DAY 1 - ARRIVE AUCKLAND
On arrival, seat in coach guests will be met and privately transferred to hotel. Self drive guests will collect a rental car and drive to the 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. On completion continue over the forested Mamaku Ranges to reach Rotorua. (B)
DAY 3 - ROTORUA
Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this, visit Agrodome for a farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations and cow milking. Visit Rainbow Springs to see New Zealand’s trout, birds and wildlife. The afternoon is at leisure.This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert. (B,D)
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. (B)
DAY 5 - WELLINGTON
Enjoy a morning sightseeing tour of Wellington (seat in coach guests only). Visit Te Papa Museum for a short guided tour (both seat in coach and self drive guests) before enjoying a free afternoon. (B)
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). (B)
DAY 7 - KAIKOURA - CHRISTCHURCH
Leave Kaikoura behind as you turn inland and travel to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch. (B)
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. (B)
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. (B)
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. (B)
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 Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak. Return to Te Anau. (B,L)
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. (B)
DAY 13 - DUNEDIN - CHIRSTCHURCH
Travel north through lush farmland and a series of small farming communities to Christchurch. (B)
DAY 14 - DEPARTURE DAY
Your arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or the return of your rental car. (B)