New Zealand : Great New Zealand Experience

Day 1 Auckland
On arrival in Auckland you will be met at the airport by an APT Representative and transferred to your centrally-located hotel. The rest of today is at leisure to relax and settle in, or begin exploring this wonderful city. Two Night Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 2 Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning is at leisure for you to relax and discover Auckland. This afternoon, you choose the touring activity and we will include it. Perhaps take an Auckland City Sights tour, visit Auckland’s museum, explore Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World or embark on a Waitakere Rainforest Adventure. BD

Day 3 Auckland-Bay of Islands
Cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge and travel through Warkworth and Wellsford. Visit Matakohe Pioneer Museum, home to the world’s largest collection of kauri gum. Continue to Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve and view the giant kauri tree Tane Mahuta, ‘Lord of the Forest’. Travel across the country to the historic Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi Treaty House. Later this afternoon you’ll also visit the Maori Meeting House and see the War Canoe.
Two Night Stay: Bay of Islands, Copthorne Waitangi Resort. BD

Day 4 Bay of Islands, Freedom of Choice Touring
Not only is the beautiful Bay of Islands the birthplace of the nation and thus full of New Zealand history, it is also home to 144 islands and known as a favourite playground for lovers of anything aquatic. After breakfast you have the opportunity to choose the activity that most interests you, with options including a day trip to Cape Reinga at the top of New Zealand and a dolphin watching adventure. Overnight Cruise option available tonight. BD

Day 5 Bay of Islands-Auckland
This morning after breakfast, embark on a Bay of Islands catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. In these world-renowned deep-sea fishing grounds, dolphins and schools of fish are frequently seen. Meander through the inner islands, viewing sandy beaches, rocky outcrops and visit a secluded bay with time for relaxation. Following your cruise, journey south back to Auckland. Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel. BD

Day 6 Auckland-Rotorua
This morning after breakfast, travel south through the Waikato Province to Waitomo Caves for a guided tour of the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Then continue to the geothermal region of Rotorua, known as the centre of Maori culture. Enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance at Mitai Maori Village tonight. Two Night Stay: Millennium Rotorua. B, FD

Day 7 Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring
Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest and best-known resort, where generations of visitors have marvelled at its geothermal activity and experienced Maori culture. Today, you select the activity and we will include it! You may choose to take a soak in a natural thermal mineral pool, visit the Rotorua Museum or be entertained and educated by a sheep show and shearing display. Country Homestay option available tonight. BD

Day 8 Rotorua-Taupo-Wellington
Today visit Wairakei Steam Valley, a unique and fascinating geothermal power project. See spectacular Huka Falls and picturesque Lake Taupo. Travelling south, cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park on the way to Wellington, New Zealand’s national capital. Stay: Wellington, InterContinental Hotel. BD

Day 9 Wellington-Nelson
Join the Interislander Cruise across Cook Strait to the South island. Travel through the pretty Marlborough region to Nelson for tonight’s Dine Around Dinner. Stay: Nelson, The Rutherford Hotel. BD

Day 10 Nelson-Franz Josef-West Coast
Follow the Heritage Highway to the West Coast. View the Pancake rock formations at Punakaiki, fascinating limestone formations that began forming 30 million years ago. Stop at Hokitika to see Pounamu (jade) being carved, then enter Westland National Park to view the famous glaciers. Tonight, sample regional cuisine during a West Coast Specialities Dinner. Stay: Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat. B, FD

Day 11 Franz Josef-Wanaka
View incredible scenery today as you travel through Haast Pass, over the Southern Alps and past lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Wanaka. Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Wanaka, Edgewater Resort. BD

Day 12 Wanaka-Queenstown
Depart Wanaka and journey to Arrowtown, an old goldrush settlement. Continue to Queenstown, a popular holiday destination on Lake Wakatipu. Tonight choose to dine at one of 14 different restaurants. Two Night Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Sofitel Queenstown Hotel & Spa. B, FD

Day 13 Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, thanks to our Freedom of Choice Touring concept, you are able to personalise your sightseeing from a range of activities. You might like to go rambling through a selection of beautiful local gardens or take a relaxing local winery tour. Perhaps take an exciting jetboat ride or a fun Double Decker Bus tour through the streets of Queenstown to the goldrush settlement of Arrowtown. BD

Day 14 Milford Sound-Te Anau
This morning travel through Fiordland National Park where lush rainforest meets snow-capped mountains. Drive along Milford Road, renowned as one of the world’s most spectacular alpine drives. On arrival at Milford Sound, cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord, travelling below famous mile-high Mitre Peak. This afternoon, return through the Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel to the lakeside settlement of Te Anau. Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas. BD

Day 15 Te Anau-Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, journey via beautiful Lake Manapouri to Dunedin, settled by the Scottish in 1848 and renowned as the Edinburgh of the South. This afternoon select an activity from our Freedom of Choice Touring options. Perhaps visit Larnach Castle, tour the Otago Peninsula, visit Speight’s Brewery, or enjoy a Taieri Gorge Railway excursion. Stay: Southern Cross Hotel. BD

Day 16 Dunedin-Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today travel north along the coast to view the fascinating Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. Stop at Oamaru, known for its distinctive limestone architecture. Then pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes on the journey to Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia’s highest mountain. On arrival, join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Choose from a guided nature walk through the national park, an afternoon of discovery at the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or stargazing with an astronomy guide. Tonight choose to dine at either The Panorama Room or Alpine Restaurant within The Hermitage. Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Mt Cook, The Hermitage, with views of Mt Cook from your room. BD

Day 17 Mt Cook-Christchurch
This morning you’ll travel to Lake Tekapo and visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built from locally gathered stone and oak. Leaving the High Country behind, cross the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury plains. On the way to Christchurch, you might like to ride the TranzAlpine train from Arthurs Pass or perhaps continue with the coach, which will travel through the Rakaia Gorge to Christchurch. Tonight choose from three superb restaurants at your hotel. Stay: Christchurch, Heritage Hotel. BD

Day 18 Christchurch, Freedom of Choice Touring
Enjoy a Freedom of Choice Touring activity in Christchurch this morning before bidding farewell to your travelling companions.

NB - a 21-day itinerary is also available, returning to Auckland via Wellington and Napier at the end of the 18-day tour.  Please contact us for full details and prices.