Day 1 - Welcome to Auckland
After settling in to your hotel, you'll have time to explore Auckland at your own pace. This evening, enjoy a Welcome Reception with your Travel Director.
Meals Included: Ro
Day 2 - Auckland – Bay of Islands
Travel along the scenic Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands. See spectacular scenery as you cruise to Cape Brett, and the ‘Hole in the Rock’. As you return to Paihia, pass through picturesque islands with deserted sandy beaches and secluded bays.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 3 - Bay of Islands Free Time
Explore the Bay of Islands at leisure today. Consider one the optional experiences. Perhaps sail on a historic tall ship, take the ferry to the charming town of Russell, the country’s first sea-port, or explore the culturally-significant Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 - Bay of Islands – Auckland
Enjoy a relaxed morning before travelling through lush farmlands on your farmland on your way back to Auckland.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 5 - Auckland – Rotorua
After a tour of Auckland’s city highlights, trace the Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves, where you’ll explore the Waitomo Glowworm Grotto by boat. Your journey continues to Rotorua, for an orientation tour with views of Lake Rotorua.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6 - Rotorua
Experience the multi-awarding-winning Agrodome Farm Show, for insights into agriculture in New Zealand. Your afternoon is free. You might like to visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park for a glimpse of the New Zealand’s iconic kiwi bird, or Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. This evening enjoy a Maori Hangi feast highlight dinner and concert at the Tamaki Maori Village.
Meals Included: B hd
Day 7 - Rotorua – Wellington
Journey south through pine forests today to Lake Taupo and mighty Huka Falls, in the heart of the North Island. Continue along the eastern shoreline of the lake and on through rich farmlands to Wellington, the nation’s capital.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 8 - Wellington – Picton
Enjoy a tour of Wellington this morning. See the national Parliament and the ‘Beehive’, home to New Zealand’s politicians, and explore the Te Papa Museum and Art Gallery. Then cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound on the South Island, to picturesque Picton.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 9 - Picton – Christchurch
Travel to Kaikoura, where sperm whales can often be seen not far from shore (an optional whale-watching flight is available). Travel along the Pacific Ocean coast and across the colourful Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 10 - Christchurch – Omarama
Explore Christchurch at leisure this morning, then travel over the fertile Canterbury Plains to serene Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park (optional scenic flight available).
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 11 - Omarama – Dunedin
Visit the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and the monumental spillway of the nearby Benmore Dam. Then travel to the town of Oamaru, with its celebrated white limestone buildings. Continue to Dunedin, New Zealand’s southernmost city. The afternoon is free for you to explore. Perhaps take a wildlife cruise or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway.
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 12 - Dunedin – Te Anau
Enjoy free time in Dunedin. You might like to visit Larnach Castle. Then travel across the fertile sheep-dotted pastures of South Otago en route to Te Anau. Tonight you may choose to cruise the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (own expense).
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 13 - Te Anau – Queenstown
Your experience in magnificent Milford Sound today is sure to be one of the highlights of your journey. Travel first through the tall native rainforests and rugged mountains of Fiordland National Park, then cruise the serene waters of this natural wonder. On the way to Queenstown see Mirror Lake, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls, then travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Enjoy an informative orientation tour of the city before settling in for your two-night stay.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 14 - Queenstown Free Time
Explore New Zealand’s adventure capital at your own pace today. Late afternoon, enjoy a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner and an entertaining afterdinner farm show.
Meals Included: B hd
Day 15 - Queenstown – Franz Josef
Visit the faithfully-restored gold mining settlement of Arrowtown and travel on to Cromwell to taste its sensational stone fruit. You will then travel over Haast Pass and view the sheer drop of Thunder Creek Falls on your way to the extraordinary Franz Josef Glacier (an optional scenic flight is available).
Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner
Day 16 - Franz Josef – Christchurch
This morning’s destination is Hokitika, home of New Zealand’s famous greenstone, Pounamu (its Maori name). Then continue to Arthur’s Pass to board the iconic TranzAlpine train and take one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys. Pass through the Southern Alps to the lush pastureland of the Canterbury Plains. This evening, join your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Farewell Dinner.
Included: Breakfast and Farewell Dinner
Meals Included: Half Board
Day 17 - Farewell from Christchurch
Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast.
Meals Included: Breakfast
