DAY 1 – ARRIVE AUCKLAND
On arrival in Auckland, ‘The City of Sails’, seat in coach passengers will be met by our local representative and privately transferred to your hotel. Self drive clients will collect your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel.
DAY 2 – AUCKLAND – WAITOMO – ROTORUA
Travel south through the fertile Waikato region to arrive at Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour of the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves including an underground boat ride viewing the millions of glow worms on the cavern roof. On completion continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach the ‘Thermal City’ of Rotorua.
DAY 3 – ROTORUA
Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this, visit
Rainbow Springs to see New Zealand’s trout, birds and wildlife before continuing to the Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry. The afternoon is at leisure.This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert.
DAY 4 – ROTORUA – WELLINGTON
Travel south to reach the popular lake resort of Taupo and along the shores of Lake Taupo to Turangi, before continuing on the Desert Road, dominated in the background by the three peaks of Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro. Continue south through lush farmland before arriving in the ‘Capital City’ of Wellington.
DAY 5 – WELLINGTON
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Wellington and a short guided tour of Te Papa (the ‘Museum of New Zealand’) before enjoying a free afternoon to explore
New Zealand’s capital city.
DAY 6 – WELLINGTON – PICTON – KAIKOURA
Journey across Cook Strait and into the Marlborough Sounds before arriving in Picton. Travel south through the town of Blenheim, before reaching Kaikoura – here you might like to take an
optional whalewatch cruise or scenic flight (optional activities not included in the tour price).
DAY 7 – KAIKOURA – CHRISTCHURCH
Leave Kaikoura behind as you turn inland and travel through North Canterbury
to reach the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch.
DAY 8 – CHRISTCHURCH – MT COOK
Travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains before arriving at Lake Tekapo. Visit the ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’ before continuing onto Mt Cook National Park.
DAY 9 – MT COOK – QUEENSTOWN
Follow the shores of Lake Pukaki south to the small town of Twizel before continuing through the historic Central Otago region to Lake Wakatipu and the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown.
DAY 10 – QUEENSTOWN
A free day to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more. Optional activities not included in the tour price.
DAY 11 – QUEENSTOWN – MILFORD SOUND – TE ANAU
Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the breath taking man made Homer Tunnel to reach
Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak. Return to Te Anau.
DAY 12 – TE ANAU – DUNEDIN
Cross the fertile Southland Plains through Gore and Balclutha to South Otago. Then travel
north to the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin. The afternoon is free for optional activities.
DAY 13 – DUNEDIN – CHRISTCHURCH
Travel north through lush farmland and a series of small farming communities to Christchurch.
DAY 14 – DEPARTURE DAY
Your arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or the return of your rental car.