Full Tour
Tour AAA
FULL TOUR EXPERIENCE
A genuine piece of rugby history and a quite wonderful way to follow in the footsteps of an iconic moment for The British & Irish Lions.
This is a 25-night adventure that will chart the first ever Women’s Lions tour to New Zealand and include tickets to all three Test matches and both pre-Test matches.
There is no more fitting destination than New Zealand. A country that worships rugby like no other will welcome The Lions with open arms. They will be cheered and cherished and you will be a part of it too.
The Test matches will be in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch and you will also get the chance to explore Whangarei, Bay of Islands, Hamilton, Rotorua and Queenstown – a beguiling mix of beautiful beaches, towering mountain ranges, wonderful countryside and delightful food and drink.
And with matches against a Black Ferns XV and an Invitational XV, this remarkable journey of a lifetime and epic slice of rugby history with the Women’s Lions is something not to be missed.
KEY PACKAGE INCLUSIONS
- Guaranteed and official match tickets to every match in New Zealand
- Hand-picked accommodation
- Return international flights
- Internal flights/coach transfers in New Zealand
- Airport/Hotel transfers
- On Tour 24/7 customer support
- Enhanced merchandise including your Lions Jersey
- Financial protection
- Carbon footprint offsetting
- Bay of Islands excursion included
- Te Pā Tū Māori Village excursion included
- Millford Sound Extended Scenic Cruise excursion included
- Exclusive full tour events
Fixtures Included
Saturday 4 September, Whangarei, Semenoff Stadium, v Black Ferns XV
Saturday 11 September, Auckland, Go Media Stadium, v Black Ferns
Tuesday 14 September, Hamilton, FMG Stadium Waikato, v Invitational XV
Saturday 18 September, Wellington, Sky Stadium, v Black Ferns
Saturday 25 September, Christchurch, One NZ Stadium, v Black Ferns
Tickets
Working alongside New Zealand Rugby, our premium tickets are 100% guaranteed and official and they will be confirmed in writing when you book. Only tickets purchased through official channels will guarantee your entry into stadiums in New Zealand.
You are in the best place to secure the tickets you want when you book a package with us. They are the most important part of your holiday, so don’t chance it. Let the Lions protect you and guarantee your place at all of the biggest matches, seated with fellow travellers and like-minded fans.
You are in the best place to secure the tickets you want when you book a package with us. They are the most important part of your holiday, so don’t chance it. Let the Lions protect you and guarantee your place at all of the biggest matches, seated with fellow travellers and like-minded fans.
Travel with us. The Lions
The beauty of booking officially with the Lions is that the key details are carefully taken care of. Your package experience will include your internal travel around New Zealand during your Tour in most packages.
Our staff will be there with you at key points throughout the Tour, offering a friendly and reassuring face to assist you during your travels. Why leave it to chance when our packages include every ingredient to make your Lions Tour the experience of a lifetime.
Our staff will be there with you at key points throughout the Tour, offering a friendly and reassuring face to assist you during your travels. Why leave it to chance when our packages include every ingredient to make your Lions Tour the experience of a lifetime.
Lions Events on Tour
Getting you closer to the legend of The Lions and this remarkable piece of rugby history is what makes us different.
Being there, meeting fantastic personalities and making great friendships at our events is one of the great ways to make unforgettable memories.
There is nothing like the camaraderie of being together and celebrating The Lions with like-minded fans. A great way to enjoy the very best build up to the Test Series against the Black Ferns.
Being there, meeting fantastic personalities and making great friendships at our events is one of the great ways to make unforgettable memories.
There is nothing like the camaraderie of being together and celebrating The Lions with like-minded fans. A great way to enjoy the very best build up to the Test Series against the Black Ferns.
Handpicked Accommodation Options
We make it our business to go that extra mile to ensure you have an amazing Lions Tour in New Zealand. Our hotel options are hand-picked with you in mind, so you can enjoy a carefully considered choice of properties throughout the Tour.
This package includes accommodation at Lodge Bordeaux, Copthorne Hotel Bay of Islands, Hilton Auckland, Novotel Hamilton, Pullman Rotorua, QT Wellington, Hilton Queenstown Resort and Spa and Chateau on the Park - Christchurch, a DoubleTree by Hilton.
Fly with us. The Lions
A Lions Tour is a journey of discovery which is why we work with a range of airline partners to secure international flights within your travel package.
Our flights are guaranteed and a key part of your holiday. You’ll also benefit from full ATOL protection when flights are included.
Our flights are guaranteed and a key part of your holiday. You’ll also benefit from full ATOL protection when flights are included.
Your official Lions kit
There is nothing like being a part of the Sea of Red. It’s the ultimate wave of travelling support in rugby and you will be there.
As part of your package, we will include some fantastic merchandise that will of course contain the Lions Jersey. It’s the perfect way to commemorate your Tour experience, bringing you closer to the most iconic red jersey in the game on this historic moment for the Women’s game in New Zealand.
As part of your package, we will include some fantastic merchandise that will of course contain the Lions Jersey. It’s the perfect way to commemorate your Tour experience, bringing you closer to the most iconic red jersey in the game on this historic moment for the Women’s game in New Zealand.
On Tour Support
Our aim is to give you the best experience possible – and the peace of mind to make life memories and lasting friendships.
We know there may be moments when you have questions and queries or simply want to know where the best place is to go for a drink, that is why our team will be with you when you are in New Zealand.
We are confident our service, smile and willingness to put you first will make us more like friends. It’s what we do, and we are proud of it. Our staff are not only passionate about rugby but highly knowledgeable about travel in New Zealand, customer service and providing a fantastic experience throughout your Lions Tour with us.
We know there may be moments when you have questions and queries or simply want to know where the best place is to go for a drink, that is why our team will be with you when you are in New Zealand.
We are confident our service, smile and willingness to put you first will make us more like friends. It’s what we do, and we are proud of it. Our staff are not only passionate about rugby but highly knowledgeable about travel in New Zealand, customer service and providing a fantastic experience throughout your Lions Tour with us.
Whangarei
Despite being the capital of the Northland Region, Whangarei is not a huge place. With a population of just over 50,000, it is more a town than a city; a pretty port sitting on the inlet with which it shares a name (Whangarei Harbour). That name has a certain romance – in the language of the local Ngāti Wai tribe, it loosely means “to gather”, and refers to the whales which have been known to congregate in these calm tides. The Maori bloodline runs deep here.
Whangarei is devoted to New Zealand’s love of sport. Rugby is significant news here, with key fixtures taking place at Semenoff Stadium; an 18,500-capacity stadium which hosted two matches during the 2011 World Cup.
Whangarei is devoted to New Zealand’s love of sport. Rugby is significant news here, with key fixtures taking place at Semenoff Stadium; an 18,500-capacity stadium which hosted two matches during the 2011 World Cup.
Bay of Islands
If you are going to venture into the uppermost reaches of the North Island, then there is fair reason to travel even further. Forty miles will do it; a short hop that will take you from the city, north, to one of the most gorgeous sections of the New Zealand coast.
The Bay of Islands is accurately named (you can thank Captain James Cook for that, in 1769), although the simplicity of the tag rather undersells the glory of the scenery. Perhaps “Te Pēwhairangi” – one of the Maori terms for the area, which translates, more lyrically, as “Place of the White Heron” – serves its natural beauty with greater feeling.
The Bay of Islands is accurately named (you can thank Captain James Cook for that, in 1769), although the simplicity of the tag rather undersells the glory of the scenery. Perhaps “Te Pēwhairangi” – one of the Maori terms for the area, which translates, more lyrically, as “Place of the White Heron” – serves its natural beauty with greater feeling.
Auckland
It is all but impossible to visit New Zealand without spending time in Auckland, the country's biggest city.
No rugby supporter can realistically avoid the call of Auckland, generally regarded as New Zealand's spiritual home and the ultimate challenge for visiting teams. The Auckland Museum and the New Zealand Maritime Museum carry guests through various facets of national history; Auckland Art Gallery houses a visual feast of painting and sculpture, including works by Maori artists. And the Sky Tower climbs to 1,076ft (328m) as the second tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere – offering widescreen views of the city and the coast beyond.
No rugby supporter can realistically avoid the call of Auckland, generally regarded as New Zealand's spiritual home and the ultimate challenge for visiting teams. The Auckland Museum and the New Zealand Maritime Museum carry guests through various facets of national history; Auckland Art Gallery houses a visual feast of painting and sculpture, including works by Maori artists. And the Sky Tower climbs to 1,076ft (328m) as the second tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere – offering widescreen views of the city and the coast beyond.
Hamilton
Hamilton sits a mere 75 miles south of its larger metropolitan sibling – and, as the capital of the Waikato region, offers a great deal to entertain its guests. The Waikato Museum delves into local culture via works by New Zealand artists such as Michael Parekōwhai. There are lively food and music scenes – with regular festivals throughout the calendar. And shopping is something of an artform, with three major malls in the centre.
Rugby has its place too, of course. The FMG Stadium holds 25,800 spectators, and hosted three games at the 2011 World Cup (including the very one-sided fixture between New Zealand and Japan, which the host nation won 83-7 on the way to taking the crown).
Rugby has its place too, of course. The FMG Stadium holds 25,800 spectators, and hosted three games at the 2011 World Cup (including the very one-sided fixture between New Zealand and Japan, which the host nation won 83-7 on the way to taking the crown).
Rotorua
Rotorua sits 140 miles south-east of Auckland, and just 70 miles south-east of Hamilton. This incredible, small city is one of the essential sights at the top end of New Zealand – a place where the country’s volcanic DNA is writ large across the landscape.
The most obvious piece of evidence is Lake Rotorua, on whose south bank the city sits. This wonderful water feature is what remains of the volcano that steamed and snorted here 240,000 years ago – until a final eruption so explosive that it destroyed the mountain and the magma chamber. Mokoia Island, at the heart of the lake, is another clue as to what happened: a lava-born fruit of the cataclysm that rises 180 metres above the surface.
The most obvious piece of evidence is Lake Rotorua, on whose south bank the city sits. This wonderful water feature is what remains of the volcano that steamed and snorted here 240,000 years ago – until a final eruption so explosive that it destroyed the mountain and the magma chamber. Mokoia Island, at the heart of the lake, is another clue as to what happened: a lava-born fruit of the cataclysm that rises 180 metres above the surface.
Wellington
You know you have reached the bottom of the North Island when you arrive in Wellington. The New Zealand capital enjoys a glorious location, gazing out across the waters of the Cook Strait, with the South Island shimmering in the distance. But while it is certainly worth continuing your journey on towards the country’s second act, spending time in this little city (of just 210,000 people) brings its own reward.
And what of rugby? The city adores it. The proof is the Sky Stadium – a noisy crucible that can hold 34,500 people (around one sixth of the official population).
And what of rugby? The city adores it. The proof is the Sky Stadium – a noisy crucible that can hold 34,500 people (around one sixth of the official population).
Queenstown
Queenstown sits on the South Island within easy reach of both the low waters of Fiordland National Park, the high summit of Aoraki/Mount Cook, and the beaches of the east coast. Even Christchurch is within a reasonable day’s drive. If you are taking a journey across the South Island, you will surely visit Queenstown at some point.
The result is that Queenstown is usually full of visitors. In a good way. Backpackers make for the busy bars of Camp Street and Ballarat Street. Those enjoying their holiday at a less giddy pace set up camp in the various luxury properties laid out on the periphery. And with one of New Zealand’s loveliest lakes on its doorstep – the spectacular S-shaped Lake Wakatipu – you don't have to go far to absorb the majesty of the landscape.
The result is that Queenstown is usually full of visitors. In a good way. Backpackers make for the busy bars of Camp Street and Ballarat Street. Those enjoying their holiday at a less giddy pace set up camp in the various luxury properties laid out on the periphery. And with one of New Zealand’s loveliest lakes on its doorstep – the spectacular S-shaped Lake Wakatipu – you don't have to go far to absorb the majesty of the landscape.
Christchurch
Smaller and more relaxed than it's big brother Auckland, Christchurch is home to less than a third of its population (400,000 people). Located roughly a third of the way down the South Island’s east coast, Christchurch is both an obvious stop on a tour of the country, and a gem that can be explored in a couple of days. The ambience of the paths of Hagley Park, the flora of the Botanic Gardens and the dining scene on High and Castle Streets add to the gentle atmosphere in a city where life moves at an unhurried pace.
It is also a comeback kid. Christchurch has reinvented itself following the devastating 2011 earthquake, with landmarks like the innovative (and temporary) “Cardboard Cathedral” reflecting its creativity, while the superb new One NZ stadium, meaning “the strength” in Māori, replaces the old Lancaster Park and ushers in a new era for rugby, hosting the Third and Final Test Match on this British & Irish Women’s Lions Tour.
It is also a comeback kid. Christchurch has reinvented itself following the devastating 2011 earthquake, with landmarks like the innovative (and temporary) “Cardboard Cathedral” reflecting its creativity, while the superb new One NZ stadium, meaning “the strength” in Māori, replaces the old Lancaster Park and ushers in a new era for rugby, hosting the Third and Final Test Match on this British & Irish Women’s Lions Tour.