16 Day Affordable Highlights

Day 2 : Christchurch - Omaram

After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, The Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting, optional) to enjoy a scenic flight over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama. 
Hotel Heritage Gateway Hotel 

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3 : Omarama - Dunedin

Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time. Tonight, a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift. 
Hotel Dunedin Leisure Lodge – A Distinction Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast and Speciality Dinner

Day 4 : Dunedin - Te Anau

This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional). 
Hotel Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Room) 
 

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 5 : Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is free, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. 
Hotel Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront (2 nights) 

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch
 

Day 6 : Queenstown (Free Day)

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader are available to assist with the many optional activities available, including the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown. 

Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 : Queenstown - Arrowtown - Fox Glacier

Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (weather permitting, optional) over the spectacular glaciers. 
Hotel Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier 
 

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 8 : Fox Glacier - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. 
Hotel Quality Hotel Elms
 

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9 : Christchurch - Picton - Wellington

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikõura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington. 
Hotel Ibis Wellington (2 nights) 

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 10 : Wellington (Free Day)

A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements. 

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 11 : Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua

Depart Wellington and view the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. 
Hotel Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (2 nights) 
 

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 12 : Rotorua

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. This evening experience an entertaining Mãori Hãngi and Concert. 

Meals included: Breakfast and Speciality Dinner

Day 13 : Rotorua - Auckland - Bay of Islands

This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland. Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy an introduction to the Bay of Islands, location of the signing of the treaty between the Mãori tribes and the British. 
Hotel Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (2 nights) 

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 14 : Bay of Islands

Today you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Return to Paihia for a free afternoon where a range of optional activities are available or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. This evening is also free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional). 

Meals included: Breakfast

Day 15 : Bay of Islands - Auckland

Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening enjoy a final dinner with your new found friends. 
Hotel Rydges Auckland or similar
 

Meals included: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 16 : Depart Auckland - UK

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Meals included: Breakfast