Itinerary

Day 1    
Arrive Christchurch
On arrival at Christchurch Airport you will be transferred to your alpine resort at Darfield in the foothills of the Southern Alps. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and dinner. Stay: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield (D)

Day 2    
TranzAlpine - Punakaiki
Start the day with a spectacular train journey on the TranzAlpine from Darfield through the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass. Experience the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes on arrival in Punakaiki, where you’ll spend the night at your exclusive resort right on the waterfront. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep! Stay: Punakaiki Resort (B/D)

Day 3    
Punakaiki - Franz Josef Glacier
Travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, to Hokitika to visit a New Zealand native greenstone (jade) factory for a jewellery demonstration. Your final destination is Franz Josef Glacier, the world’s most accessible and still advancing glacier. You can see it from the air on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting) or take a glacier hike! Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (B/D)

Day 4    
Franz Josef - Queenstown
Some spectacular sights are in store for you today. Travel via the Haast Pass, take a short rainforest walk, and see Thunder Creek Falls then a trio of lakes, Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan. Enjoy the tastes of sumptuous stone fruit at Cromwell, the stone fruit capital. Discover the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown on the Arrow River. You’ll arrive in Queenstown for an orientation tour. Stay: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown (2 nights) (B/D)

Day 5    
Queenstown
Explore action-packed, adventure capital Queenstown at your leisure. Take it easy with a wine or garden tour, or walk on the wild side with a jet boat ride and white water rafting. This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak Station for a carvery Highlight Dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. An entertaining after-dinner farm show provides a glimpse into highcountry farm life. (B/HD)

Day 6    
Milford Sound
Journey over the Devil’s Staircase and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. Travel through the rainforest of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park viewing glaciers and mountain ranges. Drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel to the abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and Milford Sound, where you’ll cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. The Te Anau Glow Worm Caves are an option tonight. Stay: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau (B/D)

Day 7    
Te Anau - Dunedin
Cross rich fertile farming land of South Otago and on through Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin. Your afternoon is at leisure. Perhaps take a Wildlife Cruise to see the Penguins and the Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway. Stay: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin (B/D)

Day 8    
Dunedin
You'll have the opportunity to visit Larnach Castle and its gardens this morning. Then enjoy time at leisure before you continue your journey to Oamaru and then along the Waitaki River past the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam to Omarama. Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama (B/D)

Day 9    
Mt Cook - Christchurch
Mt Cook National Park is today’s highlight. An optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook is available (weather permitting). See Lake Pukaki and discover the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo. You are invited to enjoy a taste of country life with a barbecue lunch on a working farm. You’ll be welcomed into the home and 240 hectare garden of Angie and Stan Taylor to gain an insight into the day to day operation of farm life. Stay: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield (B/L)

Day 10    
Kaikoura - Blenheim
Travel along the rugged East Coast to Kaikoura. You may see New Zealand fur seals up close at Ohau Point. Pass the Grassmere Salt Works and arrive at Blenheim for an orientation tour before a tour, tasting and dinner at Georges Michel Wine Estate, a family owned and run winery. Stay: Scenic Hotel Marlborough, Blenheim. (B/HD)

Day 11    
Wellington
A visit to Picton and a cruise of tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound get things going, before you head to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. Enjoy a city sights tour then it’s time at leisure until you visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Stay: Travelodge Wellington (B/D)

Day 12    
Wellington - Rotorua
Travel through the Tongariro National Park, where you’ll catch sight of spectacular Mt. Ruapehu. View Lake Taupo and Huka Falls en route to Rotorua. An orientation tour on arrival takes in views of Lake Rotorua. Tonight experience The Realm of Tane and then you are invited to a Maori Hangi feast and concert at the Tamaki Family Marae. Stay: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, (2 nights) (B/D)

Day 13    
Rotorua
Start the day with a ride on theSkyline Gondola and breakfast with stunning views over Lake Rotorua. Visit the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. See volcanic craters, steaming ground and bubbling mud pools on an exclusive guided tour of the geothermal valley. (B)

Day 14    
Rotorua - Waitomo Caves - Auckland
Visit the Waitomo Caves for a guided boat tour of the Glow Worm Grotto. Continue through the Waikato district to Auckland. Your city sights tour takes in Bastion Point, Viaduct Harbour. Join your Tour Director for a Farewell Dinner at the top of the tallest structure in the Southern Hemisphere, Auckland’s Skytower at Orbit, a revolving restaurant with 360 degree views of the city. Stay: SkyCity Grand Hotel, Auckland (B/D)

Day 15    
Auckland – Bay of Islands
Depart Auckland over the Harbour Bridge then through Orewa and the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Walk among the Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. Explore Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand, and then it’s off to Paihia in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a scenic cruise through the sensational Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’. Meander through picturesque islands, see sandy beaches, secluded bays and explore Urupukapuka Island on your return to Paihia. Stay: Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Bay of Islands (2 nights) (B/D)

Day 16    
Bay of Islands 'Free Time'
You have a free day to experience the beauty of the Bay of Islands. Perhaps go dolphin-watching, take a coach trip to Cape Reinga via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach or a day of sailing or even a guided seakayaking trip. Top off your day with a night in the village. (B)

Day 17    
Bay of Islands - Auckland
See the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve, where New Zealand’s founding document the Treaty of Waitangi was signed. You’ll have the opportunity to visit and take in highlights such as the Maori War Canoe (Waka) and Meeting House (Marae). Later, enjoy the lush farmland scenery as you return to Auckland. Stay: SkyCity Grand Hotel, Auckland (B)

Day 18    
Depart Auckland
Your tour concludes after breakfast. You will be transferred to Auckland Airport for your onward flight. (B)

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