WONDERS OF NEW ZEALAND
Christchurch to Auckland
A Quality 17 Day Best of New Zealand Tour, see the North & South Island including Bay of Islands, Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound & more
TOUR CODE QA-HCBA
Tour cost from nz $3695 May 2010 - Sept 2010 per person share twin
Tour cost from nz $3920 Oct 2010 - April 2011 per person share twin
Tour cost from nz $3750 May 2011 - Sept 2011per person share twin
Tour cost from nz $4075 Oct 2011 - Dec 2011 per person share twin
DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2010
6 13 20 SEPT; 4 11 18 25 OCT;
1 8 15 22 NOV; 6 13 20 27 DEC
DEPARTURE DATES For 2011
3 10 17 20 24 31 JAN; 3 7 10 14 17 21 24 28 FEB;
3 7 10 14 17 21 24 28 31 MARCH; 18 25 APRIL; 16 23 27 MAY;
27 JUNE; 25 JULY; 22 AUG; 5 12 19 SEPT; 3 10 17 24 31 OCT;
7 14 21 NOV; 5 12 19 26 DEC
Red dates are guaranteed departure dates, please note as this tour offers exceptional value for money, early bookings are recommended
Single supplement nz$1150
Day 1
Arrive Christchurch
After your airport transfer and hotel check-in, explore Christchurch your way. Evening Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow passengers.
Hotel: Hotel Ibis, Christchurch.
Day 2
Fox Glacier
We’ll travel through the west coast rainforest to Punakaiki. View the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Pass through Greymouth en route to Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Next stop is Fox Glacier - a rare, still advancing glacier (optional Fox Glacier scenic flight).
Hotel: Fox Glacier Hotel, Fox Glacier. B
TRANZALPINE TRAIN OPTION
Join the TranzAlpine, one of the top six train journeys in the world. Additional cost of nz$108 per person.
Day 3
Queenstown
Travel through the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls, take a rainforest walk. Then it’s a trio of lakes - Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan. Next is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit and Arrowtown on the Arrow River. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour followed by dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkable Mountain Range.
Hotel: Aspen Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. B
Day 4
Queenstown
Explore exciting Queenstown your way, all day. From wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting, Queenstown will keep you occupied and exhilarated. For dinner you have the option to dine at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere.
Dinner options include the Kiwi Haka Maori Show. B
Day 5
Milford Sound
Travel along the Devils Stair Case and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. From Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, witness Mirror Lakes, Claudu Valley, The Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and more. Optional Te Anau Glow Worm Caves tour tonight.
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel, Te Anau. B
Day 6
Dunedin
We’ll cross sheep-filled farming land to Dunedin for a city tour. ‘Free Time’ this afternoon - take an optional wildlife cruise or visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway.
Hotel: Cargill’s Hotel, Dunedin. B
Day 7
Mt Cook
‘Free Time’ this morning for an optional visit to Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. Travel through Oamaru passing the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and the Benmore Dam.
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel, omarama. B
Day 8
Christchurch
Soak up the scenery of Mt Cook National Park (optional scenic flight). We’ll see Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and travel across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. ‘Free Time’ - ride the Christchurch Tram or just relax.
Hotel: Hotel Ibis, Christchurch. B
Day 9
Picton
Travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast to Kaikoura, famous for its whales (optional Whale Watching flight). We’ll get up close and personal with some New Zealand’s Fur Seals at Ohau Point. Pass the Grassmere Salt Works to Montana Winery for a tour and tasting. We travel to the seaside town of Picton for an orientation tour.
Hotel: Beachcomber, Picton. B
Day 10
Wellington
We’ll cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington for a city tour with views from Mt Victoria. ‘Free Time’ then we visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Tonight experience the local cuisine for yourself.
Hotel: Mercure Willis Street, Wellington. B
Day 11
Rotorua
Travel along the Kapiti Coast, through the dairy farms of Manawatu and Tongariro National Park, discover the alpine scenery of Mt Ruapehu. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake. En route to Rotorua view Huka Falls and pass the Wairaki Geothermal Power Station. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and Concert and gain an insight into traditional Maori culture.
Hotel: Hotel Ibis, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD
Day 12
Rotorua
We visit the Agrodome Sheep Show and enjoy an afternoon of ‘Free Time’ for optional visits to Paradise Valley Springs with its Rainbow Trout and New Zealand farm animals or Te Puia, where a local Maori will guide you through the Geothermal Valley. It’s your choice. B
Day 13
Waitomo Caves
Travel through the Waikato region to Waitomo Caves for a tour of the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. We then follow the Waikato River to Auckland for a city sights tour including Viaduct Harbour and Mt Eden.
Hotel: Mercure Hotel, Auckland. B
Day 14
Bay of Islands
We head out of Auckland over the Harbour Bridge, travelling along the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Explore Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand. On to Paihia and the Bay of Islands where we’ll tour the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve.
Hotel: Hotel Paihia, Bay of Islands, 2 nights. B
Day 15
Bay of Islands
Exlpore the Bay of Islands your way. Dolphin watch, catch a ferry to Russell, drive along Ninety Mile Beach or sail - it’s up to you. Dine at your leisure in town. B
Day 16
Auckland
Cruise through the scenic Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and the ‘Hole in the Rock’. We’ll explore Urupukapuka Island then return to Auckland.
Hotel: Mercure Hotel, Auckland. B
Day 17:
Depart Auckland
Explore Auckland at your leisure until your transfer to the airport. B
TOUR COSTS INCLUDE
Sightseeing Highlights
Opportunity to journey on the TranzAlpine train
See the Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki
Spectacular Fox Glacier
Full day at leisure in Queenstown
Cruise on Milford Sound
Sightseeing in Dunedin
See the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo
Visit Montana Winery
Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum
Hangi Feast and Concert
Agrodome Sheep Show
Tour the Glow worm Grotto
Cruise to Cape Brett and the ‘Hole in the Rock’
Experience the beauty of the Bay of Islands
Quality Touring
Rooms with private facilities in quality hotels, on a Twin Share basis
Luxury air-conditioned coach, reclining seats with seatbelts, restroom and panoramic windows
All purpose travel bag, wallet and touring map
Porterage at tour hotels
Airport transfers included
Professional Team
· Experienced services of a professional Tour Director and Tour Driver
Included Meals
· Welcome Drink
· 16 Buffet breakfasts
· 10 Dinners & 1 Highlight Dinner
Book and pay your deposit for your escorted tour before 30th September 2010 and save $150 per couple. All savings are based on per couple sharing twin/double room in high season for travel from October 2010 to April 2011. Be quick as space is limited
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