New Zealand Incentive Itinerary

Day One

Arrive in Auckland!

After clearing customs at Auckland International Airport, guests will be met in the arrival hall by arinex Destination Management representatives, and escorted to coaches for the 30 minute transfer to their city based hotel.

This evening the group will enjoy a memorable welcome dinner at the Auckland Museum. Voted Auckland’s best building and occupying one of New Zealand’s finest heritage buildings in the heart of Auckland Domain, the Museum provides an elegant backdrop for events.

As the group arrive at the venue, a stirring welcome performance will be provided by a Maori Cultural group. A local Maori choir will continue with entertainment inside the venue, and the night will conclude with a sensational display of fire dancers. A 3 course dinner, featuring the best of New Zealand cuisine, will be complemented by premium New Zealand wines.

Day Two

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and one of the most impressive with its beautiful harbours, dormant volcanoes and unique visitor attractions. A scenic tour is the perfect way to view the city highlights, and to see first hand why Auckland is known as the ‘City of Sails’.

The group will enjoy lunch at the top of the tallest tower in the southern hemisphere. Sky Tower offers breath taking views for more than 80 kilometres (that’s 50 miles!) in every direction.

This evening, the group will enjoy dinner at The Wharf. This stunning venue is a short drive from the city, and offers expansive views across the harbour to the city skyline. The twinkling of city lights provides the perfect backdrop for guests to enjoy an unforgettable experience. A 3 course dinner of gourmet, seasonal New Zealand cuisine will be complemented by fine local wines.

Day Three

The America’s Cup is the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting trophy and ultimate yachting regatta. Usually the domain of billionaires and elite professional yachties, today our group will have the unique opportunity to participate in sailing on these grand prix racing machines!

Our group will be able to participate as crew on an actual America’s Cup yacht, where they can take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the ride as we sail the beautiful Waitemata Harbour. As a perfect conclusion to the morning’s regatta, the group will enjoy a relaxing barbecue lunch at the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron. The squadron’s sun-drenched deck, with superb 180 degree views of the city, marina and harbour is a perfect venue for an informal lunch.

One of the best travelling experiences is to meet the locals and gain an insight into how ‘kiwis’ (native New Zealanders) live. Tonight, the group can enjoy the unique experience of dining with a local family in their home. The group will be divided, and each small group will enjoy local hospitality and a home cooked 3 course dinner!

Day Four

No trip to Auckland is complete without visit to the stunning Waiheke Island. This piece of New Zealand paradise is a 35 minute ferry ride from Auckland, across the beautiful Hauraki Gulf, but a million miles away in peace and beauty. The Island has award winning vineyards, olive groves and pastureland.

Our group will enjoy a leisurely morning sampling local wines and olive oils, followed by lunch at Mudbrick Vineyard. With internationally acclaimed chefs and one of the most stunning locations, this is a perfect lunch venue for a completely perfect day!

After lunch, there is some free time to explore the local villages and perhaps take the opportunity to purchase some of the many fantastic local artisans’ works.

Auckland has a vibrant restaurant scene, with a great mixture of perennial favourites and hot new locations. Depending on the group specifics, we would recommend dinner at one of Auckland’s fabulous restaurants, ranging from a great local pub experience through to dinner at one of the countries most exclusive restaurants.

Day Five

Today the group will take a one hour flight to Queenstown.

Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps, Queenstown was named because “it was fit for Queen Victoria”. Today Queenstown is recognised as New Zealand’s premier visitor destination and as one of the friendliest cities in the world. Queenstown’s reputation as the Adventure Capital is well earned.

On arrival at Queenstown Airport the group will be met by an arinex Destination Management representative and escorted to the waiting coach.

Expecting to be transferred directly to the hotel, guests will be surprised to find themselves arriving at a small wharf less than five minutes drive from the airport. Here they disembark the coach and are traditionally welcomed into the area by a Maori performance group. Following the welcome, the group board their awaiting… Jetboats! (All luggage will be safely transferred to the hotel)

Travel in convoy and enjoy an exhilarating joyride through shallow riverbeds on a high powered jet boat to a secluded location on the rivers edge for a delicious alfresco hot and cold buffet lunch.

Following lunch, the group will board waiting coaches to transfer to their Queenstown accommodation for check-in and spend the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

This evening the group will enjoy dinner at Skyline Restaurant perched 450 metres atop Bob’s Peak, presenting spectacular panoramic views of the Southern Lakes region for the perfect introduction to Queenstown.

Upon arrival at the Skyline Gondola terminal, wait staff with trays of sparkling champagne will welcome guests before they board their Gondolas. As the group enter the Skyline restaurant they will be dazzled by the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the majestic Queenstown Basin and surrounding Remarkables Mountain Range. A sumptuous dinner will be served, and a string quartet will add to the magical ambience of this evening.

Day Six

Milford Sound is simply stunning. In Maori legend, the fiords were created not by rivers of ice, but by Tu Te Raki Whanoa, a godly figure who came wielding a magical adze and uttering incantations. Milford Sound (Piopiotahi) is without doubt his finest sculpture.

Combine some of the world’s most spectacular mountain scenery and the absolute luxury of helicopter flights, and today’s tour make for an incredible incentive experience!

The group will enjoy a spectacular scenic helicopter flight to Milford Sound, with each helicopter making a short landing on a snow capped mountain on the way. Guests will enjoy a chilled glass of champagne to sip while taking in the amazing scenery.

On arrival at Milford Sound, the group will board a private cruise vessel. A specialist nature guide to be on hand to provide a detailed commentary for those wanting to learn about the magnificent scenery and wildlife. Guests can also keep a look out for dolphins, seals and penguins. Lunch will be served onboard.

Return to Queenstown by helicopter, taking in the pristine beauty of the area from a birds eye view.

Built in 1863 during the Gold Rush, Gantley’s Restaurant is the venue for a relaxed evening and dining experience. The ambiance created by this beautiful historic stone restaurant is both romantic and elegant, with exposed stone walls, soft lighting, and a huge open fireplace. Surrounded by two acres of landscaped gardens, guests will arrive to see a Scottish bagpiper dressed in full Highland adornment; the bagpipes distinct sounds reminding guests of the regions heritage. Enjoy pre dinner drinks outdoors in the tranquil garden before moving inside for dinner.

Day Seven

Guests will be able to enjoy their final day in Queenstown exactly how they please! The optional activities available in Queenstown ensure that there is an amazing experience for everyone, whether it’s golf, garden tours, a spa treatment, fishing, wine tasting, jet boating, bungy jumping, white water rafting, a 4WD trip into the canyons or a relaxing day taking advantage of Queenstown’s shops and cafes! The options are endless to suit anyone’s needs…

Tonight’s farewell dinner will be an amazing evening featuring the best of New Zealand!

In a gentle valley, just 15 minutes from Queenstown, flanked by the jagged Remarkables Mountains and Coronet Peak, sits The Barn at Moonlight Country, the venue for this evening’s farewell dinner.

“Moonlight Country” is a 320 hectare (800 acre) working deer farm, the perfect place for guests to enjoy their final night in New Zealand.

Guests will arrive at Moonlight Country barn via coach and will enjoy pre-dinner drinks as they watch the skills of the sheep dogs as they herd dozens of sheep from pen to pen. After the demonstration, a few “volunteers” from the group are carefully chosen to try their hands, literally, at rounding up the sheep. See if the teamwork and delegation of duties works for the lucky contestants!

After the activity, guests will be ushered into the barn to enjoy a 3 course meal in the barn. The barn features a New Zealand rustic theme, complementing the venue and atmosphere. Setting a jovial mood, a bush piece band will entertain the guests throughout the evening.

Day Eight

The group will check out of the hotel and be transferred to Queenstown Airport for their return flight home, or they may wish to extend their stay in the South Pacific.

 

 

arinex Destination Management can tailor an itinerary for you and your guests. Email us at dmc@arinex.com.au for a personal response.