Tour Details - Contrasts of New Zealand

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

On arrival in Auckland you will be transferred to your hotel, with a guaranteed early check-in. The afternoon is free for you to explore Auckland. You could visit the Sky Tower for amazing views of the city, Viaduct Harbour and the surrounding volcanic hills. Perhaps visit the Auckland Museum or go shopping in stylish Parnell. This evening enjoy a Welcome Drink and dinner with your Travel Director and fellow travelling companions.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland, 2 nights D

Day 2: Auckland Sightseeing

Start the day with a sightseeing tour of the city. You’ll see Bastion Point, the War Memorial, Viaduct Harbour, the Auckland Harbour Bridge and more. Later, board your cruise on Auckland’s Waitemata Harbour. Sit back and relax – the time is yours – it’s the best way to see Auckland, the City of Sails!

Day 3: Auckland - Rotorua

Trace the Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves. Tour the amazing Glow Worm Grotto by boat with a Local Guide and walk through the limestone caves. From here your journey continues to Rotorua, where you’ll visit Te Puia (New Zealand’s Maori culture and geothermal experience). A Local Maori Guide will escort you through the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve with its mud pools and geysers. This evening enjoy a Maori Hangi highlight dinner accompanied by local wine and followed by a concert, to experience traditional Maori culture.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua. B HD

Day 4: Rotorua – Christchurch

Your morning sightseeing tour includes a visit to Rainbow Springs Nature Park, where with a Local Guide you will discover native bush, ferns and trees that grow around the crystal clear mineral water springs. You may even spot a kiwi, New Zealand’s national icon! Then you’ll visit the Agrodome Sheep Show, the multi-award-winning stage show where you’ll gain an informative and exciting insight into agriculture in New Zealand. You’ll see the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle-feeding of lambs and an exciting sheep auction. In the afternoon you’ll fly to Christchurch (flights to depart after 12pm).
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. B

Day 5: TranzAlpine – Franz Josef

Start the day with a spectacular train journey on the TranzAlpine from Darfield through the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass. At the small town of Hokitika visit a New Zealand greenstone (jade) factory for a jewellery demonstration. Next you’ll arrive at Franz Josef Glacier, the world’s most accessible glacier. You’ll have the opportunity to see it from the air on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting).
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, Franz Josef. B D

Day 6: Queenstown

Get your camera ready today as you’ll experience some spectacular sights. Drive over the Haast Pass, past Thunder Creek Falls, Lakes Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan. Enjoy the tastes of delicious stone fruit at Cromwell – the stone fruit capital. Next you’ll visit historic gold mining Arrowtown on the Arrow River, previously one of the world’s richest rivers, before arriving in Queenstown, New Zealand’s adventure capital where an orientation tour completes your day.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 3 nights. B

Day 7: Milford Sound

Journey over the Devil’s Staircase and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and its lake, the largest in the South Island. Travel through the rainforest of World Heritage Fiordland National Park, sighting glaciers and mountain ranges. Drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel to the numerous photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls before reaching mystical Milford Sound. Take a cruise on Milford Sound including lunch. Return to Queenstown this evening. B L

Day 8: Queenstown 'Free Time'

Explore Queenstown your way! Go wild with a jet boat ride or white water rafting. For the less adventurous there are wine and garden tours. B

Day 9: Christchurch

You’ll be awestruck by the sensational alpine landscape of Mt. Cook National Park. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting). Later in the day you continue on to see Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, where you’ll stop to view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Join us for a visit to Morelea Farm, a typical working sheep farm, to discover an authentic taste of New Zealand Country life. You are invited into the home of your hosts Angie and Stan to enjoy a barbecue lunch in their 240 hectare garden and to gain an insight into the day to day operation of farm life. Travel over the colourful patchwork that is the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. B L D

Day 10: Depart Christchurch

You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. B