Highlights of the North & South Itinerary

 

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Full 24 Hour Support50 Page Essential New Zealand Guide 
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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 - 2 Nights

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 - Queenstown

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. 

Heading South from Mount Cook, pass through the high country towns of Twizel and Omarama before entering the beautiful Lindis Pass, the pass offers a unique mountain and tussock grassland scenery - Lindis Pass Scenic Reserve was formed in 1976 and was one of the first tussock reserves in New Zealand.

Relax as you take in the spectacular scenery that changes from rugged ranges and mirror lakes to the winding Kawarau River Gorge before emerging into the lush green farmland surrounding Queenstown.

Accomodation Queenstown - 3 Nights

Mount Cook National Park

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

6

Majestic Milford Sound Cruise

With camera batteries fully charged, we set out on an unforgettable journey into a World Heritage Site of absolute majesty. The Milford Road takes us from Te Anau to Milford Sound on one of the most scenic drives on the planet. A glorious labyrinth of soaring peaks is punctuated by unspoiled rainforest, plunging valleys, azure lakes, waterfalls and glaciers. 

The light at the end of the Homer Tunnel marks the final reaches of this amazing roadway and our arrival at Milford Sound. Following a boat cruise of the sound, you will understand why this place was once described as the '8th natural wonder of the world'. From the spectacular scenes of Milford Sound, you will travel back to Queenstown

Milford Sound Mitre Peak

7

Queenstown at Leisure

Today you have a free day in Queenstown. The surrounding area is known for its Pinot Noir and Chardonnay vineyards and the natural landscape with wild rivers, high peaks and deep canyons has allowed Queenstown to developed an exciting array of outdoor adventure activities - and there's plenty to choose from. But if you are just want to chill out then Queenstown's compact downtown area is relaxed during the day and huge fun at night. In any season, you can count on stylish designer shops and many trendy restaurants offering a kaleidoscope of dining experiences.

Enjoy spectacular scenic views as you sit back and relax in the Skyline Queenstown Gondola. The steepest cable car lift in the Southern Hemisphere and one of the must-do activities in Queenstown. 


Some Suggested Activities in Queenstown:

Routeburn Day WalkHighest Bungey JumpExplore Arrowtown

Wine Tasting Central Otago      

Biking Skippers Canyon      Round at Millbrook Golf Resort
Earnslaw Steamboat Cruise  Dart River Jetboat Safari      

Gibbston Valley Wine Trail

Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu

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
  • Gondola Queenstown
  • Māori Cultural Experience Rotorua
  • Milford Sound Scenic Cruise
  • Mount Cook National Park
  • Rotorua's Tribal Footprints Tour
  • Waitomo Glowworm Caves
  • Te Puia - Thermal Mud Pools & Geysers
  • Return airport transfers - flight details to be provided 14 days prior to travel
Highlights of the North & South Tour map

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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