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Sperm Whale © Chris McLennan
Fiordland © Rob Suisted.
Wairarapa vineyards © Ian Trafford
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This well-paced itinerary offers a chance to explore the softer side of New Zealand as well as the rugged and dramatic landscapes for which the country is so well-known. On the North Island, discover the verdant bush and attractive beaches of the Coromandel, the geothermal heartland around Rotorua, the fabulous vineyards of Hawkes Bay and the wildlife and culture of Wairarapa and Wellington.
The South Island highlights include the glorious Sounds and wineries of Marlborough, the striking glaciers of the West Coast, the epic vistas of the Southern Lakes including options to visit Milford or Doubtful Sound and iconic Mount Cook.
Itinerary
| Day 1: Arrive Auckland You will be met and transferred by limousine to your city hotel.
| | Day 2: Auckland - Coromandel Head to the beautiful Coromandel an area of lush bush fringed with dozens of excellent beaches that is home to a thriving arts and crafts community. At the quaint township of Coromandel, ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony. Overnight at Tairua.
| | Day 3: Coromandel - Rotorua Travel along the Bay of Plenty coastline to the popular beachside towns of Tauranga and Mt Maunganui. Continue inland across the volcanic plateau to geothermal Rotorua for a two-night stay. On arrival, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural mineral springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort.
| | Day 4: Around Rotorua Take an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera. Experience spectacular scenery, try your hand at trout fishing and enjoy soaking in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa. | | Day 5: Roturua - Lake Taupo - Napier Visit Wai-O-tapu, a wonderland of geothermal activity. Stroll around the reserve at your pace enjoying the unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters and sinter terrace formations. Continue to Lake Taupo visiting the mighty Huka Falls and Wairakei Geothermal project en route. Journey to the Art Deco city of Napier for a two-night stay, where a local guide will bring the local architecture to life as you take an afternoon city walk.
| | Day 6: Napier Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific’, this region boasts some of New Zealand’s best and oldest wineries. Enjoy a free day to experience some of the many optional activities available. Perhaps take a guided wine trail and taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world’s largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early morning balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves and orchards or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings. | | Day 7: Napier - Wairarapa - Wellington Travel through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region to Pukaha Mount Bruce, New Zealand's National Wildlife Centre. In this beautiful setting of native forest you will see the finest collection of New Zealand native birds to be found anywhere, including the takahe, the rarest and most colourful of all New Zealand’s birds. The centre also houses tuatara, various lizards and native bats in its nocturnal house. Also watch out for the enormous eels and trout. Later, continue on to Wellington where you can enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation for the night. | | Day 8: Wellington - Picton - Marlborough Sounds Spend the morning at leisure to explore what Wellington has to offer. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended. In the afternoon, travel across the Cook Strait by InterIslander ferry to picturesque Picton. Join your water taxi for the short cruise across to Torea Bay and the then transfer over Torea saddle by resort vehicle to your hotel. | | Day 9: Marlborough Sounds Enjoy a free day to relax and marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Resort staff will share their love of the Sounds with you through the wide range of water and nature based experiences. For those who wish, make free use of the resorts kayaks and mountain bikes and also enjoy sampling some of the local wines in a tasting at the resort. | | Day 10: Marlborough Sounds - Kaikoura - Christchurch Travel through Blenheim to Kaikoura, the world-renowned whale-watching centre of New Zealand. Later, continue south to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch, regarded as the most English of New Zealand cities.
| | Day 11: Christchurch - Fox Glacier Board the TranzAlpine train for a world class rail over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges across the spectacular Southern Alps to the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass. Rejoin your coach and make your way along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's.
| | Day 12: Fox Glacier - Queenstown There is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over the glaciers before travelling along the incredible scenery of the West Coast, through World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. There is time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling onto Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort town regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination. | | Day 13 - 15: Around Queenstown Spend three full days enjoying all that Queenstown has to offer. From extreme adventure to leisurely activities – there is something for everyone. Take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, follow a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or explore sheer canyons by 4x4. It is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park, and optional day tours, flights and overnight cruises to the awesome Milford & Doubtful Sounds are available. | | Day 16: Queenstown - Mt Cook Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. Later, travel up the western side of Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery. Optional ski-plane and helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions. | | Day 17: Mt Cook Christchurch Explore the Tasman Glacier aboard a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face New Zealand’s largest brochure. Drive to beautiful Lake Tekapo and visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd before crossing the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. | | Day 18: Depart Christchurch Transfer to airport or continue your onward journey. | | |
for more information about Discover New Zealand - 2009/10
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Explore all the ‘must-see’ areas of New Zealand as well as some of the special lesser-known regions on this classic small-group holiday from GNZTC. Journey through some spectacular scenery from Auckland to Queenstown finishing in Christchurch on a trip that includes exclusive and exciting excursions yet still offers plenty of time at leisure.
Price From
£2599
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Holiday valid to
01 January 1900
Price Includes 17 nights superior hotel accommodation. Optional lodge upgrades available in selected regions. 2 night stopovers in Rotorua, Napier & the Marlborough Sound, 4 night stay in majestic Queenstown. Accompanied throughout by a professional and experienced Tour Host. Full breakfasts (daily), 1 lunch & 2 dinners. Various excursions as per the itinerary. Complimentary limousine NZ airport transfers
Price Excludes Flights. We quote flight prices based on individual requirements to allow for the extensive choice of routes and fares available. Our team will be happy to provide a tailor made quotation. Please contact us for further details.
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