Highlights of New Zealand

Day 03 – Omarama / Dunedin

Travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin. Enjoy the many optional activities available, your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. Why not take a tour of the famous Speight’s Brewery and learn the processes and what goes into a world class beer, or play a round of golf at St Clair. The course offers spectacular views of the city, its beaches and harbour and the rugged southern coastline. (B,D)

Overnight accommodation: 1 Night – 3 and a half star - Kingsgate – Dunedin

Day 04 – Dunedin / Te Anau

This morning travel the peninsula before visiting the famous Larnach Castle for a guided tour. Explore the history behind New
Zealand’s only castle. Afterwards, you depart Dunedin, crossing farmlands enroute to Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri (time and weather permitting) before arriving at Lake Te Anau. (B,D)

Overnight accommodation: 1 Night – 3 and a half star - Kingsgate – Te Anau

Day 05 – Te Anau / Milford Sound / Queenstown

Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel before descending into Milford Sound. Setting sail, enjoy a cruise on the pristine sound as it takes you to the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Returning to your coach, you set off for Queenstown, travelling along the outskirts of Lake Wakatipu before arriving. (B,D)

Overnight accommodation: 2 Nights – 3 and a half star - Tanoa Aspen Hotel

Day 06 – Queenstown

Today is a chance to relax and enjoy the many optional activities available. Your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. Why not try taking a cruise on the Lady of the Lake, TSS Earnslaw, as she travels to Walter Peak Farm station with options for lunch or dinner or explore the local wineries in the region with an Appellations Wine Tour. Tonight, dinner is at
your leisure. We suggest the Skyline Restaurant, situated at the top of Bob’s Peak, which is a perfect way to finish the day. Alternatively, explore the many restaurants Queenstown has to offer. (B)

Overnight accommodation: Tanoa Aspen Hotel

Day 07 – Queenstown / Wanaka

Head back in time as you travel through areas steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the gold mining era. First stop Arrowtown, then travel past picturesque Lake Hayes and pay old Cromwell a visit before arriving at Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. This afternoon is at your leisure and we recommend if the weather is good you take a cruise on the lake or a walk around. Your coach captain will be there to assist with optional activities. (B,D)

Overnight accommodation: 1 Night – 3 and a half star - Wanaka Hotel

Day 08 – Wanaka / Hokitika

Today takes you to 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 an opportunity to take an optional helicopter flight over the glacier. Continuing north, you visit a Greenstone (Jade) gallery where you can see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery. (B,D)

Overnight accommodation: 1 Night – 3 and a half star - Beachfront Hotel

Day 09 – Hokitika / St Arnaud

The journey today travels along the scenic West Coast with a stop at pancake rocks and blowholes, before heading inland through the Buller Gorge. On arrival into St Arnaud you will be treated to an exclusive guided tour of the region where you will learn of the history that makes this a special spot to spend the night. (B,D)

Overnight accommodation: 1 Night – 3 and a half star - Alpine Lodge

Day 10 – St Arnaud / Picton / Wellington

Drive to Picton to board the Interislander Ferry. Sail through Queen Charlotte Sound, cross Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour. A city tour will incorporate the summit of Mt Victoria, the Houses of Parliament and Beehive, Wellington Cathedral, the city centre and Oriental Bay and then there is time to explore for yourself. (B,D)

Overnight accommodation: 1 Night – 3 and a half star - Hotel Ibis – Wellington

Day 11 – Wellington / Taupo / Rotorua

Drive to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and on a clear day, the South Island. Continue through the towns of Levin and Foxton to Bulls, then cross rolling farmland to the central North Island National Park, dominated by the volcanic Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. Stop at Huka Falls skirting massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, the centre of Maori culture in New Zealand. Tonight’s dinner is at your leisure, explore the many restaurants and bars Rotorua has to offer. (B)

Overnight accommodation: 2 Nights – 4 star - Kingsgate – Rotorua

Day 12 – Rotorua

Begin with a visit to the Agrodome to see New Zealand’s various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration followed by a visit to Te Puia thermal village. This afternoon you have free time for optional activities. This evening enjoy a Maori hangi (meal), followed by a concert featuring Maori songs and the stirring haka (entire group). (B,H)

Overnight accommodation: Kingsgate – 4 star -  Rotorua

Day 13 – Rotorua / Waitomo / Hamilton

Pass through the Waikato region en-route to Waitomo where a guide will escort you underground to the limestone caverns and glow
worm grotto. This afternoon explore Hamilton at your leisure, why not take a stroll through Hamilton Gardens or try your luck at the local casino. Your coach captain will assist you with organising optional activities this afternoon. (B,D)

Overnight accommodation: 1 Night – 3 and a half star -  Hotel Ibis – Hamilton Tainui

Day 14 – Hamilton / Bay of Islands

Departing Hamilton, you travel alongside the Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach Auckland. Travel north to the Matakohe Kauri Museum. Continue to Paihia, where we meet our local Maori guide who will provide a comprehensive insight and history of the Bay of Islands before a visit to New Zealand’s birthplace, Waitangi. Enjoy a self guided tour through the famous Treaty House and grounds, where the Treaty of New Zealand was signed, the Maori Meeting House and giant war canoe, all set in spectacular grounds overlooking the bay. (B,D)

Overnight accommodation: 2 Nights – 4 star - Tanoa Hotel – Paihia

Day 15 – Bay of Islands

A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many optional activities available, your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. Why not try a full day tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s northern most point and Ninety Mile Beach or choose to explore historic Russell, New Zealand’s first settlement and visit its original Church, Mission House and Museum. Tonight’s
dinner is at your leisure, explore the many restaurants and bars Paihia has to offer. (B)

Overnight accommodation: 4 star - Tanoa Hotel – Paihia

Day 16 – Bay of Islands / Auckland

A launch cruise will take you across the Bay to Cape Brett and the famous “Hole in the Rock”. Returning to Paihia, board your Coach for the journey south through Whangarei and Warkworth to Auckland. Embark on a brief city tour before you arrive at your accommodation, followed by an afternoon at your leisure. We recommend you visit the summit of Skytower, at 328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, for superb city and harbour views, the downtown area and Waterfront Drive. While you’re there why not dine in the 360 degree revolving restaurant, or for more thrills and excitement, SkyWalk round the pergola at 192 metres up or SkyJump off the Tower! (B,D)

Overnight accommodation: 1 Night – 3 and a half star -  Mercure Windsor Hotel – Auckland

Day 17 – Auckland / Home

It is time to say farewell to your traveling companions. You will be transferred to Auckland International Airport to join your
flight home. (B)