NEW ZEALAND INSIGHT
AUCKLAND – CHRISTCHURCH
A Quality 16 Day tour of New Zealand Tour, see the North & South Island, see Auckland, Rotorua, Napier, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound & Includes Tranz Alpine Train and Over night stay on Milford Sounds
TOUR CODE QTV-NEC16
TOUR COST FROM nz$5445 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (With Breakfasts)
TOUR COST FROM nz$6075 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (Breakfasts & Dinners)
DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2010
12 19 26 OCT; 9 16 23 30 NOV; 7 14 DEC
DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2011
11 18 25 JAN; 1 8 10 15 17 22 24 FEB; 1 8 15 22 29 MARCH
5 12 26 APRIL; 11 18 25 OCT; 8 15 22 29 NOV; 6 20 DEC
Most dates are guaranteed - ask when booking
Day 1
Arrive Christchurch
On arrival in Christchurch you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Christchurch
Day 1
Arrive Auckland
You will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Enjoy the rest of today at leisure in Auckland, the City of Sails.
Stay: Auckland,
Day 2
Auckland – Waitomo - Rotorua
Leaving the City of Sails we travel south through the Waikato Province to Waitomo Caves. Here we 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 a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance of traditional dance accompanied by beautiful song.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Hangi (Feast).
Day 3
Explore Rotorua.
Today experience the attractions of Rotorua. We visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve, enjoy a guided tour through the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and continue to the Agrodome. The remainder of today is at your leisure. Country Homestay option available tonight.
Day 4
Rotorua – Taupo - Napier
Depart Rotorua this morning and travel via Wairakei Park and the mighty Huka Falls then onto Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier, and enjoy a tour of one of the region's most established wineries, Church Road. Explore with a city sights tour before a guided Art Deco walk.
Stay: Napier,
Day 5
Napier - Wellington.
Depart Napier and travel south via Hastings and cross to the West Coast of the North Island. Follow the Kapiti Coast to Wellington. This afternoon enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour, including Parliament Buildings.
Stay: Wellington,
Day 6
Wellington - Picton.
This morning enjoy a visit to Te Papa the 'National Museum of New Zealand'. This afternoon we join our cruise for the journey across Cook Strait to the South Island. Sail through scenic Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait and through the breathtaking natural beauty of Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to the sunny seaside port of Picton.
Stay: Picton,
Day 7
Picton - Christchurch.
Today is a spectacular scenic journey between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges to Christchurch. On arrival we enjoy a city sightseeing tour then the afternoon is at your leisure to explore.
Stay: Christchurch,
Day 8
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 we 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 9
Greymouth - Franz Josef - Haast
This morning journey to Hokitika, and continue along the dramatic coastline through dense rainforest to World Heritage Westland National Park. Enjoy the grand scenery as we travel along the West Coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers.
Stay: Haast
Day 10
Haast - Queenstown
Cross the snow-capped Southern Alps and travel through Haast Pass. Trace the beautiful shorelines of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the action-packed alpine resort of Queenstown, on the banks of Lake Wakatipu.
Stay: Queenstown, Two Nights
Day 11
Queenstown at Leisure
Today is free for you to explore the endless scenic attractions available (own expense). This evening, enjoy a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Sheep Station to enjoy a candlelit dinner at the Colonel's homestead.
Stay: Queenstown, Two Nights
Day 12
Queenstown - Milford Sound Overnight.
Today we follow the Remarkables Mountain Range to Fiordland National Park. Journey along the Milford Road, renowned as one of the world's finest alpine drives to Milford Sound. We board the Milford Mariner and cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord. View the cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforest and towering mountains of this World Heritage-listed area. After reaching the open sea return and anchor for the night in sheltered Harrison's Cove. You may like to venture out in the Mariner's kayaks.
Stay: Milford Sound, 'Milford Mariner'.
Day 13
Milford Sound – Dunedin
Depart Milford Sound and travel to Dunedin. Tonight enjoy dinner with a Scottish evening complete with bagpipes, kilts and haggis at your hotel.
Stay: Dunedin, Two Nights
Day 14
Explore Dunedin
This morning we enjoy a city sightseeing 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’.
Stay: Dunedin, Two Nights
Day 15
Dunedin - Lake Ohau
Visit Olveston House with its extensive collection of antiques and New Zealand paintings. Travel north along the coast to view the unique and fascinating Moeraki Beach boulders. Stop at Oamaru, a town renowned for its distinctive limestone architecture. Pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier fed lakes of incredible colour on our journey to the pretty settlement of Lake Ohau. This evening enjoy a High Country Hospitality Dinner.
Stay: Lake Ohau
Day 16
Lake Ohau - Mt Cook - Christchurch
This morning view Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. Continue to beautiful Lake Tekapo and visit the picturesque tiny stone Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Stay: Christchurch,
Day 17
Depart Christchurch
After breakfast you will be transferred to the airport.
Tour Price includes
· 15 Nights Quality Accommodation
· All breakfast and dinners as listed above while on tour
· 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
· 15 hot breakfasts (B), 11 Multi-choice menus or buffet dinners (optional dinner cost)
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