Itinerary
Note this itinerary is based on departures from 1 April 2011.
Auckland City Sights
Pride of Auckland Cruise
Bliss Reflexology
Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World
Wilderness Adventure in the Waitakere Rainforest
Auckland Museum
Day 2 Auckland-Bay of Islands cross Auckland’s busy Harbour Bridge and travel along the Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe’s Kauri Museum. Then journey to the Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi Treaty House, Maori Meeting House and War Canoe. Two nights at Copthorne Waitangi Resort (BD).
Day 3 Bay of Islands choose your own sightseeing activity from our Freedom of Choice Touring options (B).
Freedom of Choice options
Go sailing on a tall ship with BBQ lunch
Guided tour of Russell
Join an Encounter with Dolphins
Tour to Cape Reinga and Ninety Mile Beach
Culture North Night Show
Golf at Waitangi
Overnight cruise available tonight (surcharge applies)
Day 4 Bay of Islands-Auckland experience the Bay of Islands on a cruise to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Returning to Paihia, your coach will then take you to Auckland for another night at the Rendezvous Hotel. Enjoy dinner overlooking the city at The Observatory Restaurant atop Sky Tower (B,FD).
Day 5 Auckland-Waitomo-Rotorua travel to Waitomo and join a guided tour of the underground limestone and glow-worm caverns. Continue to Rotorua and immerse yourself in traditional Maori culture as you enjoy a Maori hangi. Two nights at Heritage Hotel (B,FD).
Freedom of Choice options
Rotorua Icons
Kiwi Encounter
Eco-thermal Tour
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
Polynesian Spa
4WD Bush Safari
Country Homestay option available tonight.
Day 7 Rotorua-Wellington travel the Thermal Explorer Highway through the heart of the North Island visiting Wairakei Steam Valley, Huka Falls and Lake Taupo before travelling south across the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. Reaching Wellington, stay 2 nights at the Duxton Hotel (BD).
Freedom of Choice options
Wellington Highlights Tour
Carter Observatory & Planetarium
Day 9 Wellington-Kaikoura-Christchurch step aboard the Inter-Islander Ferry to cruise across Cook Strait and through the stunning Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Visit the coastal town of Kaikoura, famed for its whale watching before arriving in Christchurch, the Garden City. Overnight at Rydges Hotel (BD).
Day 10 TranzAlpine Train-Franz Josef board the TranzAlpine train, New Zealand’s greatest rail route and journey through gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthurs Pass then continue to Hokitika before rejoining the coach to the glacier township of Franz Josef. Overnight at Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (BD).
Day 11 Franz Josef-Queenstown enjoy a day of incredible scenery as you travel south including journeying along the Haast River by safari boat, capturing views of the massive glacier-formed valley, towering peaks, waterfalls and rainforest. Rejoin the coach and continue to Queenstown, where you have a choice of four different eateries. Stay two nights at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside (B,FD).
Freedom of Choice options
Safari of the Scenes tour
Shotover Jetboat Ride
Double Decker Explorer
Snow Shoeing
Skippers Canyon
Wine Tour
Lakeshore Forest and Bird Walk
Day 13 Milford Sound-Te Anau head along the Milford Road and wind down the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys and through the Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Cruise the full length of this pristine fiord then enjoy a relaxing drive to the tranquil lakeside settlement of Te Anau for an overnight stay at Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (BD).
Larnach Castle
Taieri Gorge Railway
Speight's Brewery tour and tastings
Otago Peninsula
Day 15 Dunedin-Mt Cook head north along the coast stopping to view the striking Moeraki Boulders. Continue to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, where you choose from the available activities. Overnight stay at The Hermitage (BD). Choose from a selection of activities.
Freedom of Choice options:
The Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Guided Nature Walk
Glacier Explorer Cruise
Day 16 Mt Cook-Christchurch leaving the snow-capped mountains of Mt Cook National Park behind, travel by coach to picturesque Lake Tekapo. Here, visit to the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of locally gathered stone and oak and erected as tribute to the early pioneers of the region. Travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch for your final night at Rydges Hotel (BD).
Day 17 depart Christchurch choose from a range of touring activities before the tour ends in the late afternoon and you are transferred to the airport.
Freedom of Choice options
International Antarctic Centre
Must See Four
Punting on the Avon
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