Nature and Wildlife Discovery Itinerary

When you touch down in New Zealand your detailed documentation pack will be hand-delivered by one of our trusted representatives. You'll find everything you need in one handy place: your personalised itinerary, clear instructions and maps, and reservation details for your accommodation and activities.

24 Hour Assistance: We’re just a free phone call away if you encounter any issues while you're on the road - at any time of day or night. Don’t waste your precious vacation time stressing - First Light Travel are here to help you quickly when every second counts.

What's also included?

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:

Accommodation Auckland - 1 Night

Depart Auckland this morning and travel through lush farmland to Matamata. Take a guided tour of the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located on a picturesque 1,250 acre sheep and beef farm. Here, the village of Hobbiton was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies.

During your guided tour you will see sights such as Hobbit holes, the Mill and the Green Dragon Inn, and you will learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, enjoy a delicious lunch at the Green Dragon Inn.

At the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, take a 45-minute guided tour through impressive underground caverns and learn how stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone structures were formed over millions of years. Your tour includes a boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto – glide silently along an underground river as you gaze at the twinkling glowworms overhead.

After visiting Waitomo and Hobbiton, continue to Rotorua, arriving in the early evening.

Accommodation Rotorua - 2 Nights

This morning you will discover three of Rotorua's best visitor attractions on a sightseeing tour. 

Gain an insight into New Zealand's Māori culture at Te Puia, then experience Rotorua's famous geothermal activity with a tour of the neighbouring Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley - a place where mud pools bubble and boil and geysers shoot steam high into the air. You'll also see Te Puia's woodcarving and weaving schools and see how these ancient Māori art forms are being passed on to a new generation of master artists. You will continue on to the Rainbow Springs Nature Park where you can join the Kiwi Encounter and then head over to the Agrodome Sheep Show for a taste of 'very kiwi' farm life. 

Maori Cultural Experience
The Mitai Maori Village offers you an authentic introduction to Maori culture.This indigenous cultural experience incorporates a traditional hangi meal, cultural performance, warrior canoe and sacred freshwater spring.

See warriors in traditional attire paddling in an ancient warrior canoe, view glow worms in their natural habitat and walk around at the sacred freshwater spring. Feast on a traditionally cooked hangi meal cooked in the ground. See displays of weaponry and combat, coupled with the grace and beauty of the poi dance. You’ll learn about Maori history, carvings and ta moko (tattoo art).

This morning you will continue by coach south to Wairakei - wreathed by steam, then to Taupo. Skirt Lake Taupo, and cross the volcanic landscape of the Desert Road past the majestic peaks of Tongariro, Ngaruahoe and Ruapehu. You will continue across the fertile plains of the Manawatu and along the rugged Kapiti coastline to Wellington. Your arrival in Wellington will be in the late afternoon. 

Accommodation Wellington - 1 Night

This morning you will take the ferry from Wellington to Picton.

Once arrived in Picton you can enjoy a ride on the Coastal Pacific Train to Christchurch. Winding down the rugged East Coast of the South Island, the Coastal Pacific showcases both towering mountains and surging ocean. Travelling between Picton – located at the tip of the South Island - and the city of Christchurch, this very special train journey makes a magnificent addition to any New Zealand holiday.

After your arrival in Christchurch you will be transferred to your accommodation. 

Somme Suggested Activities If you have time

Accommodation Christchurch - 1 Night

Depart Christchurch and head south through the seaside town of Timaru and onto Oamaru known for their creamy limestone buildings. Pass Moeraki Beach where rounded boulders are embedded in the sand. The arrival in Dunedin will be in the early afternoon. Majestic Victorian architecture dots the city centre, but one of the main attractions is the rare wildlife that lives here. Dunedin is home to rare yellow-eyed penguins as well as the world’s only accessible mainland colony of Northern Royal Albatross. These princely ocean adventurers are thrilling to see up-close. Experience Dunedin your way with an afternoon of free time. Take a wildlife cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or enjoy a historic rail experience on the Taieri Gorge Railway.

Accommodation Dunedin - 2 Nights

Today you will tour the beautiful Otago Peninsula with a focus on wildlife. Visit a private conservation area that will give you fantastic opportunities to photograph Hooker's Sea lions, Yellow-eyed Penguins,  Blue Penguins, a breeding colony of New Zealand Fur Seals and other sea bird colonies. 

Enjoy a fascinating Wildlife Cruise around Taiaroa Head and the surrounding coastline of dramatic cliffs. Watch the New Zealand Furseals play and swim near their breeding colonies, out at sea you can spot rarely seen ocean birds including other albatross species and petrels, and you may see penguins, dolphins and other marine mammals.

The Otago Peninsula was described by the internationally-acclaimed environmentalist Dr David Bellamy as “the finest example of eco-tourism in the world."

Take some time and explore Dunedin. Visit the Larnach Castle or enjoy a historic rail experience on the Taieri Gorge Railway or one of the other interesting spots. This afternoon, travel by coach across fertile farming land and pass by spectacular mountains to the beautiful shores of Lake Te Anau. You will arrive in the late afternoon into the township of Te Anau. 

Accommodation Te Anau - 1 Night

Milford Sound Nature Cruise  
No visit to New Zealand is complete without a pilgrimage to the "Eighth Natural Wonder of the World": Milford Sound.

The Milford Road takes you 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.

Keep a lookout for our cheeky alpine parrot, the Kea. These super-intelligent and mischievous birds are a delight to see in the wild.

Arriving in Milford, you will board your purpose-built cruise vessel and sail the length of the Sound, dwarfed by towering cliffs and waterfalls all around you. The onboard nature guide will tell you all about the seals, penguins, and dolphins who frequently visit this mesmerising location.

Wildlife to watch out for: Bottlenose, Dusky and Hector's Dolphins, Whio (blue duck), NZ Fur Seal, Little Blue Penguin, Fiordland Crested Penguin, Kea, Oystercatcher, Sooty Shearwater

Accommodation Queenstown - 2 Nights

Today you will board the TSS Earnslaw. Enjoy a scenic cruise from Queenstown, across stunning Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. A delicious BBQ Lunch will be served on the sun terrace at the Colonels Homestead. When you returned to Queenstown you will have some free time to explore the city. 

Recommended Queenstown excursions if you have time:

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 to Auckland. From Auckland you may choose to stay an extra night, or you can organise your flight home to link up with your arrival back in Auckland.  

Some Activities and Sightseeing Options if you have time: 

* Please note the flight from Queenstown to Auckland is additional as flight prices change on a daily basis.

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
• Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Mitai Hangi & Concert
• Te Puia Geothermal Experience
• Rainbow Springs Nature Park
• Agrodome Farm Show
• Wellington City Sights Tour
• Ferry from Wellington to Picton
• Coastal Pacific Train Ride to Christchurch
• Monarch Cruise Tour
• Walter Peak Gourmet BBQ Lunch
• Milford Sound Nature Cruise (including lunch)