Tour Type: Premium Plus Escorted Tour
Duration: 16 Days
Tour Starts In: Auckland
Tour Finishes In: Christchurch
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from NZ $ pp
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16 Day New Zealand Phenomenon Touring Route:
Included Tour Highlights:
Accommodation & Meals:
- Stay two nights in the Bay of Islands
- Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise & Rotorua Country Homestay options
- Two nights in the sub-tropical Bay of Islands at the Copthorne Waitangi Resort
- Stay overnight at the Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef
- EXCLUSIVE! Stay at the Edgewater, 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
- 15 breakfasts (B), 14 dinners (D) including Maori Hangi feast in Rotorua, West Coast Specialities Dinner, Queenstown Dine Around Dinner
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
You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Today, personalize your sightseeing by selecting your own touring activity. Options include a cruise on Waitemata Harbour, a sightseeing tour of Auckland, a trip to Auckland Museum, or you can even climb Auckland Bridge for stunning views of the harbour. Stay: Crowne Plaza Hotel |
Day
2 |
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
3 |
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
4 |
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
5 |
Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi Feast
Leaving Auckland, travel through the 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
6 |
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
7 |
Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington, Dine Around Dinner
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
8 |
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
9 |
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. Journey along the West Coast and enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park. Tonight enjoy a West Coast Specialities Degustation dinner. Stay: Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat (B/FD) |
Day
10 |
Franz Josef, Wanaka
View Franz Josef Glacier today as you leave this World Heritage-listed region, travelling through Haast Pass and over the Southern Alps. This scenic road takes us along the shores of picturesque Lakes Hawea and Wanaka where crystal-clear blue waters reflect dramatic landscapes. Continue to Wanaka township originally settled during the gold rush era of the 19th century and surrounded by Mt Aspiring National Park. Enjoy an overnight stay in this inspiring place of peace and tranquillity. Stay: Edgewater Resort (B/D) |
Day
11 |
Wanaka, Arrowtown, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner
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, thanks to our Dine Around Dinner concept, choose from 14 of the town’s best restaurants, explore Queenstown with our Dining Options. Perhaps choose 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
12 |
Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today personalize your sightseeing with your Freedom of Choice activity. You may like to enjoy a relaxing lake shore and forest walk around Lake Wakatipu, viewing native flora and fauna. Or perhaps experience a double-decker bus tour. Maybe you would like to choose a tour of the local wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River, a Safari of the Scenes 4WD tour or possibly take a 4WD tour into Skippers Canyon. (B/D) |
Day
13 |
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
14 |
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
15 |
Dunedin, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring
Travel along the coast to view the unique Moeraki Boulders. Pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes on your journey to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park where you will join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Options include the Glacier Explorer cruise, a guided walk through the national park, a discovery of the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or stargazing with expert astronomy guides. Tonight, stay at The Hermitage with Mt Cook views, and choose to dine at either The Panorama Room or Alpine Restaurant. Stay: The Hermitage with views of Mt Cook from your room (B/D) |
Day
16 |
Mt Cook - Christchurch
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. Your tour concludes upon arrival and a transfer to the airport is included. (B) |
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16 Day New Zealand Phenomenon
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16 Day New Zealand Phenomenon Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 16 Day New Zealand Phenomenon. |
This proved to be just what we wanted. A small group of like minded people from different backgrounds and cultures, all prepared to join in and make the trip an experience we would not forget. Our Driver 'Royal' and the tour Guide 'Karen' were fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble and they both mixed with the group as if we were just part of a big family. (We hit the Jackpot with them). The selection of places we stayed at must have evolved over many years of touring, it encompassed everything we had planned. We were welcomed and made at home everywhere we stopped. Some of the more memorable hotels were The Nautilus Hotel in Napier, and The Ohau Lodge at Lake Ohau where the proprieters even took time to come on board the coach to welcome us, and give us a brief introduction to the hotel and facilities. Then to wish us farewell on our departure. The experience of waking up on board the Milford Mariner after heavy rain over night was superb. We had seen Milford Sound in brilliant sunshine the previous day and to witness the total transformation of the waterfalls was a sight to behold. This was a trip I did not want to end. Our arrival back in Christchurch to the sound of 'Po Atarau' (now is the hour) followed by .'Pokarekare ana' was very emotional. The memory will stay with me forever.
Graham & Jacalyn Shepherd-Jones (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 22/12/2009 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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*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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