21 Day Spirit of New Zealand
21 Day Spirit of New Zealand
Take in the spirit of New Zealand on a 21 day AAT Kings Best Buys guided expedition. Be amazed by Milford Sound, Queenstown, Punakaiki, Napier, Rotorua, Bay of Islands and more.
Please Note: - For all departures from April 2020 onwards, there are some minor changes to the tour itinerary. Your Relaxing Journeys consultant will advise of changes at time of booking.
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Tour Info
Tour Type: | Low Cost Coach Tour |
From: | Christchurch to Auckland |
Departures: | Oct 2019 to Mar 2021 |
Price: | From (NZD) $6360 per person |
Tour Operator: | AAT Kings Tours |
Duration: | 21 Days |
Tour Code: | lcqb |
Inclusions
20 nights accommodation in superior hotels and 1 night on an overnight cruise |
20 fully cooked breakfasts (B) and 11 dinners (D) |
See mighty Aoraki Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain |
Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo |
Tour the sights of Dunedin |
Explore New Zealand's only castle – Larnach Castle |
Overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner |
Explore the Te Anau Glowworm Caves |
Two days at leisure in Queenstown, the 'adventure capital of New Zealand' |
Gondola ride and dinner at Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak with spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu |
Visit historic Arrowtown |
Stay at spectacular Franz Josef Glacier |
View the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki |
Watch artisans carving pounamu (jade) in Hokitika |
Free time in Nelson and Abel Tasman National Park |
Cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound from Picton to Wellington |
Visit Te Papa Tongarewa, Museum of New Zealand |
Enjoy a city walking tour in Napier |
Immerse yourself in Māori culture at a hāngī feast and concert |
Visit the Agrodome Farm Show |
Explore the geothermal valley at Te Puia in Rotorua |
Visit the beautiful Bay of Islands |
Cruise through the famous Hole in the Rock |
Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve |
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Day by Day Tour Itinerary
View Tour PDFOn arrival at Christchurch Airport you’ll be transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome reception.
Stay: Ibis Hotel, Christchurch
Visit the city this morning, then travel over the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing to Mt. Cook National Park. You may choose to take an optional scenic flight over Mt Cook (weather permitting).
Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Ōmarama (B, D)
Travel via Oamaru, with its famous white limestone buildings, to Dunedin, a region of unique landscapes and
fascinating cultural history. Take an orientation tour, then enjoy quiet time to explore the city or relax at your hotel.
Stay: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin (B)
Today is a feast for the senses. Travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. You’ll be awestruck by the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, New Zealand’s largest national park. See rainforest, ancient glaciers and mountain ranges, and drive through the Homer Tunnel. Pass Lake Matheson, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and The Chasm, before arriving in Milford Sound for your overnight cruise on the Milford Mariner.
Overnight Cruise: Milford Mariner, Milford Sound (B, D)
Note: Milford Mariner does not operate 21 May – 15 September. During this period there will be a day cruise on Milford Sound and accommodation in Queenstown.
This morning depart for Te Anau on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake on the South Island. Explore the Te Anau Glowworm Caves before travelling to the resort town Queenstown.
Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Queenstown (3 nights) (B, D)
Explore exciting Queenstown your way, all day. Take it easy with wine and garden tours or walk on the wild side with jetboat rides and white water rafting. Whatever you choose, Queenstown will surprise and exhilarate. (B)
Another action-packed day or time to relax. (B)
First stop is the gold mining village of Arrowtown, a colourful township steeped in local history. Next is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. Then it’s a trio of lakes – Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka. Travel through Haast Pass which winds its way through Mount Aspiring National Park and dramatic mountain and forest scenery. View the amazing Thunder Creek Falls and continue north along the coastal road to Franz Josef Glacier – a rare, still advancing glacier.
Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing) (B, D)
You can see Franz Josef Glacier from the air or take a glacier hike (both optional). Depart for Hokitika, home of pounamu (jade), for a studio visit and demonstration. Later travel to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You will stay in an eco-resort right on the waterfront. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep!
Stay: Punakaiki Resort (B, D)
Soak up the scenic wilderness of the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge and the Kahurangi National Park before arriving in Nelson. This afternoon you’ll visit the World of Wearable Arts and Classic Cars.
Stay: Grand Mercure Monaco Resort, Nelson (2 nights) (B, D)
You’ll have the option to journey to the top of the South Island and enjoy a relaxing cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park or perhaps take a short bush walk, relax in sunny Nelson, or explore the many arts and craft shops. (B)
Visit the seaside village of Picton and cruise on tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound then you head across Cook Strait to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. Enjoy a city sights tour before you visit Te Papa, where you’ll explore New Zealand’s nature, art, history and cultural heritage.
Stay: Travelodge, Wellington (2 nights) (B)
Explore Wellington at your own pace today. You might like to take an optional experience tour of Parliament, or a behind-the-scenes guided tour through the Weta Workshop, creators of special effects for The Lord of Rings and The Hobbit films. (B, D)
Travel through the dairy farming land of Manawatu to Napier. Enjoy a city walking tour with a local guide and learn how Napier was rebuilt after a devastating Earthquake in 1931.
Stay: Scenic Hotel Te Pania , Napier (B, D)
Travel past Lake Taupō, the largest lake in New Zealand. Visit Huka Falls and then it’s on to Rotorua, where a sightseeing tour will include views of Lake Rotorua.
Stay: Hotel Ibis Rotorua (2 nights) (B)
Visit the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute at Te Puia. A tour of Rotorua’s geothermal fields follows, with bubbling mud pools, spectacular geysers and crater lakes. This evening enjoy a hāngī feast and concert at Tamaki Māori Village. (B, D)
Visit the Agrodome Farm Show, the multi award-winning stage show, to gain an insight into agriculture in New Zealand. You’ll see the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feeding of lambs, and an exciting sheep auction. Visit the farming community of Matamata to experience a farming demonstration before lunch at Longlands Farm. Continue to Auckland where your city sights tour takes in Bastion Point, Viaduct Harbour and the Auckland Harbour Bridge.
Stay: VR Queen Street, Auckland (B)
Depart Auckland over the Harbour Bridge through Orewa and along the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Walk among the kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. Explore Whangarei, the northernmost city in New Zealand, and then it’s off to Paihia in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a scenic cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock formation.
Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort (Garden View) (2 nights) (B, D)
Today is free for you to experience the beauty of the Bay of Islands at your own pace – perhaps go dolphin watching, take a coach trip to Cape Reinga via idyllic 90 Mile Beach, a day of sailing, or even a guided sea-kayaking trip. Tonight is at leisure so why not dine at a local restaurant. (B)
Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds where New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed. Later return to Auckland. Celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your Tour Director and newfound friends.
Stay: VR Queen Street, Auckland (B, D)
Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Auckland Airport for your onward flight. (B)
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Take in the spirit of New Zealand on a 21 day AAT Kings Best Buys guided expedition. Be amazed by Milford Sound, Queenstown, Punakaiki, Napier, Rotoru... Read More
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