Decidedly Different Islands
Experience a colourful kaleidoscope of New Zealand life. Discover backroad places, country hospitality and nature in the wild. Tour includes Auckland ~ Waitomo Caves ~ Rotorua ~ Napier - Martinborough ~ Wellington ~ Blenheim ~ Kaikoura ~ Mt Somers ~ Queenstown ~ Milford Sound ~ Wanaka ~ Franz Josef ~ Punakaiki ~ Christchurch. A maximum of 16 Guests
TOUR CODE MOANZ
TOUR COST nz$6600 Share twin room
TOUR COST nz$8495 single traveller
DEPARTURE DATES
2010 01 DEC
2011 06 JAN, 23 FEB, 15 MARCH , 01 APRIL, 02 MAY 07 NOV, 05 DEC,
2012 09 & 30 JAN 12FEB, 13 MARCH, 02 APRRIL
Day 1
Auckland ~ Waitomo Caves ~ Rotorua
Your driver/guide meets you at your hotel. We drive into the lush dairy farmlands of the Waikato and visit Waitomo’s breathtaking glowworm cave in this dramatic limestone region. Later we drive through farmlands to Rotorua. This evening you will be touched by the warmth of a Maori concert – the traditional welcome to visitors – and a dinner that includes hangi food steamed in an earth oven. (D)
Heritage Rotorua
Day 2
Rotorua Sightseeing
Relax and enjoy leisurely touring in this lakeside town at the heart of Maori culture, geothermal activity and tranquil lakes. We visit Rotorua Museum before enjoying a special private lunch and choosing from a host of optional geothermal attractions and activities exclusive to this region. +-
Heritage Rotorua
Day 3
Rotorua ~ Taupo ~ Napier
We visit stunning Orakei Korako thermal reserve and Huka Falls, where the Waikato River thunders through a narrow chasm, is an irresistible photo stop. From Taupo we cross the ranges to Napier. Renowned for Art Deco architecture, Napier was rebuilt in this style after a disastrous earthquake in 1931. Your guide will take you for lunch at one of the region's premier vineyards. Your hotel is on the waterfront.(B, L)
Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Day 4
Napier ~ Martinborough
This morning we drive the Art Deco trail with a specialist guide. We head south through Hawkes Bay’s pastoral landscape of orchards, farms and vineyards to the Wairarapa region. We visit Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, a sanctuary for rare and endangered species including kiwis and tuatara and stay in vineyard accommodation on the edges of Martinborough village. (B)
Margrain Vineyard Villas
Day 5
Martinborough ~ Wellington
In Wellington, the capital city, we visit Te Papa, the national museum and tour the city sights - to Oriental Bay and Mt Victoria for harbour and city views. Your inner city boutique hotel is at the heart of Wellington’s eclectic café scene.(B)
Bolton Hotel
Day 6
Wellington ~ Blenheim
Cruise by ferry across Cook Strait and through Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton in the South Island. We tour this premier wine and food region, including tasting at Cloudy Bay and boutique vineyards that put Marlborough on the map. We dine at Hotel d’Urville’s highly regarded Wine Bar and Brasserie.(B, D)
Hotel d’Urville
Day 7
Marlborough Sounds ~ Blenheim ~ Kaikoura
Leave behind the dry, golden hills of Marlborough for the spectacular scenery of the Kaikoura Coast. Famed for whale watching cruises, Kaikoura is also the place for close encounters with seals and seabirds. Optional whale watch cruise.
The White Morph Inn (B)
Day 8
Kaikoura ~ Mt Somers
We continue down the coast and over the hills to the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch before driving to the foothills of the Southern Alps. We have a special farmhouse lunch before heading to the small village of Mt Somers. We dine in Stronechrubie’s acclaimed restaurant tonight. (B, L, D)
Stronechrubie
Day 9
Mt Somers ~ Queenstown
The landscape changes to turquoise lakes and sweeping vistas of tussock grasses and mountains. At Lake Tekapo the picturesque church and sheepdog statue are favourite photo stops. View Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. The Lindis Pass, leads to rugged Kawarau Gorge and Queenstown. Your boutique hotel is close to town with views to Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Range. (B)
Browns Boutique Hotel
Day 10
Queenstown ~ Milford Sound ~ Nature Cruise ~ Queenstown
This morning take a return flight to Milford Sound deep in the heart of Fiordland National Park. At Milford take a nature cruise down the sound, dominated by iconic Mitre Peak, it’s a dramatic fiord landscape of waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. Return to Queenstown by plane. (B)
Browns Boutique Hotel
Day 11
Queenstown ~ Arrowtown ~ Wanaka
Perhaps take an early morning jet boat ride on the spectacular Dart River in The Lord of the Rings country before driving to Arrowtown, a picturesque goldmining village. The road climbs up the Crown Range then down into the Cardrona Valley. We stop at quaint Cardrona Hotel and stay in Wanaka, a favourite Kiwi resort town on the edge of Lake Wanaka Te Wanaka Lodge (B)
Day 12
Wanaka ~ Franz Josef
Heading into the mountain and rivers of Haast Pass in Mt Aspiring National Park. Take short walks on tracks through native beech forests to waterfalls and blue pools where trout lurk. We visit the Department of Conservation Centre for insight into this region’s colourful history, flora and fauna. Continue north through the primeval rainforest of Westland World Heritage Park, stopping at Ship Creek for a stroll on the beach to the dune lake. At Franz Josef we view the advancing glacier. (B)
Punga Grove
Day 13
Franz Josef ~ Punakaiki
This morning you may choose to take an optional flight over the glaciers and Aoraki/ Mt Cook or perhaps visit Okarito’s lovely lagoon, home of the rare kotuku, white heron. Jet boating from Whataroa is an ideal way to see this region. Travel up the coast passing mirror lakes, boulder-laden rivers with glimpses of the Southern Alps. At Hokitika browse the craft galleries – Pounamu (jade, greenstone) carving, glass blowing, wood and copper artisans. A coastal road following part of ancient Pounamu Trails used by Maori for centuries leads to your hotel. Visit Punakaiki Pancake Rocks - sculpted sea stacks and towering cliffs. If the tide is right, blowholes will be spreading clouds of spray. Farewell celebratory dinner in your hotel’s Waterline restaurant. (B, D)
Punakaiki Resort
Day 14
Punakaiki ~ Arthur’s Pass ~ Christchurch
Drive back down the coast to Greymouth and eastwards into the magnificent alpine scenery of rugged Otira Gorge and Arthur’s Pass National Park. Crossing the Canterbury Plains we conclude your tour in Christchurch, an English style city of stone buildings, large parks and stunning gardens. (B)
SAVE OVER $600 ON THE FOLLOWING DEPARTURE DATES; JAN 6th FEB 23rd & MARCH 15th, NOW ONLY nz$5999pp. BOOKINGS REQUIRE A DEPOSIT OF nz$500 AND FINAL PAYMENT MUST BE MADE 60 DAY PRIOR TO DEPATURE DATE. LIMITED SEATS
Included in your tour price:
~ All transport by comfortable air conditioned coach (maximum of 16 travellers)
~ Services of your experienced driver/guide
~ Quality, en suite accommodation
~ Glide by boat through Waitomo glowworm grotto
~ Enjoy a Maori concert and hangi dinner in Rotorua
~ Visit Rotorua Museum – a treasure trove of local history
~ Taste the fine wine of premier vineyards
~ Visit magnificent gardens
~ Visit Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre
~ Cruise on the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait to Picton
~ Take a return scenic flight to Milford and enjoy a nature cruise on Milford Sound
~ View the breath-taking Franz Josef glacier
Optional activities include:
~ A range of optional activities from whale watching cruises and kayaking to
helicopter flights and glacier landings
Meals on tour
Breakfasts (B) all are included
Three Lunches included (L) with the locals in unique locations;
Day 2 Rotorua Lodge,
Day 3 Hawkes Bay Winery,
Day 8 Canterbury farm homestead
Four Dinners included (D)
Day 1 Rotorua Maori hangi and concert;
Day 6 Hotel d’Urville,
Day 8 Stronechrubie,
Day 13 Punakaiki Resort Hotel
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