1
‘Haere Mai’ - Welcome to Christchurch
Community spirit is strong in Christchurch, as you’ll discover exploring its streets at your leisure. We recommend jumping on the tram to tour Christchurch and discover how the city has rebuilt itself since the 2010/11 earthquakes. Look out for the Transitional Cathedral, made largely of cardboard, and Turanga, the gold-clad central library.
Some suggested excursions if you have time
Meals: none
Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night
2
Lake Pukaki & Tekapo - Mt Cook National Park
We peel off a couple more layers on a guided Christchurch tour before setting the GPS for Lake Tekapo, a blinding shade of turquoise accented by the soaring snow-capped peaks and wildflower-strewn fields that surround. It’s quite the backdrop for the stone-hewn Church of Good Shepherd. Opt for a bird’s-eye view on a scenic flight, taking you over Mount Cook and the Southern Alps, as well as Franz Josef and Fox glaciers.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Omarama - 1 Night
3
Edinburgh of the South - Dunedin
Travel onto Oamaru, while its façade is strictly of the Victorian era with ornately decorated grand white stone buildings that once housed upstanding banks, hotels and restaurants, the ‘Oamaruivans’ are certainly not. In fact, they are quite the contrary. Unlike the Victorians they (the locals) are bohemian artisans, creative’s and antiquarians who run ‘out-there’ galleries, museums, shops and venues – it has to be seen to be believed and you'll love it.
This afternoon you will make your way down to the Southernmost New Zealand city, Dunedin. With the rest of your free afternoon you may wish to take part in an optional excursion to see more of the region. Take a Wildlife Cruise out to Otago Peninsula, visit the Speights Brewery – a New Zealand institution or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway.
Some options available in and around Dunedin:
Cadbury Chocolate | Penguins and Albatross Tour | |
Peninsula Wildlife Cruise | Larnach Castle Tour |
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 Night
4
Dunedin - Invercargill
Rolling green pastures dotted with wide-eyed sheep are your backdrop to Gore. Fun fact: this is the country music capital of New Zealand. Invercargill is obsessed with something else: motor vehicles. Tributes to speed legends colour the city, telling the story of everyone from Burt Munro to Bill Richardson – his shed full of classic vehicles is the largest private collection of its type in the world.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Invercargill - 2 Nights
6
Invercargill - Queenstown
You’ve probably already noticed that there’s a lot of farmland here in New Zealand. It’s fitting, then, that you meet southern girl Laura, who will introduce you to the sheep farm where she was born and raised. The Real Country Farm Show, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, offers an authentic taste of what rural New Zealand is like. For every guest, we donate funds to The Fairlight Foundation, Advancing Women in Agriculture. Continue to Queenstown and take the afternoon at your own pace.
Meals: Breakfast,
Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 nights
7
Queenstown
We wouldn’t blame you for using today to linger by the banks of Lake Wakatipu, marvelling at sky-scraping, snow-tipped Remarkables. But if you want to venture further afield, we can point you in the right direction. A spot of bungy jumping at the place it was born, perhaps? Or an epic journey through Fiordland National Park for a Milford Sound tour. This yawning gorge was carved by waterfalls, wind and weather. It’s the natural playground for dolphins and New Zealand fur seals. There’s a reason why this part of the island has World Heritage status.
Included Meals: Breakfast
8
Queenstown - Franz Josef
Atmospheric Arrowtown was born from gold, and its movie-set-like streets still shimmer today. It’s hard to tear yourself away, but the Alpine country of the Southern Lakes is calling, from Lake Dunstan – pause for juicy stone fruit picked fresh from the tree – to oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and lovely Lake Wanaka, with its shoreline of poplars and willows. Over the Haast Pass, the pretty town of Franz Josef/Waiau, awaits. Get some perspective on an optional Franz Josef Glacier/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere flight tour – if the weather behaves, you may even get to land on it. New Zealand tours don’t get much cooler than this.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 Night
9
Franz Josef Glacier / Punakaki
Today choose to see spectacular Franz Josef Glacier from the air or do a Glacier Heli Hike (optional). From here its on to Hokitika, the heritage and cultural centre of the West Coast, for a greenstone (jade) jewellery demonstration by a local carver. Later travel to Punakaiki where you will see the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Tonight you stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront - enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep!
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Punakaiki - 1 Night
10
Buller Gorge / Nelson
Soak up the scenic wilderness of the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge and Kahurangi National Park before arriving in Nelson.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Nelson- 2 Nights
11
Relax - Nelson at Leisure
Explore Nelson at leisure today. Surrounded by sheltered mountain ranges, golden beaches, national parks and boutique wineries and breweries there's no shortage of things to see and do. Choose to journey to the top of the South Island and enjoy a relaxing cruise in the stunning Abel Tasman National Park, take a bush walk or maybe just relax in the city and explore the many arts and craft galleries.
Meals: Breakfast
12
Queen Charlotte Sound / Wellington
Swap wheels for water aboard the Inter-islander for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand’s cool little capital of Wellington. Bring your appetite – the city is known for its oh-so-cool restaurants and bars. Ask us for tips before your day in Wellington kicks off tomorrow.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights
13
The Cool Little Capital - Wellington
Today you are free to explore as you wish. Perhaps join a tour of New Zealand’s Parliament buildings and the ‘Beehive’ or ride Wellington’s famous cable car up to Kelburn lookout for stunning views of the city.
Suggested outings in and around Wellington.
National Museum - Te Papa | Visit Cuba Street | Weta Workshop Tour |
Zealandia Wildlife Reserve | Carter Observatory |
Meals: Breakfast
14
Napier - Art Deco City
Travel through the dairy farming land of Manawatu to Napier. In February 1931, Napier was levelled by earthquake and fire but was rebuilt in the depths of the Great Depression in just two years. Nowhere else in the world can you see such a concentration of buildings in the styles of the 1930s: Art Deco, Spanish Mission and Stripped Classical. You’ll hear the story of the earthquake that devastated Napier in 1931 and be introduced to the Art Deco style and hear stories of the characters involved in rebuilding this city. A local guide will accompany you on a walking tour.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Napier - 1 Night
15
Great Lake Taupo & Rotorua
The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, the largest (and perhaps bluest) of its kind in the country – it feeds thundering Huka Falls, which you’ll hear well before you see. It’s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua, where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers, and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth. Tonight, Maori culture and traditions are in the spotlight at Te Puia. Your journey starts with a guided tour including the Māori Arts & Crafts Institute, followed by a hangi dinner overlooking the geothermal valley, and a Māori cultural performance in the meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua.
Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner
Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights
16
Rotorua - Free Day
Today is one of decisions. Bliss out in the Polynesian Spa’s thermal springs; go behind the scenes on a working kiwi nursery; visit the Hobbiton movie set; or board a scenic flight for a bird’s-eye view.
Meals: Breakfast
Recommended excursions in and around Rotorua:
See Geysers & Boiling Mud | Polynesian Hot Springs | Whirinaki Forest Walk |
Thermally Active Golf | Biking the Mighty Forests | Flight to Volcanic Island |
Museum of Art & History | Evening Cultural Experience |
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17
Auckland - City of Sails
On our way to Auckland we pass through the lush dairy-farming areas of the Waikato region. Today your sights are firmly set on the Auckland’s main love: rugby. The interactive All Blacks Experience explores an introduction to the game as a part of New Zealand culture.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night
18
Bay of Islands
The Bay of Islands is undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical secret: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. Your guide, perhaps a descendent of one of the original signatories, will explain the significance.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Bay of Islands - 2 Nights
19
Bay of Islands Leisure Time
Today you are free to experience the beautiful Bay of Islands as you wish. Made up of 144 islands it's paradise for water lovers and there is no shortage of things to do. Perhaps go on a dolphin cruise, take a coach trip to Cape Reinga via 90 mile beach, spend the day sailing on a tall ship or take a tour to historic Russell. Ask your Travel Director about optional experiences.
Excursions available in and around the Bay of Islands
Meals: Breakfast
20
Bay of Islands - Auckland
Start with a morning of leisure and this afternoon sit, back and relax as you make your way down through Northland’s lush farmland scenery and past the sprawling suburbs of the North Shore of Auckland. This afternoon, you may want to head out and explore Auckland before joining your group for a Farewell Dinner.
Some Activities and sightseeing options for your free time in Auckland:
Meals: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night
21
Farewell Auckland
Haere rā and Bon Voyage!
We hope you enjoyed your holiday and our promise to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full 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
Inclusions
Included Highlights
- Tour through Christchurch to witness the incredible rebuild of this city
- Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo
- Let loose in the adventure capital, Queenstown
- See awe-inspiring Franz Josef Glacier
- Punakaiki, home to Pancake Rocks & Blowholes
- Visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand
- Immerse yourself in Maori culture at a Hangi and Concert
- Explore the geothermal valley at Te Puia in Rotorua
- Relax in the Bay of Islands
Inclusions
- Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
- Comfortable accommodation
- Travel by luxury air-conditioned coach
Dining
- 20 Full buffet breakfasts
- 1 Lunch
- 2 Highlight Dinner
- 5 Dinners
- 1 Farewell Dinner
Flight Information
- Day 1 - Flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Christchurch Airport
- Day 21 - Flights to depart anytime from Auckland Airport

What Tracy says about this tour: Travelling by luxury coach with great food and quality accommodation this small group tour lets you discover some out-of-the way places. The pace is relaxed and the tour director will expertly guide your 3 week journey. I recommend this tour for folk who want to relax and enjoy kiwi culture and hospitality and of course the stunning New Zealand scenery.
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