Tēnā koutou e ngā manuhiri o te ao whānui. Greetings to you, our visitors. Wherever you travel in New Zealand, you’ll find we have rich tales to share; of our history, our legends and our future.
On arrival, seat in coach guests will be met and privately transferred to hotel. Self drive guests will collect a rental car and drive to the hotel.
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Auckland city (seat in coach guests only). Visit Kelly Tarlton’s Sealife Aquarium and Antarctic Encounter (both seat in coach and self drive guests). The remainder of the day is free. (B)
Travel south through the Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo for a guided tour of the glowworm caves. Continue to Rotorua this afternoon via Hobbiton Movie Set for a guided tour of this world-class attraction. (B)
Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this, visit Agrodome for a farm show and Rainbow Springs to see New Zealand’s trout, birds and wildlife. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert. (B,D)
Depart on your domestic flight from Rotorua to Christchurch (airfare is NOT included). (B)
Travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ before continuing on to New Zealand’s highest mountain – Mt Cook. Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south through the historic Central Otago region to the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown. (B)
Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the breath taking man made Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and the cascading Bowen Falls. Return to Queenstown. (B,L)
A free day to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more. Optional activities not included in the tour price. (B)
Depart Queenstown and travel via Lake Wanaka and through the historic Haast Pass, gateway to the World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the glacier region of Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers. For Self Drive clients, entry to the Glacier Hot Pools (Franz Josef) is included. (B)
Travel north to Greymouth today and board the Tranz Alpine train (seat in coach guests only). Ascend through lush beech forests past the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. Travel over Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. (B)
Your arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or the return of your rental car. (B)
