Day 1 Arrive Auckland.
You will be met and transferred to your centrally located
hotel. Enjoy the rest of your day at leisure.
Stay: Auckland, Hotel Ibis
Day 2 Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi (Feast).
This morning we travel south through the rich dairy land of
the Waikato Province to Waitomo Caves. Experience a guided tour of
the underground limestone caverns and you can view thousands of
tiny glow worms. This afternoon arrive in Rotorua. Tonight immerse
yourself in a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance of song
and dance.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Hotel Ibis.
Breakfast Feature Dinner
Day 3 Explore Rotorua.
Today experience the attractions of Rotorua. We visit Te Puia
Thermal Reserve, New Zealand's major geyser field. The area has
over 500 hot springs and most forms of geothermal activity,
including steaming ground, boiling mud pools, hot springs and
impressive geysers. Enjoy a guided tour through the Maori Arts and
Crafts Institute where our guide will explain the history and
origins of the Maori. Continue to the Agrodome to enjoy an
entertaining sheep show and learn about New Zealand's important
sheep industry. The remainder of today is at leisure for you to
explore the region of geothermal Rotorua. B Country Homestay option
available tonight.
Breakfast
Day 4 Rotorua, Taupo, Napier.
Depart Rotorua this morning and travel via Wairakei Park and
the mighty Huka Falls then onto New Zealand's largest lake, Lake
Taupo. Enjoy a tour of the well-known Church Road Winery then
continue to Napier for a city sights tour before a guided Art Deco
walk around Napier city.
Stay: Napier, Tennyson Napier.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 5 Napier, Wellington.
Today depart Napier and travel south via Hastings. Here we
turn inland and travel across to the West Coast of the North
Island. We follow the Kapiti Coast before arriving in Wellington,
the nation's capital city. On arrival enjoy a city highlights tour.
View Parliament buildings, enjoy spectacular panoramic views of
this amazing cosmopolitan city from the summit of Mt
Victoria.
Stay. Wellington, Bay Plaza Hotel.
Breakfast Dinner
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Day 6
Wellington, Picton.
Experience a self guided tour of 'New Zealand's National
Museum', Te Papa. This afternoon we join our cruise for the journey
across Cook Strait to the South Island, renowned as one of the most
beautiful crossings in the world. Sail through the scenic
Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait and through the breathtaking
natural beauty of Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to
Picton.
Stay. Picton, Beachcomber Inn.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 7 Picton, Christchurch.
This morning arrive in the thriving seaside settlement of
Kaikoura, an area offering unique whale, seal and dolphin watching
experiences. Journey between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura
Ranges, through North Canterbury to Christchurch. On arrival we
enjoy a city sightseeing tour then the afternoon is at your leisure
to explore this Garden City.
Stay: Christchurch, Hotel Ibis.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 8 TranzAlpine Train, Greymouth.
This morning board the award-winning TranzAlpine Train. Cross
the vast patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before
climbing up into the Main Divide. Enjoy stunning scenery as we
journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the
country's greatest mountain range, the magnificent Southern Alps.
On arrival in Greymouth rejoin your coach and travel north along
the dramatic coastline to Punakaiki to view the fascinating Pancake
rock formations and blowholes.
Stay: Greymouth, Kingsgate Greymouth.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 9 Greymouth, Franz Josef, Haast.
This morning journey to Hokitika, where you will have the
opportunity to see Greenstone (Jade) being carved into jewellery
and other artefacts. Continue along the dramatic coastline through
dense rainforest to World Heritage Westland National Park. Enjoy
the incredible scenery as we travel along the West Coast, through a
world of mountains and glaciers, limestone landscapes, tranquil
lakes, raging rivers and rare bird and plant life.
Stay: Haast Heritage Hotel.
Breakfast Dinner
Day 10 Haast, Queenstown, Walter Peak Dinner.
Cross the snow-capped Southern Alps and through Haast Pass,
previously an ancient Maori greenstone trail. We trace the
beautiful shorelines of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the action-packed
alpine resort of Queenstown. Enjoy this afternoon at leisure. This
evening, experience a relaxed cruise to Walter Peak Sheep Station
to enjoy a candlelit dinner at the Colonel's homestead.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Goldridge Hotel.
Breakfast Feature Dinner
Day 11 Queenstown at Leisure.
Queenstown is perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers
alike. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the
majestic Remarkables Range, the town was so named because '...it
was fit for a Queen.' Today is free for you to explore the endless
scenic attractions available (own expense).
Breakfast
Day 12 Queenstown, Milford Sound Overnight.
Today we follow the Remarkables Mountain Range and trace the
shores of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. Journey along
the Milford Road, renowned as one of the world's finest alpine
drives, to Milford Sound. We board the Milford Mariner and cruise
the full length of this beautiful fiord. View the cascading
waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforest and towering mountains
of this World Heritage-listed area. After reaching the open sea,
return and anchor for the night in sheltered Harrison's Cove.
Explore further on the Mariner's kayaks.
Stay: Milford Sound, 'Milford Mariner'.
Breakfast Feature Dinner
Day 13 Milford Sound, Dunedin, Scottish Ceremony
Departing Milford Sound we travel through Gore and Balclutha
to Dunedin. Scottish influence is still apparent today in the
architecture of the many buildings including the University of
Otago. Tonight enjoy dinner along with a Scottish evening at your
hotel.
Two Night Stay: Dunedin, Leisure Lodge.
Feature Breakfast Feature Dinner
Day 14 Larnach Castle.Castle, Dunedin City Sightseeing
Tour.
This morning we enjoy a city sightseeing tour of Dunedin
before touring Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle. The
remainder of today is at leisure in Dunedin, 'Edinburgh of the
South' (own expense).
Breakfast
Day 15 Dunedin, Olveston House, Lake Ohau, High Country
Dinner
This morning visit historic Olveston House with its extensive
collection of antiques and New Zealand paintings. Travel north
along the coast to view the unique and fascinating Moeraki Beach
boulders. Stop at Oamaru, a town renowned for its distinctive
limestone architecture. Pass massive hydro-electric dams and
glacier-fed lakes of incredible colour on our journey to the pretty
settlement of Lake Ohau. This evening enjoy a High Country
Hospitality Dinner.
Stay: Lake Ohau Lodge.
Breakfast Feature Dinner
Day 16 Lake Ohau, Mt Cook, Christchurch.
This morning we travel to beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the
picturesque tiny stone Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel through
the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, the Garden City. Your
tour concludes upon arrival and a departure transfer to the airport
is included.
Breakfast
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