Tour Type: Premium Escorted Tour
Duration: 15 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $5555 pp
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15 Day New Zealand Highlights Touring Route:
Tour Inclusions:
- Professional Tour Director
- Professional Luxury Coach Driver
- Admissions Outlined in the Itinerary
- Full Buffet Breakfasts (14) (B)
- 'You are invited' Lunch (1) (L)
- Exciting Highlight Dinner (3) (HD)
- Hotel Dinners (8) (D)
- Welcome Drink
- Airport Transfers
- Hotel Porterage Included
Included Tour Highlights:
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Day
1 |
Arrive Auckland
We’ll transfer you from the airport to
your hotel. On arrival at the hotel the remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Auckland. Perhaps visit the Sky Tower for spectacular views of the harbour and surrounding volcanic hills. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director. Stay: Stamford Plaza, Auckland (D) |
Day
2 |
Waitomo Caves - Rotorua
We
trace New Zealand’s longest river – the
Waikato – to the famous Waitomo Caves and discover the incredible Glow-worm Grotto on an underground boat trip. On arrival in Rotorua an orientation tour
takes in views of Lake Rotorua. Enjoy a special cultural evening featuring a Maori concert and Hangi feast. You will be greeted with a traditional Maori welcome ceremony, called a Powhiri, before experiencing a night of authentic traditional culture and entertainment and a delicious Hangi feast. Stay: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, (2 nights) (B)(HD) |
Day
3 |
Rotorua
A ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast with stunning views over Lake Rotorua starts our day followed by an entertaining look at farm life at the Agrodome’s Sheep Show. Visit Te Puia and be accompanied by a local Maori guide for a tour of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. This afternoon there is free time for you to relax, explore or join an optional tour. (B) |
Day
4 |
Wellington
From the mountains to the sea. View the Huka Falls. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of its lake. Travel through the alpine scenery of Mt Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park, Manawatu & the Kapiti Coast. On arrival in Wellington we have a city sights tour, and take in the panoramic views from the top of Mt. Victoria. Stay: Novotel Capital, Wellington (B) |
Day
5 |
Wellington - Blenheim
Explore Wellington for yourself this
morning before we visit Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum, and explore the fascinating exhibits at your leisure. Later, join the Interislander Cruise across Cook Strait and tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The seaside village of
Picton is next, then Blenheim and a city
orientation tour. Tonight we’ll enjoy a tour, dinner and tasting at Georges Michel Wine Estate, a family owned and run winery in the heart of the Marlborough region. Stay: Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim (B)(HD) |
Day
6 |
Kaikoura - Christchurch
On the way to Kaikoura we pass the
Grassmere Salt Works and see New
Zealand Fur Seals at Ohau Point. Visit Kaikoura where you can take an optional whale watching flight (own expense), then we head
to Christchurch through the Canterbury
Plains. A city orientation tour ensures you
maximize your ‘Free Time’. Stay: Novotel, Christchurch (B) |
Day
7 |
Mt Cook
Discover the sights of Christchurch this morning on the Christchurch Tram. Then you’re free to
go shopping or relax. Visit Morelea Farm, a typical working sheep farm to discover an authentic taste of New Zealand Country life. You are welcomed into the home of your hosts Angie and Stan to enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch on their 300 hectare garden and gain an insight into the day to day operation of farm life. Continuing our
travels we see Lake Tekapo and Lake
Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good
Shepherd and soak up the spectacular
alpine scenery of Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain and you have the chance to take a spectacular optional scenic flight (weather permitting). Stay: MacKenzie Country Inn - Deluxe Rooms, Twizel (B/D) |
Day
8 |
Dunedin
On our way to Dunedin we see the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, Benmore Dam and the famous white limestone buildings of Oamaru. At Dunedin we tour the city, then you’ve got the afternoon to yourself - take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway. Stay: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin (B/D) |
Day
9 |
Dunedin – Te Anau
This morning enjoy a guided tour of New Zealand’s only castle - Larnach Castle and its gardens. Then we head to Te Anau across
fertile farming land to the shores of Lake
Te Anau, the largest lake in the South
Island. Tonight, if you choose to, you can
see the Te Anau Glowworm Caves. Stay: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau (B/D) |
Day
10 |
Milford Sound
Today is a feast for the senses. Be wowed
and awestruck by the beauty of the World
Heritage Fiordland National Park. Keep
your camera close by as we see Mirror
Lakes, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley, The
Chasm, the hand-made Homer Tunnel,
Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and stunningly
photogenic Milford Sound. The Devils Stair
Case and Lake Wakatipu pass us by. We
arrive at Queenstown for an orientation
tour and group photo. The dinner option (own expense)
tonight is the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s
Peak – sensational views over Queenstown
and a bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show,
plus you’ll ride the steepest Gondola in the
Southern Hemisphere just to get there!
A top night. Stay: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown (2 nights) (B) |
Day
11 |
Queenstown
Explore Queenstown at your leisure today. You could take an exhilarating jet boat ride or go white water rafting. For the less adventurous there are wine
and garden tours. Tonight board the historic steamship TSS Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station where you experience an entertaining sheep shearing demonstration, some friendly Kiwi hospitality and a sumptuous carvery dinner. (B)(HD) |
Day
12 |
Queenstown - Franz Josef
Colourful Arrowtown is our first stop today to discover the rich gold mining history and browse through the delightful shops. See the Kawarau Gorge before stopping in Cromwell for the opportunity to taste fresh stone fruit. Later pass Lake Dunstan, New Zealand's largest man made lake before views of Lakes Hawea and Lake Wanaka. Travel over the Haast Pass to the West Coast. View the mighty Thunder Creek falls and take a short bush walk. Enjoy the scenery of the towering mountains and the sparkling Tasman Sea along the coastal road to Franz Josef. Stay: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (B/D) |
Day
13 |
Franz Josef – Punakaiki
Explore Franz Josef Glacier – take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Then we depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It’s on to Punakaiki where we’ll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. We overnight at our exclusive eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront. Stay: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki (B/D) |
Day
14 |
TranzAlpine - Christchurch
Enjoy time at leisure before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur's Pass where we climb aboard the TranzAlpine – one of the top 6 train journeys in the world – and travel through the picturesque Southern Alps to Christchurch. From our carriage we enjoy views of lush beech rainforest before descending over spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. We travel through sixteen tunnels and five viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing 73 metres. Stay: Novotel, Christchurch (B/D) |
Day
15 |
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,
Canterbury Museum, whatever – 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) |
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Click on the icon to download the 15 Day New Zealand Highlights tour in pdf format. |
from NZ $5,555
15 Day New Zealand Highlights
2
4.0
5
15 Day New Zealand Highlights Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 15 Day New Zealand Highlights. |
We had a marvellous tour, thanks to the Emerson, our thoughtful and informative tour guide and the support and company of our driver. The change in arrangements of our travel because of the disastrous eathquake in Christchurch was extremely well handled and in no way affected the enjoyment of our trip. Our sympathies go out to all New Zealanders. It is a trip we will both remember as a celebration of our 50 years of marriage. New Zealand is a beautiful and might I say innocent country. Our trip planning started in February 2010. I would aso like to sincerely thank Georgie Walpole for her patience and kind and continuous attention to every detail. A trip we will always remember!
Doug & Phyllis Deuchars (Canada)
Tour Date 15/02/2011 |
Just had to let you know how pleased we were with the tour. It was all very well organized so we were never rushed but still managed to do a lot of things. Our tour director, Sue Heycoop was amazing. She was always right on top of everything so it went like clockwork. What a wealth of knowledge she has of the country and presented it in such an interesting way. And the bus driver, Gavin Jensen was such a competent and careful driver as well as being very pleasant and accommodating to us all. The hotels were all great - the rooms and the meals. We felt that the itinerary was a good mix of attractions. So I guess by now you will realize we were very pleased with the whole trip and will certainly recommend any one planning a trip to New Zealand or Australia to use you services. And after my inquiries about taking a small case on the bus we managed just fine with a small case which was good as we had a full bus and there is not too much room.
Raymond & Alma Sigurdson (Canada)
Tour Date 17/02/2009 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Sale! Save up to $260 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 |
| 14 Feb 2012 |
28 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $5815 |
Save $260 |
NZ $5555 |
| 06 Mar 2012 |
20 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $5815 |
Save $260 |
NZ $5555 |
| 13 Mar 2012 |
27 Mar 2012 |
|
NZ $5815 |
Save $260 |
NZ $5555 |
| 10 Apr 2012 |
24 Apr 2012 |
|
NZ $5815 |
Save $260 |
NZ $5555 |
*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 $1,525 |
| Child Discount: |
Save |
NZ $1,165 |
| Frequent Traveller: |
Save |
NZ $290 |
| Triple Discount: |
Save |
NZ $290 |
| 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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