New Zealand

Antipodean Encounter

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16 days Small Group Tours Christchurch to Auckland

Christchurch - Kaikoura - Nelson - Punakaiki - Franz Josef Glacier - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown - Rotorua - Waitomo - Auckland

New Zealand Escorted Tour - The Antipodean Adventure will take you off the beaten track with soft adventure activities that focus on nature, wildlife, landscapes, history & culture ... and sometimes a mixture of them all! Designed to stimulate the body and mind so that you end the day refreshed & invigorated.

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch

Having cleared customs & immigration formalities, you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your Christchurch city hotel.

Stay The George Hotel (1 night)

Day 2 Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura (B)

Travel inland to the naturally picturesque and tranquil alpine village of Hanmer Springs & relax in the thermal pools. Continue to Kaikoura, a small township located in a narrow strip of stunning coastline that lies between mountain peaks and the Pacific Ocean.

Stay Fairways Resort (1 night)

Day 3 Whale Watch Cruise, Nelson (B)

Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience & sightings may vary from day to day. Giant sperm whales are the star of the show and are year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter fur seals, pods of Dusky dolphins & the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season, you may also see migrating Hump Back whales, Pilot whales, Blue whales & Southern Right whales. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrel & 7 types of Shearwater.

Later, we continue north to Blenheim, gateway to the well-known Marlborough Sounds region before arriving at Nelson, a city of charm based on a harbour that is home to the busiest fishing port in New Zealand.

Stay Grand Mercure Monaco Resort Hotel (2 nights)

Day 4 Abel Tasman National Park Bush 'n' Beach walk (B,L)

Today you can choose from a number of included Cruise & Walk or Cruise only options in the famous Abel Tasman National Park. Cruise into protected bays & view the fur seal colony on Tonga Island. The launch hugs the shore, travelling in close to idyllic beaches fringed by native forest. The Abel Tasman Coastal track is well formed & shaded and comes out onto protected beaches excellent for swimming. Your Tour Host will give you details of the various choices available & will be happy to guide you onto the best walk that suits your own individual needs.

Day 5 Nelson Lakes, Punakaiki Rocks (B)

Travel south through the Nelson Lakes region before arriving on the West Coast. Marvel at the bizarre limestone landscapes that is the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowhole.

Stay Punakaiki Resort (1 night)

Day 6 Greymouth, Franz Josef Glacier (B)

The West Coast is home to towering rainforests, mountains and glaciers, tranquil lakes and rushing rivers. It is steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1860's. Our overnight stay tonight is in the glacial village of Franz Josef.

Stay Punga Grove Lodge (1 night)

Day 7 Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown (B)

There is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions) before our departure this morning. Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass.

We then travel over the magnificent Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. There is time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling over the spectacular Crown Range to the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown. On to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination.

Stay Heritage Queenstown Hotel (2 nights)

Day 8 Explore Queenstown & its surrounds (B)

Enjoy a free day today to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure & leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration.

There are numerous activities from which to choose and your Tour Host will be pleased to offer advice and help you in your selection.

Day 9 Milford Sound Overnight Cruise (B,D)

Travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. Continue along the spectacular Milford Road and through the hand-strewn Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound where you board the Milford Mariner for a relaxing cruise. Cruise the entire length of the Sound to the Tasman Sea & view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, mountains & wildlife.

The Milford Mariner is designed along the lines of a traditional New Zealand trading scow to reflect Fiordland's heritage and you will be accommodated in private cabins with en-suite bathrooms in this purpose-built vessel. It boasts spacious deck areas for viewing the wilderness, scenery & wildlife of Milford and activities include kayaking and excursions in the tender vessels (stabi craft) to explore the coastline.

Stay Overnight in sheltered Harrison Cove.

Day 10 Return to Queenstown, day at leisure (B)

For those wishing to return to Queenstown by air, an optional scenic flight is available (subject to weather conditions). Upon our return, the rest of the day is free to relax & enjoy all that this spectacular resort has to offer.

Stay Heritage Queenstown Hotel (2 nights)

Day 11 Mighty Dart River Jetboat Safari (B)

This morning, we are collected from our hotel & travel to Glenorchy to join our Dart River Jetboat Safari. Here you jet boat on crystal clear waters in a wild and scenic landscape amidst towering peaks, glaciers and the ancient rainforests of the Mt. Aspiring National Park.

This is far more than a jet boat ride ... it's a rare journey into the enchanted wilderness of a World Heritage area. This afternoon is free for further sightseeing.

Day 12 Fly Queenstown - Rotorua (B,D)

This morning we board our aircraft for the flight north to the geothermal city of Rotorua. The region's raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. Here you can stand upon volcanoes, peer into massive craters, see boiling mud, exploding geysers and marvel at the unspoiled native forests that cloak the land. Tonight enjoy a traditional Maori hangi (feast) & cultural evening.

Stay Amora Lake Resort Okawa Bay (2 nights)

Day 13 Helicopter to White Island Volcano (B)

Today, board your helicopter for an incredible flight over the geothermal region of the Volcanic Plateau to White Island. Whakaari (the Maori translation), is New Zealand's only active marine volcano and perhaps the most accessible on earth, attracting scientists and volcanologists worldwide as well as many tourists.

The full Maori name for the island is 'Te Puia o Whakaari' meaning literally: 'The Dramatic Volcano.' It was named 'White Island' by Captain Cook on October 1, 1769 because it always appeared to be in a cloud of white steam. Although Cook went close to the island he failed to notice that it was a volcano. Words cannot express the experience that is walking on the active crater floor of this unique lunar landscape, part of our Pacific 'Ring of Fire'.

Located 52km's off the Bay of Plenty Coastline the Islands active Volcanic vents, steaming Crater Lake, bubbling hot streams and desolate mining ruins combine to create a surreal experience. When present the sighting of Dolphins in the Pacific Ocean over which we fly contrast to create an awesome & inspiring excursion.

Day 14 Ruakuri Cave, Auckland (B)

Ruakuri Cave offers a captivating blend of Waitomo's most compelling subterranean experiences. Journey down through the spectacular spiral entrance and marvel at the winding passageways, vast echoing caverns and deep crevices. You'll hear the distant thunder of the subterranean waterfalls and get up close to the glow worms. Be led along narrow corridors and across low-lit walkways suspended high above the river. It is an experience not to be missed and will leave you awe-struck and humbled by the sheer majesty of nature. Continue on to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails', and enjoy a brief sightseeing & orientation tour on arrival.

Stay Pullmann Auckland Hotel (2 nights)

Day 15 Sail Auckland Harbour (B)

Today you have the opportunity to crew on an original America's Cup racing yacht. NZL40 was built for the 1995 America's Cup challenge in San Diego and you will have the chance to take the helm, trim on the grinders or simply sit back and relax and enjoy the action as you sail down Auckland Harbour. The rest of today is free for some last minute sightseeing and shopping.

Day 16 Depart Auckland (B)

Sadly your holiday is at an end and your tour arrangements end after breakfast this morning. At leisure until you are transferred to the airport to connevt with your onward flight. Here we bid you farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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