Relax in New Zealand 26 Day Tour

Day 1 Auckland (--D) Arrive at Auckland airport. New Zealand's largest and most cosmopolitan city. Auckland "City of Sails", will provide you with an entertaining start to your New Zealand experience with its variety of day time and evening activities. After booking into your hotel a chance to take in the city sights. Wander down to the water front where the Americas cup was held, or perhaps a look at Kelly Tarlton's underwater world, NZ's museum of Transport and Technology, the Maritime museum, a visit to the amazing Sky Tower (if heights aren't a problem) and a drive up Mt Eden. Evening: Auckland Hotel   Day 2. Auckland - Bay of Islands (B--) Off to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Along the way visit the Matakohe Kauri museum where the history of these ancient, huge native trees is preserved. The Bay of Islands with its pristine natural environment is the gathering place in the South Pacific  for overseas sailing yachts on world cruises, international sport fishermen, golfers and marine enthusiasts. The Bay of Islands region has the finest maritime park in New Zealand with the 144 Islands and secluded bays. The Bay has an abundance of marine life, including the big marlin, whales, penguins, dolphins, gannets and many other species. Evening. Beachcomber Resort Hotel   Day 3 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 Paihia 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 4. Bay of Islands (B-L-) 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. You will be over-awed by the grandeur of the mighty Kauri trees, the expanse of Ninety Mile Beach and the mystique of Cape Reinga. Evening. Beachcomber Resort Hotel     Day 5. Bay of Islands - Coromandel (B--) Travel from Paihia to Coromandel today. This drive will take you through some diverse areas New Zealand farmland. And will showcase Northern New Zealand. Evening: Coromandel Motor Lodge.   Day 6. Coromandel (B- -) Coromandel is one the premier beach areas in New Zealand. In the northeastern sector of the North Island it is home to sheltered coves and beautiful native forest. You will have the option of many different activities today. Relax on the beach near your hotel or take a short drive to Hahei, where you may take the Hahei Explorer boat trip to explore some of the beaches and coves. You could also walk down a scenic trail to Cathedral Cove - an idyllic spot! Drive a little further to Hot Water Beach where you can dig your own hot pool in the sand at low tide. Perhaps you would prefer a round of golf, more bush walks, or strolling along the marinas, -there are plenty of things to see and do. Kiwi Dundee Tours provide interesting day trips here. Evening: Coromandel Motor Lodge.   Day 7. Coromandel - Rotorua (B-D) Travel south to Rotorua. An interesting thermal region and centre of native Maori culture. The first thing that will hit you is the smell of sulphur that pervades the area. Give your nose a while to acclimatise, then start to enjoy the delights of this thermal wonderland. A great way to end the day is to go to a Maori hangi (feast) and concert for a great night's entertainment. Evening: Rotorua Motel.   Day 8. Rotorua Visit the Agrodome for an entertaining exhibition of the New Zealand sheep industry, Rainbow Springs for a peek at the native flora and fauna, including large brown and rainbow trout and Whakarewarewa thermal area where boiling mud pools and spouting geysers can be seen. Evening: Rotorua Motel.   Day 9. Rotorua &endash; Napier - Waipukurau (B--D) Depart Rotorua and travel to Taupo. Passing the geothermal area of Wairakei, stop to view the famous Huka Falls on the outskirts of Lake Taupo, this is where the mighty Waikato River is confined to a narrow ravine, just a few meters wide, forming a spectacular rapid. Continue on to Napier, the "Art Deco City" of New Zealand, which was rebuilt after a massive 7.8 richter scale earthquake in the early 1930's. Pass by many of the restored buildings in the city to get a feel for this unique town. Continue south to Waipukurau for a stay on a sheep and beef farm. Evening: Farmstay.   Day 10. Waipukurau - Martinborough (B-D) After time with your hosts this morning, travel to the Wairarapa - a large rural region with a very sparse population. Visit the Wine Village of Martinborough. High sunshine hours and low autumn rainfall have helped wine makers in this region win international awards. Many are boutique wineries and distinguished from other New Zealand wine areas by the high proportion of red grape plantings and a reputation for quality pinot noir, among other varieties. There is plenty to see and do in this region. Evening: Martinborough Hotel.   Day 11. Martinborough - Wellington (B--) Travel across the Rimutaka Hill to Wellington today. New Zealands capital city has a beautiful harbour, but is known as the Windy City! Make the most of your city stay and visit the National Museum - Te Papa, and the theatres and cafes. Evening: Wellington Hotel.   Day 12. Wellington - Bllenheim (B-D) Catch the InterIsland Ferry through the tranquil and scenic Marlborough Sounds, to Picton - gateway to the South Island. Travel 25 km to Blenheim, New Zealand's "Sunshine" capital, because of its long sunshine hours. Blenheim is the main township in the Marlborough region and is ideally suited to wine production, with thousands of hectares now devoted to attractive vineyards. Take your time here to do a wine tour, and sample some of the award winning wines, and enjoy the fabulous vineyard restaurants. Evening: Blenheim Motel.   Day 13. Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch (B--) Head south this morning travelling down the rocky coastline to Kaikoura, a small town set in a picturesque location between high mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Here you can take a cruise to view the amazing marine life that is found off shore - huge whales and playful dolphins. There are also options to swim with the dolphins. Kaikoura means "to eat crayfish", underlining the area's reputation as a source of that delicacy. Seals by the hundreds are found on the rocks around the tip of the Kaikoura Peninsula. This site is also good for a view of large numbers of sea birds. Travel on to Christchurch for the night. Evening: Christchurch Motel   Day 14. Christchurch (B--) Christchurch is the South Island's largest city, situated on the level plains of Canterbury that attracted the original Church of England settlement, and then the great runholders. The city retains much of the English tradition which surrounds its creation: a willow and oak-lined Avon River meanders through its heart, complete with punts which visitors can charter; a lofty neo-Gothic cathedral presides over a square; clustered stone buildings are not merely old but have a medieval air. There is an array of sights and activities to occupy your time this afternoon. Take a walk along attractive Sumner Beach, visit a nearby pier which reaches 400meters out into the Pacific Ocean, visit the Arts Centre, Botanical Gardens, play golf, or go for a drive out to Lincoln University, one of New Zealand's premier Agricultural colleges and take a look around the attractive campus. Evening: Christchurch Motel   Day 15. Christchurch (B--) Time to explore Christchurch and the surrounding farming districts. Some options for today would also be to catch the famous "Tranz Alpine Express" from Christchurch to Greymouth on the West Coast, take a drive to Akaroa Harbour on Banks Peninsular or Hanmer Springs for a soak in the thermal pools set amongst the forests and mountains. Take a sights tour up the Port Hills for a panoramic view of the Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps, coastline, Pacific Ocean, and Lyttleton Harbour. Evening: Christchurch Motel.   Day 16. Christchurch - Fairlie (B-D) Head inland towards the Southern Alps to the town of Fairlie. This township rests in the Fairlie Basin, surrounded by the beautiful high country of the Two Thumb Range. Here you will have the opportunity to experience a taste of New Zealand farming life whilst on your farmstay. A day to explore the farm and the region, including the local lakes, rivers etc. Take your time to go on short walks, fishing, or talking to the locals. Evening: Farmstay.   Day 17. Fairlie - Dunedin (B-D) Travel south to Dunedin. You may like to stop on route in Oamaru to see the stone buildings in the old part of town, and to look at the Moeraki Boulders just off the main highway. Dunedin is the city of New Zealand with the richest Scottish influence. Settled by Scottish pioneers, it now boasts New Zealand's only kilt shop, and our only whisky distillery. The central plaza, known as "The Octagon", features a statue of the Scottish poet Robbie Burns, whose nephew, the Rev Thomas Burns, was a religious leader of the early settlers. Spires, towers, gables and solid stone buildings lend Dunedin a Victorian air, and the centrally located University adds its bit to the overall character of the city. Dunedin is famous for it's Scarfies (the 25,000 university students who inhabit the city during the school semester). A great dinner spot in Dunedin is the Speights Ale House known for its fabulous traditional New Zealand cuisine and beer. A very popular spot with the locals! Evening: Dunedin Motel   Day 18. Dunedin&endash; Te Anau (B--) You may spend some time exploring the Dunedin area this morning. The Otago Peninsula has an abundance of wildlife with an amazing colony of Royal Albatross where you can see chicks in their nests and these huge birds (wing span of up to 3 meters), flying in their natural habitat. You can also see a Penguin Colony, and many seals have also made this area their home. Travel to Te Anau in the heart of Fiordland. Te Anau and Manapouri literally provide the gateways to the Fiords, with access to both Milford and Doubtful Sound being via these departure points. An excellent base to explore the Fiordland area. Make the most of the boat trips, scenic flights, kayaking, mountain biking and walks in the area. An option tonight would be to cruise on Lake Te Anau to view the glowworm caves. Evening: Te Anau Motel/B&B   Day 19. Te Anau (BL-) This morning you will be picked up by coach, for a cruise on Milford Sound. Milford is by far the best known of all of the fiords and the only one that can be accessed by road. It is approximately 16km from the head of the fiord to the open sea, which means visitors can comfortably travel the length of the fiord to open ocean and return on one of the many cruise options available. Return late afternoon. Evening: Te Anau Motel/B&B   Day 20. Te Anau ( B-D) 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 21. Te Anau - Queenstown (B--) Travel through Kingston, up the side of Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown, (the Adventure Capital of New Zealand) and the most popular tourist resort in the South Island. It has a magnificent setting on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Summer in Queenstown and the Southern Lakes means long, hot holidays where the outdoor living is seriously good, and it's very geared up to the needs of its transient tourist population, with a wide range of eating places, night-life and leisure attractions. Evening: Queenstown Motel /B&B   Day 22. Queenstown (B-D) Queenstown is a mecca for Kiwis and visitors alike - an all year round resort reknown for its winter skiing and summer, water sports, tramping and other activities. This evening -a ride up 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: Queenstown Motel/B&B   Day 22. Queenstown (B--) There is plenty to see and do here today! Your choice of adventure activities. Jet boating, rafting, kayaking, bungy jumping, sky diving, climbing, walking, the list goes on…… Perhaps a drive to the old gold mining village of Arrowtown, a stop at Queenstown's dried flower barn, or a game of golf at the exclusive Mill Brook Resort, or a cruise on the old steamer boat Earnslaw. Tonight - a ride up the Gondola for dinner and magnificent views over the Lake and Mountains. Evening: Queenstown Motel/B&B   Day 23. Queenstown - Franz Josef (B-D) Head north to lake Hawea, with a visit to a high country station running fine woolled merino sheep and hereford cattle. After an insight into running livestock in this harsh but beautiful environment and a tasty morning tea, travel via the beautiful lakeland and the bush-clad Haast Pass to Franz Josef, on the high rainfall region of the West Coast of New Zealand. Evening: Hotel Franz Josef.   Day 24. Franz Josef (B--) Explore the area around the Franz Joesf township visiting the glacier, and have the opportunity to take a scenic flight around the glaciers and Aoraki - Mt Cook. Evening: Hotel Franz Josef.   Day 25. Franz Joesf - Christchurch (B--) Drive up the untamed but beautiful rainforests of the West Coast to Greymouth and visit Shanty Town, a replica of an 1880s West Coast gold-mining town. Travel over the grandeur of the great alpine divide, over the steep inclines of Arthurs Pass, then descend to the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch for the evening. Evening Hotel Christchurch   Day 26, Christchruch - Onward travel (B--) Depart NZ  Tours Home Email us for more information <info@nzcountrytours.com>