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TOUR ITINERARY DAY 1 - ARRIVE AUCKLAND On arrival in Auckland, you will be met by our local representative and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at your leisure. Stay: Rydges Hotel (1 Night) DAY 2 - AUCKLAND - ROTORUA A city tour visiting the summit of Skytower, at 328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere for panoramic views across the city and it’s two harbours, Domain, downtown city area and Waterfront Drive with numerous yacht marinas. Travel across the Bombay Hills to the lush farmlands of Waikato, noted particularly for dairy farming and horse studs. Cross the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Stay: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (2 Nights) DAY 3 - ROTORUA A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and even native birds including the Kiwi. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka (entire group). DAY 4 - ROTORUA - TAUPO - NAPIER Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve with its boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. Skirt some of the worlds largest pine forest to Wairakei where natural steam is harnessed to generate electricity, view the Huka Falls where the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm and pause at Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Continue across the Central Plateau to the Hawkes Bay region and Napier, claimed to be the world’s art deco capital. A city tour will encompass the Marine Parade and foreshore area plus many of the city’s art deco buildings. A visit to the Hawkes Bay Museum is included. Stay: Tennyson Hotel (1 Night) DAY 5 - NAPIER - WELLINGTON Orchards and vineyards give way to lush farmlands as you pass through Hastings, to Dannevirke and Woodville, for an early afternoon arrival in the Capital, Wellington. A city tour includes the summit of Mount Victoria for views over the city and Harbour. See the Houses of Parliament and distinctive “Beehive”, Wellington Cathedral, the central city area and Oriental Bay. Also explore the city yourself. Don’t miss Te Papa, the “Museum of New Zealand”, or take a ride on the famous Cable Car. Stay: Bay Plaza (1 Night) DAY 6 - WELLINGTON - PICTON - BLENHEIM Join the Interislander Ferry for a scenic cruise to the South Island with spectacular views of the city left behind. Sail across Cook Strait and into the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound, with remote bays and isolated holiday homes. In Picton, you are welcomed by your South Island Coach Captain. Explore Picton, before making the short drive to Blenheim for an afternoon’s sightseeing that will highlight the district’s many scenic attractions and some of its world renowned wines. A visit will be made to Montana Winery for a complimentary tasting and afternoon tea. Stay: Heartland Hotel Blenheim (1 Night) DAY 7 - BLENHEIM - KAIKOURA - CHRISTCHURCH Past Lake Grassmere and follow the coastline to Kaikoura, an area noted for whale watching. Over the Hundalee Ranges and onto the Canterbury Plains to reach the Garden City of Christchurch. Visit the International Antarctic Centre before a city tour which highlights a strong English influence. See the parklands and River Avon before boarding the Tourist Tram for a circuit of the city which showcases the main points of interest. Stay: Pavillions Hotel (1 Night) DAY 8 - CHRISTCHURCH - MT COOK - OMARAMA Cross the broad Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine and ascend Burkes Pass into MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd dedicated to the early pioneers of the region and the Collie Dog memorial overlooking the milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Time for a flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional). Visit Mt Cook National Park to enjoy the majesty of New Zealand’s highest snow capped peaks, before travelling around Lake Pukaki to Twizel and on to Omarama. Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 Night) DAY 9 - OMARAMA - DUNEDIN Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows for a choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see albatross, penguins and seals. Board the Taieri Gorge Railway or explore the city yourself. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift. Stay: Cargills Hotel (1 Night) DAY 10 - DUNEDIN - TE ANAU Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau. (Time and weather permitting) Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (2 Nights) DAY 11 - MILFORD SOUND DAY TRIP A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach right to the roads edge and mighty snow capped peaks tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and to Bowen and Stirling Falls. Time to relax and appreciate your surroundings, walk into the rainforest to visit The Chasm, a spectacular waterfall, or to the entrance of Homer Tunnel. If conditions permit, your Coach Captain may make a short drive into the Hollyford Valley. Return to Te Anau late afternoon. DAY 12 - TE ANAU - QUEENSTOWN Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the nder-ground world of rushing water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glowworms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This evening cruise across the lake aboard the steamship TSS Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Stay: Rydges Hotel (2 Nights) DAY 13 - QUEENSTOWN A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at your leisure. Your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many sightseeing activities available. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola to the Skyline high above, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon or for the adventurous – white water rafting. Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries. DAY 14 - QUEENSTOWN - HASST PASS - GLACIER REGION Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. (Upon arrival into Fox Glacier there is opportunity to either take an optional guided walk to the glacier’s terminal face or an optional helicopter flight over the glacier) Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier (1 Night) DAY 15 - FOX GLACIER - CHRISTCHURCH Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glaciers, then visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory to see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass to the Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch. Stay: Pavillions Hotel (1 Night) DAY 16 - DEPART CHRISTCHURCH Today is at your leisure until you transfer to the airport for your flight home.
* Accommodation at the level chosen, subject to availability at time of reservation For Seat In Coach Passengers: * Meet and Greet and arrival transfer by private vehicle For Self Drive Passengers: * Transport by self drive rental vehicle including unlimited kms
* International or domestic airfares Self Drive: * Refundable rental insurance bond
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