Tour Type: Low Cost Escorted Tour
Duration: 14 Days
Tour Starts In: Christchurch
Tour Finishes In: Auckland
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from NZ $3054 pp
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14 Day New Zealand Experience Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
- Professional Tour Director
- Professional Luxury Coach Driver
- Admissions Outlined in the Itinerary
- Full Buffet Breakfasts (13) (B)
- Exciting Highlight Dinner (1) (HD)
- Hotel Dinners (9) (D)
- Welcome Drink
- Travel Wallet and Map
- Airport transfers (Day 1 from Christchurch Airport – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm; Day 14 to Auckland Airport – flights anytime)
- Hotel Porterage Included
Included Tour Highlights:
Back to top |
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 with your Tour Director. Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold (D) |
Day
2 |
Fox Glacier
Travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, 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 scenic Fox Glacier flight weather permitting). Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier (B/D) |
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TranzAlpine Train Option
Experience one of the world’s top 6
train trips aboard the TranzAlpine from Christchurch. 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 – Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan. Next is Cromwell and its stone fruit and Arrowtown on the Arrow River. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour followed by dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables. Stay: Mercure Queenstown Resort, Queenstown (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
4 |
Queenstown 'Free Time'
Today is free for you to enjoy the many scenic delights of Queenstown. Your Tour Director will happily advise you on the optional activities available. Perhaps take an optional jet
boat ride or go white water rafting. This evening you have the
opportunity to ride the Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak, with
stunning views of Queenstown, for a delicious buffet dinner.
Then later you may choose to experience the Kiwi Haka. (B) |
Day
5 |
Milford Sound
Travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau You’ll be awe-struck by great sights from Fiordland National Park – New Zealand’s largest – to Milford Sound, one of the world’s most amazing places, where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. En route we’ll drive through the hand made Homer Tunnel to the abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lakes, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley, The Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Then we return to Te Anau. Tonight you have the option to see the Glow Worm caves. Stay: Kingsgate Hotel, Te Anau (B/D)
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Day
6 |
Dunedin
We’ll cross sheep-filled farming land to Dunedin for a city tour. ‘Free Time’ this afternoon – take a wildlife cruise to see the Penguins and Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway. Stay: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin (B/D) |
Day
7 |
Mt Cook
Free Time’ this morning. Opportunity to visit 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 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. Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold (B) |
Day
9 |
Picton
Continue along the rugged coast and stop to view New Zealand fur seals. At Kaikoura you will have the opportunity to enjoy an 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 Work then travel
to the pretty seaside fishing
village of Picton for an
orientation tour. Stay: Beachcomber Inn, Picton (B/D) |
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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
This morning join the inter-island cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington. Enjoy a sightseeing tour around Wellington. Free time this afternoon in Wellington to visit Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum. Tonight experience
the local cuisine for yourself. Stay: Mercure Willis Street, Wellington (B/D) |
Day
11 |
Rotorua
Travel through the rich dairy farming lands to the vast volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park. Follow the eastern shoreline of Lake Taupo to the township of Taupo. Stop to view mighty, then head north to Rotorua this afternoon. Tonight enjoy a night of authentic, traditional culture and entertainment and share in a Hangi - a selection of foods cooked in the traditional way. Stay: Hotel Ibis Rotorua (2 nights) (B)(HD) |
Day
12 |
Rotorua
This morning we visit the Agrodome Sheep Show for a sample of farm life. See the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feeding lambs and an exciting sheep auction. Then enjoy an afternoon of ‘Free Time’ – visit Paradise valley Springs, abundant with Rainbow Trout and New Zealand farm animals or perhaps visit Te Puia, where a local Maori will guide you through the Geothermal valley with its mud pools and geysers. (B) |
Day
13 |
Waitomo Caves
This morning travel through lush waikato farmland to Waitomo Caves. We’ll see the amazing underground Glow Worm Grotto by boat and walk the limestone caves. Later we follow the waikato river, New Zealand’s longest river, into Auckland. Enjoy views from Mt. Eden before continuing to your hotel. Stay: Mercure Hotel, Auckland (B/D) |
Day
14 |
Depart Auckland
Explore Auckland at your
leisure before you will be transferred to Auckland Airport for your onward flight. (B) |
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Click on the icon to download the 14 Day New Zealand Experience tour in pdf format. |
from NZ $3,054
14 Day New Zealand Experience
13
4.0
5
14 Day New Zealand Experience Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 14 Day New Zealand Experience. |
The most impressive thing of our trip was the beauty of the country especially the South Island. Loved the scenery, the sparkling blue waters, the mountains, the lakes, the wild flowers. I think this trip was a celebration of all of my senses. Loved the unspoiled beauty of nature without billboards, advertisements, rubbish or old things piled on roads or outside the houses. What a refreshing array of beautiful clean views. The tour guide, Martin and the bus driver, Tamati were superb. They worked together and with us better than the most sophisticated Swiss watch. Liked the rotating seat technique, easy to do and fair for all people. Liked the way Martin explained everything in great detail. Liked the 'break the monotony' activities we did. Everything was well organized, on time and with a variety of activities. Kirby at your office is the best. She was quick to answer all of my questions in a most knowledgeable, fast and professional way. Suggestions - more stops for photo opportunities I think would be welcomed by all. Maybe longer stops to enjoy a beautiful setting like next to a lake or overlooking the mountains would have been good. (Several of us wished that we had more time in settings like these to just look and enjoy the view.) More three course meals & at least a couple more free activities or outings where we don't have to pay. Thanks for the memories!
Poppy & Ray McAfee (United States)
Tour Date 19/12/2011 |
We had a great time! The bus was full but that worked well too. We saw so much, were very well looked after and learnt heaps about NZ. We were with a diverse and wonderful group of people too. A tour director who did not yammer on but knew when to tell us stuff and a fantastic driver. We loved the way they moved you around the bus. There were plenty of breaks too. We were blessed with great weather for 90% of the trip too!! I was a little disappointed that once we had paid our deposit we did not hear anything from Relaxing Journeys for months. It would be great to a get a regular email to be assured that the tour was still going ahead, tips about the travel... just reminders that we were in fact still on a tour. I can be a tricky experience booking from overseas with a company you find on the internet. There is always a bit of fear - what if they don't exist? Regular comms (just once a month) might have eased that a bit. Otherwise it was all processed smoothly, the tour did happen, we were picked up from the airport (though there was a bit of guesswork with who our driver was). I came home really 'relaxed'. It was just what I needed. I am recommending you guys all over the place! Jarrod may have heard from a friend of mine already!! Thanks team. Can't wait for my next trip!
Penny & Dorothy Johnson (Australia)
Tour Date 24/10/2011 |
It was a good hoilday in which I have seen the highlights of scenery in New Zealand. Everything was well organised and the group was a good mixture of international people. Hotels were in general also good. The tour guide was great.
Andre Van Mierlo (Netherlands)
Tour Date 10/10/2011 |
Thanks again for organising our tour and extra nights. We enjoyed our trip to New Zealand very much and the tour was good overall and the accomodations and meals nice. The only negative about the tour is that the timing is so organized around planning for the 'extra' tours not included that it skimps on the 'touring' part which is included. Some of the local tours which were included were skimpy (especially in Auckland) and did not cover as much as the literature indicated. The one in Dunedin was re-scheduled during the 'free time' the following morning, not the previous day when it was noted in the program, so we missed it entirely as we had made reservations to visit Olveston on our 'free time' morning. The guide Lu was knowledgeable and the driver Murray safe and timely. We did go on 3 of the optionals but as they are almost all very expensive, if you take as many as desired it would no longer be a budget tour! The ones we took were excellent value (Skippers Canyon, Te Puia, gondola/haka/dinner in Queenstown) but there were many more opportunities we couldn't afford. We had great weather in NZ overall and it is really a beautiful country with lovely people.
Terry & Robyn Sullivan (United States)
Tour Date 27/06/2011 |
A most enjoyable experience whch more than met our expectations. From the very first day we felt very much at ease and comfortable with our tour dirctor Joe Smith and our driver Murray Mckinley. Their friendly and approachable manner aided our enjoyment. There were so many highlights to the experience it is hard to pinpont specifics. However, we thoroughly enjoyed the following: Fox Glacier,Queestown, Sail on Milford Sound, Picton and the sail across to the North island. The included visits were excellent and well worth inclusion. Joe was extremely honest in her information on additional tours and we thoroughly enjoyed all those we completed. Furthermore, we feel that overall they were value for money. The only constructive and possibly negative comments were associated with the choice of hotels. The smaller hotels were far more friendly and meals most enjoyable, especially Kingsgate,Heritage Gateway and Beachcomber. Whereas, the larger hotels were somewhat impersonal and our last night at Auckland spoilt by problems with the evening meal. If we were to visit either Australia, Tasmania or New Zealand again we would certainly be contacting Relaxing Holidayss. Our thanks also goes to you for your assisrance in facilitating our holiday.
Sonia & James Sandland (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 20/01/2011 |
Please tell Georgina that she gave us the trip of a lifetime. Naoire, our tour guide, and Linda, our driver, are two unique ladies and their constant insurance for passenger well-being, holiday good-time and pride in their showing of New Zealand to us made it all memorable. We'll be writing to them. They created an atmosphere that made the whole group like a convention of the oldest friends.
Jeremy Swan (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 03/01/2011 |
We had an absolute wonderful tour of New Zealand with Relaxing Journeys. Marty and Megan, the director and bus driver were fantastic in every respect to make our experience sensational. We met a wonderful group of people who added to the great time we had. Nearly all the accomodation was great, especially the Mercure resort in Queenstown which was just sensational. The Mercure in Wellington was only just average. All the breakfasts were excellent with so much choice. All the included dinners were very good, with the Maori village dinner in Rotarua being a sensational experience. I could just rave and rave about so many of the experiences we had. Thanks to Georgie from Relaxing Journeys who was so prompt in answering all my questions before we went.
Marnie Bates & Garry Thurlow (Australia)
Tour Date 27/12/2010 |
My friend Helen & I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of New Zealand. We had a good group and the whole tour was well organised. Teo the tour director was excellant as a tour guide. He has a wealth of info. plus a cheerful disposition. My credit to the driver Murray who must have driven for years to acquire akills to manuover through all the winding roads of South Island. Queenstown was my favourite city. I could have easily stayed there and worked on a farm. I am glad we had an extra day on the trip in Queenstown. I have no complaints about the food or the hotels except to attract tourists from Asia, perhaps a few Asian dishes in the menu would be helpful. I have certainly advertised the trip to family and friends. Thanks to all who did the organisation, I thoroughly enjoyed my New Zealand experience
Thelma Younger (Australia)
Tour Date 06/12/2010 |
The trip was amazing in all aspects. The scenery and landscape of New Zealand was breathtaking and the excursions added another dimension to the trip. Our entire group was great and we all got along well and really enjoyed each other's company. I am sure this is partly due to the expertise and personality of our wonderful Tour Director, Robin, who worked diligently to make our trip comfortable and memorable.
Becky Love (United States)
Tour Date 01/03/2010 |
Hi everybody at Relaxing Journeys. Special greetings to Georgina Walpole who helped us get all the necessary information about this tour. Sorry for posting this feedback with some delay due to some circumstances; me and my wife Maria Grazia would like to congratulate with all of you for the perfect organization of this tour. It has really been a fantastic one in all its aspects and we have been very happy to visit NZ. Thank you, again.
Aldo Carniel & Maria Rondina (Italy)
Tour Date 18/01/2010 |
Having just returned from New Zealand I just want to let you know what a wonderful Tour Director we had in Julie Hodgson and our driver Paul. Nothing seemed too much trouble for them and Julie's passion and knowledge along the way surpassed anything I have encountered previously on other coach tours. As Relaxing Journey's was recommended to me, I will highly recommend your organisation to anyone who asks. My entire New Zealand experience was wonderful, enhanced not only by the group of wonderful people on the tour, but especially with the safety and professionalism of our driver Paul and I can't speak highly enough of Julie's expertise in all areas of her position. Congratulations to all involved and thanks.
Lynne Bailey (Australia)
Tour Date 21/12/2009 |
Sorry for the late reply, we have been meaning to do it for sometime now. First, we would like to thank you for all your help. Next, well, WOW! Our trip was awesome! The 14 Day coach tour of the North & South Islands was absolutely great. Even though we did not have the best of weather on the tour it was still very good, and it is true, you do need to have a variety of clothing while in NZ. We probably had the BEST tour director ever, Julie was outstanding, very knowledgeable, she loves NZ, and is a true ambassador. She was truly superb. We had an all girl team (director & driver). Again we were blessed to have the 'Best Team' to take us around NZ. Boy, you don't realize it until you drive through NZ on their roads and how very grateful we were to have an excellent and very professional driver as Megan to escort us around. They both helped the tour to be a great success. Being our first time to NZ the coach tour was a great way to see the North & South Islands. The only thing better would be is to take at least six months to take it all in, as there is so much to see and do. New Zealand is a beautiful and a wonderful place to see. The people are great and the scenery spectacular. Thank you for a wonderful NZ Experience!!
Greg & Brenda Goodkey (Canada)
Tour Date 23/11/2009 |
We would like to say how much we enjoyed the tour around New Zealand. It far exceeded our expectations and would recommend it to anyone who wanted to visit NZ. We do have one regret, and that was that we didn't include the Bay of Islands in our tour. Everything went well during the 16 days we were there, the company of people on the coach were fine, and everyone got on well with each other. The Tour Director Cally Burke, and the driver Clark (don?t know his surname) were excellent company, very informative, and very friendly. If we were ever able to come to NZ again to complete the parts that we missed this time we would certainly use the same company. Thank you for all your help before travelling, all the questions that we asked, and your assurance about the tour.
Jeff & Moira Jones (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 31/03/2008 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Sale! Save up to $145 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 |
| 06 Feb 2012 |
19 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 13 Feb 2012 |
26 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 20 Feb 2012 |
04 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 23 Feb 2012 |
07 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 05 Mar 2012 |
18 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 08 Mar 2012 |
21 Mar 2012 |
|
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 12 Mar 2012 |
25 Mar 2012 |
|
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 15 Mar 2012 |
28 Mar 2012 |
|
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 19 Mar 2012 |
01 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 22 Mar 2012 |
04 Apr 2012 |
|
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 26 Mar 2012 |
08 Apr 2012 |
|
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 29 Mar 2012 |
11 Apr 2012 |
|
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 16 Apr 2012 |
29 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
| 23 Apr 2012 |
06 May 2012 |
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NZ $3199 |
Save $145 |
NZ $3054 |
*Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart.
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Tour Discounts & Supplements:
Optional extras, single traveller supplement & multiple traveller discounts. |
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| Single Supplement: |
Add |
NZ $1,030 |
| Child Discount: |
Save |
NZ $640 |
| Frequent Traveller: |
Save |
NZ $160 |
| Triple Discount: |
Save |
NZ $160 |
| 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'. |
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