Itinerary

Day One    Auckland
On arrival at Auckland airport you will be met and transferred to your accommodation.
Accommodation: 3 Nights
The Heritage (4 Star)
The Hilton (Dlx Waterview) (5 Star)
Stafford Villa (B&B)
Mollies Boutique Hotel (Lodge)

Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and is noted for its sparkling harbour that provides recreation for many sailors thus giving the city the nautical name of ‘City of Sails’. The climate is warm and the city provides many attractions for the international visitor.

Day Two    Auckland & the West Coast
This morning you will join a small group wilderness excursion to visit the wild and rugged West Coast. You’ll get to experience the power of nature including black sand beaches, waterfalls and lush rainforest including specimens of New Zealand’s famous Kauri trees.

In the evening you will sail Auckland Harbour for a dinner cruise. This  cruise offers magnificent views of the Harbour Bridge, shoreline suburbs, the yacht marina and many bays.

Day Three  Auckland Sightseeing
Today you enjoy another small group tour to explore the attractions of Auckland including Parnell Village, the eastern Bays region.  You’ll stop for a sumptuous fish and chips lunch at the famous Fish Pot café at Mission Bay

Day Four    Auckland/Rotorua
This morning you will collect your full size automatic transmission rental car and depart the city for Rotorua. Cross the Waikato Plains to the city of Hamilton, the principal centre for the agricultural and dairying industry of New Zealand.

You will then pass through the picturesque  village of Cambridge before crossing the Mamaku Ranges and arriving in Rotorua. On arrival a visit to Te Puia Thermal Valley is included. Here you will be guided through the park viewing bubbling hot mud pools and shooting geysers that best illustrate the amazing thermal activity of this region.

This evening you will enjoy an evening of Maori culture. Walk through a replica Maori Village, learning about the many customs and lifestyle of the early Maori, after which you will enjoy a special ‘hangi’ feast and concert of Maori songs and dances.

Accommodation: 2 Nights            
Millennium Rotorua (4 star)
Royal Lakeside Novotel (5 Star)
Peppers on the Point (B&B)
Treetops Estate & Lodge (Lodge Room)

Day Five    Rotorua & Thermal Valley
Today you will join a tour that explores more of Rotorua’s stunning landscape including the Wai-o-Tapu Thermal wonderland, and Waimangu Valley where many of the craters were formed by the 1886 volcanic eruption of Mt Tarawera. You enjoy lunch overlooking Lake Tarawera.

Day Six      Rotorua/Christchurch
Drop off rental car at Rotorua Airport.
Fly Rotorua to Christchurch (not included)
Private transfer on arrival ex Christchurch Airport to Hotel

Accommodation:         3 Nights
Hotel off the Square (Std room)
The George (Exec Room) (5 Star)
Huntley House (Garden Room) (B&B)
Otahuna Lodge (Lodge Room)

Christchurch is best known for its gothic architecture and beautiful gardens and parks. The river Avon meanders through the suburbs and city centre providing a tranquil environment. Attractions of the city include the International Antarctic Centre, Canterbury Museum and Botanical Gardens, the city trams, and Arts Centre and Gallery.

Day Seven  Christchurch Sightseeing
Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island’s alpine regions and today you will enjoy a special High Country Safari. You will take an exhilarating jet boat ride up a river canyon, travel on a special Unimog through rugged landscape, and return to Christchurch on the Tranzalpine train, renowned as one of the top ten train journeys in the world.  Lunch is included today.

Day Eight   Christchurch & Akaroa
In contrast to Canterbury’s high country, Christchurch also boasts one of  New Zealand’s most charming seaside villages. The town was first set up by French settlers as a whaling depot. You will enjoy a cruise on the beautiful Akaroa Harbour and enjoy lunch at the popular Bully Hayes café.

Day Nine    Christchurch/Queenstown
This morning you will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your flight to Queenstown. (flight not included).    On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Queenstown is New Zealand’s most favourite playground for visitors and this afternoon board the Shotover Jet for the ride of your life, on the Shotover River.  Your jet boat speeds through the high canyon walls of the Shotover Gorge where you will see relics of the gold rush days. Your experienced driver will also demonstrate the amazing features of this highly manoeuvrable boat.

Accommodation: 3 Nights
Heritage Queenstown (Dlx room) (4 Star)
Sofitel Queenstown (Dlx room) (5 Star)
The Spire (Guest room) (B&B)
Eichardts (Mountain View) (Lodge)

Day Ten     Queenstown Sightseeing
Today’s activities include a tour to the Gibbston Valley winery and Cheesery, a lookout point over Lake Wakatipu, the Kawarau Bungy Bridge, and the Glenorchy Valley where there is time for an alpine walk in the refreshing wilderness. Lunch is included.

Day Eleven Queenstown & Milford Sound
Today you will enjoy a tour into the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. You will travel by coach to Lake Manapouri  and cruise across the lake to join another coach to pass over Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound. Here you will board another cruise for a spectacular nature experience on the pristine waters of this isolated region. Often sighted are fur seals, bottlenose dolphins and rate Fiordland crested penguins. A picnic lunch is included.
       
Day Twelve Depart Queenstown
You are transferred to Queenstown airport today where your tour ends.

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