17 Day Kia Ora New Zealand

Travel along the scenic Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you cruise to Cape Brett, and through the ‘Hole in the Rock’.

Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort (Garden View), Bay of Islands (2 nights) (B, D)

Explore the Bay of Islands at leisure today. (B)

Enjoy a relaxed morning before travelling through lush farmland on your way back to Auckland.

Stay: VR Queen Street, Auckland (B)

After a tour of Auckland’s city highlights, trace the Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves where you’ll explore the Waitomo Glowworm Grotto by boat. Your journey continues to Rotorua for an orientation tour with views of Lake Rotorua. This evening, enjoy a Māori Hangi feast Highlight Dinner and concert at the Tamaki Māori Village.

Stay: Hotel Ibis Rotorua (2 nights) (B, D)

Your morning is free. You might like to visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park for a glimpse of New Zealand’s iconic kiwi bird, or Te Puia, the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. (B)

Journey through tall pine forests and verdant farmland to spectacular Huka Falls and serene Lake Taupo. Drive along the shores of New Zealand’s biggest lake through the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National
Park and the dairy farms of Manawatu. Then follow the Kapiti Coast to Wellington for a city orientation tour.

Stay: Travelodge, Wellington (B)

This morning enjoy a tour of Wellington, Your special packed lunch today won’t only be wholesome, it will also feed a Kiwi child who may otherwise go without, through the charity ‘Eat My Lunch’. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington, and then visit Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. Cruise across the Cook Strait and explore the maze of inlets of Queen Charlotte Sound. Later you’ll travel to the seaside village of Picton and take a tour of the city before dinner.

Stay: Beachcomber Inn, Picton (B, L, D)

Travel to Kaikoura, where sperm whales can often be seen not far from shore. Travel along the Pacific Ocean coast and across the colourful Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Stay: Ibis Hotel, Christchurch (B)

Explore Christchurch at leisure this morning, then travel over the fertile plains to serene Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park.

Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Ōmarama (B, D)

Visit the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and the monumental spillway of the nearby Benmore Dam. Then travel to the town of Oamaru, with its celebrated white limestone buildings. Continue to Dunedin, New Zealand’s southernmost city.

Stay: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City, Dunedin (B)

Enjoy free time in Dunedin and then travel across the fertile sheep-dotted pastures of South Otago en route to Te Anau.

Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau (B, D)

Your experience in Milford Sound today is sure to be one of the highlights of your journey. Travel first through tall native rainforests and rugged mountains, then cruise the serene waters of this natural wonder. On the way
to Queenstown see Mirror Lake, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls, then travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Queenstown (2 nights) (B)

Explore New Zealand’s adventure capital at your own pace today. Later in the afternoon, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner (B, D)

Visit the faithfully-restored gold mining settlement of Arrowtown and travel on to Cromwell to taste its sensational stone fruit. You will then travel over Haast Pass and view the sheer drop of Thunder Creek Falls on your way to Franz Josef Glacier.

Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing) (B, D)

This morning’s destination is Hokitika, home of New Zealand’s famous greenstone. Then continue to Arthur’s Pass to board the iconic TranzAlpine train and take one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys. This evening, join
your Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner.

Stay: Ibis Hotel, Christchurch (B, D)

Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. (B)