• Air fares
• New Zealand Visa
• All meals as per itinerary
• Meet and greet on arrival
• All Land transfers
• Exclusive use of air conditioned chartered vehicle
• Accommodation in 4 star hotels throughout the journey
• Sightseeing and entry fees as specified
Tour Highlights
Tour Itinerary
Day 1: - AUCKLAND
Welcome to Auckland the City of Sails. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your accommodation. The standard check in time at most hotels is 2.00pm. If early check in is not available on arrival, luggage may be stored with the hotel. On completion of check in formalities the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore what Auckland has to offer. Rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore what Auckland has to offer. Auckland: The Sky Tower; Explore NZ tours including The Ultimate America's Cup Sailing Experience, Pride of Auckland sailing and dining cruises; Great Sights Discover Auckland sightseeing tour and Discover the Bay of Islands full day tour; Bush and Beach half day Wilderness Experience or full day Hobbiton Express Tour, Auckland Jet Boat Tour. Please make your way tonight to local restaurant for dinner.
Day 2 : - AUCKLAND BAY OF ISLANDS AUCKLAND
Make the most of this popular day tour from Auckland with return coach travel to Paihia, including a spectacular dolphin watching cruise in the sheltered waters of the Bay of Islands. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life from the comfort of Dolphin Seeker. This catamaran is licensed by DOC (the Department of Conservation) for dolphin viewing. Proceed to local restaurant for dinner. On completion, please make your way back to hotel.
Day 3 : - AUCKLAND WAITOMO ROTORUA
Farewell the "City Of Sails" and travel south along the Southern Motorway with the light industrial areas soon giving way to the south Auckland suburbs. Cross the Bombay Hills, with their extensive market gardens, and follow the willow lined Waikato River to Ngaruawahia, home of the Maori Queen. Continue through Hamilton, New Zealand's largest inland city and the 'Rose Town' of Te Awamutu, before arriving at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves including an underground boat ride (weather permitting) on a subterranean river. Overhead thousands of tiny glowworms light up the cave walls and roof. On completion, the journey continues over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the "Thermal City" of Rotorua. The moment of arrival in Rotorua is somehow quite different. There is a scent of sulphur in the air. At the nearby geothermal hotspots, there are spouting geysers, mud pools bubbling and warm geothermal pools and ponds that create a kaleidoscope of colour. Rotorua is also the heartland of New Zealand's Maoridom and the warm spirit of this living culture will captivate and enthral Rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore what Rotorua has to offer. Dinner and overnight stay at Rotorua.
Day 4: - ROTORUA
Great Sights Discover Rotorua Morning Tour incl 3 Sights. Today visit Te Puia geothermal reserve to view the boiling mudpools and cascading Pohutu geyser, that make Rotorua famous as New Zealand's "thermal city". Enjoy a visit to the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and see local Maori carvers in action. Next travel on to Rainbow Springs to view the resident bird life, native flora and fauna, including local brown, rainbow and tiger trout as they swim in the crystal clear spring waters. Lastly travel onto the Agrodome for an entertaining show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry the various breeds that have established New Zealand as one of the foremost farming nations in the world. The tour returns to the hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore what Rotorua has to offer. Please make your way tonight to local restaurant for dinner.
Day 5: - ROTORUA
Today is free for leisure. See your 'Kiwiway Discount Book' for special offers at the following OPTIONAL attractions, activities in Rotorua: Tamaki Maori Village Evening Hangi & Concert; Agroventures activities; Volcanic Air Safaris scenic flights; Skyline Skyrides; High Tea at Princes Gate Hotel, Te Puia, Rainbow Springs, Agrodome, Lakeland Queen, Kawarau Jet. Dinner and overnight stay at Rotorua.
Day 6: - ROTORUA WELLINGTON
Depart the "thermal city" of Rotorua and continue south through the large Kaingaroa man made forest to reach the popular lake resort of Taupo. Travel along the shores of Lake Taupo to Turangi, before travelling over the Desert Road dominated in the background by the three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngaurahoe and Tongariro to arrive at the small town of Taihape. Continue south through lush farmland to reach the city of Palmerston North, famous for its agricultural University, before arriving in the "capital city" of Wellington. Wellington is New Zealand's ultimate urban destination. Nestled between a harbour and green forest clad hills, the city has national treasures, galleries, museums, boutique shopping, superb cafe and restaurant culture and great nightlife. It offers visitors all the excitement of city life yet has wildlife and nature attractions right on its doorstep. Its compact, villagelike size makes the city an easy place to walk around, yet its cosmopolitan flavour gives all the stimulation and sophistication of a large city. Please proceed tonight to local restaurant for dinner.
Day 7: - WELLINGTON
The tour starts at your accommodation with a city drive through Courtenay Place, the entertainment hub of Wellington. Then continue along the beautiful Oriental Bay and up to the hilltop lookout of Mount Victoria. You will spend 15min enjoying the views whilst the driver will tell you about the city below and how Wellington has evolved to be New Zealand's best city (we might be a little bias). Then, drive the city greenbelt and visit a film location from Lord of the Rings (for those that are interested), before heading around the Mirimar Peninsular and the Karaka Bays. You will follow the spectacular South Coast past the surf beaches of Houghton Bay and Lyall Bay to Island Bay (almost 35kms of coastline). The driver may stop for an explore on the coast before continuing the leisurely drive and returning to the city via Newtown. You will head around the Basin Reserve (the forth oldest cricket ground in the world & the largest roundabout in the southern hemisphere), past the National War Memorial, along quirky Cuba Street and through the City to the bottom of the famous Wellington Cable Car. A ride on the Cable Car is included in your tour. You will be picked up at the top of the Cable car and after appreciating some more spectacular views you will head past some historic San Franciscan villas and Old St Pauls Cathedral to finish the tour with a visit to New Zealand's Parliament grounds. Rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore what Wellington has to offer. See your 'Kiwiway Discount Book' for special offers at the following OPTIONAL attractions, activities, in Wellington: Tour at Te Papa museum, Hammonds Scenic Tours Please make your way tonight to local restaurant for dinner.
Day 8: - WELLINGTON PICTON CHRISTCHURCH
Today travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The journey across Cook Strait has a dramatic beauty all of its own. Both Islands can be viewed, including the magnificent Kaikoura ranges, and there is often the chance to see wildlife such as seabirds, dolphins, seals, whales and orca. This journey is a scenic feast of New Zealand, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. Along the way you pass though the village of Kaikoura, famous for its whales. Travel through some of New Zealand's finest horticultural and farmland areas, and possibly see amazing wildlife such as dolphins, seals and penguins. The adventurous spirit of Christchurch's early English settlers has helped shape the personality and character of the city and province of Canterbury. Elegant Victorian buildings stand shoulder to shoulder with bustling European style cafes, bistros and bars; an architectural marvel of the Victorian time. Enjoy a walk through Hagley Park and the Botanical Gardens; a tour of the provincial Government Buildings; a tour to the Canterbury Museum; or perhaps explore the Cathedral Square and downtown area. Maybe stroll around the Arts centre (originally Canterbury University) opposite the Canterbury Museum, or take a paddling boat down the Avon River, ride a beautifully restored tram around the inner city; or a walk around the beautiful Botanic Gardens a must for flower and tree lovers.
Day 9 : - CHRISTCHURCH MOUNT COOK QUEENSTOWN
Depart Christchurch today and travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo, visiting the Church Of The Good Shepherd before continuing on to New Zealand's highest mountain Mt Cook, or as known in Maori "Aoraki", the cloud piercer. A lunch break of just over one hour is included at Mt Cook where there is the choice of a café or restaurant for lunch if required (lunch not included). Depart Mt Cook and follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south to the small town of Twizel before continuing through the historic Central Otago region to the Lake Wakatipu and the "Alpine Resort" of Queenstown. Queenstown, nestled among glacier rounded hills and dramatic rugged mountain peaks, is one of New Zealand's major resort centres. It offers a host of holiday attractions for the visitor from helicopter flights and trips on jetboats, to walks and tramps. The township is steeped in the history of the goldmining days as is evident from the many relics scattered in and among the surrounding hill.
Day 10: - QUEENSTOWN MILFORD SOUND QUEENSTOWN
Follow the Southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to lake Te Anau. The scenery changes dramatically from tussock covered grasslands to glacier hewn valleys on entering the Eglington valley. Travel through the man made Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. A full length cruise of Milford Sound in modern, purpose built vessels offers magnificent views of the Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. All around are sheer granite walls rising thousands of feet above the water, waterfalls, rainforest,and wildlife all easily enjoyed from large windows, spacious decks and comfortable lounges. Commentaries are provided in several languages. Lunch included on this cruise.
Day 11: - QUEENSTOWN AT LEISURE
Today is at leisure to relax or explore Queenstown. Optional activities available include bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, four wheel driving, cruising on Lake Wakatipu, riding a gondola to the summit of Bob's Peak for panoramic views or simply enjoying the excellent shopping and dining available. See your 'Kiwiway Discount Book' for special offers at the following OPTIONAL attractions and activities in Queenstown: Real Journeys TSS Earnslaw cruises to Walter Peak; Skyline Gondola ride, restaurant, Kiwi Haka Show, and Luge ride; Shotover Jet; NZone Skydiving; Dart River Safaris; The Helicopter Line scenic flights; tours with Nomad Safaris; Queenstown Combos.
Day 12: - QUEENSTOWN FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER
Departing Queenstown this morning, travel along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass, gateway to World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the glacier region of Fox and Franz Josef.
Day 13: - GLACIER REGION AT LEISURE
Rest of the day is at your leisure to relax or explore what Franz Josef has to offer. See your 'Kiwiway Discount Book' for special offers at the following OPTIONAL attractions in the Glacier.
Day 14: - GLACIER REGION TO CHRISTCHURCH
Depart the Glacier region this morning and travel north further along the rugged West Coast to Greymouth. Your journey features some spectacular countryside with the rugged Tasman Sea to the west and the stunning Southern Alps to the east. The Tranz Alpine is described as "The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure" and is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world. Ascend through lush beech forests past the beautiful Lake Brunner via the alpine village of Arthurs Pass situated 737 metres above sea level, before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. The Tranz Alpine then winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley before arriving in Christchurch. The adventurous spirit of Christchurch's early English settlers has helped shape the personality and character of the city and province of Canterbury. Elegant Victorian buildings stand shoulder to shoulder with bustling European style cafes, bistros and bars; an architectural marvel of the Victorian time. Enjoy a walk through Hagley Park and the Botanical Gardens or maybe stroll around the Arts centre.
Day 15: - DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
Coach transfers Hotel to Christchurch Airport for departure.