- Day
1. Arrive Auckland/Christchurch
- Arrive
at Auckland and transfer to Christchurch ("The Garden
City") hotel for a relaxing day.
- Evening:
Christchurch Park Royal
-
- Day
2. Around Christchurch (B-D)
- Local
sights this morning including the Port Hills, Sumner
Beach, Botanical Gardens, Arts Centre. We later travel
out of the City to the Spark Brothers 500 cow family
dairy unit with a fascinating on farm collection of old
memorabilia and fully restored vintage tractors. A
'Welcome to New Zealand' dinner tonight.
- Evening:
Christchurch Park Royal
-
- Day
3. Kaikoura Outing (B--)
- Travel
through the attractive North Canterbury farmland today
and on to Kaikoura - a bustling township snugly located
between the deep waters of the Pacific Ocean and the 9000
foot high coastal Kaikoura mountain range. Take a launch
trip out to see the giant whales which inhabit the deep
waters a short distance from the coast. Later return to
Christchurch, stopping off for some wine tasting at
Waipara, one of New Zealand's rapidly expanding wine
growing regions.
- Evening:
Christchurch Park Royal
-
- Day
4. Christchurch - Mackenzie Country (B-D)
- Head
south this morning to the Mackenzie Country and pretty
lakeside town of Tekapo for the night. Enjoy the
fantastic scenary today while heading directly towards
the Southern Alps. If it's a fine day, you will see Mt
Cook and Mt Tasman, and Tasman Glacier, -the longest
Glacier in New Zealand. You will also have the
opportunity to explore Tekapo today. The old stone church
and memorial by the lakeside are well worth a
visit.
- Evening:
Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort
-
- Day
5. Mount Cook (BL-)
- Travel
in to the Mount Cook National Park. A possible scenic
flight opportunity over the Mount Cook National Park or
walk in this beautiful mountainous environment. There are
many well kept and monitered tracks in this area. Lunch
at the Hermitage hotel, before returning to
Tekapo.
- Evening:
Lake Tekapo Scenic Resort
-
- Day
6. Twizel - Dunedin (B--)
- On to
the "Whitestone" town of Oamaru, well known for its
limestone buildings, with time for lunch. Next on to
Moeraki to view the weird large spherical boulders that
lie on the beach, then on to Scottish like City of
Dunedin, home of Otago University and its student
"Scarfies", the Highlanders Rugby team, and bustling Port
Chalmers. Tonight you may wish to head to the Speights
Ale House for a fabulous traditional "Kiwi" dinner,
accompanied by a locally brewed beer.
- Evening.
Southern Cross Hotel
-
- Day
7, Around Dunedin (B--)
- Today
visit some of the attractions around Dunedin, including
the Albatross Colony at Taiaroa Heads, and the local
Penguin Colonies. and Olveston - a gracious old home -
left as it was when the first European settlers lived in
Dunedin. There are some great moutain biking and horse
riding, and sea kayaking opportunities around Dunedin,
that you may wish to take up today.
- Evening.
Southern Cross Hotel
-
- Day
8. Dunedin - Te Anau (B--)
- Depart
Dunedin, travelling through the productive farm land of
South Otago and Southland. Te Anau is the heart of
Fiordland. Take your opportunities today to go on anyone
of a number of available cruises. Or go walking in the
amazing forest, or starting one of the trails such as the
Kepler Track. (Alternative option to do a multi day hike,
such as the Milford Track here, (3 nights and 4
days).
- Evening:
Holiday Inn
-
- Day
9. Te Anau - Doubtful Sound (B-D)
- This
morning we take a launch trip across the lake to see the
glow worm caves, then this afternoon take the coach
through some of the Worlds most spectacular scenery to
Doubtful Sound. We board the MV Navigator, which will
take us into the Sound where precipitous bluffs and
mountains plunge into the deep tranquil waters of the
Sound. There may be scuba diving opportunities here for
those who are qualified. A peaceful night and some
cruising taking in the scenic wonders, seals, dolphins,
and marine bird life of the area.
- Evening.
MV Navigatorr - on the Sounds.
-
- Day
10. Doubtful Sound - Queenstown (B--)
- Back on
to Terra firma this morning then optional flight, (
weather permitting) or by coach to Queenstown. Queenstown
is a mecca for Kiwis and visitors alike - an all year
round resort renown for its winter skiing and summer,
water sports, tramping and other activities. This evening
we suggest you ride the gondola up Bob's Peak to see the
Kiwi Magic film which is well worth watching. Enjoy the
view from the Skyline Restaurant where you can enjoy this
evenings meal and take in the breathtaking lake and
mountain beauty surrounding you.
- Evening:
Quality Resort Terraces.
-
- Day
11. Queenstown (B--)
- Today is
yours completely free to take advantage of all the
amazing activities that are on offer in this adventure
playground. See www.queenstown-nz.co.nz or
www.queenstownadventure.com
- Evening:
Quality Resort Terraces.
-
- Day
12. Queenstown - Hawkes Bay Farmstay (B-D)
- Transfer
to the airport, to board flights to Christchurch and on
to Napier, in the North Island's sunny Hawkes Bay. After
arrival travel to Waipukurau to meet hosts for an
overnight farmstay. An opportunity to get to know how a
New Zealand farming family lives and works in this part
of the world.
- Evening:
Farmstay Waipukurau.
-
- Day
13. Around Hawkes Bay (BLD)
- A
morning on the host farm, then reassemble to travel to
the nearby "Art Deco" City of Napier and a look at some
of the vineyards, and orchards for which the region is
well regarded. Lunch at a Winery restaurant. There may be
an opportunity to go paraponting off Te Mata Peak, or
rock climbing in this region. Later return to your
farmstay.
- Evening:
Farmstay Waipukurau
-
- Day
14. Hawkes Bay Farmstay - Taupo - Rotorua
(B-D)
- On to
Taupo, and a chance to see New Zealand's largest lake and
the nearby Huka Falls where the mighty Waikato River is
confined to a ravine just a few metres wide. Then onto
Rotorua, visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve where
you have the chance to see geysers, boiling mud, and many
other wonders of this area. There is also a Maori village
and cultural centre to learn about life and customs of
New Zealand's early settlers. Next visit the Agrodome for
an entertaining exhibition of New Zealand's sheep
industry - here you will see sheep shearing and dogs
working and Rainbow Springs for a look at the native
flora and fauna including large brown, and rainbow,
trout. There will also be an opportunity to go Zorbing!
Enjoy a Maori Hangi ( feast), and entertaining concert
tonight.
- Evening.
Lake Plaza Hotel.
-
- Day
15. Rotorua - Bay of Islands (B--)
- Off to
Pahia in the Bay of Islands. Along the way visit the
Matakohe Kauri museum where the history of these ancient,
huge native trees is preserved.
- Evening.
Beachcomber Resort Hotel
-
- Day
16 Bay of Islands (B--)
- Today we
take a launch trip amidst the beautiful islands of the
region and out to the Hole In The Rock. Later return to
Pahia Visit the grounds where the historic Treaty of
Waitangi was signed between the British Governer and
native Maori Cheiftains. Then take the ferry to historic
Russell - once known as the "Hell Hole of the Pacific
after the ribald behaviour of visiting whalers and
sealers in the 1700's
- Evening.
Beachcomber Resort Hotel
-
- Day
17. Bay of Islands - Auckland (B--)
- Today we
depart for one of New Zealand's most spectacular visits -
a drive northwards, virtually as far as you can go to
Cape Reinga, including a wonderful drive along Ninety
Mile Beach. At the completion of this tour we will
transfer to Auckland in preparation for tomorrows
departure.
- Evening.
Beachcomber Resort Hotel
-
- Day
18. Depart Auckland (B--)
- Free
time in Auckland before transferring to the Airport to
connect with onward flights home.
-
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