1
Welcome to Auckland!
‘Haere Mai’ and welcome to the ultimate New Zealand holiday.
Upon arriving at Auckland Airport you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Check in and freshen up before spending the remainder of the day exploring the ‘City of Sails’. Stroll the walkways of the Viaduct, peruse the boutique shops of the central city or visit the Sky Tower, the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest building, for fantastic views of the harbour and beyond.
This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:
Explore Waiheke Island | Island Kayaking Adventure | America’s Cup Sailing |
Auckland's Sky Tower | Whale and Dolphin Safari | Rangitoto Island Cruise & Walk |
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night
2
Paihia - The Enchanting Bay of Islands
Enjoy a city tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, before travelling to Matakohe to enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands.
This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Paihia - 2 Nights
3
Bay of Islands at Leisure
Today is a day at leisure to choose from the many optional activities available, including a tall sailing ship experience or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Excursions available in the Bay of Islands:
Historical Island Cruise | Diving Rainbow Warrior | 4WD Adventure Cape Reinga |
Sailing the Islands | Sea Kayaking the Bay | Giant Kauri Forest Walk |
Meals: Breakfast
4
Paihia to Auckland
This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Upon return to Paihia, travel south via Whangarei, before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the many eateries surrounding your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night
5
Vintage Rail Journey and Travel to Rotorua
Leaving Auckland, our path takes us to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a 15-kilometre (9 mile) journey back in time on a vintage steam train that’s been beautifully restored. We tour the restoration workshop and enjoy morning tea back at the Station. Afterwards, we continue through stunning countryside to Rotorua, our home for the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights
6
Explore Rotorua - Māori Experience and Hāngī
We start the day with panoramic views over Rotorua aboard a Gondola Ride, there is also time for a luge ride! The next stop is 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner
7
Rotorua to Wellington via Taupo
Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and continue south to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights
8
Wellington Tour & Leisure Time
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. This afternoon ride the Wellington Cable Car to Kelburn Station where you can explore the Cable Car Museum or stroll through the Botanic Gardens. This evening is also free to explore Wellington’s lively food scene.
Meals: Breakfast
9
Cruise and Coastal Pacific Train to Christchurch
This morning board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait, and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton.
Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that showcases the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side and the rugged scenic coastline on the other. Travel through numerous tunnels and across several bridges before rejoining your coach in Kaikoura. Travel south by coach through some of the finest farmland area’s to the garden city of Christchurch.
Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Christchurch - 2 Nights
10
Explore Christchurch - The Garden City
Today visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at your leisure, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions. This evening is free to explore the local cuisine.
Suggested Activities Options for Christchurch:
Christchurch Gondola | Punting the Avon River | Clearwater Golf |
Arthur's Pass TranzAlpine Hike | French Akaroa Tour | Southern Alps Ballooning |
Meals: Breakfast
11
TranzAlpine Train Journey into Glacier Country
Embark this morning on one of the top six train journeys in the world, on board the TranzAlpine Railway. Spanning the width of the South Island, this journey showcases spectacular gorges, ribbon-like rivers, massive viaducts, and soaring peaks – don’t forget your camera! We disembark at Arthur’s Pass and continue on to Hokitika, a small town steeped in gold mining and pioneering history that is famous for its pounamu (greenstone).
Later in the afternoon, we reach our destination for the night – Franz Josef Village, home to the ancient flow of ice that is the Franz Josef Glacier. Weather permitting, enjoy unforgettable views high above the glaciers with an optional scenic flight.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 Night
12
Queenstown via Haast Pass
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you journey inland, crossing the Haast Pass and driving on to picturesque Queenstown. Admire the soaring Remarkables Mountain Range and soak up the panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu, the shores on which the town is built. Tonight, enjoy a magical evening of free time; here, the options for drinks beside the lake or delicious dining are endless.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights
13
Queenstown at Leisure
Explore everything Queenstown has to offer and do it your way on a day of leisure. Your crew can assist you in crafting the perfect day. You can get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling wilderness jet boat ride or a white water rafting adventure, or if you prefer something more relaxing like a wine tour in the stunning vineyards of the Gibbston Valley, you won’t be disappointed.
In the evening, prepare for a very special night across the other side of Lake Wakatipu. We board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise to Walter Peak Station where we enjoy a delightful meal of delicious country cuisine. A short farm tour follows our dining experience before we re-board the ship for a return journey complemented by live piano music.
Recommended Queenstown Excursions:
Earnslaw Steamboat Cruise | Highest Bungey Jump | Gibbston Valley Wine Trail |
Dart River Jetboat Safari | Round at Millbrook Golf Resort |
Meals: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
14
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
This morning travel to Arrowtown and Visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via Te Anau to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner, for your amazing overnight cruise. Milford Sound is home to three species of dolphin, along with fur seals and penguins.
Return under sail and anchor overnight in Harrison Cove. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by tender boat or kayak (swimwear required) - or to simply relax on board. Stay in a private cabin with en suite, enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Onboard Milford Mariner - 1 Night
15
Milford Sound to Te Anau
Begin the day with a delicious breakfast aboard the boat before cruising out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to soak up more stunning fiord scenery. Returning back to the wharf, we meet the coach and enjoy the sights of the Milford Road once more on the way back to Te Anau.
Return back to the wharf to meet your coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 Night
17
Larnach Castle and Free Time
Travel along the picturesque Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour you will hear the tragic and scandalous tales which make up the castle’s history. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for some free time.
Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.
Meals: Breakfast
18
Christchurch via Oamaru
Today travel to the small town of Oamaru, famous for its limestone architecture before continuing to Christchurch. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner
Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night
19
Depart Christchurch
Haere rā and Bon Voyage!
We are sure you will enjoy this tour and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Meals: Breakfast
Itinerary Variations:
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.
What katarina says about this tour: This trip combines the best rail journeys with stunning scenery an. highlight overnight cruise at Milford Sound. With most dinners included and a high quality comfort coach - there is so much to enjoy daily on this 19 day trip to New Zealand.
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