NEW ZEALAND WONDERER
AUCKLAND – CHRISTCHURCH
A Quality 19 Day Best of New Zealand Tour, see the North & South Island including Bay of Islands, Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Includes Tranz Alpine Train and Over night stay on Milford Sounds
TOUR CODE QTV-NEC19
TOUR COST FROM nz$5790 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (Breakfasts)
TOUR COST FROM nz$6475 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (Breakfast and dinners)
DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2010
9 16 23 OCT; 6 13 20 27 NOV; 4 11 DEC
DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2011
8 15 22 29 JAN; 5 7 12 19 21 26 FEB; 5 12 19 26 31 MARCH
2 9 23 APRIL; 8 15 22 OCT; 5 12 19 26 NOV; 3 17 DEC
Most dates are guaranteed - ask when booking
Single supplememt nz$1910
Day 1
Arrive Auckland
On arrival, be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of today is at leisure in beautiful Auckland.
Stay: Auckland,
Day 2
Auckland - Bay of Islands
Visit the Kauri Museum in Matakohe before continuing to the Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve. Then travel to the Bay of Islands and visit the historic Waitangi Reserve.
Stay: Paihia. (Two Nights)
Day 3
Bay of Islands, Day at Leisure
The Bay of Islands is the birthplace of the nation and home to 144 islands. Enjoy a full day at leisure today or perhaps upgrade to an overnight cruise.
Day 4
Bay of Islands - Auckland
Explore New Zealand’s finest national maritime park on a catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and through the Hole in the Rock. Sail through game fishing waters to the Cape Brett lighthouse. Return this afternoon to Auckland.
Stay Auckland,
Day 5
Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
Leaving Auckland, travel south through the Waikato Province to the Waitomo caves. Here, experience a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns, lit by thousands of tiny glow-worms. This afternoon arrive in Rotorua. Tonight immerse yourself in Maori culture with a hangi feast and performance of song and dance.
Stay: Rotorua, (Two Nights)
Day 6
Rotorua, Day at Leisure
Visit the Agrodome and continue to Te Puia Thermal Reserve, enjoy a guided tour through the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. The remainder of today is at your leisure to relax. Alternatively take a thrilling White Island Active Volcano Flight or another optional tour of Rotorua. Your Tour Director will be able to help with these bookings (own expense).
Day 7
Rotorua - Taupo - Napier
Depart Rotorua this morning and travel via Wairakei Park to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. On arrival in Napier, enjoy a wine-tasting adventure at the New Zealand Wine Centre, followed by a city sights tour and a guided Art Deco walk.
Stay: Napier,
Day 8
Napier - Wellington
Depart Napier, travel south via Hastings and cross to the west coast of the North Island. Follow the Kapiti Coast to Wellington. This afternoon enjoy a city tour, including the parliament buildings.
Stay: Wellington,
Day 9
Wellington - Picton
This morning enjoy a visit to the Museum of New Zealand – Te Papa. This afternoon cruise across Cook Strait through the breathtaking Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to the seaside port of Picton on the South Island.
Stay: Picton,
Day 10
Picton - Christchurch
After breakfast today, enjoy a spectacular scenic drive between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges. Travel via the seaside town of Kaikoura en route to Christchurch. On arrival take a city sightseeing tour.
Stay: Christchurch,
Day 11
Christchurch - TranzAlpine Train - Greymouth
This morning board the award-winning TranzAlpine train. Cross the vast patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before climbing up into the Main Divide. Enjoy stunning scenery as you journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. Finish this amazing rail journey at Greymouth, situated on the west coast.
Stay: Greymouth,
Day 12
Greymouth - Franz Josef - Haast
This morning journey to Hokitika and continue along the dramatic coastline through dense rainforest to the Westland National Park. Enjoy the grand scenery as you travel along the west coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers.
Stay: Haast
Day 13
Haast - Queenstown
Cross the snow-capped Southern Alps and travel through Haast Pass. Trace the shorelines of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the alpine resort of Queenstown, on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. This evening, cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm to enjoy a dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead.
Stay: Queenstown, (Two Nights)
Day 14
Queenstown, Day at Leisure
Today is at your leisure so that you may explore the endless attractions and activities on offer in Queenstown. You may wish to join an optional excursion (own expense) such as the Winery and Cheese Sampler Tour or take a 4WD adventure to Skippers Canyon. Ask your Tour Director about touring options in Queenstown.
Day 15.
Queenstown - Fiordland National Park - Milford Sound Overnight
Today, follow the Remarkables mountain range to Fiordland National Park. Journey along Milford Road, renowned as one of the world’s best alpine drives, to Milford Sound. Board the Milford Mariner and cruise the length of this beautiful fiord. View the cascading waterfalls, dense rainforest and towering mountains of this World Heritage-listed area. The ship will anchor in sheltered Harrison’s Cove. Perhaps venture out in the Mariner’s kayaks. Meals included.
Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Milford Sound, Milford Mariner.
Day 16
Milford Sound - Dunedin
Depart Milford Sound and travel to Dunedin. Tonight enjoy a Scottish-themed evening at your hotel, complete with bagpipes, kilts and haggis.
Stay: Dunedin, (Two Nights)
Day 17
Dunedin
This morning, enjoy a city tour of Dunedin before visiting Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. The remainder of today is at leisure in Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South. Or enquire with your Tour Director about additional touring excursions available (own expense).
Day 18
Dunedin - Lake Ohau
Visit Olveston house, see the Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach, then stop at Oamaru, known for its limestone architecture. Continue to Lake Ohau, where you’ll enjoy a High Country dinner.
Stay: Lake Ohau Lodge.
Day 19
Lake Ohau - Mt Cook - Lake Tekapo- Christchurch
This morning view Mt Cook then continue to the stunningly azure Lake Tekapo and see the little Church of the Good Shepherd. From here, travel the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. This afternoon your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport. Post tour accommodation is available form nz$160 per night
Tour Price includes
· 18 Nights Quality Accommodation
· 18breakfast and 13 dinners
· Transfers to and from airports
· All entry fees as per itinerary
Sightseeing Highlights
· Enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance
· Te Puia Thermal Reserve and Maori Arts and Crafts Institute
· Cruise Cook Strait, past Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds
· TranzAlpine Train journey, known as New Zealand's 'Great Rail Journey'
· Explore Queenstown, the alpine resort, at the foothills of the Remarkables
· EXCLUSIVE! Overnight cruise on Milford Sound aboard the Milford Mariner
· Dunedin, 'Edinburgh of the South'
· World Heritage listed Mt Cook National Park
· All entry fees to attractions included as per itinerary
Optional Quality Dining
· 18 hot breakfasts 13 Multi-choice menus or buffet dinners or Feature Meals (optional cost)
Outstanding Places to Stay
· Two nights in Paihia, Bay of Islands,
· Two nights at geothermal Rotorua
· Two nights in the alpine resort of Queenstown