Highlights of the North & South Itinerary

Maori Village

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1

Arrive in Auckland

Haere Mai and Welcome to the 'City of Sails'

Relax, you are officially on holiday! We have arranged for you to be met and transferred to your accommodation. The remainder of the day is yours to do as you please. There is plenty to see and do in Auckland. New Zealand’s largest city is located between two large harbours and 48 extinct volcanic cones scattered over the city are evidence of it's volancic past. They also provide a perfect location for viewing the city! A diversely cultural place, Auckland is a great location for marine adventures, wine tasting, forest walks and urban sophistication.
 

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Explore Waiheke Island    Island Kayaking Adventure    America’s Cup Sailing
Auckland's Sky TowerRelax on the BeachRangitoto Island Cruise & Walk
West Coast Wine TourWhale and Dolphin SafariMuriwai Surf Beach

 

If time permits you have the possibility to add an extra day in Auckland.

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night

Auckland Viaduct
The modern and spacious Skycity Hotel Auckland is located right in the CBD and allows you to relax in style while enjoying more than 20 restaurants, cafes and bars, a theatre, free live entertainment on selected nights and the iconic Sky Tower - all right at your doorstep. Each air-conditioned room includes a private bathroom, minibar, satellite TV, including CCTV channels, and 24-hour room service. All rooms have a view of the courtyard, city skyline or Auckland Harbour.
Skycity Hotel - Auckland

2

Auckland - Waitomo Caves - Rotorua

With an early departure from Auckland you will be travelling to the amazing Waitomo Caves. Tour the Waitomo Glow Worm Grotto by boat with a local guide. From here your journey continues to Rotorua.  

Enjoy a guided tour through the spectacular geothermal valley of Te Puia, followed by a visit to the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Institute and Kiwi Bird House where you will see native Kiwi birds. Following the guided tour, commence your Te Po experience with an authentic Maori welcome, enjoy a first class delicious Maori feast and enjoy the incredible illuminated thermal valley where the famous Pohutu Geyser explodes 30m high into the air.

Accommodation Rotorua - 1 Night

Maori 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.
Millenium Hotel Rotorua

3

Rotorua Tribal Footprints Tour

The morning is your's to explore Rotorua at leisure.This afternoon partake in a fascinating Tribal Tour. Follow the footprints of the Maori tribe 'Tuhourangi' and spend the afternoon learning the rich history of the eighth wonder of the world and the pink and white terraces and the great 1886 eruption of Mount Tarawera that destroyed both ...

 Some suggestions for your free time in Rotorua:

See Geysers & Boiling Mud    Polynesian Hot Springs  Whirinaki Forest Walk
Thermally Active GolfBiking the Mighty ForestsFlight to Volcanic Island
Museum of Art & History White Water Rafting 

 

Rotorua Geothermal Valley

4

Fly to the 'Garden City' - Christchurch

This morning you will be transferred to the Rotorua Airport for your internal flight to Christchurch (cost of flight not included). Once you have arrived in Christchurch you will be transferred to your accommodation and the afternoon is at your leisure.  

New Zealand’s second-largest city and the gateway to the South Island, Christchurch sits on the very edge of the Canterbury Plains and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. A number of new and exciting developments are popping up everywhere since an earthquake damaged the city a few years ago.
 

Some Suggested Activities in Christchurch:

Easygoing Cycling Tour  Punting the Avon River  Lyttelton Harbour Wildlife Cruise
Māori Cultural EveningFrench Akaroa TourSouthern Alps Ballooning
Christchurch GondolaClearwater GolfArthur's Pass TranzAlpine Hike

 

Accommodation Christchurch - 1 Night

Tram

5

Christchurch - Mt Cook

Leave the city today westwards through the Canterbury plains, you will find a superb location for some great photos at Lake Tekapo. Tekapo is one of three significant, neighboring lakes that border the Mackenzie Valley in New Zealand's South Island. Golden tussock grass carpets the surrounding hillside and roll away into the distance where the Southern Alps frame the horizon. The charming 'Church of the Good Shepherd' sits alone on its shores and the views to our highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook are remarkable. 

Accommodation Mt Cook - 1 Night

Mount Cook National Park

A stunning destination surrounded by the silent splendor of the Southern Alps and with spectacular views of Aoraki/Mount Cook and the surrounding National Park World Heritage area. There is a selection of properties within the Terrace Road campus from Hotel to Chalet and Mountainview Motels - all budgets and standards can be catered for.

Hermitage Hotel Mount Cook

6

Mt Cook to Queenstown

Set off from Mount Cook village in a luxury coach, enjoying the commentary from your local driver guide as you head south through the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country and its high country landscape.

Stop for an afternoon tea break in Omarama (own expense) before continuing through to the Cromwell region, famous for its fruit orchards. Cross Lindis Pass and skirt along the shores of Lake Dunstan before driving through the Kawarau Gorge and its famous goldmines.

Arrive at Queenstown in the evening. Take a ride up the Gondola to Bobs Peak to see the whole of the lake district and the lights of Queenstown.

Accommodation Queenstown - 2 Nights

Sitting on the crystal-clear shores of Lake Wakatipu, Novotel Gardens is centrally located - only a five-minute walk to town on level ground - home to prime restaurants and boutique shopping. Rooms are spacious and comfortable with views from private balconies over manicured landscapes, with the property being adjacent to the beautiful Queenstown Gardens.

Novotel Queenstown

7

Milford Sound

Travelling along the Milford Road is one of the finest alpine drives in the world. The scenery is exceptional, ranging from broad grassy flats, dense rainforest, and towering mountains to glacial lakes and alpine herb fields. Then cruise Milford Sound viewing the spectacular waterfalls and the famous Mitre Peak. Experience the spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces and watch out for dolphins, seals and the rare Fiordland crested penguins.


8

Bon Voyage!

Homeward Bound"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

It is time to say goodbye. This morning you will be transferred to the airport to catch your flight home. If you have time to spare, consider enjoying a little last minute shopping in one of Queenstown's many boutique shops.

Queenstown Wharf

Notes

What is an Independent Coach Tour

Tour Inclusions

  • 4 Star Accommodation
  • Experienced Driver Guides
  • Detailed and informative commentary
  • Travel in an air-conditioned coach
  • 24 Hour Assistance
  • Daily Departures
  • Return airport transfers - flight details to be provided 14 days prior to travel

What Shelly says about this tour: There are some stunning inclusions in this 8 day trip of the North and South Islands which really makes this trip rank highly when I am recommending a tour with a limited time available. With high quality guides throughout this trip is a winner.
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