1
Welcome to Christchurch
‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand. Now you can relax - you are officially on holiday. Everything has been taken care of, we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your accommodation.
This evening meet your travelling companions for a pre-dinner drink followed by a welcome dinner.
Some suggested activities around Christchurch if you have time.
Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night
2
Omarama - Gateway to Mt Cook National Park
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) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Omarama - 1 night
3
Historic Oamaru & Dunedin
Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before arriving at Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour & free time. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift.
Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner
Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 night
4
Te Anau - Gateway to Fiordland National Park
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle for a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 night
5
Magnificent Milford Sound
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.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 nights
6
Queenstown at Leisure
Today is a free day 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: Breakfast and Special Dinner
7
Arrowtown - Fox Glacier
Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the wild West Coast and as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers. You are in the heart of Westland National Park, considered to be the most diverse and beautiful area in New Zealand.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Franz Glacier - 1 night
8
TranzAlpine Train - 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 in Christchurch your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night
9
InterIsland Cruise to Wellington
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. 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.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Wellington - 2 nights
10
Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum
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.
11
Great Lake Taupo - Rotorua
Leaving the city behind, we travel through rolling farmland as we enter Thermal Explorer Highway guides us to the Central North Island and the largest body of fresh water in the Southern Hemisphere - Lake Taupo. We follow its shores south and climb up to the spectacular Desert Road in the Tongariro National Park where a dramatic alpine vista unfolds, crowned by the imposing volcanic peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Ngaruahoe. Stop to view the mighty Huka Falls and travel past massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture and famous for its geysers, boiling mud pools and steaming craters.
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 nights
12
Maori Hangi and Concert
The day begins with a Gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action packed hour of entertainment. Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon.
Tonight: This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.
Meals: Breakfast & Specialty Dinner
13
Bay of Islands
This morning travel North to Auckland for a shortstop, then continue via Whangarei to the heart of the Bay of Islands, a subtropical wonderland of secluded bays, islands and history - a coastal paradise.
This Afternoon: Enjoy an introduction to Waitangi, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Bay of Islands - 2 nights
14
Island Cruise & Leisure Time
This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands onboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock.
The beaches in this region are considered some of the world's finest with their perfect white sand and crystal-clear water. Rich in culture, history, and natural resources, Paihia is the place of friendly locals, happy cafes, and people enjoying life, whether it is swimming with dolphins, taking in a spot of retail therapy, bushwalking or just relaxing on the beach. The Bay of Islands, aptly named for the 144 islands located in the area, has plenty of recreational activities including sailing, fishing, swimming, diving, kayaking, and more. Paihia is the perfect stepping stone to begin exploring this spectacular area.
Excursions available around 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 |
| Cultural Tour of Waitangi | Golf at Kauri Cliffs |
Meals: Breakfast
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 enjoys a final dinner with your new-found friends.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night
16
Depart Auckland
"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home. We know you enjoyed the '16 Day SOLO Travellers Highlights Tour' and our promise to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with lots of photos and 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.
Meals: Breakfast
Notes
Inclusions
PREPAID ATTRACTIONS
- Welcome Drink
- Haggis Ceremony and Gift
- Larnach Castle*
- Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
- Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
- Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Thermal mud pools and geysers*
- Traditional Mãori Hãngi and Concert
- Hole in the Rock Cruise
- Kauri Museum
- City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland
*Guided tour is included with 1 guide per 24 travellers.
TOURING
- Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- 48 seat modern coach travel, 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
- Professional Coach Captain and Tour Leader
- 15 nights 3.5 star accommodation
- 4 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 1 rail journey
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Comprehensive documentation pack
MEALS
- 15 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 12 sumptuous dinners including 4 specialty dinners: Welcome Dinner, Christchurch; Haggis
Ceremony, Dunedin; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Mãori Hãngi and Concert, Rotorua - 1 picnic lunch
- 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
What Jess says about this tour: This trip represents unbeatable value for solo travellers. Team up with like minded peoples and travel the length of New Zealand. Enjoy the Bay of Islands and all the main centres of New Zealand. Soak up the unspoilt beauty of New Zealand on this excellently planned and organised trip.
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