Itinerary
Day 1. Arrive Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring
Be met on arrival in Auckland and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon choose from an extensive range of Freedom of Choice Touring activities. Perhaps relax with a Bliss Reflexology treatment at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, join a cruise on scenic Waitemata Harbour visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World, take a city sightseeing tour, explore Auckland Museum or climb Auckland harbour bridge for incredible views.
Stay: Auckland, Skycity Hotel
Day 2. Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua
Travel to the Waitomo Caves and take a tour of the underground limestone caverns that are lit by thousands of tiny glow-worms, creating an iridescent glow. Continue to Rotorua, a geothermal wonderland and an important centre for Maori culture. Tonight enjoy a Hangi feast and traditional Maori cultural performance of song and dance.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Heritage Hotel
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Day 3. Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring
Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest and best-known thermal resort. Today you have the opportunity to choose your activity from our range of Freedom of Choice Touring options. Your options include soaking in a thermal mineral pool at the Polynesian Spa, encountering native flora and fauna at Rainbow Springs and visiting the Rotorua Museum.
Country Homestay option available tonight
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Day 4. Rotorua, Wellington
Journey to the heart of the North Island. View Wairakei Steam Valley and its geothermal power plant. See Huka Falls at the mouth of the Waikato River then cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. Continue to Wellington and take in the stunning panorama of the city and its surrounds.
Stay: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
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Day 5. Wellington, Blenheim
This morning, take a city sightseeing tour of Wellington before visiting Te Papa – the Museum of New Zealand. The museum contains a wide variety of exhibits that illustrate the rich history of New Zealand. Later, board the Interislander ferry and cruise through Cook Strait and the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Rejoin your coach and travel to Blenheim, known as a centre of New Zealand’s wine industry.
Stay: Blenheim, Heartland Hotel Marlborough
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Day 6. Blenheim, Kaikoura, Christchurch
Travel through Marlborough to the seaside settlement of Kaikoura. The waters off Kaikoura contain a complex ecosystem that is home to a wide range of marine life. Journey between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Ranges to Christchurch, where you enjoy a city tour before the afternoon is at your leisure. Christchurch was founded in 1850 as a model Church of England settlement. Perhaps take a tour of the city’s famous gardens including the centrally located 161 hectare Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, the four leafy inner-city avenues and other delightful sites such as Mona Vale on the banks of the Avon River (own expense).
Stay: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel
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Day 7. TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef
Board the award-winning TranzAlpine train and cross the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, formed from the alluvial shingle fans of several large rivers, before climbing into the Main Divide. Cross the Southern Alps, then disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue to Hokitika, the gateway to World Heritage-listed Westland National Park. See Pounamu (jade) being carved into jewelry. Continue along the coast and view Franz Josef Glacier. Together with Fox Glacier, it is unique in the fact that it descends from the Southern Alps to just 650 feet above sea level amid the greenery and lushness of a temperate rain forest. Perhaps join a scenic flight (own expense, weather permitting).
Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
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Day 8. Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy the scenery today as you travel past mountains and glaciers, lakes and rivers. At Haast join a river safari, taking in views of the glacier-formed Haast River Valley. Follow the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown, an alpine resort that has gained a reputation as a wine and food centre. Tonight select from four dining experiences, including a cruise on Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a delicious carvery dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead.
Three Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Lakeside Hotel
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Day 9. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today, your touring options include a guided tour of gardens or wineries, a jetboat ride, a double-decker bus tour, a lakeshore and forest walk, an exploration of Skippers Canyon and more.
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Day 10. Milford Sound, Queenstown
Leave your escorted tour for independent touring to Milford Sound. Following the Remarkables mountain range to Fiordland National Park. On arrival, cruise the full length of Milford Sound. View waterfalls, cliffs, dense rain forest, mountains and famous Mitre Peak. Seals, penguins and dolphins frequent these waters. This afternoon return to Queenstown.
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Day 11. Queenstown, Christchurch
Travel to Otago and visit Mt Cook Village. Join an optional scenic helicopter or ski plane flight with a snow landing (own expense, weather permitting). Stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo before continuing on to Christchurch.
Stay: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel
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Day 12. Depart Christchurch
Today, your tour ends with an airport transfer included.
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