Tour Type: Premium Plus Escorted Tour
Duration: 21 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Auckland
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from NZ $7915 pp
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21 Day Great New Zealand Experience Touring Route:
Tour Highlights:
Accommodation & Meals:
- Stay two nights in the Bay of Islands
- Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise & Rotorua Country Homestay options
- NEW! Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef
- EXCLUSIVE! Stay at the Edgewater Resort, Wanaka, a tranquil lakeside haven
- EXCLUSIVE! Two nights at the luxurious Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa
- EXCLUSIVE! Stay at The Hermitage, Mt Cook, with views of Mt Cook
- 20 hot breakfasts (B), 16 dinners (D) and 3 Feature Dinners (FD)
Exclusive Experiences:
- Personalise your coach tour! Exclusive Experiences allow you to choose the activities that best suit you and are included at no extra cost! Choose Your Exclusive Experience!
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Day
1 |
Arrive Auckland
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of today is at leisure to explore this wonderful city. Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel (2 nights) |
Day
2 |
Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning is at leisure in Auckland. This afternoon, choose an Exclusive Experience by selecting from a choice of options. Perhaps take an Auckland sightseeing tour, visit Auckland’s museum or embark on a Waitakere Rainforest adventure. (B/D) |
Day
3 |
Auckland, Bay of Islands
Cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge and visit Matakohe’s Kauri Museum. Continue to Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve and view the giant kauri tree Tane Mahuta, ‘Lord of the Forest’. Travel to the Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi Treaty House, the Maori Meeting House and see the War Canoe. Stay: Copthorne Waitangi Resort (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
4 |
Bay of Islands, Freedom of Choice Touring
The Bay of Islands is home to 144 islands and known as a favourite playground for lovers of anything aquatic; diving, sailing and big game fishing. Today, choose the activity that interests you and we will include it. Among the options available is a day trip to Cape Reinga at the top of New Zealand, sailing on a unique tall ship or a dolphin watching adventure. Overnight Cruise option available tonight. (B/D) |
Day
5 |
Bay of Islands, Auckland
This morning, take a catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. In these deep-sea fishing grounds, dolphins and schools of fish are frequently seen. Meander through the inner islands, viewing sandy beaches and rocky outcrops, then relax on a secluded bay. Following your cruise, journey south back to Auckland. Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel (B/D) |
Day
6 |
Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi Feast
Travel south to Waitomo for a guided tour of the limestone caves and glow-worm grotto. Then continue to the geothermal region of Rotorua, known as the centre of Maori culture. Enjoy an authentic Maori hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance at Mitai Maori Village tonight. Stay: Millennium Rotorua (2 nights) (B/FD) |
Day
7 |
Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today we give you the chance to choose the activity and we will include it. Personalise your itinerary and choose from our range of Exclusive Experiences. You can visit the ‘Must See Three’ of Te Puia Thermal Reserve, the Agrodome Farm Show and Rainbow Springs or perhaps visit the Polynesian Spa for a spa treatment and soak in a natural thermal mineral pool, a half day Ecothermal Tour might appeal or a tour of the Rotorua Museum or a cultural experience at the ‘Realm of Tane’. (B/D) |
Day
8 |
Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington
Today visit Wairakei Steam Valley, a unique and fascinating geothermal power project. See spectacular Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park on the way to Wellington. Stay: Hotel InterContinental (B/D) |
Day
9 |
Wellington, Nelson, Dine Around Dinner
Our Interislander Cruise takes us through Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait and into the Marlborough Sounds before arriving in Picton on the South island. Then travel through the pretty Marlborough region to Nelson. Tonight, choose from two fine restaurants. Stay: The Rutherford Hotel (B/D) |
Day
10 |
Nelson, Franz Josef, West Coast Specialties Theme Dinner
Follow the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge to the wild and rugged West Coast. View the fascinating Pancake rock formations at Punakaiki. Stop at Hokitika which has stunning views to the Southern Alps. Here, see beautiful Pounamu (jade) being carved into jewellery. Enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park, where you can view the magnificent glaciers. There may be the opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight over this region (own expense, weather permitting). Enjoy a West Coast Regional Specialities dinner tonight. Stay: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (B/FD) |
Day
11 |
Franz Josef, Wanaka
View incredible scenery today as you travel through Haast Pass, over the Southern Alps and along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea, to Wanaka township. Stay: Edgewater Resort (B/D) |
Day
12 |
Wanaka, Arrowtown, Queenstown Dining
Depart Wanaka this morning and journey to the delightful village of Arrowtown. Visit the Lakes District Museum, before continuing to the alpine resort of Queenstown, situated on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Tonight choose from 14 different restaurants with our Dine Around Dinner options. You may wish to take a gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant and enjoy dinner and spectacular views over the town. Perhaps cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamboat across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Sheep Station for a sumptuous homestead carvery dinner. Or enjoy a meal at one of the many diverse restaurants and cafés. Stay: Sofitel Queenstown (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
13 |
Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, personalise your sightseeing by choosing from our range of activities. You might like to visit a selection of beautiful local gardens or take a relaxing winery tour. Perhaps take an exciting jetboat ride or a fun double-decker bus tour. (B/D) |
Day
14 |
Milford Sound, Te Anau
Follow the Remarkables Mountain Range and trace the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. Journey along the Milford Road and wind down the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel into Milford Sound. We board our Red Boat and cruise the length of this fiord and see Mitre Peak rising from the waters. View waterfalls, dense rainforest and towering mountains in this World Heritage listed area. This afternoon we drive to the tranquil settlement of Te Anau. Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas (B/D) |
Day
15 |
Te Anau, Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring
Leaving the dramatic landscape of the Fiordland region, journey through rolling Southland countryside travelling via the towns of Lumsden and Gore to the east coast and the city of Dunedin. This afternoon you choose an Exclusive Experience and we will include it. Explore the Otago Peninsula by visiting the Albatross Colony or Penguin Place. For an insight into the Scottish heritage of this region you have the choice of touring Olveston House or Larnach Castle, or maybe take a guided tour of the Speights Brewery Heritage Centre. Stay: Southern Cross Hotel (B/D) |
Day
16 |
Dunedin, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today journey north along the coast and stop to view the unique Moeraki Boulders. Continue past the azure lakes of Aviemore, Benmore and Pukaki, all developed for hydro electric power schemes, on the way to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, where you can choose an Exclusive Experience and we will include it. Stay: The Hermitage with views of Mt Cook from your room (B/D) |
Day
17 |
Mt Cook, Christchurch, Dine Around Dinner
This morning you’ll travel to Lake Tekapo and visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. On the way to Christchurch, you might like to ride the scenic TranzAlpine Train from Arthurs Pass or continue by coach through the Rakaia Gorge to Christchurch. Tonight enjoy a Dine Around Dinner, choosing from three superb restaurants at your hotel. Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel (B/D) |
Day
18 |
Christchurch, Wellington, Dine Around Dinner
Choose your activity this morning before travelling to Kaikoura, a whale watching town. Continue to Picton and cruise back across Cook Strait to Wellington. Stay: InterContinental Hotel (B/D) |
Day
19 |
Wellington, Taupo
Cross the Rimutaka Ranges into the farming district of Wairarapa. Continue to the coastal town of Napier, an area dominated by orchards and vineyards. Explore this Art Deco city before you continue to Taupo. Stay: Wairakei Resort (B/D) |
Day
20 |
Taupo, Auckland
Near Taupo, stop and visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, a geothermal area well-known for its beautiful colours and mystical quality. Then visit Kiwifruit Country before travelling to the beach resort of Mt Maunganui and on to Tauranga. Later, return to Auckland. Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel (B/D) |
Day
21 |
Depart Auckland
Today is at leisure for you to explore this beautiful city, before your included departure transfer to the airport. (B) |
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Click on the icon to download the 21 Day Great New Zealand Experience tour in pdf format. |
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Kia Ora! We had one of the most memorable trips!! Very good accomodations and coach driver! Of course, Laurel MacDonald was FABULOUS!! Always there when you needed her and full of extra information about the country and the people. Very responsible, and responsive individual who made us feel right at home in her country. We have already told a lot of our friends to book thru "Relaxing Jouneys" and of course to talk to Craig! Thank you for giving us a marvelous experience in beautiful New Zealand!! We Loved it!!
Anne Dunnington & Bernard Siergiej (United States)
Tour Date 09/04/2010 |
This was a fantastic trip in every respect. We broke up our travel to NZ so that we would not be exhausted when we arrived. When we arrived we were met and taken to our hotel which was for the most part representative of our entire tour - the accommodations, service and meals were great. The optional touring was excellent although we felt that an extra day in some locations would have allowed us to do more. This was particularly true of Christchurch where we had to drop off folks for the TranzAlpine railway and prevented us from arriving at noon hour and we had to leave again the next morning - one more day in Christchurch would have been nice. The driver and tour guide were both outstanding in making the tour an absolutely wonderful experience - every detail was arranged - the tour guide and the driver even arranged golfing outings for 2 of us when we had free time. The friends we met on the tour made you look forward to each new day and each evening at dinner with anticipation and excitement. I had an apprehension about a 3 week bus tour but it exceded expectations. If we were to do the tour by car it would have taken at least 2 months to see the places and do the things we did.
Heather & Jim Furlong (Canada)
Tour Date 08/02/2010 |
The holiday far and away exceeded my highest expectations, right from the airport/hotel transfers, down to the professionalism of the tour manager and excellent driving of the coach driver. Helped very much too by the weather, which was on the whole very good. Only 2 days rain, in what has been a very poor summer by New Zealand standards. My only criticism would be with the dinners. Not so much the quality of the food, but having paid for premium plus we were more often than not offered a set menu, rather than the full a la carte menu and initially tea/coffee was not included. On the couple of times we did complain, we were met with profuse apologies and did get the full a la carte menu. Last it would of been nice to spend an extra day in Christchurch - maybe extending the tour by 1 day.
Mike Roe (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 25/01/2010 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
Save up to $NZ 1,000 per person off the brochure price! Get in quick before it sells out!
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 September 2010 and 30 September 2010
. Subject to availability at time of booking. |
Tour
Starts |
Tour
Finishes |
Tour
Status |
Brochure
Price |
OUR
SPECIAL |
OUR
PRICE |
| 10 Sep 2010 |
30 Sep 2010 |
G |
NZ $8715 |
Save $800 |
NZ $7915 |
| 15 Sep 2010 |
05 Oct 2010 |
G |
NZ $8715 |
Save $800 |
NZ $7915 |
| 05 Oct 2010 |
25 Oct 2010 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 20 Oct 2010 |
09 Nov 2010 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 29 Oct 2010 |
18 Nov 2010 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 06 Nov 2010 |
26 Nov 2010 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 17 Nov 2010 |
07 Dec 2010 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 20 Nov 2010 |
10 Dec 2010 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 26 Nov 2010 |
16 Dec 2010 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 10 Dec 2010 |
30 Dec 2010 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 22 Dec 2010 |
11 Jan 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 02 Jan 2011 |
22 Jan 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 07 Jan 2011 |
27 Jan 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 15 Jan 2011 |
04 Feb 2011 |
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NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 06 Feb 2011 |
26 Feb 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 08 Feb 2011 |
28 Feb 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 11 Feb 2011 |
03 Mar 2011 |
|
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 13 Feb 2011 |
05 Mar 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 16 Feb 2011 |
08 Mar 2011 |
|
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 18 Feb 2011 |
10 Mar 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 22 Feb 2011 |
14 Mar 2011 |
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NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 24 Feb 2011 |
16 Mar 2011 |
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NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 26 Feb 2011 |
18 Mar 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 28 Feb 2011 |
20 Mar 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 08 Mar 2011 |
28 Mar 2011 |
|
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 12 Mar 2011 |
01 Apr 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 15 Mar 2011 |
04 Apr 2011 |
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NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 19 Mar 2011 |
08 Apr 2011 |
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NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
| 24 Mar 2011 |
13 Apr 2011 |
G |
NZ $11011 |
Save $1000 |
NZ $10011 |
*Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart.
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Tour Discounts & Supplements:
Optional extras & optional single traveller supplement |
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| Single Supplement: |
Add |
NZ $2,725 |
*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'. |
Tour Notes
Solo travellers, airport transfers, pre & post accommodation |
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Solo Travellers
For the solo traveller, you can either register to have a twin share room with another single traveller of the same gender to save costs, or you may opt to pay for a single supplement to guarantee a room of your own.
Airport Transfers
From the moment you touch down a friendly smile awaits. Our Meet and Greet Representatives ensure you are welcomed in true Kiwi style. Return airport to hotel transfers are provided.
Pre & Post Accommodation
As some flights arrive late at night and others depart early morning, extra nights are highly recommended to allow yourself time to relax before commencing your coach holiday. To extend your stay, simply select the number of extra nights you wish to spend when you make an enquiry. Read More> |
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