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Swain Tours boasts a solid reputation in building relationships with various hotel and tour operators around the world. We search for products that are of unquestionable quality as well as for those that are unique to ensure we are able to offer Swain travelers a second to none travel experience. The products and services featured below were hand picked for inclusion in a list of Swain preferred properties and tours. To incorporate any or many of these experiences into your itinerary is to ensure your trip will be that extra bit special and that you will be received not just as a special guest, but as a Swain guest. Some of these experiences such as Hayman, Huka Lodge, Wharekauhau Lodge and The Spire are unique to the South Pacific and are truly exceptional additions to your travel experience.

From the luxury lodges and quality self drive accommodation passes in New Zealand, to award winning tours out to the Great Barrier Reef and boutique accommodations along Australia's Great Ocean Road, we look forward to sharing our preferred properties and tours with you.

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New Zealand Tours

The Lodges of New Zealand have been legendary for many years since Huka Lodge first opened over 20 years ago. Now there are several superb lodges with unique experiences due to their secluded setting and excursions from their properties – not to mention the hospitality your Kiwi hosts provide. Have our team suggest the lodge or lodges that are best for your travel style. For the ultimate experience take an Over The Top helicopter between the lodges and access areas of New Zealand that most travelers don't visit.
— Ian Swain, President

Choose A Location:

• North Island
• South Island

North Island

Auckland

Best of Both Worlds
By Bush and Beach
Auckland
This full day tour is a journey of contrasts – from the highlights of Auckland City to the wilderness of the west coast rainforest. Explore the history and sights and experience how “Aucklanders” live and play. Then, just 30 minutes from the city are the wild west coast black sand beaches and fascinating rainforest. Learn about the flora and fauna and the history of this area with a knowledgeable guide in a small group environment. Learn More

Auckland’s Untamed Island Tour
By Bush and Beach
Auckland
A stunning thirty-minute scenic flight brings you to majestic Great Barrier Island. Walk on graveled tracks and boardwalks past giant Nikau palms and rare native flora and fauna over unique wetlands to the Kaitoke natural thermal springs. Drive past native bush and rugged peaks and visit a sweeping, often deserted stretch of pristine white sand. This unforgettable day is rounded off with a climb to the top of Windy Canyon, a spectacular walk around rocky outcrops and past sheer cliffs coated with rata vines. Learn More

Coromandel

Coromandel Day Tour
By Bush and Beach
Coromandel Peninsula
Experience the incredible Coromandel Peninsula with its mountainous forest-covered backbone, sheltered bays, coves and stunning coastlines. Take a memorable journey through the rugged landscape on a mountain railway, then take a quiet stroll in pristine forest to view magnificent kauri trees. Journey across the mountain divide towards the east coast beaches where you visit Hot Water Beach with its hot springs in the middle of the sand. A short drive away is the iconic scenery of Cathedral Cove where the Pacific Ocean washes through a natural arch onto a white sandy beach. Learn More

South Island

Kaikoura & Hanmer Springs

Kaikoura with whale watching
“Whales, wine, mountains and sea” Full day tour with whale watching cruise
By Canterbury Trails
Christchurch
Tucked in the shelter of the Kaikoura Peninsula jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, and beneath the towering 2600 meter high snow-capped Kaikoura Mountain Ranges, Kaikoura is scenically breathtaking. Originally an island, the peninsula has since been joined to the mainland by steep plains built up of debris swept down from the mountains by rivers. In Maori lore, the peninsula was the place where Maui braced his foot when he fished up the North Island and was named the seat of Te waka a Maui – Maui's canoe. The name Kaikoura means “meal of crayfish”. Learn More

Kaikoura and Hanmer Springs with whale watch flight and hot pools
“Whales, hot pools, forests and wine” Full day tour with whale watch flight and thermal hot pools
By Canterbury Trails
Christchurch
On this amazing day, you will experience the Alpine Pacific Triangle touring route, one of New Zealand’s great scenic drives. This route takes in two of New Zealand’s best recreational locations…Kaikoura, famous for its whale watching and Hanmer Springs Alpine Thermal Village, known for its thermal hot pools. Learn More

Akaroa

Akaroa & Banks Peninsula
"Volcanoes, craters, dolphins and cheese" Full day tour with Eco-marine Harbour Cruise or Swim with the Dolphins
By Canterbury Trails
Christchurch
Banks Peninsula was formed following the violent eruptions of two volcanoes. A crater nurses the picturesque harbor of Akaroa with many smaller bays indenting the coastline. Sighted by Captain Cook in 1770, the Peninsula was then inhabited by Maori. In 1840 French settlers arrived at Akaroa, which had just been claimed under the Treaty of Waitangi by the English. To this day Akaroa remains unique the site of the only attempted settlement by the French in New Zealand. Many streets have French names and there are descendants of the original French families still living in Akaroa. Learn More

Arthur’s Pass National Park

Arthur’s Pass National Park and the Otira Gorge
“In search of keas, passes and alps”
By Canterbury Trails
Christchurch
In the heart of the Southern Alps, Arthur’s Pass National Park has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. They range from eastern beech clad hills and tussock valleys to the luxuriant rain forest in the west. The highest mountains have glaciers and surrounding them are tussock basins, flowering herbs and alpine grasses. Learn More

TSS Earnslaw Steamship & Walter Peak Station

TSS Earnslaw Steamship Cruise
By Real Journeys
Queenstown
One and a-half hour scenic cruise on board the coal fired vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Passengers cruise from Queenstown Bay to Walter Peak High Country Farm (without going ashore) and return. On board the captain provides an interesting commentary as visitors enjoy spectacular views of Cecil and Walter Peaks and the western shores of Lake Wakatipu.Learn More

TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak Farm Tour
By Real Journeys
Queenstown
Enjoy a return scenic cruise Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Following the 40 minute outward voyage from Queenstown, passengers disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm where they can experience farming life. There is time to wander through the beautiful lakeside gardens and enjoy tea/coffee and home baking in the Colonel’s Homestead, surrounded by views of the lake and mountains. Learn More

Walter Peak Evening Dining Excursion
By Real Journeys
Queenstown
Enjoy a return scenic cruise Queenstown to Walter Peak High Country Farm on board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. During the cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak, guests may purchase pre-dinner drinks and listen to the pianist play a few old favorites. On disembarking at Walter Peak, guests are warmly welcomed and escorted through the beautiful lakeside gardens to the charming Colonel’s Homestead where they are seated amidst elegant surroundings. The resident pianist provides background music and on cold nights open fires create a cozy atmosphere. Learn More

Milford Sound

Milford Sound Coach and Nature Cruise
By Real Journeys
Queenstown
Return luxury coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with an extended 2½ hour Nature Cruise along the full-length of the fiord. On boarding a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown, visitors enjoy a trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. Learn More

Milford Sound (Coach - Nature Cruise - Fly)
By Real Journeys
Queenstown
Return luxury coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound, with an extended 2½ hour Nature Cruise along the full-length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea, before a return sightseeing flight to Queenstown. On boarding a Real Journeys luxury glass-roofed coach in Queenstown, visitors enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. Learn More

Doubtful Sound

Doubtful Sound Coach 'n' Cruise
By Real Journeys
Queenstown
On boarding the coach in Queenstown, visitors are treated to a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Pearl Harbour, Manapouri. They then board a Real Journeys vessel and cruise across picturesque Lake Manapouri to West Arm before traveling by coach through dense rainforest across Wilmot Pass. There are opportunities along the way to examine the plant life and view the spectacular scenery. Once at Deep Cove, visitors board the catamaran Patea Explorer for a 3 hour cruise of beautiful Doubtful Sound. On board there is excellent viewing of waterfalls, rainforest and mountains. Learn More

Overnight Cruises

Milford Wanderer Overnight Cruise
By Real Journeys
Queenstown
Return coach transport from Queenstown to Milford Sound and overnight cruise on board the Milford Wanderer. On boarding a luxury Real Journeys coach in Queenstown, visitors enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. Stopping in Te Anau, passengers may purchase lunch before the coach continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. Learn More

Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise
By Real Journeys
Queenstown
On boarding a Real Journeys coach in Queenstown, visitors enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. The coach driver provides an informative commentary. Stopping in Te Anau for a short break provides the opportunity for lunch to be purchased (at extra cost) before the excursion continues along the spectacular Milford Road. There is time for photo stops and short walks along the way. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, passengers board the Milford Mariner for the overnight cruise. Learn More

Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
By Real Rourneys
Queenstown
On boarding a Real Journeys coach in Queenstown, visitors enjoy a relaxing trip along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through rolling countryside with the coach driver providing an informative commentary. Arriving in Manapouri, the journey to Doubtful Sound begins with a cruise across Lake Manapouri. After disembarking at West Arm, passengers then travel over Wilmot Pass by coach through dense rainforest. At Deep Cove, visitors board the overnight cruise vessel for a leisurely exploration of Doubtful Sound. The vessel then anchors overnight in one of Doubtful Sound’s hidden arms. Learn More