New Zealand Discovery Tour

Tour departs: 08 March 2012    •   Tour length: 19 Days

Overview:
We have received a lot of inquiries over the years into running a New Zealand based tour, and we are sure this one will entertain and delight as we see some of the best countryside New Zealand has to offer.
This comprehensive tour covers both the Islands of New Zealand. In the North as well as the cities of Auckland and Wellington, we travel to the very scenic Bay of Islands, Rotorua the cultural home of The Maori, as well as lesser visited places such as the Art Deco City of Napier and the food and wine region of the Wairarapa. Departing from Wellington, we take the ferry to the South Island, to see the wine producing Marlborough district, then we see all the scenic attractions including the natural beauty of the Southern Alps, a cruise the mighty Milford Sound, the alpine playground of Queenstown and the wonders of the Franz Josef Glacier.  The tour also includes a trip on the Tranz Alpine train, one of the great train journeys of the world. The friendliness of the locals will ensure you feel at ease and the variety of food and wine will ensure your culinary tastes are satisfied.

This is a leisurely tour with a number of two night stops, includes most breakfasts and dinners and incorporates all the major highlights you should see in N.Z. We know you will love your time on this tour.

Highlights:
Auckland – Bay of Islands – Rotorua – Napier - Wairarapa – Wellington – Marlborough - Christchurch – Twizel – Dunedin – Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown – Franz Josef Glacier – Tranz Alpine Train Journey

Tour Costs:
           Per person share twin room                           Ex N.Z. NZD$5,100      Ex AUST         AUD$4,675
            Supplement for single room (if required)                    NZD$1,600                           AUD$1,350 

Costs Include:
 • Economy class air travel from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne to/from N.Z. for travellers from Australia. 
 • N.Z. domestic airfares can be arranged on request at additional cost. 
 • Prepaid airport/government security charges/taxes and fuel surcharges (as at 01/10/11)
 • Superior tourist accommodation throughout
 • First class air conditioned coach transportation
 • Meals as indicated in the itinerary B=full breakfasts, L=lunches, D=dinners
 • Sightseeing and entrance fees as indicated in the itinerary
 • Services of a tour director and local guides for touring and sightseeing 
 • Baggage handling of one suitcase per person

Costs Exclude:
 • Any meals and sightseeing tours not specifically mentioned in the itinerary
 • Travel insurance 
 • Items of a personal nature such as room service, laundry, drinks, telephone charges etc.
 • Visa fees

 
DAY TO DAY ITINERARY  

Thursday 8 March
Homeport - Auckland (D)
Arrive in Auckland where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.

Friday 9 March
Auckland - Bay of Islands (B,D)
Depart Auckland and travel to the Parry Kauri Park to see magnificent examples of Kauri Trees. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, then travel via Whangarei to Paihia, which is situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British in 1840.

Saturday 10 March
Bay of Islands (B,D)
Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach, a day trip to Kerikeri or a spectacular scenic flight. The choice is yours and your Coach Captain will be available to assist.

Sunday 11 March
Bay of Islands - Auckland (B,D)
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning to Paihia. Travel south via Whangarei to Auckland.

Monday 12 March
Auckland - Rotorua (B,L,D)
This morning enjoy a city sightseeing tour including a visit to the spectacular Sky Tower. Continue through the magnificent countryside to Longlands Dairy Farm. Enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch hosted by a rural New Zealand family. Next, continue to Rotorua and visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout.

Tuesday 13 March
Rotorua (B,D)
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Cableway Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and a sheep dog trial. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.

Wednesday 14 March
Rotorua - Napier - Masterton (B,D)
Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier “The Art Deco Capital Of The  World”, for a tour of this city which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1931. Enjoy some free time to explore the fascinating architecture before travelling through the Wairarapa, an emerging cool-climate wine region.

Thursday 15 March
Masterton - Greytown - Wellington (B,D)
Travel to Greytown to see the most complete example of original Victorian wooden architecture. Drive through Featherston before you travel through the Rimutaka Mountain Range into Wellington. Enjoy a city tour of the nation’s capital  which highlights the history and culture on show here.

Friday 16 March
Wellington - Picton - Blenheim (B,D)
Enjoy free time this morning to explore Wellington. Options include a visit to Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum or a guided tour through Zealandia, a bird sanctuary, in search of the elusive national bird of N.Z. the Kiwi. This afternoon board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait and travel through the scenic Marlborough Sounds to Picton where you board your coach for the short journey to Blenheim.

Saturday 17 March
Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch (B,D)
Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine then travel to the quaint fishing village of Kaikoura. Continue down the coast to the garden city of Christchurch.

Sunday 18 March
Christchurch - Twizel (B,D)
Travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Twizel.

Monday 19 March
Twizel - Dunedin (B, D)
Depart Twizel and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin, a well preserved Victorian city. Enjoy an informative city tour including a visit to Olveston House, a prestigious historic home. Tonight enjoy a Scottish evening including bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony .

Tuesday 20 March
Dunedin - Te Anau (B,D)
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history  of the Larnach family on the guided tour. Visit Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens and view the superb collection of flowers, followed by a delightful morning tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, your overnight stay.

Wednesday 21 March
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B,L,D)
Depart Te Anau for a wonderful scenic drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).

Thursday 22 March
Te Anau - Queenstown (B, D)
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax, as you are treated to the best of New Zealand’s high country cuisine in the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Friday 23 March
Queenstown (B)
Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Coach Captain is available to assist. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour of picturesque Skippers Canyon or the helicopter ride of a lifetime. Tonight is also free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Saturday 24 March
Queenstown - Fox Glacier - Franz Josef (B,D)
Depart Queenstown and travel via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers before continuing to Franz Josef.

Monday 25 March
Franz Josef - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch (B,D)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board The TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel through lush beech forest, skirt lakes and follow rivers till you climb through the Otira Tunnel to Arthur’s Pass in the centre of the Southern Alps. Descend through spectacular gorges, river valleys and over massive viaducts before completing your journey at Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your new found friends.

Tuesday 26 March
Christchurch - Homeport (B)
Time to say goodbye. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.