Overview

This tour includes visiting the gian Kauri Tree 'Tane Mahuta' in the Waipoua Forest, touring the Bay of Islands including visiting the Waitangi Treaty grounds, see bubbling mud pools at Te Puia Thermal Reserve, take the Overlander train up the Raumiru Spiral and the TranzCoastal Train journey down the east coast of the South Island as well as the world famous TranzAlpine Rail through the Southern Alps.

Day 1 Arrive Auckland

You will be met at the airport on arrival and transferred to your hotel.

Overnight Stay: Langham Hotel. (Includes Dinner)

Day 2 Auckland – Bay of Islands

Drive north and visit the unique Kauri and Pioneer Museum then continue to view the giant Kauri tree ‘Tane Mahuta’. On arrival into the Bay of Islands visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

Scenic FreeChoice Dining Tonight, choose from: (1) Sound and Light show; (2) Waitangi River dinner cruise or (3) Local Restaurant.

Two Night Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort in Bay View Rooms. (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 2 nights at Bay of Islands Lodge. Must be pre-booked.

Day 3 Bay of Islands

Scenic FreeChoice – choose from: (1) ‘On the Edge’ Sailing; (2) Lunch cruise; (3) Tour Russell and Pompallier; (4) Cape Reinga; (5) Swim with the dolphins; (6) Golf at Waitangi Golf Club; (7)Cruise to the Poor Knight Islands; or (8) Fishing in the bay.

Day 4 ‘Hole in the Rock’ cruise – Auckland

This morning cruise through the scenic waters of the Bay of Islands to the Cape Brett Lighthouse and through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ (weather permitting). This afternoon enjoy the scenic return journey to Auckland.

(16 Day Tour clients join tour this evening for dinner).

Overnight Stay: Langham Hotel, Auckland. (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 5 Longlands Homestead – Rotorua

Visit Longlands Homestead for a delicious home cooked roast lamb lunch. Afterwards, visit Whakarewarewa Village for a fascinating insight into life in a geothermal village and see the Pohutu Geyser.

Two Night Stay: Novotel Royal Lakeside Resort in a Lake View room. (Includes Breakfast and Highlight Lunch)

Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 2 nights at Hamurana Country Estate or Treetops Lodge & Estate. Must be pre-booked.

Day 6 Rotorua

Today choose from a selection of Scenic FreeChoice options:(1) Agrodome; or (2) City and Lakes tour; or (3) Polynesian Day Spa; or (4) 4WD safari adventure; or (5) Buried Village; or (6) Rotorua Museum; or (7) Te Puia.

Scenic FreeChoice Dining tonight, choose from: (1) Tamaki Village Hangi; (2) Local restaurant; or (3) The Atlas Café and Restaurant.

(Includes Breakfast and Highlight Dinner)

Day 7 The Overlander Train Journey

Depart Rotorua and head south via Lake Taupo to Taumaranui where you will board The Overlander Train. Enjoy a magnificent afternoon’s journey up the famous Raumiru Spiral onto New Zealand’s awesome volcanic plateau. Travel through Tongariro National Park to Wellington.

Two Night Stay: Copthorne Oriental Bay Hotel, Wellington (Includes Breakfast)

Day 8 Wellington

Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum. Rest of the day at leisure.

(Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 9 Marlborough Sounds – Christchurch

Enjoy breakfast on board the InterIslander ferry in the Kaitaki Plus premier lounge. Relax and enjoy the cruise through the breathtaking beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. Board the Tranz Coastal Train to enjoy one of New Zealand’s most spectacular rail journeys!

Overnight Stay: Millennium Hotel, Christchurch (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 10 TranzAlpine – Franz Josef Glacier

Today is a highlight journey through the magnificent Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine railway. Stop and view the awesome Franz Josef Glacier. This evening enjoy a four course gourmet menu, created from fresh local produce.

Overnight Stay: Scenic Circle Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef Glacier

(Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 11 Franz Josef – Queenstown

Enjoy a jet boat ride on the Haast River. Continue to Queenstown.

This evening is a Dining evening – choose Scenic FreeChoice from: (1) TSS Earnslaw cruise to dinner at Walter Peak Station; or (2) Skyline Gondola Restaurant; or (3) à la carte dinner at Lombardi’s Restaurant.

Two Night Stay: St Moritz Hotel (Includes Breakfast and Highlight Dinner)

Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 2 nights at Evergreen Lodge. Must be pre-booked.

Day 12 Queenstown

Today choose from a selection of Scenic FreeChoice options: (1) massage or foot revitalisation; or (2) gardens tour; or (3) Mt Aspiring guided walk; or (4) winery tour with lunch; or (5) Shotover Canyon jet boat; or (6) Southern Lakes 4WD tour; or (7) Skippers Canyon.

(Includes Breakfast)

Day 13 Queenstown – Milford Sound

Experience an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound. Tonight enjoy a four course a la carte dinner.

Overnight Stay: Village Inn, Te Anau (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 14 Stewart Island – Invercargill

This morning journey to Bluff for your ferry ride to Stewart Island. Stewart Island is the smallest and most natural of New Zealand’s islands and home to the Rakiura National Park.

Today choose from a selection of Scenic FreeChoice options: (1) Cruise Paterson Inlet and Ulva Island; (2) Explore Oban; or (3) A semi-submersible

trip. Return to Invercargill.

Overnight Stay: Ascott Park Hotel, Invercargill (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 15 Invercargill – Dunedin

Travel to Dunedin and depart from the station for your rail journey into the heart of the Taieri Gorge. Marvel at the ever-changing, spectacular scenery, wild landscapes and towering viaducts.

Two Night Stay: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Home Stay: Opportunity to experience an overnight ‘Home Stay’ (included in tour at no extra cost, must be pre-booked).

Day 16 Dunedin

Today choose from a selection of Scenic FreeChoice options: (1) Larnach Castle; or (2) yellow-eyed penguins or albatross; or (3) Visit Orokonui Ecosanctuary; or (4) Tour Speight’s Brewery.(Includes Breakfast)

Day 17 Dunedin - Mt Cook - Lake Tekapo

Board the historic Seasider train for a spectacular journey along the coastal cliffs of Otago. See the Moeraki boulders before continuing north and stopping to view Mount Cook (weather permitting). Continue your journey to the Lake of Tekapo.

Overnight Stay: Peppers Bluewater Resort, Lake Tekapo (Includes Breakfast and Dinner)

Day 18 Lake Tekapo – Christchurch

View the Church of the Good Shepherd before departing for Christchurch and enjoy a city sights tour on arrival. Tonight board the historic Christchurch tram for drinks and canapés, continue to a local restaurant for a private farewell dinner.

Overnight Stay: Millennium Hotel, Christchurch (Includes Breakfast and Highlight Dinner)

Day 19 Depart Christchurch

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport. (Includes Breakfast)