18 Day Antipodean Tourer

18 Day Antipodean Tourer Touring Route:

Tour Inclusions:

• 2 night stopovers in Christchurch, Nelson, Franz Josef Glacier, Rotorua & Auckland
• 4 nights in majestic Queenstown
• Overnight Milford Sound Cruise
• Spectacular Milford Sound Scenic Flight
• Alpine Safari Adventure
• Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve
• Kaikoura Whalewatch Excursion
• Abel Tasman Seals and Beach Excursion
• Dart River Jet Boat Safari
• Pure Cruise Sailing Excursion
• Admission to the Te Puia geothermal region
• Te Po - Maori cultural experience with traditional hangi
• 17 nights accommodation of your choice
• Full cooked breakfasts daily (B), 2 dinners (D) & 1 lunch (L)
• Boutique Accommodation includes 2 additional dinners at Te Waonui
• Rental vehicle of your choice
• Satellite Navigation Included
• Domestic flight Queenstown-Rotorua is included in the tour price
• Admissions outlined in the Itinerary
• Personal 'Meet & Greet' at the airport, with private transfer to your accommodation
• Comprehensive travel compendium, maps, CD guide, vouchers and travel guides

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Arrive Christchurch
"Haere Mai" Welcome to Christchurch - the Garden City. Upon arrival at Christchurch airport, you will be personally met by our representative & transferred in an executive sedan to your accommodation. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore what Christchurch has to offer. The city has had 2 earthquakes in the last year, and as a result the central CBD district has been damaged. However many of the activites in and around Christchurch are still operating as normal, and there is plenty to experience and see.

• B&B: Elm Tree House (2 nights)
• Hotel: Peppers Clearwater Resort (2 nights)
• Boutique: The George (2 nights)

Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura
Your rental car will be delivered to your hotel this morning. Leaving Christchurch, travel inland to the naturally picturesque and tranquil alpine village of Hanmer Springs, nestled in a valley surrounded by a superb expanse of mountains and forest clad hills. Relax in the hot thermal pools of the Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve before continuing on to Kaikoura, located in a narrow strip of stunning coastline that lies between mountain peaks and the Pacific Ocean. (B)

• B&B: Fyffe Country Lodge
• Hotel: White Morph Inn
• Boutique: Hapuku Lodge

Whale Watch Kaikoura, Nelson
This morning, board your boat & enjoy the awesome experience of a 3-hour whale-watch excursion. Every whale watch tour is a unique experience & sightings may vary from day to day. Giant sperm whales are the star of the show and are year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter fur seals, pods of Dusky dolphins & the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season, you may also see migrating Hump Back whales, Pilot whales, Blue whales & Southern Right whales. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrel & 7 types of Shearwater. Later, continue north to Blenheim, gateway to the well-known Marlborough Sounds region before arriving at Nelson, a city of charm based on a harbour that is home to the busiest fishing port in New Zealand. (B)

• B&B: Kershaw House (2 nights)
• Hotel: Heritage Rutherford Hotel (2 nights)
• Boutique: Warwick House (2 nights)

Abel Tasman Seals and Beach Excursion
Cruise to the golden expanse of Onetahuti beach via the Seal Colony at Tonga Island. Walk 1.5 hours over a forested saddle to the picturesque estuary and calm waters of Bark Bay. If you are feeling energetic and have the time, continue walking a further 2 hours to Torrent Bay, the most varied section of the track with vegetation ranging from dappled sunny regenerating Kanuka forest to dense temperate rainforest, including the Swing Bridge over Falls River. Join the Vigour Water Taxi from Torrent Bay back to Kaiteriteri and then take a leisurely drive back to Nelson. (B)

Nelson Lakes, Punakaiki Rocks
Travel south through the Nelson Lakes region before arriving on the West Coast. Marvel at the bizarre limestone landscapes that is the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowhole. (B)

• B&B: Breakers
• Hotel & Boutique: Punakaiki Resort

Greymouth, Franz Josef Glacier
The West Coast is home to towering rainforests, mountains and glaciers, tranquil lakes and rushing rivers. It is steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1860's. Our stay for the next 2 nights is in the village of Franz Josef Glacier. (B)

• B&B: Holly Homestead (2 nights)
• Hotel: Scenic Circle Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (2 nights)
• Boutique: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (2 nights) (D)

Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown
Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. Travel over the magnificent Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. There is time to wander around the popular lakeside township of Wanaka before travelling over the spectacular Crown Range to the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown. On to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination. (B)

• B&B: Browns Boutique Hotel (2 nights)
• Hotel: Hotel St Moritz (2 nights)
• Boutique: The Dairy Private Hotel (2 nights)

Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
Travel by coach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. Continue along the spectacular Milford Road and through the hand-strewn Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound where you board the Milford Mariner for a relaxing cruise. Cruise the entire length of the Sound to the Tasman Sea & view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, mountains & wildlife. The Milford Mariner is designed along the lines of a traditional New Zealand trading scow to reflect Fiordland's heritage and you will be accommodated in private cabins with en-suite bathrooms in this purpose-built vessel. It boasts spacious deck areas for viewing the wilderness, scenery & wildlife of Milford and activities include kayaking and excursions in the tender vessels (stabi craft) to explore the coastline. (B/D)

• All Categories: Overnight on Milford Mariner

Explore Queenstown & its surrounds
Enjoy a spectacular scenic flight back to Queenstown this morning by light aircraft (subject to weather conditions). You have the rest of today to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure & leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. There are numerous activities from which to choose. (B)

• B&B: Browns Boutique Hotel (2 nights)
• Hotel: Hotel St Moritz (2 nights)
• Boutique: The Dairy Private Hotel (2 nights)

Fly Queenstown - Rotorua
This morning, drop off your car at Queenstown airport & board your aircraft for the flight north to the geothermal city of Rotorua. On arrival, collect your new rental vehicle & make your way to your hotel. Rotorua’s raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. Here you can stand upon volcanoes, peer into massive craters, see boiling mud, exploding geysers and marvel at the unspoiled native forests that cloak the land. (B)

• B&B: Koura Lodge (2 nights)
• Hotel: Holiday Inn Rotorua (2 nights)
• Boutique: The Regent of Rotorua (2 nights)

Bay of Plenty, Coromandel Peninsula
Travel north this morning to the Bay of Plenty. Travel the coastline to Tairua Harbour on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula, a region where many kiwis choose to escape the bustle and stress of city life. (B)

• B&B: Harbour View Lodge
• Hotel: Grand Mercure Puka Park
• Boutique: Colleith Lodge

Coromandel Town, Auckland
Today's journey takes you over the divide to the quaint gold mining township of Coromandel and on down the Thames Coast. On to Auckland, the 'City of Sails', New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences. (B)

• B&B: The Great Ponsonby Art Hotel
• Hotel: Heritage Auckland
• Boutique: Hotel DeBrett

Note: The Kiwi Adventurer tour is identical to this tour except it also includes the Bay of Islands.

Note: This self drive tour can be completed in reverse order, the tour cost remains the same. To view tour prices or to make an enquiry, please click on the Tabs at the top of this itinerary. Top