Tour Details - Wonders of New Zealand-Christchurch to Auckland

Day 1: Arrive Christchurch

After your airport transfer and hotel check-in. Evening welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow passengers.
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Cotswold, Christchurch. D

Day 2: Fox Glacier

Travel to the West Coast passing through Greymouth en route to Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Next stop is Fox Glacier – a rare, still advancing glacier (optional Fox Glacier scenic flight).
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier. B D

Day 3: Queenstown

Travel through the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls, take a rainforest walk. Then it’s a trio of lakes – Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan. Next is Cromwell and its stone fruit and Arrowtown on the Arrow River. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour followed by dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
Hotel: Mercure Queenstown Resort, Queenstown, 2 nights. B D

Day 4: Queenstown 'Free Time'

Explore exciting Queenstown your way – from wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting. For dinner you have the option to dine at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere. Dinner option includes the Kiwi Haka Maori Show. B

Day 5: Milford Sound

Travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. From Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. Witness the Mirror Lake, Cleddau Valley, The Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls. Tonight you may choose to travel by boat to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel, Te Anau. B D

Day 6: Dunedin

Cross sheep-filled farming land to Dunedin for a city tour. ‘Free Time’ this afternoon – take a wildlife cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway.
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin. B D

Day 7: Mt. Cook

'Free Time' this morning – visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. Travel through Oamaru passing the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam.
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama. B D

Day 8: Christchurch

Soak up the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park (optional scenic flight). See Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and travel across the Canterbury Plains. 'Free Time' to relax in the afternoon.
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Cotswold, Christchurch. B

Day 9: Christchurch - Picton

Travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast to Kaikoura, famous for its whales (optional Whale Watching flight). See New Zealand’s fur seals at Ohau Point. Pass the Grassmere Salt Works then travel to the seaside town of Picton.
Hotel: Beachcomber, Picton. B D

Day 10: Wellington

Cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington for a city tour. 'Free Time' then we visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand.
Hotel: Mercure Wellington Willis Street, Wellington. B D

Day 11: Rotorua

Travel along the Kapiti Coast, through the dairy farms of Manawatu and Tongariro National Park, discover the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake. View Huka Falls and pass the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and concert.
Hotel: Ibis, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD

Day 12: Rotorua

Visit the Agrodome Sheep Show and enjoy an afternoon of 'Free Time' – visit Rainbow Springs, abundant with Rainbow Trout and native fauna including the kiwi or Te Puia, where a local Maori will guide you through the Geothermal valley with its mud pools and geysers. B

Day 13: Waitomo Caves - Auckland

Travel through the Waikato region to Waitomo Caves for a tour of the Glow Worm Grotto. Then you’ll follow the Waikato River to Auckland for a sightseeing tour of the city.
Hotel: Mercure, Auckland. B D

Day 14: Bay of Islands

Over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, through Orewa and the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Walk amongst Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. Have time to explore Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand then it’s off to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Take a scenic cruise through game fishing waters to Cape Brett and, weather permitting, through the famous 'Hole in the Rock' formation. The return cruise to Paihia meanders through picturesque islands – see deserted sandy beaches and secluded bays and keep your eyes peeled for the marine life.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort (Garden View), Bay of Islands, 2 nights. B D

Day 15: Bay of Islands 'Free Time'

Explore the Bay of Islands your way. Dolphin watch, catch a ferry to Russell, or drive along 90 Mile Beach. B

Day 16: Auckland

Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve, where New Zealand's founding document was signed. You'll have time on your own to take in highlights such as the magnificent Maori War Canoe (Waka) and Marae (Meeting House). This afternoon enjoy the lush farmland scenery as you return to Auckland.
Hotel: Mercure, Auckland. B

Day 17: Depart Auckland

Explore Auckland at your leisure until your transfer to Auckland Airport. B

TranzAlpine Train Option

Experience one of the world's top 6 train trips aboard the TranzAlpine from Christchurch.

TranzCoastal Train Option

For a scenic feast journey on the TranzCoastal between Christchurch & Picton, with the Kaikoura Mountain Range on one side and the rugged Pacific Ocean on the other.