Tour Type: Premium Plus Escorted Tour
Duration: 21 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Auckland
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from NZ $9445 pp
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21 Day Great New Zealand Experience Touring Route:
Included Tour Highlights:
- Enjoy Freedom of Choice Touring in Auckland, Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Queenstown, Dunedin, Mt Cook and Christchurch
- Enjoy Dine Around Dinners in Nelson, Queenstown, Mt Cook and Wellington
- Enjoy a range of Maori Cultural Touring with local guides
- You’ll have the services of a dedicated Tour Director and professional Driver
- Arrival and departure airport transfers
- Enjoy the convenience of the same coach, Tour Director and Driver on both the North and South Islands
- Visit a total of six national parks
- Enjoy a total of four two night stays
- Visit Matakohe’s Pioneer Museum
- Take a dolphin cruise to Cape Brett
- Enjoy a tour of the Waitomo Caves
- Admire the thunderous Huka Falls
- See the beautiful Lake Taupo
- Travel through Tongariro National Park
- Visit the nation’s capital, Wellington
- See Pounamu (jade) being carved in Hokitika
- View the massive glacier-formed Haast River Valley
- Visit the Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach
- Travel to Lake Tekapo and visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd
- Visit the whale watching town of Kaikoura
Accommodation & Meals:
- Stay a total of four nights at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Auckland
- Stay two nights Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Waitangi in bay view rooms
- Relax for two nights at the Millennium Rotorua
- Enjoy a total of two nights at the InterContinental Wellington
- Stay at The Rutherford Hotel, Nelson
- Enjoy an overnight stay at 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
- Relax at the Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas
- Stay at the Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin
- EXCLUSIVE! Stay at The Hermitage, Mt Cook, with views of Mt Cook
- Stay at the Heritage Christchurch
- Stay at the Te Pania Scenic Hotel, Napier
- 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 |
Auckland
On arrival in Auckland you will be met at the airport by a representative and transferred to your centrally-located hotel. The rest of today is at leisure to relax and settle in, or begin exploring this wonderful city. Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel (2 nights) |
Day
2 |
Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning is at leisure for you to relax and discover Auckland. This afternoon, you choose the touring activity and we will include it. Your options include a cruise on Waitemata Harbour aboard the Pride of Auckland; a trip to the Auckland Museum; get up close to giant sharks, eels and scores of fish at Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World or visit the Voyager National Maritime Museum. Included with each of these options is an Auckland City Sights Tour. Other options available include a head, neck and shoulders massage at Bliss Reflexology; a Wilderness Adventure into the Waitakere Rainforest; or for the more adventurous you may like to climb Auckland’s Harbour Bridge. (B/D) |
Day
3 |
Auckland, Bay of Islands
Cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge and travel through Warkworth and Wellsford. Visit the Matakohe Pioneer Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of kauri gum. Continue to Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve and view the giant kauri tree Tane Mahuta, ‘Lord of the Forest’. Travel across the country to the historic Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. Later this afternoon you’ll also visit the Maori Meeting House and see the War Canoe. Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Bay of Islands (B/D) (2 nights) |
Day
4 |
Bay of Islands, Freedom of Choice Touring
Not only is the beautiful Bay of Islands the birthplace of the nation and thus full of New Zealand history, it’s also home to 144 islands and known as a playground for lovers of anything aquatic. After breakfast you have the opportunity to choose the Freedom of Choice Touring activity that most interests you. You may like to enjoy the Culture North Night Show, take a tour of Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s northernmost point. Perhaps you may like to experience the life of a bygone era aboard a Tall Ship, including a hearty BBQ lunch. Alternatively you may be interested in going on a dolphin watching Adventure, relax with a round of golf at Waitangi overlooking the national maritime park, join a mini-tour of Russell or discover the small town of Kerri Kerri on a half day sightseeing tour. Overnight Cruise option available tonight (must be prebooked - please request when requesting a quote). (B/D) |
Day
5 |
Bay of Islands, Auckland
This morning after breakfast, embark on a Bay of Islands catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. In these world-renowned deep-sea fishing grounds, dolphins and schools of fish are frequently seen. Meander through the inner islands, viewing sandy beaches, rocky outcrops and visit a secluded bay with time for relaxation. Following your cruise journey south back to Auckland. Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel (B/D) |
Day
6 |
Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi Feast
This morning after breakfast, travel south through the Waikato Province to the Waitomo Caves for a guided tour of the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Unique to New Zealand, these fascinating creatures radiate a luminescent glow as your expert guide provides commentary whilst you cruise the underground limestone caverns. Then continue to the geothermal region of Rotorua, known as the centre of Maori culture. Enjoy a Maori hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance at Mitai Maori Village tonight. Stay: Millennium Rotorua (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
7 |
Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring
For an overview of the wonderful sights of this great town, the Rotorua Icons activity will take you to the Te Puia Thermal Reserve where you’ll visit some of the famous geo-thermal geysers that are world renowned icons of New Zealand. Or you may like to visit Kiwi encounter, a working nursery and hatchery of this unique bird. Perhaps visit Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand’s largest boiling mudpool, including Lady Knox Geyser. For fans of the blockbuster series, ‘Lord of the Rings’, you may like to enjoy the Hobbiton Movie Set Tour and see where your favourite scenes were filmed. If your are after something more adventurous perhaps join a 4WD Bush Safari. For a more relaxing afternoon play a round of golf or enjoy a 30 minute spa treatment at the Polynesian Spa.
(B/D) |
Day
8 |
Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington
This morning, follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of the north island and view the Wairakei Steam Valley. Visit the thundering Huka Falls and marvel at the striking blue water that flows through the Huka River , you’ll also visit beautiful Lake Taupo, before travelling south across the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park on the way to Wellington, the national capital. Stay: Hotel InterContinental (B/D) |
Day
9 |
Wellington, Nelson, Dine Around Dinner
Join the Interislander Cruise across Cook Strait to the South Island. Travel through the pretty Marlborough region to Nelson for tonight’s Dine Around Dinner. Satisfy your tastebuds with authentic Japanese dining at Miyazu, Nelson's best Japanese dining experience consisting of a sushi bar and Teppanyaki grill. For those who prefer the tastes of the sea, perhaps try Oceano, offering the best local seafood dishes, with a rustic style menu featuring an Italian influence. 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, home to Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. Tonight, sample regional cuisine during a West Coast Specialities Degustation Dinner. Stay: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (B/FD) |
Day
11 |
Franz Josef, Wanaka
This morning, depart Franz Josef and view the Glacier as you travel along New Zealand’s West Coast and view incredible scenery today as you travel through Haast Pass and the Haast River Valley, over the dramatic Southern Alps. This region of the south island is home to some of New Zealand’s most beautiful lakes, you’ll have the opportunity to view lakes Wanaka and Hawea en-route to our overnight stay in Wanaka. 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 tour with a range of Freedom of Choice Touring activities. A Safari of the Scenes tour takes you to several local sites where the ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy was filmed. If you’re after an adrenaline rush, take a ride on the famous Shotover Jetboat down the Shotover river. If you’re feeling adventurous you may like to try Snow Shoeing (seasonal), with a local guide, strap on a pair of special snow shoes for a hike through Queenstown’s wilderness region. New Zealand is famous for its wines, so why not take a tour of the country’s premier wine producing region. Or for an overview of Queenstown, you may prefer to take a Double Decker Explorer ride through the streets of Queenstown and the nearby gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown. These are just some of the options. (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
Departing Te Anau this morning, journey via beautiful Lake Manapouri to Dunedin, settled by the Scottish in 1848 and renowned as the Edinburgh of the south. This afternoon, personalise your touring when you select your Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Perhaps tour Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. In keeping with the heritage theme, perhaps visit Olveston House. Or if you prefer, visit Dunedin’s beautiful railway station and board the Taieri Gorge Railway for a journey into the rugged countryside. Beer lovers can join a tour of Speight’s Brewery which includes a tasting. Alternatively, nature lovers will enjoy visiting an Albatross colony and seeing penguins on a tour of the Otago Peninsula. Stay: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross (B/D) |
Day
16 |
Dunedin, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring, Dine Around Dinner
Today travel north along the coast to view the fascinating Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. Stop at Oamaru, known for its distinctive limestone architecture. Then pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes on the journey to Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia’s highest mountain. On arrival, join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Perhaps visit The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or you may like to take a guided nature walk and discover the native flora and fauna of the region, or this evening enjoy a star gazing session with an astronomer. If you’re travelling during the summer months, board a MAC boat and get up close to spectacular icebergs on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake. Tonight choose to dine at either The Panorama Room or Alpine Restaurant within the hotel. 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. Stay: Heritage Christchurch (B/D) |
Day
18 |
Christchurch, Wellington, Dine Around Dinner
Board the coach this morning and travel to Kaikoura, a renowned whale watching town. Continue to Picton at the top of the South Island and board the Interislander ferry for the return cruise across Cook Strait to the nation’s capital, Wellington. Tonight choose from one of two restaurants in Wellington for your Dine Around Dinner. Choose from either the Chameleon Restaurant, an elegantly appointed restaurant offering award-winning local cuisine as well as a range of international favourites. Or you may prefer the themed Arizona Bar and Grill might be more your style. Stay: InterContinental Hotel (B/D) |
Day
19 |
Wellington, Napier
Leaving Wellington this morning, cross the Rimutaka Ranges into the pretty farming district of the Wairarapa. Continue to the coastal township of Napier, an area dominated by orchards and vineyards, and world renowned for its striking Art Deco architecture. On arrival, enjoy a wine tasting tour at the New Zealand Wine Centre, followed by a city sights tour and a guided Art Deco walk. There is time to explore this unique east coast town at your leisure this afternoon, before returning to your hotel for dinner this evening. Stay: Te Pania Scenic Hotel (B/D) |
Day
20 |
Napier, Taupo, Auckland
Departing Napier this morning we travel to the outskirts of Taupo, over the vast New Zealand countryside, and through Hamilton to New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland. Tonight swap stories with your new found friends of this magical 21 Day tour of New Zealand. Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel (B/D) |
Day
21 |
Depart Auckland
Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. Enjoy time at leisure to explore this beautiful city, before it’s time for your included departure transfer to the airport. Alternatively you may like to extend your stay in the ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’, enquire for post tour accommodation options in Auckland. (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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from NZ $9,445
21 Day Great New Zealand Experience
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21 Day Great New Zealand Experience Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 21 Day Great New Zealand Experience. |
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*
2012 Season Sale! Save up to $550 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 |
26 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $11045 |
Save $550 |
NZ $10495 |
| 18 Feb 2012 |
09 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $11045 |
Save $550 |
NZ $10495 |
| 29 Feb 2012 |
20 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $11045 |
Save $550 |
NZ $10495 |
| 16 Mar 2012 |
05 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $11045 |
Save $550 |
NZ $10495 |
| 14 Apr 2012 |
04 May 2012 |
G |
NZ $11045 |
Save $550 |
NZ $10495 |
| 05 May 2012 |
25 May 2012 |
|
NZ $9940 |
Save $495 |
NZ $9445 |
| 08 Jun 2012 |
28 Jun 2012 |
|
NZ $9940 |
Save $495 |
NZ $9445 |
| 13 Jul 2012 |
02 Aug 2012 |
|
NZ $9940 |
Save $495 |
NZ $9445 |
| 10 Aug 2012 |
30 Aug 2012 |
G |
NZ $9940 |
Save $495 |
NZ $9445 |
| 01 Sep 2012 |
21 Sep 2012 |
|
NZ $9940 |
Save $495 |
NZ $9445 |
| 24 Sep 2012 |
14 Oct 2012 |
G |
NZ $9940 |
Save $495 |
NZ $9445 |
*Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart.
*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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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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