Great New Zealand Experience

Day 1 Arrive Auckland

Great New Zealand Experience

Discover geothermal wonders and Maori history at Rotorua

Pounamu (jade) jewellery

On arrival you will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the remainder of today at leisure to explore.

Two Night Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 2 Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring.

This morning is at leisure in Auckland. This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it! Choose from an Auckland City Sights tour, a visit to Auckland's Museum or a Waitakere Rainforest Adventure or enjoy views of the Pacific Ocean to the Tasman Sea while venturing through lush rainforest.

Day 3 Auckland, Bay of Islands.

This morning we cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge, travelling through the farming communities of Warkworth and Wellsford. Visit the Matakohe Pioneer Museum, home to the world's largest collection of kauri gum. Continue to the majestic Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve where we view the giant kauri tree Tane Mahuta 'Lord of the Forest'. Travel across the country to the sub-tropical Bay of Islands. Join a guided visit of the Waitangi Treaty House, Maori Meeting House and War Canoe.

Two Night Stay: Bay of Islands, Waitangi Resort.

Day 4 Freedom of Choice Touring™ Adventure Options™ Bay of Islands, .

Not only is the Bay of Islands the birthplace of the nation and thus full of New Zealand history, it is also home to 144 islands and renowned as a favourite playground for lovers of anything aquatic; diving, sailing and big game fishing. Today you have the opportunity to choose the sightseeing activity that most interests you and we will include it, whether it be a day trip to the very top of New Zealand or sailing on a unique Tall Ship. Adventure Options also available.

Day 5 Bay of Islands, Auckland.

This morning our Bay of Islands cruise takes us 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. Return this afternoon to Auckland.

Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 6 Auckland, Rotorua, Hangi (Feast).

This morning we journey to the crest of Mt Eden to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of the city and its beautiful harbours. Leaving the City of Sails, we travel south through the Waikato Province to Waitomo Caves. Here, experience a guided tour of the limestone caverns and glow worm grotto. Journey to the geothermal region of Rotorua, centre of Maori culture. Tonight is a unique experience of a Hangi (feast) and cultural performance.

Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua.

Day 7 Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring.

Rotorua is New Zealand's oldest and best known resort, where generations of visitors have enjoyed its therapeutic waters, marvelled at its fascinating geothermal activity and experienced the regions' unique Maori culture. Today we give you the opportunity to choose the activity and we will include it! You may choose a leisurely 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

Day 8 Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington.

Today we view Wairakei Steam Valley, a unique and fascinating geothermal power project. See spectacular Huka Falls and picturesque Lake Taupo. Travelling south, we cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. Continue to Wellington.

Stay: Wellington, Hotel InterContinental

Day 9 Dine Around Dinners™ Wellington, Nelson,

Today our Interislander cruise takes us across Cook Strait to the South Island. Sail through scenic Wellington Harbour, into the breathtaking beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. See magnificent scenery in tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound before arriving in the picturesque seaside port of Picton. This afternoon we journey through the pretty orchard and vineyard region of Marlborough to Nelson. Tonight you may choose from two fine restaurants.

Stay: Nelson, The Rutherford Hotel.

Day 10 Nelson, Franz Josef, West Coast Specialities Dinner.

Follow the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge to the wild and rugged West Coast. View the fascinating Pancake rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki. Stop at Hokitika to see beautiful Pounamu (jade) being carved into jewellery and other artefacts. Continue along the dramatic West Coast and enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park, where you can view the glaciers, magnificent rivers of ice. Tonight enjoy a West Coast Specialities Dinner.

Stay: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.

Day 11 Franz Josef, Wanaka.

View incredible scenery today as we leave this World Heritage-listed area, travelling through Haast Pass and over the incredible Southern Alps. This scenic road takes us along the shores of picturesque lakes Wanaka and Hawea, where crystal-clear blue waters reflect dramatic landscapes. Continue to Wanaka township, originally settled during the goldrush era of last century and surrounded by Mt Aspiring National Park. Enjoy an overnight stay in this inspiring place of peace and tranquillity.

Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Wanaka, Edgewater Resort.

Day 12 Dine Around Dinners™ Wanaka, Queenstown,

Depart Wanaka this morning and journey to the delightful village of Arrowtown, an old goldrush settlement. Continue to the alpine resort of Queenstown, situated on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. The wide range of activities available in Queenstown makes it a popular holiday destination at any time of year. Tonight experience our Dine Around Dinner, where you choose from a variety of fifteen restaurants and we will include it.

Two Night Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Queenstown, Sofitel Hotel

Day 13 Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring.

Today you may personalise your sightseeing from a range of activities. Enjoy rambling through beautiful local gardens or a relaxing local winery tour. Perhaps take an exciting jetboat ride or a fun Double Decker bus tour through the streets of Queenstown and to the goldrush settlement of Arrowtown. .

Day 14 Milford Sound, Te Anau.

This morning travel through Fiordland National Park where lush rainforests meet snow-capped mountains. Drive along Milford Road, renowned as one of the most spectacular alpine drives. On arrival into Milford, we cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord, travelling below famous mile-high Mitre Peak. This afternoon we return through Eglington Valley and the Homer Tunnel to the lakeside settlement of Te Anau.

Stay: Te Anau Hotel and Villas.

Day 15 Te Anau, Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring.

Today we journey via beautiful Lake Manapouri to the southern-most coast of New Zealand. Continue to Dunedin, settled by the Scottish in 1848 and renowned as the 'Edinburgh of the South'. This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it! Perhaps visit Larnach Castle or take the opportunity to tour the Otago Peninsula to view Royal Albatross or Yellow-eyed Penguin colonies in their natural environment, visit Speight's Brewery and learn about the production of Speight's beer, the well-known beverage in New Zealand or enjoy a Taieri Gorge Railway excursion.

Stay: Dunedin, Southern Cross Hotel.

Day 16 Dunedin, Mt Cook.

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 Mt Cook National Park. This World Heritage-listed area is home to Australasia's highest mountain, Mt Cook at 12,343 feet. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (weather permitting, own expense).

Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Mt Cook, The Hermitage, with guaranteed views of Mt Cook from your room

Day 17 Mt Cook, Christchurch, Dine Around Dinner.

This morning we visit the beautiful glacier-fed lake of Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built from locally gathered stone and oak. Leaving the High Country and its sheep stations, we travel the plains of Canterbury. On the way to Christchurch, you may choose to take the scenic TranzAlpine Train from Arthurs Pass or continue with the coach through the Rakaia Gorge to Christchurch. Tonight experience our Dine Around Dinner, where you choose from three superb restaurants at your hotel and we will include it!

Stay: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 18 Christchurch, Wellington. Freedom of Choice

Christchurch Freedom of Choice Touring. Today view spectacular seascapes as we travel north to Kaikoura, a renowned whale watching town. At Picton board the Interislander for our cruise across the Cook Strait, known as one of the most beautiful crossings in the world. Sail through the breathtaking natural beauty of Marlborough Sounds and into scenic Wellington Harbour. Birdlife and dolphins are often our companions as we cross between the two islands.

Stay: Wellington, Hotel InterContinental.

Day 19 Wellington, Taupo.

Leaving Wellington this morning, we cross the Rimutaka Ranges into the farming district of the Wairarapa. Continue to the coastal township of Napier, an area dominated by orchards and vineyards. There is time to explore this unique Art Deco city. This afternoon arrive in Taupo.

Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Taupo, Wairakei Resort.

Day 20 Taupo, Auckland.

Near Taupo, stop and visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, a geothermal area well known for its beautiful colours and mystical quality. This afternoon, travel to the popular holiday beach resort of Mt Maunganui and then to the port city of Tauranga. We make our return journey to Auckland.

Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 21 Depart Auckland.

Your tour concludes this morning after breakfast. Today is at leisure for you to explore this beautiful city, before it is time for your included departure transfer to the airport.

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