TWO ISLAND ODYSSEY
SMALL GROUP TOUR
15 DAYS NORTH & SOUTH ISLAND, This two week tour of New Zealand’s North and South Islands showcases the beauty of the far north to the dramatic landscapes of the south. Add in iconic New Zealand attractions, the best in accommodation
TOUR CODE GRODY
Tour costs nz$7460 per person twin share
Tour costs nz$9150 single traveller
Departure Dates
24th Nov, 14th Dec 2009
28th Jan, 6th Feb, 12th March 24th April 2010
Other dates on request
DAY 1
Auckland - Bay of Islands
Your tour begins by travelling north from Auckland, to the Kauri Museum at Matakohe. Then visit Tane Mahuta our largest Kauri Tree. Discover Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Dinner is at your hotel’s restaurant.
Accommodation: Paihia Beach Resort.
DAY 2
Bay of Islands
Today is an open day to experience the pleasures of the Bay of Islands. A tour of Kerikeri, a Cape Brett Hole in the Rock or Dolphin Encounter Reinga or visit historical Russell. There is a wide choice of other activities to do, Dinner at your own arrangement tonight.
Accommodation: Paihia Beach Resort.
DAY 3
Bay of Islands - Matakana - Mangatawhiri Valley
Today you will travel south down the Pacific Coast highway through small towns to Warkworth and Matakana. We stop for wine tasting at Ascension Winery before you travel onto the Mangatawhiri Valley, where you will stay at a spa resort; Dinner follows in the hotel’s restaurant.
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel & Spa du Vin.
DAY 4
Mangatawhiri Valley - Waitomo - Rotorua
Travelling south you will encounter the remarkable Waitomo or Ruakuri Caves. You then travel on to the geothermal region of Rotorua with dinner at the superb Peppers on the Point.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua.
DAY 5
Rotorua
Today is at your leisure to enjoy all that Rotorua has to offer. The Kawarau Jet boat experience, farm show at the Agrodome or the Polynesian Lake Spa these are just a few of many optional activities to try. This evening you will experience a unique meal and unforgettable Maori cultural evening at Te Puia.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Rotorua.
DAY 6
Rotorua - Taupo - Napier
Leaving Rotorua you travel to view the magnificent Huka Falls before reaching Lake Taupo. Leaving Taupo you will drive through forest to Napier in the Hawkes Bay. On arrival into Napier, we visit the city’s Art Deco buildings, where you can take an optional Art Deco tour or a local wine tour; Dinner tonight at Mission Estate Winery.
Accommodation: The Crown Hotel.
DAY 7
Napier - Martinborough - Wellington
After you depart Napier, we stop for a brief visit at Mt Bruce Nature Park and view some on New Zealand’s native birds, after which you travel to the Wairarapa district for wine tasting in Martinborough. Your day’s journey finishes in Wellington - New Zealand’s capital city; Dinner at your own arrangement tonight.
Accommodation: InterContinental Hotel.
DAY 8
Wellington - Picton - Nelson
Today you will be transferred to the Interisland Ferry Terminal where you will embark on athree hour cruise out of Wellington Harbour and into Queen Charlotte Sound. Stay on deck as you enter the Sounds to enjoy the stunning surrounds. You will be met off the ferry and travel onto the artistic town of Nelson, where dinner will be in the elegant surroundings of your hotel restaurant.
Accommodation: Monaco Hotel & Resort.
DAY 9
Nelson - Punakaiki - Franz Josef
Departing Nelson you follow the Buller River to the South Island’s West Coast. The scenic and Wild West Coast is one of the most scenic drives in New Zealand with such natural wonders as the Pancake Rocks in Punakaiki where you will stop and explore, before travelling onto the township of Franz Josef Glacier. Tonight you will dine in the hotel’s restaurant.
Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat.
DAY 10
Franz Josef Glacier - Queenstown
This morning you have a choice of an easy going guided walk to the amazing Franz Josef or Fox Glacier before departing and travelling through the Haast Pass. Spectacular scenery of the Southern Alps makes your day as you travel on to the famous alpine town of Queenstown. Dinner follows at your hotel tonight.
Accommodation: St Moritz.
DAY 11
Queenstown
Today can be as adrenalin packed or relaxing as you want on this free day. Experience the many attractions of Queenstown, including Central Otago wine tasting, spa treatment, a round of golf at Millbrook Resort or Jacks Point, jetboating, or cruising Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw; Dinner at your own arrangement tonight.
Accommodation: St Moritz.
DAY 12
Queenstown – Milford Sound - Queenstown
Unsurpassed scenery will make the drive through Fiordland National Park one to remember before boarding a luncheon cruise past the towering Mitre Peak and Stirling Falls on the Milford Sound. For the return journey the choice is yours to take an optional short flight over the fiords and famous Milford Track or sit back and watch more scenery astound your senses on our return coach journey; Dinner at your own arrangement tonight.
Accommodation: St Moritz.
DAY 13
Arrowtown - Mt Cook
Arrowtown is often described as one of the South Island’s most picturesque towns and you stop here to explore before following the Kawarau River to the township of Cromwell, stopping for lunch at the Northburn Station, before crossing the Lindis Pass to the McKenzie Country. Afterwards, you reach the shores of Lake Pukaki, then onto Mt Cook village, where you will stay for the evening. Dinner will be in the hotel’s restaurant.
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel.
DAY 14
Mt Cook - Christchurch
The Church of the Good Shepherd and bronze sheep dog on the shores of Lake Tekapo are your day’s first stop. You then cross the patchwork quilt of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch city; Dinner at your own arrangement tonight.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel.
DAY 15
Depart Christchurch
After waking to a full breakfast, you will be transferred at your leisure to the Christchurch International Airport.
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
• 14 Breakfasts
• 2 Lunches
• 9 Dinners
• Kauri Museum
• The Bay of Islands
• Ascension Winery wine tasting
• Waitomo or Ruakuri caves
• Te Puia Maori Experience & Hangi dinner
• Huka Falls
• Wine tasting in Martinborough
• Interisland ferry cruise
• Punakaiki’s Pancake Rocks
• Fox Glacier
• Spectacular Queenstown
• Fiordland National Park
• Milford Sound cruise
• Aoraki /Mt Cook National Park
• Lake Tekapo & Church of the Good Shepherd
• Complimentary airport transfers
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