Day One: Arrive Auckland
On arrival at Auckland International Airport and after
completion of customs formalities, you will be met by our
representative and transferred to your hotel.
Auckland, the City of Sails, and nestled between the Tasman Sea
and the Pacific Ocean. Enjoy the sparkling harbour,
picturesque bays, and other features of this vibrant, bustling and
multi-cultural city.
Day Two: Auckland
Enjoy a tour of Auckland city. Auckland is set on 48 dormant
volcanic cones and between two harbours, the sparkling Waitemata
and the brooding Manukau. Known as the City of Sails, it is New
Zealand's largest city. Your morning tour includes the main street,
Queen St, stunning views of the harbour and yacht marina from the
Harbour Bridge, a visit to the Auckland Domain, Parnell village,
Paratai Drive - with the most exclusive homes in Auckland - and the
waterfront. Another highlight is a drive up the city's most
prominent volcanic cone, Mt Eden, with 360 degree views of the
city.
The afternoon is at leisure.
Day Three: Auckland - Paihia
Collect your Intermediate automatic vehicle with standard
insurance.
Your Budget Car Hire includes unlimited kilometres and Motor
Vehicle/Third Party insurance. For full terms and conditions,
please click here.
Travel north from the city, crossing the harbour bridge and
passing through the North Shore suburbs. The road then takes you
along the Hibiscus Coast before arriving in the city of Whangarei.
Continue through farmland and coastal regions before arriving in
Paihia and the Bay of Islands.
Day Four : Paihia
This morning, cruise through the sheltered waters of the Bay of
Islands on Dolphin Seeker, a purpose built dolphin and whale
watching catamaran. Enjoy the large outdoor viewing decks as you
cruise past the islands of the Bay. Keep a look out for common and
bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life as we get you up
close to the action from the comfort of Dolphin Seeker.
Enjoy the views as you cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse,
before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock - hold your breath
as the skipper navigates through the narrow space and admire the
rock walls which soar above you. Take in the Grand Cathedral Cave
before heading back into the sheltered waters of the Bay.
The afternoon is at leisure.
Day Five: Paihia - Auckland
Today retrace your journey back to Auckland.
Day Six: Auckland - Waitomo -
Rotorua
Today's journey takes you south and over the Bombay Hills to the
province of Waikato and Waitomo where the famous glow-worm caves
are located. Admission to the caves is included.
Continue on to Rotorua - a city with awesome geothermal activity
and also the heartland of Maori culture.
Optional Sightseeing: Evening Journey of
Ages, Maori Hangi & Concert Show (Contact us for pricing
details). Travel to a traditional Marae, a sacred meeting
place just outside Rotorua's city limits. By the time you arrive
you will have been prepared for the spine chilling "WERO" and
welcome on to the Marae. Upon entering the exquisitely carved
meeting house you will "HONGI" (greet) with your hosts. The
tradition of pressing noses means you become "friend" and you may
consider yourself as one with the family. Then you will
experience the unique culture of the Maori people including fierce
haka's (war dances), action dances and stick games. As one, you
will all then move to the opening of the authentic "HANGI" (feast)
pit where you will see the traditional Maori method of food
preparation. After a short time of socialising you will be seated
to a "HANGI" of delicious foods - potatoes, kumara, pork, lamb,
chicken and vegetables, followed by dessert. Vegetarians are also
catered for. Then you will be returned to your hotel.
Day Seven: Rotorua
This morning you will be collected for your half day Eco Thermal
Tour. You will be driven through forestry and farmlands
to New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool and a series of colourful
hot springs at Wai-o-tapu. See the Lady Knox Geyser erupt
before moving on to the Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Here, your guide
will explain the Mt Tarawera eruption which blew open this
spectacular, bush covered, geothermal park.
The afternoon is at leisure.
Day Eight: Rotorua - Nelson
Today return your rental vehicle to Rotorua Airport and connect
with your domestic flight to Nelson, (flight & tax not
included).
On arrival at Nelson Airport, collect your South Island rental
vehicle and make your way to your accommodation.
The Nelson region combines the finest elements of the New
Zealand experience and delivers them across stunning
geography, beaches and lakes, spectacular national parks,
vineyards, cafes, artists, and galleries that offer a uniquely
Nelson way of life.
Day Nine: Nelson
This morning, make your way to Kaiteriteri beach, which is an
entry point to the Abel Tasman National Park. Abel Tasman is
New Zealand's smallest but most beautiful national park and is
famous for golden-sand beaches, bush walks and sea kayaking.
Today, we have included a cruise/walk pass - where you can
choose from a full day cruise or take the shorter cruise with time
for a leisurely walk along part of the walking track from Torrent
Bay to Bark Bay. Board your vessel this
morning and cruise into the beautiful Abel Tasman National Park.
The cruise gives you the opportunity to see beautiful stretches of
coastline which are not always visible from the walking track. Your
vessel's shallow draughts allow it to be taken in close to shore,
giving an excellent view of dozens of sandy coves as the history of
the area and points of interest are explained. A picnic
lunch is included today.
Day Ten: Nelson - Franz Josef
Journey into the fertile farmlands of pine forested hills around
Murchison. Pass through the mighty Buller Gorge which is the
gateway to the West Coast and from there it is on to the incredible
drive down the coast. The mighty rollers from the Tasman Sea
crash and thunder endlessly onto the rocky shore. We pause to
view the geographical oddities of the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
at Punakaiki, where countless years of wind and water have
weathered the coastline into pancake-like formations.
Dairy farms scatter the countryside as you travel south to the
town of Hokitika. From here you enter the Westland National Park
where you will view spectacular rain forest and mountains as your
approach Franz Josef Glacier township.
Day Eleven: Franz Josef
This morning, join your guide for a half day glacier walk.
After meeting at the office and being fitted out with boots, you'll
enjoy a 10 minute bus ride which takes you to within 3 km of the
glacier. After a short walk through regenerating rainforest,
the trip continues along the glacier valley, with your guide
calling stops to explain about the unique features of the Franz
Josef Glacier and the surrounding environment. After
strapping on a set of Ice Talonz you make your way up the terminal
face of the glacier, where pre-formed access ways make exploring
the lower reaches of the glacier achievable for most agile people.
The terrain can look daunting, but the huge effort our guides put
in to creating extensive trails, together with the Ice Talonz on
your feet, allows you to go further and see more, whilst travelling
in comfort and at ease.
The afternoon is at leisure. We suggest visiting the Franz
Josef Hot Pools for a hot soak (admission not included).
Day Twelve: Franz Josef - Wanaka -
Queenstown
Depart Franz Josef heading through a mountainous section of road
before entering Fox Glacier. Cross the Cook River Bridge and
travel through forests of red and white pine to Bruce Bay, an old
goldmining settlement. Continue through attractive bush scenery
until you pass tranquil Lakes Paringa and Moeraki, the haunt of the
fabulous White Heron, to the township of Haast. From here, drive
through the Haast Pass Highway, viewing en route Mount Brewster,
towering 2423 metres and the Brewster Glacier. Descend 82
kilometres, past the Lake Hawea Dam, water storage for the Roxburgh
Hydro Electric Station, to Wanaka.
From Wanaka, travel to Cromwell and through the spectacular
Kawarau Gorge to follow the river into Queenstown.
Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu Queenstown is a
year-round alpine resort that caters for all interests. It enjoys a
magnificent setting amid steep mountain ranges and pockets of
native bush with the jagged peaks of the Remarkables Range rising
from the lake.
Day Thirteen: Milford Day
Trip
Depart Queenstown and skirt Lake Wakatipu in the shadow of the
rugged Remarkables. Drive to Te Anau, gateway of the Fiordland
National Park then follow Lake Te Anau to the valley of the
Eglinton River. Pass through magnificent beech forests before
a gradual descent into the precipitous Hollyford Valley.
Climb steadily to the gigantic Cirque and the Homer Tunnel.
Pass through the tunnel and down to the Cleddau Canyon where you
will catch your first glimpse of Mitre Peak before finally emerging
into the open at Milford Sound.
This afternoon, join your Milford Sound Scenic Cruise and cruise
the full length of Milford to the Tasman Sea. The luxury
vessel stops at various points and offers excellent viewing of
waterfalls, rainforest and wildlife. The cruise is
accompanied by comprehensive commentaries. Complimentary tea
and coffee are available onboard and a picnic lunch is included.
Following your cruise, rejoin your rental vehicle and return to
Queenstown
Please note, the drive between Queenstown and
Milford Sound is approximately 5 hours each way, making this a very
long day. If you prefer to upgrade to a day trip which
includes coach transfers or scenic flight options then please call
us for details and pricing.
Day Fourteen: Queenstown
A free day at New Zealand's premier resort and an almost
overwhelming selection of attractions to choose from.
There are over 70 different activities available: including the
Shotover Jet, bungy jumping, horse riding, golf, parapenting,
gondola and luge.
Day Fifteen: Depart Queenstown
Today, return your rental vehicle to Queenstown Airport and
connect with your onwards flight.
Your travel arrangements will conclude today.
The Offer includes:
- All accommodation, with meals as detailed
- Car hire with unlimited mileage and Third Party Insurance (full car terms and
conditions)
- Incorporated tours as detailed
The flight costs to and from New Zealand are not
included in this price, as each clients itinerary
will be different, the airline and routings used will be
different on each occasion. Plus the flight prices
differ between airlines, the time of year and any
stopover cities required. Also, there are often special offer
discounted fares which are offered throughout the year, so please
call us for the current airfares for your desired dates of travel
and routing, which should be added to the following prices to give
you your total cost.
If you want to arrange your own flights and just book the tour
with us thats OK
PRICE PER PERSON (based on 2 adults sharing a twin or
double room)
| Option One |
£3062 |
| Option Two |
£3549 |
| B&B Option |
£3254 |
Available options:
- Extensions to duration can be arranged on request
- Upgrades to other room catagories, or different properties can
be arranged on request
- Additional optional tours or attractions can be added on
request