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Day 1
Christchurch/Mt Cook/Omarama
Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42
Papanui Road at 8.00am. A city sights tour will
highlight the main attractions of Christchurch
before travelling across the Canterbury Plains into
the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good
Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo.
Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air
Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook
National Park. Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before
travelling on to Omarama.
Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)
Day 2
Omarama/Dunedin
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the
Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin – the
“Scottish” city. An early arrival allows a choice of
excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch
harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the
penguins, albatross and seals, enjoy the historic
and scenic Taieri Gorge train or explore the city
only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to
Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish
Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the
Haggis and gift.
Cargills Hotel (1 night)
Day 3
Dunedin/Lake Manapouri/Te Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich
farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and
Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at
Lake Te Anau.
Fiordland National Park Hotel (1 night)
Day 4
Te Anau/Milford Sound/Queenstown
Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass
through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the
Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound,
dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you
to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls.
Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the
shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner
tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the
dining and the views are unsurpassed.
Rydges Hotel (2 nights)
Day 5
Queenstown
A day to explore the many delights of this alpine
resort. Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to
Skippers Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the
historic Earnslaw. Alternatively, explore
Queenstown’s many boutiques and galleries – your
Coach Captain will be pleased to advise.
Day 6
Queenstown/Haast Pass/Fox Glacier
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes then on to an area
steeped in fascinating history relating to early
settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a
picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a
spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and
the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross
the Haast Pass into the Mt Aspiring and Westland
National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the
magnificent Glacier region and visit the National
Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk
to the glacier’s terminal face.
Fox Glacier Hotel (1 night)
Day 7
Fox Glacier/Greymouth
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the
glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern
Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush,
tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland.
Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen
cut and polish giant boulders to create fine
jewellery. Next is Shantytown, a restored gold
mining town of the 1860’s where you pan for gold and
ride on the steam train at no extra cost.
Hotel Ashley (1 night)
Day 8
Greymouth/Blenheim
View the unusual rock formations and blowholes at
Punakaiki and pass Charleston, a former goldmining
township. Follow the Buller River through the Buller
Gorge and on to Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes
National Park. Follow the long Wairau Valley to
Blenheim. A short tour of the area includes a visit
to Montana Winery. Enjoy a hosted tour of the
winery, learn about and taste a range of the famous
local wines (purchase if you wish) followed by
afternoon tea.
Blenheim Country Hotel (1 night) |
Day 9
Blenheim/Picton/Wellington
Drive to Picton, nestled on the shores of the
Marlborough Sounds, to board the Interislander
ferry. Sail through picturesque Queen Charlotte
Sound, sheltered waterways, remote bays and isolated
holiday homes. Across Cook Strait and into
Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New
Zealand’s Capital City. A city tour will incorporate
the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the
city and harbour, the Houses of Parliament and the
distinctive “Beehive”, Wellington Cathedral, city
centre and Oriental Bay. Also explore the city
yourself. Don’t miss Te Papa, the “Museum of New
Zealand” or take a ride on the famous Cable Car.
Bay Plaza Hotel (1 night)
Day 10
Wellington/Taupo/Rotorua
Drive to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and
on a clear day, the South Island. Cross the
Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin and
Foxton to Bulls. Across rolling farmland to the
central North Island National Park, dominated by the
volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road
to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake and famous
for trout fishing. Stop at Huka Falls skirting
massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of
Maori culture.
Lake Plaza Hotel (2 nights)
Day 11
Rotorua
A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display
featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds with a
shearing demonstration. See pools of brown and
rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and native
birds including the Kiwi. Visit Whakarewarewa, the
Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve,
with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser.
The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views
over city, lake and mountains and for a little
excitement, try a Luge ride with our Agrodome –
Rotorua Lake Tekapo from Church of the Good Shepherd
Willis Street – Wellington compliments. Time for
optional activities this afternoon before a Maori
hangi (meal) with a selection of traditionally
prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional
dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs,
chants and the stirring haka.
Day 12
Rotorua/Waitomo/Auckland
Cross the Mamaku Ranges to the Waikato region, noted
for dairy farming and world famous horse studs. At
Waitomo, a guide will escort your group underground
to the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto.
On through Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, centre for the
region’s Maori people, then alongside the Waikato
River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach New
Zealand’s largest city – Auckland.
A city tour will visit the summit of Skytower, at
328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere
for superb city and harbour views, the downtown area
and Waterfront Drive.
Rydges Hotel (1 night)
Day 13
Auckland/Bay Of Islands
Cross Auckland’s Harbour Bridge and drive north
along the Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe and the Kauri
museum telling the story of the Kauri tree and the
regions early settlement, the displays are superb
and their story fascinating. Continue north through
Kawakawa to Paihia and visit New Zealand’s
birthplace, Waitangi.
A guided visit to the famous Treaty House, the Maori
Meeting House and giant war canoe all set in
spectacular grounds overlooking the bay.
Hotel Paihia (2 nights)
Day 14
Bay of Islands
A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many
optional activities available. Your Coach Captain
will happily assist with details. A full day Tour to
Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s northern most point and
Ninety Mile Beach or explore historic Russell, New
Zealand’s first settlement, and visit its original
Church, Mission House and
Museum.
Day 15
Bay of Islands/Auckland
A launch cruise will take you across the Bay and
world acclaimed fishing grounds to Cape Brett and
the famous “Hole in the Rock”. Returning to Paihia,
board your Coach for the journey south through
Whangarei and Warkworth passing the satellite
tracking station. Shortly Auckland city and Harbour
come into view. Your tour will conclude at
approximately 5.30pm. |
