Overview

Explore all the ‘must-see’ areas of New Zealand as well as some of the special lesser- known regions. This 18-day journey includes some exclusive & exciting excursions yet still offers plenty of time for you to ‘do your own thing’.

Day 1 - Arrive Auckland

On arrival at Auckland, you will be met by our representative and transferred by limousine to your city hotel.

Stay: Heritage Auckland Hotel

Day 2 - Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula

This morning, travel to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches & a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life. It is home to many arts & crafts people who seek an alternative lifestyle. At the quaint township of Coromandel, ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony.

Stay: Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort (includes breakfast)

Day 3 - Coromandel, Rotorua

Travel along the Bay of Plenty Coastline to the popular beachside towns of Tauranga & Mt Maunganui. Then, head inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, an area that has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. On arrival, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural mineral springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort.

2 night stay: Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay (includes breakfast and dinner)

Day 4 - Lake Tarawera Cruise & Te Wairoa Buried Village

Today’s highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera. Experience spectacular scenery, try your hand at trout fishing and enjoy soaking in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa.

(includes breakfast and lunch)

Day 5 - Lake Taupo, Napier

This morning, visit Wai-O-tapu (meaning Sacred Waters), a wonderland of geothermal activity. Walk at your own pace and marvel at the reserves unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. Later, you stop to view the mighty Huka Falls & Wairakei Geothermal project and then take time to wander around the lakeside resort of Taupo. Then, it’s on to Napier, one of the world’s finest Art Deco cities. Your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon.

2 night stay: Te Pania Hotel (includes breakfast)

Day 6 - At leisure in the Hawke's Bay

Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific’, this region boasts some of New Zealand’s best and oldest wineries. Enjoy a free day to experience some of the many optional activities available. Perhaps take a guided wine trail and taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world’s largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early morning balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves and orchards or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings.

(includes breakfast)

Day 7 - Wairarapa, Mt Bruce & Wellington

Travel this morning through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region to Pukaha Mount Bruce, New Zealand's National Wildlife Centre. In this beautiful setting of native forest you will see the finest collection of New Zealand native birds to be found anywhere, including the Takahe, the rarest & most colourful of all New Zealand’s birds. The centre also houses tuatara, various lizards and native bats in its nocturnal house. Also watch out for the enormous eels and trout which loiter under the bridges, waiting for handouts. Later, continue on to Wellington, the nation’s capital, where you enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation.

Stay: James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel (includes breakfast)

Day 8 - Picton & the Marlborough Sounds

This morning is at leisure to explore what Wellington has to offer. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended. This afternoon, travel across Cook Strait by Interislander ferry to the picturesque fishing village of Picton. Join your water taxi for the short cruise across to Torea Bay and the then transfer over Torea saddle by resort vehicle to your hotel.

2 night stay: The Portage Resort (includes breakfast)

Day 9 - Stunning Kenepuru Sound

A free day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Resort staff will share their love of the Sounds with you through the wide range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips. For those who wish, enjoy the free use of the resorts kayaks & mountain bikes and also enjoy a sampling of some of the local wines in a tasting at the resort.

(includes breakfast)

Day 10 - Kaikoura Coast, Christchurch

Travel through Blenheim to Kaikoura, the world-renowned whale-watching centre of New Zealand. Later, continue south to the “Garden City” of Christchurch, regarded as the most English of New Zealand cities.

Stay: Heritage Christchurch Hotel (includes breakfast)

Day 11 - Spectacular Tranz Alpine Train, Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers

This morning, board the TranzAlpine train for a rail adventure rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. The TranzAlpine winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and tracks its way up and across the spectacular Southern Alps to the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass. Rejoin your coach & make your way along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's.

Stay: Te Weheka Inn (includes breakfast)

Day 12 - Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown

There is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region before your departure this morning (subject to weather conditions). Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. There is time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling onto Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination.

4 night stay: Heritage Queenstown Hotel (includes breakfast)

Days 13 ,14 and 15 - Explore Queenstown & the Fiordland National Park

Enjoy three full days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure & leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. It is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park, and optional day tours, flights & overnight cruises to the awesome Milford & Doubtful Sounds are available.

(includes breakfast)

Day 16 - Arrowtown, Mt Cook National Park

Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. Later, travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery (optional Ski-plane & helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions).

Stay: Mt Cook Hermitage Hotel, Aoraki Wing (includes breakfast and dinner)

Day 17 - Tasman Glacier, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch

Experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier, New Zealands’ largest. Get up close to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd before crossing the vast Canterbury Plains to the 'Garden City' of Christchurch.

Stay: Heritage Christchurch Hotel (includes breakfast)

Day 18 - Depart Christchurch

Sadly, your holiday ends today and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport to connect with your onward flight.

(includes breakfast)