Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua - Wellington - Nelson - Franz Josef - Wanaka - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau - Dunedin - Mount Cook - Christchurch
Day 1. Auckland
You will be met on arrival at Auckland Airport by our representative and transferred to your conveniently located Auckland inner city hotel.
Two Night Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel
Day 2. Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring
Choose from a wide selection of activities including a city sights tour, a walk across Auckland Bridge or a visit to the fascinating Maritime Museum, among many others. (B, D)
Day 3. Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua
Travel south to the Waitomo limestone caves to join a tour of the incredible glow worm grotto, before continuing to the geothermal city of Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance at Mitai Maori Village. Two Night Stay: Millennium Rotorua (B, D)
Day 4. Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring
Our Freedom of Choice Touring presents a range of options today, including a thermal reserve tour, a visit to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, time at Rotorua Museum, a relaxing soak in a thermal mineral pool and more. Country Homestay option available tonight (B, D)
Day 5. Rotorua, Wellington
Today journey south and see the Wairakei steam valley, then travel via Lake Taupo and cross the vast volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park on the way to New Zealand's capital city, Wellington.
Stay: Wellington, InterContinental Hotel (B, D)
Day 6. Wellington, Nelson, Dine Around Dinner
Cruise across Cook Strait to the South Island. In Picton, rejoin your coach and drive through Marlborough to Nelson. Tonight choose from two fine restaurants located within your hotel. Miyazu, a Japanese restaurant, or Oceano, with its seafood inspired menu.
Stay: Nelson, Rutherford Hotel (B, D)
Day 7. Nelson, Franz Josef
Follow the Heritage Highway to the rugged West Coast, view the Pancake Rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki then continue to World Heritage-listed Westland National Park and see the magnificent Franz Josef and Fox glaciers. There may be an opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight over this breathtaking region (own expense, weather permitting). Later this evening enjoy friendly West Coast hospitality as you dine on a sumptuous mix of regional Specialties. Stay: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (B, D)
Day 8. Franz Josef, Wanaka
View incredible scenery as you leave this World Heritage-listed area. Travel through Haast Pass, over the incredible Southern Alps and along the picturesque shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the township of Wanaka. Surrounded by Mt Aspiring National Park, Wanaka was originally settled in the gold rush era. Stay: Wanaka, Edgewater Resort (B, D)
Day 9. Wanaka, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner
Depart Wanaka this morning and journey to the delightful village of Arrowtown, an old gold rush settlement. After time to explore, continue to the alpine resort of Queenstown, renowned world-wide as the adventure capital of New Zealand, situated on the banks of Lake Wakatipu and in the shadows of the Remarkables mountain range. Tonight, explore Queenstown with our Dine Around Dinner, offering you a choice of 15 restaurants in which to dine.
Two Night Stay: Sofitel Queenstown (B, D)
Day 10. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today select from our range of Freedom of Choice Touring options in Queenstown. Perhaps take a guided tour of local gardens or wineries, embark on a thrilling jetboat ride down the Shotover River, see the city on a double decker bus tour or take an informative lake shore forest and bird walk through native Beech forest. Alternatively, you may like to take 4WD Safari of the Scenes tour, taking you to locations where ‘The Lord of the Rings' was filmed, relax with a massage at the Sofitel Spa or venture into the Shotover River Valley on an adventurous trip into Skippers Canyon by 4WD. (B, D)
Day 11. Milford Sound, Te Anau
Travel to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner. Milford Sound is one of New Zealand's most famous waterways and runs nine miles inland from the Tasman Sea. It's surrounded by sheer rock faces that rise more than 3,900 feet on either side. Lush rain forest clings to these cliffs while seals, penguins and dolphins frequent the waters. Journey the length of this ancient fiord, sailing below mile-high Mitre Peak and watch for elusive wildlife. Later this afternoon take a relaxing and scenic journey to the pretty town of Te Anau, nestled on the edge of Lake Te Anau, surrounded by mountains. Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas (B, D)
Day 12. Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today journey to the city of Dunedin, settled by the Scottish in 1848 and renowned as the Edinburgh of the South because of its strong Scottish heritage. Dunedin is also a great place for haggis and all things Scottish.
On arrival here, choose your touring activity from a wide range of Freedom of Choice Touring options. These include a visit to historic Olveston house or Larnach Castle, a trip to Speight's Brewery to learn about the antiquity of beer from as far back as Babylonian times, a journey to the pretty Otago Peninsula for a chance to see the rare yellow-eyed penguin or royal albatross colonies and more. Stay: Dunedin, Southern Cross Hotel (B, D)
Day 13. Dunedin, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring, Dine Around Dinner
Travel north along the coast to view the Moeraki Boulders, almost perfect spheres of rock that nestle like eggs into the sand on the coast. Continue to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park where you will join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Options include a guided walk through the National Park, a discovery of the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or stargazing with expert astronomy guides. Tonight stay at The Hermitage with Mt Cook views, and dine at either The Panorama Room or Alpine Restaurant. Stay: Mt Cook, The Hermitage (B, D)
Day 14. Mt Cook, Christchurch, Dine Around Dinner
This morning visit the beautiful glacier-fed Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935. Then travel through Burkes Pass to the plains of Canterbury.
On the way to Christchurch, you may choose to take the scenic TranzAlpine train from Arthurs Pass, absorbing the scenery as you travel through gorges and river valleys. Or continue on the coach through the Rakaia Gorge to Christchurch. This evening choose from three restaurants at your hotel. Stay: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel (B, D)
Day 15. Christchurch, Freedom of Choice Touring
On the final day of your tour, select from a range of activities, which include whale watching in Kaikoura, a garden tour or bicycle tour. Alternatively, embark on the ‘Must See Four' - including a visit to the Antarctic Centre and Willowbank Wildlife Reserve, as well as a gondola ride and a tram journey. Your tour concludes after sightseeing and a departure transfer to the airport is included. (B)
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