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18 days Auckland to Christchurch

Auckland - Coromandel - Rotorua - Napier - Wellington - Marlborough Sounds - Kaikoura - Mount Cook - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Fox Glacier - Christchurch

Explore all the ‘must-see' areas of New Zealand as well as some of the special lesser- known regions on our most popular Classic Collection holiday. This NZ Tours in Small Groups 18-day journey includes some exclusive & exciting excursions yet still offers plenty of time for you to ‘do your own thing'.

Day 1 Arrive Auckland
'Haere Mai' ... welcome to New Zealand. Having cleared customs & immigration formalities, you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your Auckland city hotel. The 'City of Sails' is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences.

Stay Heritage Auckland Hotel (1 night)

Day 2 Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula (B)
Today, travel south to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches that separate the Pacific Ocean from the Hauraki Gulf. It is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life and is home to many arts & crafts people who seek an alternative lifestyle. At the quaint township of Coromandel, we ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony before crossing the divide to the eastern side of the peninsula for our overnight stay in Pauanui.

Stay Grand Mercure Puka Park Hotel (1 night)

Day 3 Coromandel, Rotorua (B,D)
Journey along the Bay of Plenty coastline to Mt Maunganui & Tauranga. Then head inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, an area that has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. This evening, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural themal springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort.

Stay  Amora Lake Resort Okawa Bay (2 nights)

Day 4 Exclusive Lake Tarawera Cruise & Te Wairoa Buried Village (B,L)
The days highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera at the base of a gigantic dormant volcano. You'll experience spectacular scenery & some of the country's best trout fishing & have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach before enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa.

Day 5 Lake Taupo, Napier (B)
This morning, visit Wai-O-Tapu, a wonderland of geothermal activity. Walk at your own pace and marvel at the reserve's unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters & sinter terrace formations.

An hour south of Rotorua is Lake Taupo, itself a gigantic volcanic crater following an enormous explosion in AD183. View Huka Falls & the Wairakei Geothermal project and take time to walk around this popular lakeside resort.

Journey on to Napier, widely regarded as the 'Art Deco Capital of the World', the result of a thorough rebuilding after a massive earthquake in 1931. It boasts the largest collection of Art Deco buildings outside of Miami, Florida. Nowhere else can you see as wide a variety of 1930's-style buildings in such a concentrated area, including Striped Classical, Spanish Mission and above all, Art Deco. Your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon.

Stay Te Pania Hotel (2 nights)

Day 6 At leisure in the Hawke's Bay (B)
Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific', this region boasts some of New Zealand's best and oldest wineries. You can enjoy a guided wine trail and taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world's largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early morning balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves and orchards or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Day 7 Wairarapa, Mt Bruce & Wellington (B)
Travel through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region to Pukaha Mount Bruce, New Zealand's National Wildlife Centre. In this beautiful setting of native forest you will see the finest collection of New Zealand native birds to be found anywhere. See the mighty Takahe, the rarest & most colourful of all. The centre also houses tuatara, various lizards and bats in its nocturnal house. Watch out for the enormous eels and trout that loiter under the bridges, waiting for handouts.

Later, we continue on to Wellington, the nations capital, and enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation.

Stay James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (1 night)

Day 8 Picton & the Marlborough Sounds (B, D)
This morning is at leisure to explore what Wellington has to offer. Downtown Wellington on Lambton Quay is popular with shoppers. Perhaps a trip on the Cable Car, which takes you from Lambton Quay to Kelburn or a visit to the Botanic Gardens. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended.

This afternoon, travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The journey across Cook Strait has a dramatic beauty all of its own. Both Islands can be viewed, including the magnificent Kaikoura ranges, and there is often the chance to see wildlife such as seabirds, dolphins, seals, whales and orca. On arrival in Picton, transfer by floatplane to your
remote resort located in the stunning Kenepuru Sound. A scenic mussel
cruise to the resort is also available for those who prefer to travel by boat.

Stay Raetihi Lodge (2 nights)

Day 9 Stunning Kenepuru Sound (B, D)
A free day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Lodge staff will share their love of the region with you through the wide range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips. Complimentary fishing tackle, kayaks & mountains bikes are provided at the lodge and there are a number of bush walks to enjoy. Nearby is a picturesque 13-hole rural golf course grazed by sheep with fenced greens or you can simply relax with a book & soak in the spectacular scenery.

Day 10 Blenheim, Kaikoura (B)
Return by water taxi to Havelock. Rejoin your coach and travel through Blenheim to Kaikoura, world-renowned as the whale-watching centre of New Zealand.  There is time to enjoy an optional whale-watching adventure, swim with the dolphins or join local Maori for a unique, award winning cultural experience.

Stay White Morph Inn (1 night)

Day 11 Lake Tekapo, Aoraki Mt Cook (B, D)
Continue your journey south and stop at beautiful Lake Tekapo to view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Then travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. Optional skiplane and helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions.

Stay Mt Cook Hermitage Hotel - Aoraki Wing (1 night)

Day 12 Tasman Glacier, Queenstown (B)
Experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier. Get up close to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. This afternoon we travel through the MacKenzie Country before beginning the assent over the Lindis Pass and emerging into the lush green farmland that surrounds the spectacular alpine village of Queenstown, regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination..

Stay Heritage Queenstown Hotel (4 nights)

Day 13 , 14 Explore Queenstown & surrounds (B)
Enjoy three full days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons.

Day 15 Milford Sound Nature Cruise (B, L)

Your highlight today is a leisurely Nature Cruise of the breathtaking Milford Sound, cruising the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea. An on-board nature guide will give you detailed information of the region's history, flora & fauna and you will view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests and towering mountains, including the awesome Mitre Peak. Wildlife includes dolphins, seals, penguins & albatross when in season. A truly memorable experience.

Day 16 Arrowtown, Wanaka, Fox Glacier (B)
Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860's. There is time to wander around Lake Wanaka before enjoying incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. On to Fox Glacier where there is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions).

Stay Distinction Te Weheka Inn (1 night)

Day 17 Spectacular TranzAlpine Train, Methven (B)

Head north along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's. This afternoon, board the TranzAlpine train for a coast to coast rail adventure through the Southern Alps, rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Disembark at Darfield & travel on to Methven for your last night.

Stay Terrace Downs Resort (1 night)

Day 18 Depart Christchurch (B)
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra', a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

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