Itinerary
Day 1 Auckland-Coromandel-Whakatane
Your tour departs Auckland city centre at 8.00am. Travel east to the popular beaches of the Coromandel Peninsula. At Hahei, board a state-of-the art rigid hull inflatable boat that takes you into the coastal islands of this marine reserve. Visit reefs, massive sea caves and bays, including the world-famous Cathedral Cove. Enjoy time for exploring, relaxing or swimming before travelling on to Whakatane.
Join your luxury launch for the 80 minute cruise out to the active, marine volcano of White Island. Trained tour guides will take you through the remains of the old sulphur mining factory & you’ll venture right up to the main crater’s edge. On our trip home look out for dolphins, whales or the NZ Fur Seal. Continue on to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua.
Spend the day at leisure discovering the delights of Rotorua. Choose one activity from any of the included optional activities including rafting, kayaking, cruising, spa treatments, sightseeing and a cultural experience with the local Maori.
Day 4 Lake Taupo-Napier
First stop today is the mighty Huka Falls. Take time to wander around this popular lakeside town before venturing eastwards to the Art Deco city of Napier, the result of a thorough rebuilding after a massive Earthquake in 1931.
Day 5 Napier "Flexi-sights"
Hawke’s Bay is widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific’. Today you have the choice of one of the many exciting activity inclusions. You can explore the countryside and city pathways on your late model mountain bike (or tandem if you prefer!), enjoy a game of golf, visit the largest mainland gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers, visit local wineries or take in the local city sights.
Day 6 Wairarapa-Wellington
Travel through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region on your way to the nation’s capital, Wellington. On arrival, visit Zealandia, a wildlife refuge in a forested valley just minutes from the city centre. It is a safe haven for some of New Zealand’s most endangered and iconic native animals including the tuatara, little spotted kiwi, hihi and the giant weta.
Day 7 Fly Wellington-Christchurch
This morning, fly south to the South Island's largest city, Christchurch. The remainder of the day is free to discover the delights of the "Garden City".
Travel to the world heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park with over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. Experience the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake and icebergs up close on the only tour of its kind in New Zealand. Local guides whisk us away in a stable MAC boat to explore the melting ice face of the Tasman Glacier. After dinner, explore the southern sky with expert astronomy guides.
Journey past Lakes Pukaki, Benmore & Aviemore to Oamaru. Travel south along the coastal highway, stopping at Koekohe Beach to view the unique Moeraki Boulders, formed some 60 million years ago. On to Dunedin, the "Edinburgh of the South".
At leisure this morning for some optional sightseeing. This afternoon, travel to Te Anau. Nestled on the edge of the South Island's largest lake, it boasts a spectacular backdrop of Mt Luxmore & the Murchison mountains. This ecvening, join up with your nature guide for your Te Anau-au Glowworm Caves experience both above and below ground. Deep inside the caves you'll be taken by small boat into a silent, hidden grotto inhabited by thousands of tiny glowworms.
Day 11 Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Travel through Homer Tunner to Milford Sound, a spectacular 22km fiord dominated by the awesome Mitre Peak. Here you will board your vessel and cruise its full length to the Tasman Sea. View waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife with experienced nature guides. Return to Te Anau late afternoon.
Skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu as you enter the beautiful alpine village of Queenstown, widely regarded as new Zealand's premiere holiday destination and adventure capital. This afternoon, choose from one of a number of included activities. These include the famous Shotover Jet Boat, the Skyline Gondola & Luge, a luncheon cruise aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and a sightseeing tour to Arrowtown and some local vineyards.
A full day to experience this magnificent resort. Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms... from extreme to relaxed exploration. Your tour guide will be pleased to offer suggestions on the numerous activities available.
View incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the Westland National Park and Haast Pass on your journey to the glacier townships of Fox and Franz Josef.
Day 15 Glacier Walk, Rugged West Coast
Your guide will lead you onto the ice of Franz Josef Glacier via a track through regenerating rainforest. You'll be supplied with sturdy leather boots and instep crampons, specially designed for the ice conditions. Make your way up the terminal face of the glacier traversing spectacular tracks of only moderate difficulty. Continue north along the rugged west coast to Greymouth.
Day 16 Punakaiki Rocks, Nelson
At Punakaiki view the incredible limestone formations that make up the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Travel through the Paparoa and Nelson Lakes National Parks to the sunny city of Nelson, gateway to the stunning Abel Tasman National Park.
Choose from a number of inlcuded park activities that include sailing, kayaking, cruising and bush walking. There is also the choice of a half day wine or arts and crafts tour.
This morning, travel through the Marlborough wine region before travelling south to the township of Kaikoura, a small village located on a narrow strip of coastline where the mountains meet the sea. This area is renowned for the variety of marine mammals that can be seen, not least of all giant Sperm Whales and the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins.
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