Best of New Zealand Tour - Auckland to Christchurch

Day 1 Welcome to Auckland

This evening, meet your Travel Director for a Welcome Reception at your hotel.

Day 2 Auckland – Bay of Islands

Travel through Northland’s lush farmland, arriving this afternoon for a cruise around the stunning Bay of Islands. BD (with wine)

Day 3 Bay of Islands – Included Choice

Included Choice. Choose one from sailing aboard a historic tall ship or take a mini tour of historic Russell. Explore the Waitangi Treaty Grounds or enjoy a relaxing tour of Kerikeri and sample organic wines, and taste delicious chocolates! B

Day 4 Bay of Islands – Auckland

Enjoy time at leisure before returning to Auckland. Your journey takes you to Whangarei and then Parry Kauri Park. Enjoy a Highlight Dinner at Eight restaurant at The Cordis. BD

Day 5 Auckland – Rotorua

See the sights of Auckland and then head south to the Waitomo Caves, where you’ll ride through the Glowworm Grotto. B

Day 6 Rotorua Included Choice

Included Choice.Choose from: Unwind at the Polynesian Spa, tour the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, visit the Hobbiton movie set or explore Rotorua in an amphibious WWII-era Duck.Tonight enjoy a Highlight Dinner and concert at the Tamaki Māori Village, where you can wander through the traditional settlement and enjoy an authentic Māori Hangi meal. BD

Day 7 Rotorua – Wellington

Depart Rotorua and journey out through pine forests and farmland toHuka Falls. From here the road unfolds into a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Journey south over the Central Plateau and along the Kapiti Coast to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Enjoy an exclusive after-hours guided tour & highlight dinner at Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. BD

Day 8 Wellington – Blenheim

Cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound then travel to the villages of Picton and Blenheim. Tonight, enjoy a Highlight Dinner prepared from local produce and matched with fine Marlborough wines. BD

Day 9 Blenheim – Christchurch

Travel to Kaikoura & on to Christchurch. B

Day 10 Christchurch – Twizel

Enjoy a Be My Guest barbecue lunch in Angie & Stan's garden at Morelea on the shores of Lake Tekapo. View the famed Church of the Good Shepherd on Lake Tekapo. BLD (with wine)

Day 11 Twizel – Dunedin Included Choice

Head to Oamaru, then New Zealand’s southernmost city, Dunedin. Included Choice. Choose one from Larnach Castle, ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway, take a wildlife cruise or an interactive tour of Speight’s Brewery. BD (with wine)

Day 12 Dunedin – Te Anau

Travel through lush green sheepgrazing country on your way to Te Anau. BD (With wine)

Day 13 Te Anau – Queenstown

Experience the magnificence of Fiordland National Park. Explore Milford Sound on a Nature Cruise.B

Day 14 Queenstown Included Choice

Included Choice Today, choose one from - Ride the Shotover Jet, take a gondola to Bob’s Peak for thrilling luge rides, visit Kiwi Birdlife Park or take a 4WD minibus through Skippers Canyon. Enjoy a cruise this evening across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner. BD

Day 15 Queenstown – Franz Josef

Stop to visit the faithfully-restored gold mining settlement of Arrowtown, and enjoy the tastes of stone fruit at Cromwell. You will then travel over Haast Pass and view Thunder Creek Falls on your way to Franz Josef Glacier. BD (with wine)

Day 16 Franz Josef – Punakaiki

Explore the glacier this morning, then spend some time amongst temperate rainforest giants on the West Coast Treetop Walkway. Travel to Hokitika, home of New Zealand’s famous greenstone, then on to Punakaiki. You’ll spend the night in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront. BD(with wine)

Day 17 Punakaiki – Christchurch

Board the iconic TranzAlpine train this afternoon and embark on one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys. Back in Christchurch, join your Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner. BD

Day 18 Farewell from Christchurch

Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast. B

To receive this amazing discount, travel on one of the following dates:

• 07 September 2019
• 21 September 2019

Should you wish to travel outside these dates on this itinerary, ask your travel consultant for the cost of travelling on other dates.

Travelling solo? This tour includes the option to share with another solo traveller of the same gender to avoid the solo supplement. Please enquire for more information.

• The Cordis
• Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Water View Rooms
• The Cordis
• Millennium Hotel, Rotorua
• James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
• Chateau Marlborough
• Distinction Christchurch Hotel
• MacKenzie Country Hotel
• Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
• Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas
• Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
• Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)
• Punakaiki Resort

What to Bring

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Sunglasses, sunscreen and hat

• Water bottle

• Camera

• Jacket in cooler months