New Zealand Uncovered Itinerary| First Light Travel New Zealand

Welcome to Auckland

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand

Relax you are now officially on holiday and everything has been taken care of! We will meet you at the airport and drive you directly to your hotel to freshen up and unwind. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception and dinner with your Travel Director.

Meals: Dinner with wine

Accommodation: Auckland - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

The Cordis Hotel - Auckland

Expansive views of the city’s leafy green parks and its bustling downtown district. Elegant British style and our legendary hotel hospitality established in 1865. Our guest rooms and suites envelop in spacious sophistication. Situated near upper Queen Street, our hotel is located within walking distance of the stunning waterfront, the lush Auckland Domain, and other key attractions. Enjoy the city’s natural beauty and get easy access to its unique sights from our conveniently located hotel.

Auckland at Leisure

A little bit of leisure, a little bit of culture – today is one of those days. Sleep in before a peek behind the scenes of racing history on the New Zealand Maritime Museum’s America’s Cup Tour, highlighting Auckland’s heritage of boat-building, and offering a glimpse of one of the world’s only replicas of the America’s Cup. Your Auckland tour guide then takes you around the city, pausing at Bastion Point and the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial for epic photo opportunities over the city’s dual harbour. By now you should have a few ideas for how to spend your afternoon exploring, but if not, ask us for recommendations. We have a little black book full of contacts. 

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Explore Waiheke Island	Island Kayaking Adventure	America’s Cup Sailing
Auckland's Sky Tower	Relax on the Beach	Rangitoto Island Cruise & Walk
West Coast Wine Tour	Whale and Dolphin Safari	Muriwai Surf Beach

Meals: Breakfast

Auckland – Rotorua

You’re invited to a Be My Guest lunch at the Red Barn on the Waikato farm of Lance and Bridgette O’Sullivan, New Zealand horse racing royalty. Expect country banter and farm-to-table fare prepared with a lot of love. The next hot spot – in every sense of the word – on your NZ holiday is Rotorua. Visit Te Puia to see and support Māori artisans at work, then continue your Rotorua tour at the steamy Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, a staggering valley where geysers pop and thermal springs jettison skywards.

Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest Lunch

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Millennium Hotel Rotorua

This 4.5 star deluxe property is perfectly situated next to mystical Lake Rotorua and is just a brief stroll from the City centre, close to many restaurants and bars. The hotel offers world class residential style accommodation that is suitable for those travelling on business and for leisure. Restaurant Nikau offers a good range of evening menu choices, from the Restaurant's famous Nikau Burger to fine dining options, while the Brassiere Poolside Restaurant is the perfect place to start your day with an alfresco style breakfast beside the geothermal heated pool.

Rotorua

Today, choose your own adventure. We have plenty of ideas for the paths you might follow. Tonight, dive deep into Māori culture at Te Pā Tū Māori Experience, an important hub keeping tradition, art and music alive. Oh, and nurturing Māori cuisine. Enjoy a forest kai horotai (seasonal canapés) and chef choice aperitif, followed by a seasonal three-course dinner.

Meals: Breakfast & Highlight Dinner

Rotorua - Wellington

Say goodbye to Rotorua and hello to the raging rapids of Huka Falls. Your outlook then unfolds into the dreamy landscape of Lake Taupō. Traverse the volcanic Central Plateau to NZ’s cool little capital of Wellington.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Rydges Wellington Hotel

Centrally located downtown with a stunning Harbour vista is Rydges Wellington. The hotel offers 280 rooms with modern facilities including free WiFi. There are also 19 apartment-style suites for longer stays.

Wellington

Take a city tour to discover highlights like its iconic Cable Car, parliament and Mt. Victoria. This afternoon is all yours. You could visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, perhaps the wine region of Wairarapa or Zealandia’s ecosanctuary restoring 225 hectares of forest.

Meals: Breakfast

Wellington – Kaikoura

This morning cruise the Cook Strait to Kaikōura, a marine life haven. On arrival be treated to a biodiversity talk from Sabrina Leucht, founder of Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust, and learn about the work the trust is doing towards Wildlife rescue and rehabilitation, at this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Tonight, dine at Hiku, which celebrates what Kaikōura is all about - kai moana and dramatic sea and mountain scapes.

Meals: Breakfast & Highlight dinner

Accommodation: Kaikoura - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Sudima Kaikoura

With its superb location on the shoreline close to town, Sudima Kaikoura is blessed with stunning views of both the mountains and sea. It also puts the hotel within easy walking distance of Kaikoura’s activities, shops, restaurants, and bars. This state-of-the-art waterfront hotel has a 4.5 star rating with an outstanding in-house restaurant, a bar and conference facilities. As always, you can expect that special Sudima service. We take care of the little things, so you’re all ready for a big day – of business, sightseeing, or nature watching.

Kaikoura – Christchurch

Enjoy a relaxed start this morning or sign up for one of several optional wildlife experiences available. Take a scenic flight for a bird’s-eye view, get up close to dolphins by boat or kayak, or sample tasty crayfish at waterside fish-and-chip shops. Follow the coast and Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, home to innovative architecture, art institutions and restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Christchurch

The Distinction Hotel is a brand new hotel opening in 2019 in the revitalised heart of Christchurch and Cathedral Square. Centrally located and a short stroll to the Botanical Gardens, New Regent Street, the Arts Centre, and Avon River. This luxury Christchurch hotel offers 179 elegant, air-conditioned hotel rooms including 3 floors of brand new Superior Rooms and Suites.

Christchurch – Twizel

After joining our Sustainable Tourism Commitment by planting a native tree in the Port Hills of Christchurch, an area recovering from wildfire, we travel over the patchwork countryside of the Canterbury Plains to soak up some spectacular sightseeing. Get a taste of famous kiwi hospitality during our special barbecue lunch at Morelea Farm. Our hosts, Angie and Stan, welcome us into their home and share their wonderful 240-hectare garden, overflowing with colour, charm and native bird song. Later on, we visit Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo where a magical scene of turquoise blue water contrasts with a stunning backdrop of mountains cloaked in a veil of golden tussock grass. Adding to the superb photo opportunities,

Later, view the little stone-hewn Church of the Good Shepherd on your way to Twizel.

Meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest Afternoon Tea & Dinner with wine

Accommodation: Tekapo - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Distinction MacKenzie Country Hotel - Twizel

The MacKenzie Country Hotel, Twizel, is located very in the heart of the historic MacKenzie Basin. The hotel offers 108 spacious guestrooms including 80 standard rooms and 28 deluxe rooms; all offer shower over bath ensuites with surrounding views of the spectacular Ben Ohau Ranges and Mount Cook. Enjoy a meal in the restaurant or bar by choosing from the hearty menus revealing local cuisine accompanied by a range of New Zealand wines.

Twizel – Dunedin & Included Activity

This morning, we stop to marvel at the Benmore Dam while en route to Oamaru, where the town centre is graced by some of New Zealand's best 19th century architecture. Our journey continues to our final destination of the day Dunedin.

Today indulge your adventurous side, selecting one of the 'Included Choice Sightseeing Experiences' on offer to you in Dunedin.

Choice from one of these included experiences:

Tour Stately Larnach Castle
Historic Taieri Gorge Railway Journey
Interactive Tour of Speight's Brewery
Otago Peninsula Wildlife Cruise

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner with Wine

Accommodation Dunedin - 1 night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Southern Cross - Dunedin

The Scenic Hotel Southern Cross is Dunedin's largest and most established hotel. Located in the heart of Dunedin, this hotel has been extensively refurbished and now provides guests with modern style, exquisite quality, convenience and exceptional service. Your every comfort is well provided for, with 178 attractive rooms and suites, extensive hotel facilities, and a very high standard of service. This has earned the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross a 4-star plus Qualmark rating, as well as the Enviro-Silver award.

Dunedin – Te Anau (gateway to Fiordland National Park)

We head overland through lush farming country and rolling hills to the splendid lakeside town of Te Anau- the gateway to Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Remember to charge your camera batteries tonight.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner with Wine

Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 night

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Te Anau & Villas

Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre, Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas is perfectly situated for you to make the most of this beautiful area. The rooms are very comfortable and the hotel has all the facilities you would expect from a property of this standard.Distinction Te Anua Hotel and Villas, offering chic, elegant accommodation. This 4 Star hotel is surrounded by extensive landscaped gardens where you can enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Te Anua and the Fiordland ranges.

Cruise on the Majestic Milford Sound

Welcome to one of the most scenic locations in the world. A majestic World Heritage Site, Milford Sound has been described as the '8th natural wonder of the world' and the journey along the amazing Milford Road is just as awe-inspiring as the destination. You'll enjoy plenty of photo opportunities along this spectacular highway that cuts through an unimaginable cathedral of imposing mountain peaks, mirror lakes and bottomless valleys decorated in rainforests, waterfalls and glaciers.

At Milford Sound we embark on a cruise you will never forget. An otherworldly landscape plunges into the Tasman Sea and unique wildlife abounds in the deep waters of the fiord. Our destination for tonight is the fairytale town of Queenstown, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. On arrival we finish our day full of highlights with an orientation tour.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 nights

Accommodation:

Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Millennium Hotel Queenstown is only minutes from Queenstown central shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities and offers a peaceful haven from the variety of activities in this lively city. With many guest rooms and suites to choose from the centre boasts a gym, sauna, spa, bar and restaurant, feature contemporary city-inspired designed. Many of our rooms also offer scenic views of the city and mountains, providing the perfect backdrop to your journey.

Included Choice Experiences & Steamer Cruise to Farm

Today indulge your adventurous side, selecting one of the Included Choice sightseeing experiences on offer to you in Queenstown.

Choice from one of these included experiences:

Central Otago Wine Tour
Thrilling Shotover Jet-boat Ride
A 4WD Minibus tour in Skippers Canyon
Skyline Gondola with thrilling Luge Ride

This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue ‘highlight dinner’ at the Colonel’s Homestead. An entertaining farm show provides a glimpse into high-country farm life.

Meals: Breakfast and Highlight Dinner

Franz Josef - Glacier Country

The adventure continues, and this morning Central Otago's rich pioneer gold rush history comes alive in the picturesque village of Arrowtown. Set beside a beautiful clear flowing river, this charming town has some great historical sites, boutique shops, and delightful cafés. Following the road to Cromwell, the fabulous scenery keeps on coming and during the stone fruit season, you can pick up bags of delicious cherries, apricots, and nectarines at any of the roadside stalls. For a slice of paradise, we drive past a trio of fantastic lakes including Lake Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka before traversing the Haast Pass where the Thunder Creek Falls makes for some more great photos. A short stroll amongst emerald rainforest refreshes us prior to our arrival at Franz Josef - the world's most accessible glacier.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner with Wine

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Situated on the very edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier will welcome you in true New Zealand style. The Hotel makes the most of its alpine location and is only moments from spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. The highly regarded Hot Pools are within walking distance. Featuring patios or balconies, the simple, warmly decorated rooms and suites include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, plus tea and coffee making facilities. Suites add living areas. (formerly known as the Scenic Circle Franz Josef Glacier Hotel) has quality rooms with balcony views and special access.

Franz Josef – Punakaiki & Pancake Rocks

Today we lay eyes on Franz Josef Glacier, a tremendous frozen cascade of ice that tumbles down from the soaring Southern Alps towards the ocean. Then it’s time for an exhilarating adventure among temperate rainforest giants on the West Coast Treetop Walkway, followed by a visit to Hokitika, where a trip to The Jade Factory showcases the beautiful greenstone carvings for which the town is renowned. Further on, the famous limestone stacks of the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks are highlighted by thundering, geyser-like blowholes and unique rock formations etched out over thousands of years.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner with Wine

Accommodation Punakaiki - 1 night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Punakaiki

Surrounded by the Paparoa National Park and with stunning views of the Tasman Sea, Scenic Hotel Punakaiki is in a great location. The resort is situated only 300m from the famous Punakaiki Blowholes and has been designed in harmony with the local environment. Evenings are spent relaxing in a standard resort room with views of the sea or an Eco Suite with rainforest and distant seaviews.

Punakaiki to Christchurch

Beer for breakfast? We’ve got you sorted on a morning tour of legendary Monteith’s Brewery. You only live once, right? The best is yet to come – all aboard for the scenic TranzAlpine train back to Christchurch. Travel through tunnels and over viaducts, with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Your NZ tour arrives in Christchurch just in time for your Farewell Dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, farewell dinner

Accommodation Christchurch - 1 night

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Christchurch

Farewell from Christchurch

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

Today we say farewell to newfound friends. We take care of your transfer to Christchurch Airport where you will board your onward flight, taking with you the magical memories of a truly exceptional New Zealand holiday.

Some Suggested Activities If You Have Time

Easygoing Cycling Tour	Punting the Avon River	Lyttelton Harbour Wildlife Cruise
Māori Cultural Evening	French Akaroa Tour	Southern Alps Ballooning
Christchurch Gondola	Clearwater Golf	Arthur's Pass TranzAlpine Hike

Meals: Breakfast

Notes

Trip Inclusions

Sightseeing Highlights

Auckland Sky Tower
Te Puia - Thermal Mud Pools & Geysers
Immerse yourself in rich Maori culture with the Tamaki family over dinner
Take your pick of a selection of included experiences in Rotorua, Dunedin, Queenstown & Bay of Islands
Journey through the magnificent scenery of Mt. Ruapehu Tongariro National Park
'You're invited' to Morelea for a unique private afternoon tea experience
Explore Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand
Savour a delicious Kiwi BBQ at Morelea Farm
Cruise on the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak Station
Travel past ancient glaciers, spectacular mountains and magical rainforest en route to Milford Sound
Taste Central Otago stone fruits at a local orchard
Discover fascinating Franz Josef Glacier
Walk around Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Journey over the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train

Included Meals

• 7 Dinners with Wine • 16 Full Breakfasts • 1 Be My Guest Lunch • 3 Highlight Dinners • 1 Be My Guest Afternoon Tea • 1 Lunch • 1 Farewell Dinner

Plus

Welcome Reception
Travel Wallet, Luggage Tags & Map of New Zealand
Hotel Porterage Included
Arrival & Departure transfers

See Pricing Options

What suzie says about this tour: If you're looking for a quintessential luxury coach tour of the whole of New Zealand, then look no further. From the working farm visits, Maori cultural experiences, geysers and glaciers, rainforests and majestic mountains this popular journey has it all. A mix of adventure and relaxation with opportunities to pick and choose your activities. A Professional Coach Director and premium accommodation give added comfort.

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