Day
1 |
Arrive Christchurch
On arrival at the hotel the afternoon is free for you to explore the 'Garden City' of Christchurch. This evening enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow passengers. Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold (D) |
Day
2 |
Fox Glacier
Travel to the West Coast passing through Greymouth en route to Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Next stop is Fox Glacier – a rare, still advancing glacier (optional Fox Glacier scenic flight weather permitting). Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier (B/D) |
| |
TranzAlpine Train Option
Experience one of the world’s top 6
train trips aboard the TranzAlpine to the West Coast. Additional cost $NZ 185 per person from Greymouth or $NZ 135 per person from Arthur’s Pass. |
Day
3 |
Queenstown
Travel through the Haast
Pass, view Thunder Creek
Falls, take a rainforest walk.
Then it’s a trio of lakes – Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake
Dunstan. Next is Cromwell
and its sensational stone fruit
and Arrowtown on the Arrow
River. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour followed by
dinner with views over Lake
Wakatipu and the Remarkables
Mountain Range. Stay: Mercure Queenstown Resort, Queenstown (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
4 |
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. Ask your Tour Director for details. (B) |
Day
5 |
Milford Sound
Travel along the Devils Stair
Case and the shores of Lake
Wakatipu to Te Anau. From
Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, you'll witness Mirror
Lakes, Cleddau Valley, The
Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen
Falls and more on your journey there and back and on your cruise on the Sound. Optional Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour tonight. Stay: Kingsgate Hotel, Te Anau (B/D) |
Day
6 |
Dunedin
We’ll cross sheep-filled
farming land to Dunedin founded by Scottish settlers, for
a city tour. ‘Free Time’ this
afternoon – take a wildlife
cruise, visit the Cadbury
Factory or ride the Taieri
Gorge Railway. Stay: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin (B/D) |
Day
7 |
Mt Cook
After a morning of time to yourself and the opportunity to visit historic Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only authentic castle. Travel through Oamaru which is famous for its white stone buildings made of limestone. Follow the Waitaki River, passing hydro-electric dams at Waitaki and Aviemore on to Omarama. Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama (B/D) |
Day
8 |
Christchurch
Travel past Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). This afternoon stop at Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd, then continue over the colourful Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. ‘Free Time’ –
ride the Christchurch Tram
or just relax. Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold (B) |
Day
9 |
Picton
Travel along the rugged
Pacific Ocean coast to Kaikoura, famous for its
whales (optional Whale Watching flight). We’ll get
up close and personal with
some New Zealand’s Fur
Seals at Ohau Point. Pass
the Grassmere Salt Works then travel
to the pretty seaside town of Picton. Stay: Beachcomber Inn, Picton (B/D) |
| |
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 |
Wellington
We’ll cruise on Queen
Charlotte Sound and across
Cook Strait to Wellington for a
city tour with views from
Mt Victoria. ‘Free Time’
then we visit Te Papa,
New Zealand’s National
Museum. Tonight experience
the local cuisine for yourself. Stay: Mercure Wellington, Wellington (B/D) |
Day
11 |
Rotorua
Travel along the Kapiti Coast,
through the dairy farms
of Manawatu and Tongariro
National Park, discover
the alpine scenery of
Mt Ruapehu. Visit Taupo and
drive along the shores of
New Zealand’s largest lake.
En route to Rotorua view Huka Falls and pass the
Wairaki Geothermal Power
Station. 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
12 |
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
13 |
Waitomo Caves - Auckland
Travel through the Waikato
region to Waitomo Caves for a tour of the amazing
Glow Worm Grotto. We then
follow the Waikato River to Auckland for a city sights
tour including Viaduct
Harbour and Mt Eden. Stay: Mercure Hotel, Auckland (B/D) |
Day
14 |
Bay of Islands
Cross over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, through Orewa and the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Walk amongst Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. We have time to explore Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand then it’s off 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
15 |
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 Beach, enjoy a guided sea-kayaking trip or a day of sailing. Tonight is at leisure so why not dine at a local restaurant. (B) |
Day
16 |
Auckland
We’ll visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve, where New Zealand’s founding document was signed. You’ll have time on your own to take in highlights such as the magnificent Maori War Canoe (Waka) and Marae (Meeting house). This afternoon enjoy the lush farmland scenery as you return to Auckland. Stay: Mercure Hotel, Auckland (B) |
Day
17 |
Depart Auckland
explore Auckland at your leisure until your transfer to Auckland Airport. (B) |
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Click on the icon to download the 17 Day Wonders of New Zealand tour in pdf format. |
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