SOLO OFFER! Explore New Zealand (17-day Tour from Auckland to Christchurch)

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.

Hotel: VR Queen Street Hotel & Suites

Day 2 Auckland – Bay of Islands

Travel along the scenic Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands. Enjoy spectacular scenery as you cruise to Cape Brett, and through the ‘Hole in the Rock’.

Hotel: Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Garden Rooms, 2 nights

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 Bay of Islands Free Time

Explore the Bay of Islands at leisure today.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 Bay of Islands – Auckland

Enjoy a relaxed morning before travelling through lush farmland on your way back to Auckland.

Hotel: VR Queen Street Hotel & Suites

Included Meals: Breakfast

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. This evening, enjoy a Māori Hangi feast Highlight Dinner and concert at the Tamaki Māori Village.

Hotel: Ibis Rotorua Hotel, 2 nights

Included Meals: Breakfast, Highlight dinner

Day 6 Rotorua Free Time

Your morning is free. You might like to visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park for a glimpse of New Zealand’s iconic kiwi bird, or Te Puia, the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 7 Rotorua – Wellington

Journey through tall pine forests and verdant farmland to spectacular Huka Falls and serene Lake Taupo. Drive along the shores of New Zealand’s biggest lake through the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park and the dairy farms of Manawatu. Then follow the Kapiti Coast to Wellington for a city orientation tour.

Hotel: Travelodge Wellington

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 8 Wellington – Picton

Your special packed lunch today won’t only be wholesome, it will also feed a Kiwi child who may otherwise go without, through the charity ‘Eat My Lunch’. Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington, and then visit Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. Cruise across the Cook Strait and explore the maze of inlets of Queen Charlotte Sound. Later you’ll travel to the seaside village of Picton and take a tour of the city before dinner.

Hotel: Picton Beachcomber Inn

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9 Picton – Christchurch

Travel to Kaikoura, where sperm whales can often be seen not far from shore. Travel along the Pacific Ocean coast and across the colourful Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 10 Christchurch – Omarama

Explore Christchurch at leisure this morning, then travel over the fertile plains to serene Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park.

Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel

Included Meals: Breakfast, 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.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 12 Dunedin – Te Anau

Enjoy free time in Dunedin and then travel across the fertile sheep-dotted pastures of South Otago en route to Te Anau.

Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 13 Te Anau – Queenstown

Your experience in Milford Sound today is sure to be one of the highlights of your journey. Travel first through tall native rainforests and rugged mountains, 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.

Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 2 nights

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 14 Queenstown Free Time

Explore New Zealand’s adventure capital at your own pace today. Later in the afternoon, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner.

Included Meals: Breakfast, Highlight dinner

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 Franz Josef Glacier.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 16 Franz Josef – Christchurch

This morning’s destination is Hokitika, home of New Zealand’s famous greenstone. Then continue to Arthur’s Pass to board the iconic TranzAlpine train and take one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys. This evening, join your Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner.

Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Day 17 Farewell from Christchurch

Your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast.

Included Meals: Breakfast

Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking and may change without notice.

• Required Internal Flights: are to be purchased in order to fulfil the itinerary and are not included in the land content price

Dec 2019-Mar 2020 - WAS from $7290/ NOW from $6392.50

Apr 2020 - Sep 2020 - WAS from $6925 / NOW from $6060

Oct 2020 - Mar 2021 - WAS from $7435 / NOW from $6505

Twin share prices available on request.

Freecall our local travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure this offer.

Your Guided Holiday includes a range of quality accommodation for your comfort. The accommodation you will enjoy on this tour includes:

• VR Queen Street Hotel & Suites, Auckland
• Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands (Garden Rooms)
• Ibis Rotorua Hotel, 2 nights
• Travelodge Wellington
• Picton Beachcomber Inn
• Ibis Hotel Christchurch
• Heritage Gateway Hotel,Omarama
• Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
• Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau
• Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown
• Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing)
• Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Flight Information:

• Day 1 - Flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Auckland Airport
• Day 17 - Flights to depart anytime from Christchurch Airport

What to Bring:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat
• Water bottle
• Camera
• Jacket in cooler months

Fitness Requirements:

• Low level of fitness required