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 - Napier
Travel through vast planted pine forests until steam clouds
rising in the distance will indicate your arrival at Wairakei where
deep subterranean bores have been harnessed to provide
electricity. A short distance further is the town of Taupo,
situated at the northern end of New Zealand's largest lake.
From Taupo head in a southeasterly direction and after passing
through part of the vast Kaingaroa Forest into the Kaimanawa Range,
the road descends to the fertile Hawkes Bay Province and the city
of Napier.
The warm climate of Hawkes Bay makes it a travel destination
suitable for all seasons. The region boasts a lively arts scene,
rich cultural heritage, fine wine and lifestyle, and the world's
most concentrated cluster of Art Deco architecture.
This afternoon, join your wine experience tour and learn the
history of New Zealand's oldest winery. Walk the grounds, admire
the views, study the Historic photographs, including
pre-earthquake. Then take time to sample fantastic wines at four
various wineries.
You will then be driven back to Napier through the famous "Oak
Avenue" on the outskirts of Hastings.
Day Nine: Napier -
Wellington
Leave Napier and travel through some of the best grape growing
regions in New Zealand. Reach Hastings and Masterton and then
continue over the rugged Rimutaka Ranges to Upper Hutt and then
Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.
Day Ten: Wellington
Today, we have included a hop-on, hop-off bus service which
links a range of Wellington city's top attractions on an hour-long
round trip. Affectionately known as HOHO (Hop-On, Hop-Off), the bus
stops at 12 locations throughout Wellington, including Te Papa, the
Cable Car, Wellington Zoo, Carter Observatory, ZEALANDIA, and
Parliament. Passengers can either take the one-hour round trip or
hop on and off at their choice of stops. The pass is valid
for 48hrs.
Day Eleven: Wellington - Picton -
Nelson
Today, return your rental vehicle to Wellington ferry terminal
and connect with the Interislander Ferry to Picton. Enter the
unchanged wilderness of the Marlborough Sounds, a popular resort
for holidaymakers during the summer months, and haven for
boatowners. Cruise through spectacular scenery into the
small, picturesque settlement of Picton.
At Picton, collect your South Island rental vehicle and travel
to Nelson. Your route passes through Blenheim, a
country town that supports the many vineyards in the region.
Continue onto to Pelorus Bridge, a popular recreation stop for
walkers and swimmers and then cross over the Rai Saddle to
Nelson. 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 Twelve: 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 Thirteen: Nelson -
Kaikoura
Today retrace your journey through to Blenheim and travel south
down the east coast as spectacular coastal scenery
unfolds before you with the majestic Kaikoura mountain range, snow
capped for much of the year, reaching down to the ocean. Arrive in
the seaside town of Kaikoura - loosely translated from Maori this
means 'to eat crayfish'. True to its name, Kaikoura boasts a
diverse and abundant population of marine life.
Day Fourteen: Kaikoura -
Christchurch
The day is at leisure.
Optional Sightseeing: Whalewatch Cruise
(contact us for pricing details). Every Whale Watch
tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm
Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A
typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods
of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending
on the season you may also see migrating Humpback Whales, Pilot
Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura often
hosts the world's largest dolphin - the Orca - and is home to the
world's smallest and rarest - the Hector's Dolphins. Kaikoura also
attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on
mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14
varieties of Petrels and 7 types of Shearwater.
Depart Kaikorua and climb over the Hundalee Hills and before
descending into the Waipara Valley, one of New Zealand's finest and
most rapidly expanding wine areas. Continue over the rolling
patch worked countryside of North Canterbury, noted for its sheep
and cattle farming, through a series of small satellite towns, over
the Waimakariri River and arrive into Christchurch on the northern
motorway.
Day Fifteen: Christchurch - Greymouth -
Franz Josef
Your rental vehicle will be collected from your
accommodation.
This morning transfer to the train station and connect with the
Tranz Alpine train, which journeys' between Christchurch and
Greymouth. From your carriage you'll see the fields of
the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular
gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then
climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech
rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth. The trip is
223.8 kilometres long and takes just four and a half hours. There
are 16 tunnels, and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase
standing at 73 metres.
Once at Greymouth, collect your Intermediate automatic rental
vehicle.
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 Sixteen: 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 Seventeen: 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 Eighteen & Nineteen:
Queenstown
2 free days at New Zealand's premier resort town 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 Twenty: Queenstown - Milford - Te
Anau
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 Te
Anau.
Day Twenty-One: Te Anau -
Dunedin
Leave Te Anau and drive through farmland and tussock country
before arriving at Lumsden. Travel south through the Waimea
Plains to Gore a town that serves the rich agricultural area of
Southland. Continue on through farmlands to Balclutha where
you will cross the Clutha River, famous for its alluvial
gold. From here, travel north through Milton, across the
Taieri River and on to the city of Dunedin.
Day Twenty-Two: Dunedin
This afternoon, join your afternoon Peninsula tour, which
combines tourism and conservation in a symbiotic relationship and
provides unrivalled viewing of estuarine and marine wildlife. The
knowledgeable guides will inform you of activity being viewed and
visit places where the best possible viewing of Hooker's Sea lions,
Yellow-eyed Penguins, Blue Penguins, a breeding colony of New
Zealand Fur Seals and Royal Albatross can be had. A further 25-30
other estuarine and marine bird species are seen during the
experience. Close up unobtrusive viewing from beach locations and
strategically placed observation hides is guaranteed.
Day Twenty Three: Dunedin
-Christchurch
From Dunedin travel through Palmerston, former gateway to the
goldfields, and on to Oamaru. Many of the handsome buildings
found in this city are constructed from Oamaru stone which has led
to its nickname 'The White Stone City'. En route to Timaru, a
very popular seaside town, pass the 45th Parallel - halfway between
The Equator and the South Pole.
Pass through Temuka, Ashburton and over the mighty Rakaia River,
famous for its salmon fishing. Continue across the farmland of the
Canterbury Plains and through the military township of Burnham to
Christchurch, known as 'The Garden City.'
Day Twenty Four: Depart
Christchurch
Today, return your rental vehicle to Christchurch 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 |
£4630 |
| Option Two |
£5654 |
| B&B Option |
£5439 |
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