Royal New Zealand Tour
Auckland – Christchurch
Discover New Zealand on this comprehensive and popular 18 Day Premier Tour. Beginning in the harbour city of Auckland, you’ll travel to the subtropical Bay of Islands before making your way through geothermal Rotorua and across the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to the South Island. Here, spend ten days exploring such natural wonders as Franz Josef Glacier, Milford Sound and World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, before concluding your tour in the Garden City of Christchurch.
TOUR CODE APNCC18
HIGH SEASON OCT 2010 - APRIL 2011
TOUR COST FROM nz$6910 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (With Breakfasts)
TOUR COST FROM nz$7695 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (Breakfasts & Dinners)
LOW SEASON SEPT 2010; MAY 2011 - SEPT 2011
TOUR COST FROM nz$6080 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (With Breakfasts)
TOUR COST FROM nz$6770 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (Breakfasts & Dinners)
DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2010
3 10 17 24 SEPT 1 5 8 22 29 OCT; 5 9 12 16 19 23 26 NOV; 3 10 24 DEC
DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2011
4 7 11 14 18 21 25 28 JAN; 1 4 6 8 11 13 15 18 20 22 25 27 FEB;
4 8 11 15 18 25 MARCH 1 8 15 22 29 APRIL; 6 20 MAY; 17 JUNE;
8 JULY; 12 19 26 AUG; 2 9 16 23 SEPT; 7 11 14 21 25 28 OCT;
4 8 11 15 18 22 25 NOV; 2 9 16 20 DEC
Most dates are guaranteed - ask when booking
Day 1
Arrive Auckland
Upon arrival in New Zealand, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your centrally-located hotel, with the evening at leisure to explore or relax.
Two Night Stay: Auckland,
Day 2
Auckland
Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, choose the sightseeing activity that interests you the most from our range of Freedom of Choice Touring options.
Day 3
Auckland - Bay of Islands
Cross Auckland’s busy Harbour Bridge and travel along the Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe’s Kauri Museum. Then continue via the Waipoua Forest Reserve to the subtropical Bay of Islands.
Two Night Stay: Bay of Islands,
Day 4
Bay of Islands
Freedom of Choice Touring
Today in the beautiful Bay of Islands you choose your own sightseeing activity from our Freedom of Choice Touring options.
Day 5
Bay of Islands - Auckland
This morning explore the Bay of Islands on a catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Returning to Paihia, your coach will then take you to Auckland.
Stay: Auckland,
Day 6
Auckland - Waitomo, - Rotorua
Leaving the City of Sails, travel to Waitomo and experience a guided tour of the underground limestone and glow-worm caverns. Continue to geothermal Rotorua and tonight immerse yourself in traditional Maori hospitality and culture as you enjoy a Maori hangi feast and performance of song and dance.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua,
Day 7
Rotorua
Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, choose the activity that interests you from our Freedom of Choice options. Country Homestay option available tonight
Day 8
Rotorua - Wellington
Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of the North Island and view Wairakei Steam Valley, visiting Huka Falls and Lake Taupo before travelling south across the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park on the way to Wellington, the national capital.
Stay: Wellington,
Day 9
Wellington – Blenheim
Enjoy a brief city tour then visit the Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa. Later, cruise Cook Strait to Picton on the South Island. Rejoin the coach and travel to Blenheim where tonight, you’ll enjoy a winery tour and tasting before dinner at the Montana Brancott Winery.
Stay: Blenheim
Day 10
Blenheim - Christchurch
Today, journey through the renowned vineyard and orchard region of Marlborough; visit the fishing town of Kaikoura, famous for its whale and dolphin watching, before arriving in Christchurch, the Garden City. Stay: Christchurch,
Day 11
Christchurch – Franz Josef
This morning board the TranzAlpine Train for a journey known as New Zealand’s greatest rail adventure. Enjoy stunning scenery as you journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue to Hokitika by coach. Continue along the dramatic West Coast to the glacial region of Franz Josef.
Stay: Franz Josef Glacier
Day 12
Franz Josef - Queenstown
Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as you travel along the Haast River by safari boat, capturing views of the massive glacier-formed Haast River Valley, towering peaks, waterfalls and rainforest. Rejoin the coach and continue to Queenstown, where this evening you’ll choose from four different eateries.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown,
Day 13
Queenstown
Freedom of Choice Touring
Today in Queenstown, you have a selection of activities to choose from.
Day 14
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Journey along the Milford Road, wind down the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel to be met by the sight of Mitre Peak. Here, board a Red Boat and cruise the full length of pristine Milford Sound. Following your cruise, enjoy a relaxing drive to the tranquil lakeside settlement of Te Anau.
Stay: Te Anau,
Day 15
Te Anau – Dunedin
Freedom of Choice Touring
Leaving the Fiordland region, journey through rolling Southland countryside, travel via the rural support towns of Lumsden and Gore to the east coast and the city of Dunedin. This afternoon, choose your Freedom of Choice Touring activity.
Stay: Dunedin
Day 16
Dunedin - Mt Cook
Freedom of Choice Touring
Today journey north along the coast and stop to view the unique Moeraki Boulders, continue past the azure lakes of Aviemore, Benmore and Pukaki on the way to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, where you can choose your activity.
Stay: Mt Cook, The Hermitage Hotel
Day 17
Mt Cook - Christchurch
Leaving the snow-capped mountains of Mt Cook National Park behind, travel by coach to picturesque Lake Tekapo, here, you’ll pay a visit to the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of locally gathered stone and oak and erected as tribute to the early pioneers of the region. Travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch.
Stay: Christchurch,
Day 18
Depart Christchurch, Freedom of Choice Touring
Choose from our range of touring activities in Christchurch. Perhaps take a garden tour, go punting on the Avon, take a bike tour around the city or visit Christchurch’s ‘must see four’, before the tour ends and you transfer to the airport in the afternoon.
Highlights
• Enjoy a tour of the Waitomo caves
• See Lake Taupo and thunderous Huka Falls
• Explore Te Papa, the national museum
• Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds
• Ride on the famous TranzAlpine Train
• Admire the dramatic West Coast glaciers
• Take the thrilling Haast River Safari
• Cruise the length of Milford Sound
• Discover Mt Cook National Park
Premier Accommodation
• Stay two nights in the Bay of Islands
• Overnight cruise option in the subtropical Bay of Islands
• Country Homestay available in Rotorua
• Stay overnight at The Hermitage, Mt Cook
Premier Dining
• 17 hot breakfasts 11 dinners and 3 Feature Dinners (optional diiner cost)
Rotorua
• Queenstown Dine Around Dinner
170410