching the sunset, yet only a small walk from all other amenities including the buffet restaurant where we ate all our meals. We found the breakfast plentiful and varied but thought the offerings for dinner were less extensive than on other islands( maybe we were a bit spoilt at Six Senses last year ! ). We were also disappointed that given we were half board had we wished to use any of the other 3 à la carte restaurants for dinner then this was additionally chargeable albeit with a 30% discount.And yes, sadly the view from our villa of Thilafushi was certainly not ideal or romantic but overall we still agreed that Velassaru was a lovely island with everything you would expect from a trip to the Maldives.Overall we were very satisfied and would consider doing a similar trip again and definitely using Turquoise albeit I think we would allow for a longer journey from Male and take the seaplane even if that did eat into a bit more of our holiday time.Thanks again to Anthony for listening to our requirement and tailoring our trip to suit our needs.Steve ( and Cathy )”
“Always so helpful, professional and efficient, thank you once again!”

Get in Touch With Us Today
Ready to start planning your holiday to New Zealand? Contact our team of experts for first-hand knowledge, expert advice and your bespoke holiday quote.

































