Tour Type: Low Cost Escorted Tour
Duration: 17 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
|
from NZ $3930 pp
|
17 Day Best of New Zealand Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
- Professional Tour Director
- Professional Luxury Coach Driver
- Admissions Outlined in the Itinerary
- Full Buffet Breakfasts (16) (B)
- Exciting Highlight Dinner (1) (HD)
- Hotel Dinners (10) (D)
- Welcome Drink
- Travel Wallet and Map
- Airport transfers (Day 1 from Auckland Airport – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm; Day 17 to Christchurch Airport – flights anytime)
- Hotel Porterage Included
Included Tour Highlights:
Back to top |
Day
1 |
Arrive Auckland
On arrival at the hotel the remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Auckland. Perhaps you would like to visit the Sky Tower? Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director. Stay: Mercure Hotel, Auckland. |
Day
2 |
Auckland – Bay of Islands
Depart Auckland and travel along the hibiscus coast to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Take a scenic cruise through game fishing waters to Cape Brett and, weather permitting, through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ formation. The return cruise to Paihia meanders through picturesque islands – see deserted sandy beaches and secluded bays and keep your eyes peeled for the marine life. Stay: Copthorne Hotel & Resort (Garden View), Bay of islands (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
3 |
Bay of Islands
Today is free for you to experience the beauty of the Bay of Islands at your own pace – perhaps take a coach trip to Cape Reinga, via idyllic Ninety Mile each; enjoy a guided sea-kayaking trip or a day of sailing. (B) |
Day
4 |
Auckland
This morning visit the Waitangi Treaty Reserve which is of great historical importance, as this is where New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed. You will have time to explore the reserve and take in highlights such as the magnificent Maori War Canoe and Meeting House (Marae). This afternoon enjoy the lush farmland scenery as you return to Auckland. Stay: Mercure Hotel, Auckland (B/D) |
Day
5 |
Waitomo Caves
Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland, then journey south through the Waikato district to Waitomo. At the Waitomo Caves experience a guided tour and boat ride of the incredible Glow-worm Grotto. Then arrive at Rotorua for an orientation tour, with views of Lake Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and Concert and gain an insight into traditional Maori culture. Stay: Hotel Ibis Rotorua (2 nights) (B)(HD) |
Day
6 |
Rotorua
This morning we visit the Agrodome Sheep Show to enjoy an entertaining look at life on a New Zealand farm. The afternoon is ‘Free Time’ for you to take in all the other activities Rotorua has on offer. Perhaps take in a guided tour accompanied by a local Maori guide and share the beauty and history of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve at Te Puia. Wander amidst pools of boiling mud and geysers of all sizes! (B) |
Day
7 |
Wellington
En route to Wellington we’ll
view the Huka Falls, visit
Taupo and drive along the
shores of New Zealand’s
largest lake. Discover the
alpine scenery of Mt Ruapehu,
Tongariro National Park and
the dairy farms of Manawatu.
Travel along the Kapiti Coast
into the capital city Wellington, for a city tour
with views from Mt Victoria. Stay: Mercure Willis Street, Wellington (B/D) |
Day
8 |
Wellington - Picton
A morning of ‘Free Time’ in Wellington, followed by a visit to Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. A photo
opportunity at Parliament
House, then this afternoon we join the inter-island cruise across Cook Strait and into the tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound, before arriving at the pretty fishing village of Picton on the South Island. Stay: Beachcomber Inn, Picton (B/D) |
Day
9 |
Picton - Christchurch
En route to Christchurch, we’ll get up close and personal with some New Zealand Fur Seals at Ohau Point, watch whales at Kaikoura, (optional scenic Whale Watching flight), travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast and across the Canterbury Plains. A city tour of Christchurch, the ‘most English city’ outside of England, then it’s ‘Free Time’. Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold (B) |
| |
Coastal Pacific Train Option
For a scenic feast journey on the Coastal Pacific train between Picton & Christchurch, with the Kaikoura
Mountain Range on one side and the
rugged Pacific Ocean on the other. Additional cost $NZ 136 per person. |
Day
10 |
Mt Cook
Start the day your way – shop,
ride the Christchurch Tram or
just relax. Later travel over the colourful, patchwork plains of Canterbury. Visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue past Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain. Time to take an optional scenic flight over this mighty mountain (weather permitting). Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama (B/D)
|
Day
11 |
Dunedin
Follow the Waitaki River, passing hydro-electric dams at Waitaki and Aviemore. From the Waitaki Hydro Power
Scheme and Benmore Dam,
we travel through Oamaru - which is famous for its white stone buildings made of limestone, to Dunedin for a city tour. The
afternoon is yours to explore
Dunedin as you wish – take a wildlife cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway. Stay: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin (B/D) |
Day
12 |
Dunedin - Te Anau
After a morning of time to yourself and the opportunity to visit historic Larnach Castle we’ll cross rich fertile sheepfilled farming land to the South Island’s biggest lake - Lake Te Anau and the town of Te Anau. Optional Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour tonight. Stay: Kingsgate Hotel, Te Anau (B/D) |
Day
13 |
Milford Sound
Travel south towards Fiordland National
Park through the Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. Witness Mirror Lakes,
Cleddau Valley, The Chasm,
Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and
more. Travel along the Devils
Stair Case and the shores of
Lake Wakatipu. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour
and group photo, followed by
an alpine dinner with views
over Lake Wakatipu and the
Remarkables Mountain range. Stay: Mercure Queenstown Resort, Queenstown (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
14 |
Queenstown
Today is at leisure for you to enjoy the many scenic delights of Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital. From wine
and garden tours to jet boat
rides and white water rafting,
Queenstown will keep you
occupied and exhilarated. For
dinner you have the option to
dine at the Skyline Restaurant
on Bob’s Peak. Access is via
the steepest Gondola in the
Southern Hemisphere.
Dinner options include
the Kiwi Haka Maori Show. (B) |
Day
15 |
Fox Glacier
Enjoy a visit to Arrowtown, a colourful township steeped in local history. Next is Cromwell and its
sensational stone fruit. Then
it’s a trio of lakes – Lake
Dunstan, Lake Hawea & Lake Wanaka. Travel through Haast Pass which winds its way through Mount Aspiring National Park and dramatic mountain and forest scenery. View Thunder
Creek Falls and take a rainforest
walk. Continue north along the coastal road to Fox Glacier – a rare, still advancing
glacier. (optional Fox Glacier
scenic flight). Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier (B/D) |
Day
16 |
Christchurch
First visit Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Travel through coastal Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, before returning to Christchurch. Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold (B/D) |
| |
TranzAlpine Train Option
Experience one of the world’s top 6
train trips aboard the TranzAlpine to Christchurch. Additional cost $NZ 185 per person from Greymouth or $NZ 135 per person from Arthur’s Pass. |
Day
17 |
Depart Christchurch
Today is yours, take your time exploring Christchurch – the Garden city – famous for its gardens and being the most english city outside of England. See Hagley Park and the Canterbury Museum – just make the most of it – it’s your last chance to experience New Zealand before we transfer you to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. (B) |
 |
Click on the icon to download the 17 Day Best of New Zealand tour in pdf format. |
from NZ $3,930
17 Day Best of New Zealand
13
4.2
5
17 Day Best of New Zealand Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 17 Day Best of New Zealand. |
From the very start Kirby at Relaxing Journeys made our holiday stress-free, nothing was too much trouble. She even taught me how to use e-mail, my wife and I have made a great friend, thanks Kirby. As for the tour nothing was left out, spoilt really. The tour manager Marty Paranihi and driver Craig Johnston, make one of the best teams you would wish for on a tour like we did. Marty did not miss one bit of information about his wonderful country from farming to skiing, wine to wood. A great trip as I did not have to drive and took in all New Zealand has to offer & I would recommend this tour.
Harold & Janice Briggs (Australia)
Tour Date 26/11/2011 |
The tour was great. On a scale 1-10, I will give it a 9. Marty Paranihi, the Tour Manager, was great. Entertaining, local knowledge, great personality, organized, involved, attentive to every details, just to mentioned a few of his strengths. Linda Cruickshank, the tour driver, was also great. I had my concerns to spend 17 days in a coach with a driver I did not know. I felt very comfortable with her driving, and she also had a very pleasant personality. We had the unfortunate earthquake happening in Christchurch 4 days before our planned to visit that city. Alternative plans were made, and I think it was very professionally organized by AAT Kings. The hotels were nice, clean, good food and service. The only exception was Mercure Hotel in Wellington, the rooms were very small and there was no wardrobe (very unusual). This was the first time I joined an organized tour, and definitely not the last time. It was very relaxing and informative, and I met a lot of interesting people.
Steen Jensen (United States)
Tour Date 19/02/2011 |
Tour was of both islands. Although we arrived very late in the evening we were received both at the airport and hotel in Auckland with courtesy. Our Tour Director and Drivers were attentive in every way. The hotels were good enough we can't compain and our requests were met in every way. Free days were very beneficial. Places we saw were great. We were luckly that the group were all nice and this made it even more successful. The tour was just right, a little longer and it may have been too much. The only regret we have is for Christchurch and the earthquake which we escaped. We grew to love this small city and hope that it recovers through all this catastrophe. We can not fault the tour in any way and would be happy to recommend Relaxing Tours & AAT Kings to friends and family.
Helen Andreopoulos (Australia)
Tour Date 05/02/2011 |
We enjoyed our tour of NZ tremendously. Our tour driver and guide were both delightfully friendly, helpful, and extraordinarily professional. The places we visited and the scenery we experienced were all what we expected and more. The very best part of the tour for us was all the wonderful people we met. The NZ people are the warmest, most welcoming people we have ever encountered! We stayed an additional few days after our tour ended in Christchurch, and unfortunately were there during the earthquake. Even in the midst of that heartbreaking tragedy, the Kiwi people were incredibly kind. Complete strangers welcomed us into their home overnight, and took us to the airport, so we could get home. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the people of Christchurch.
Ron & Barbara Turnbull (United States)
Tour Date 05/02/2011 |
The tour was great, my husband & I enjoyed it very much. Our Tour director Julianne was excellent, helpfull, accommodating & knowledgable in regards to NZ which exceeded our expectations. Our coach driver Timati was also exceptional & friendly. We found the tour options to be very expensive & couldn't justify the cost, so for this reason we only did a couple of them. Other tour companions which we met were also saying the side tours were too expensive and there were no group discounts or something like that. I'd like to also mention that the Tranzalpine train fare you charged us was $118 each & when i enquired at the railway station in Dundenin they told me $89 each for the same trip & day (RJ - The price charged by the Operator includes transfers). That is a huge difference. Nevertheless, we still had a great time in New Zealand & enjoyed it very much.
Paula Pereira (Australia)
Tour Date 22/01/2011 |
We booked our NZ holiday through Georgina at Relaxing Journeys about 10 months before our trip. One thing I found reassuring was that before we booked, every time I made an email enquiry, Georgina got back to me very quickly, so that gave us the confidence to go ahead with an overseas company. Our trip was 17 days, starting in Auckland, travelling to Bay of Islands, then returning to Auckland to travel down from north to south, finishing in Christchurch. Everything went very smoothly. The actual tour was with AAT Kings and our bus driver Paul and tour guide Julie were outstanding. One advantage of being on an escorted coach tour is the wealth of local knowledge that these people can share. I am sure I learnt much more about NZ than I would have been able to achieve otherwise. Julie should be congratulated on her organisation, as each day she would give us a sheet that would outline the times and special notes about activities for the next day. She also booked wake up calls for everyone. People I spoke to said she was far and away the best tour guide they had had on a coach tour. My husband has a bad back but found the coaches very comfortable. Most people on the trip were Australian, with a fair sprinkling of English plus some Americans. Age range was generally 40s to 60s, although once we arrived in the South Island, many other people joined us, including two families, both with two teenage children. The teens got on very well and had a ball, but it may have been a lonely time for them had the other family not been there. New Zealand is an achingly beautiful country-much more so than I expected. It is also a friendly country. I was touched to have strangers come up and shake our hand, wish us well, once they found we were from Australia. People on our tour commented on how spotless the country is. It seems to be a nation where the people take pride in their country. Our hotels were, on the whole, very good, although some were stand out favourites. The Copthorne at Bay of Islands had by far the best buffet at night. The heating and cooling in the hotels is generally not up to Aussie standards though. I would not hesitate to use Relaxing Journeys again to book a holiday, AATKIngs were excellent, the other passengers were great, NZ itself is outstanding. We finished our tour in Christchurch-such an absolutely beautiful city. I hope all those tour guides and drivers were able to stay safe in the recent earthquake and our hope is to one day be able to visit NZ again. (RJ - Edited for brevity)
John & Cheryl Williams (Australia)
Tour Date 01/01/2011 |
Whilst having enjoyed our holiday immensely this tour option was obviously a budget version with the timescale reflecting that, however the standard of accommodation and food was good. From a personal point of view we found the South Island tour very rushed in comparison with that of the North and would have preferred a more leisurely tour in the South even at an extra cost.
Penny & James Dash (France)
Tour Date 23/10/2010 |
Well, we both agree that this was our best ever holiday, in spite of the long journey to get there (around 11,000 miles and about 30 hours flying) we thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the whole experience from start to finish. For us it was a trip of a lifetime and so we always wondered if it would live up to expectations but we needn't have worried. The tour guides were fantastic in the proffesional way they organised everything from optional tours to leisure time and so I can't speak highly enough of both Clarke, our tour director, and Murray our driver who were always so cheerful and a great source of information. We also made quite a few friends from all over the world and got on great together. For me the highlight has to have been going up on the glaciers at 7am on a beautiful morning but I also enjoyed the many other sights and have lots of photos to look back on, of course the warmth and friendliness of the people made it even more enjoyable. Again I would like to thank everybody for their help and assistance in making this such an experience.
James & Margaret Ryan (Ireland)
Tour Date 23/10/2010 |
The tour was everything we could have hoped for and more. We felt very looked after and both our driver, Tamati, and guide, Ted, were excellent. We highly recommend this tour, it was great.
Deborah & Kim (Walter) Mysyk (Canada)
Tour Date 12/06/2010 |
Thank you for managing my beautiful holiday in New Zealand. I choose from your wide range of tours the Best of New Zealand 17 days tour. I was very satisfied with program of the tour, the perfect organisation and kindness of tour director and tour driver. I have learnt lot of information about New Zealand and about you Kiwis. It was a pleasure to spend some time in your home country. Thanks you very much.
Katerina Saskova (Czech Republic)
Tour Date 06/03/2010 |
Just a quick note to say what a wonderful time I had on my holiday in NZ. The AAT Kings tour was great, the weather was lovely compared to the cold/ frosts here at the moment. Thank you for sorting out my pre and post tour accommodation. The Sudima in Rotorua was lovely they gave me a lake view room which was a delight each morning to sip my coffee overlooking the lake and deciding what to do that day. This was a lovely introduction to NZ and I definitely plan to return again in the future. Thank you again and may I wish you Seasons greetings and best wishes for the New Year.
Gillian Figures (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 17/12/2007 |
We have just returned from New Zealand, having travelled on the 'Best of New Zealand' tour, arranged through yourselves. I would just like to say we had a wonderful time and hope it won't be too long before we can return. We were impressed by every aspect of the tour, and everyone we met was friendly and helpful. I almost gave up hope of meeting a grumpy kiwi but finally managed at Auckland airport in the person of the lady taking my departure tax! Even the weather was good throughout. While you were having rain for Waitangi Day we had sunshine in the South Island. Thank you again, best wishes.
John & Stephane Mowbray (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 16/02/2007 |
When I booked the tour of NZ back in April it seemed such a long time before it happened but... it's come and gone. We are back from the best holiday ever. We loved New Zealand. In our opinion it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Thank you for making it happen.
Jose & Stana Gomez (Australia)
Tour Date 10/10/2006 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
|
EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Sale! Save up to $185 per person off the brochure price for this tour. Exclusive to Relaxing Journeys. Deposit this month to qualify!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
. Subject to availability at time of booking. |
Tour
Starts |
Tour
Finishes |
Tour
Status |
Brochure
Price |
OUR
SPECIAL |
OUR
PRICE |
| 04 Feb 2012 |
20 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $4115 |
Save $185 |
NZ $3930 |
| 11 Feb 2012 |
27 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $4115 |
Save $185 |
NZ $3930 |
| 18 Feb 2012 |
05 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4115 |
Save $185 |
NZ $3930 |
| 21 Feb 2012 |
08 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4115 |
Save $185 |
NZ $3930 |
| 25 Feb 2012 |
12 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4115 |
Save $185 |
NZ $3930 |
| 03 Mar 2012 |
19 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4115 |
Save $185 |
NZ $3930 |
| 10 Mar 2012 |
26 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4115 |
Save $185 |
NZ $3930 |
| 31 Mar 2012 |
16 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $4115 |
Save $185 |
NZ $3930 |
| 07 Apr 2012 |
23 Apr 2012 |
|
NZ $4115 |
Save $185 |
NZ $3930 |
| 28 Apr 2012 |
14 May 2012 |
G |
NZ $4115 |
Save $185 |
NZ $3930 |
*Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart.
|
Tour Discounts & Supplements:
Optional extras, single traveller supplement & multiple traveller discounts. |
| |
| Single Supplement: |
Add |
NZ $1,275 |
| Child Discount: |
Save |
NZ $825 |
| Frequent Traveller: |
Save |
NZ $205 |
| Triple Discount: |
Save |
NZ $205 |
| Concession Cards: |
Save |
NZ $90 |
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'. |
|
     |
