The Ultimate New Zealand Showcase
AUCKLAND | BAY OF ISLANDS | ROTORUA | NAPIER | WELLINGTON | PICTON | BLENHEIM | KAIKOURA | CHRISTCHURCH | TRANZALPINE TRAIN | FOX GLACIER | QUEENSTOWN | TE ANAU | MILFORD SOUND | DUNEDIN | MOUNT COOK | CHRISTCHURCH
Discover the best of New Zealand’s North and South Islands on this holiday. You will experience a blend of culture and cosmopolitan living in the North Island and then be overwhelmed by the awe inspiring beauty of the South Island.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Luxury small group touring
- Ultimate Coach with 20 luxury leather reclining seats on a full size vehicle and panoramic windows
- Breathtaking Milford Sound
- Art Deco Napier
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour & Lunch
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Your Itinerary
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Day 1
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Day 2
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Day 3
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Day 4
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Day 5
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Day 6
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Day 7
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Day 8
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Day 9
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Day 10
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Day 11
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Day 12
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Day 13
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Day 14
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Day 15
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Day 16
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Day 17
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Day 18
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Day 19
Day 1 : Arrive Auckland
On arrival into Auckland you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre-dinner drink.
Hotel: The Grand by Sky City
Please note: Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Day 2 : Auckland - Bay of Islands
Board the luxurious Ultimate Coach, depart Auckland and travel to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, then travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.
Hotel for 2 nights: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands
Day 3 : Bay of Islands - Free Day
Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. Or maybe you’ll embark on a voyage of discovery and enjoy the beauty of this area by sailing aboard the iconic R. Tucker Thompson Tall Ship. The waters here are a playground for penguins, dolphins and gannets. This evening is also free and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Day 4 : Bay of Islands - Auckland
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning to Paihia. Travel south via Whangarei to Auckland.
Hotel: The Grand by Sky City
Day 5 : Auckland - Rotorua
This morning enjoy a city sights tour including a visit to Sky Tower, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular attractions. Continue through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a buffet lunch. This is followed by a guided tour of the Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will recount details of how this beautiful piece of farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth.
Hotel for 2 nights: Regent of Rotorua
Day 6 : Rotorua
Today begins with a gondola ride at the Skyline Rotorua for breakfast, with spectacular views and time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.
Day 7 : Rotorua - Napier
Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier known as “The Art Deco Capital”, where a city tour will showcase the most comprehensive collection of art deco buildings in the world. Enjoy a ride on the Hawkes Bay Express followed by free time to explore the fascinating architecture.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Day 8 : Napier - Wellington
Travel South this morning through the Wairarapa, an emerging cool-climate wine region. Drive through the scenic Rimutaka Mountain Range into Wellington, then enjoy a city tour of the nation’s capital which will highlight the history and culture on show here.
Hotel: InterContinental Wellington
Day 9 : Wellington - Picton - Blenheim
This morning board the Interislander Ferry and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your Ultimate Coach for the short journey to Blenheim, where you will experience a unique wine and cheese tasting set amongst the wine barrels at Cloudy Bay Estate, one of the original winemakers in the Marlborough region. Continue south to Kaikõura.
Hotel: Sudima Kaikõura
Day 10 : Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch
This morning enjoy a leisurely start in this seaside village, where the mountains meet the sea. Kaikōura is renowned as one of the best places to see Sperm whales and other marine mammals. There is an opportunity to take a scenic flight to view the year-round population of Sperm whales (optional, weather permitting). Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch.
Hotel: The George
Day 11 : Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Fox Glacier
This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing via Franz Josef to Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel: Distinction Fox Glacier
Day 12 : Fox Glacier - Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel for 2 nights: Heritage Hotel Queenstown
Day 13 : Queenstown Free Day
Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Coach Captain is available to assist. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or the helicopter ride of a lifetime. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax, as you are treated to the best of New Zealand’s high country cuisine in the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Day 14 : Queenstown - Te Anau
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Tonight after dinner you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).
Hotel for 2 nights: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Day 15 : Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).
Day 16 : Te Anau - Dunedin
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the “Edinburgh of the South”. Enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure.
Hotel: Distinction Dunedin
Day 17 : Dunedin – Mount Cook
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of its tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by morning tea. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mount Cook for your overnight stay.
Hotel: The Hermitage Hotel
Day 18 : Mount Cook - Christchurch
Marvel at Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, this morning. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and see the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.
Hotel: The George
Day 19 : Depart Christchurch
Time to say goodbye; you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home.
