17 Nights / 18 Days – Auckland – Bay of Islands – Waitomo – Matamata (Hobbiton) – Rotorua – Christchurch – Lake Tekapo – Oamaru – Dunedin – Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown – Franz Josef Glacier – Greymouth – Kaikōura – Christchurch
Itinerary
DAY 1: Arrive AUCKLAND
Sky Tower Admission
Report to Cnr Victoria & Federal Streets
Standing prominently in Auckland City, the iconic Sky Tower provides a great introduction to the city with panoramic 360 degree views up to 80km in every direction. Take an elevator ride 328 metres high above street level and enjoy views over the city and across to ancient volcanoes, sparkling harbours and beyond.
DAY 2: AUCKLAND BAY OF ISLANDS AUCKLAND
Bay of Islands Tour
Depart Auckland for the Bay of Islands, an aquatic playground with golden beaches, tranquil harbours and 144 islands. On arrival in Paihia, board the catamaran Dolphin Seeker for a four hour cruise around the islands searching for dolphins and other marine life. Stopover on Urupukapuka Island where you can just relax on the beach or walk to the top of the island to enjoy 360 degree views of this beautiful region. Visit the famous Hole in the Rock as the boat sails right to the end of the Cape Brett Peninsula. Return to land and return to Auckland, visiting the beautiful Whangarei Waterfalls on the way. Includes snacks, water and complimentary pick up/drop off from central Auckland accommodation. Duration: 12 hours.
DAY 3: AUCKLAND WAITOMO MATAMATA ROTORUA
Auckland to Rotorua incl Waitomo, Hobbiton & Picnic Lunch
Board your coach tour for a journey through the lush green countryside to the Waitomo Glowworm Caves for a 45 minute guided tour. Walk past the impressive cave formations before taking a boat ride through the glow worm grotto with thousands of tiny glowworms sparkling above. Your tour then continues to the Hobbiton Movie Set, hidden on private farmland near the town of Matamata. Here, the village of Hobbiton was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies. During the two hour walk around the enchanting village your guide will highlight intricate detailing, point out the most famous locations and explain how the movie magic was made. Your tour continues on to Rotorua, a unique destination like no other with geysers of hissing, steaming water and pools of bubbling mud. Includes picnic lunch plus complimentary pick up off from select Auckland hotels and drop off at select Rotorua hotels. Duration: 8 hours.
DAY 4: ROTORUA
Eco Thermal Park Morning Tour
Visit Rotorua’s most popular geothermal parks on a small group tour. At Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, the amazingly colourful hot springs and moon-like landscapes are key features along with the famous Lady Knox geyser eruption. At Waimangu Volcanic Valley, you’ll learn about the Mt Tarawera eruption which blew open this spectacular, bush covered, geothermal park. Your local guide has in depth knowledge about the flora, fauna, geothermal and volcanic activity, Maori culture and history to make your tour an unforgettable experience. Includes complimentary transport from central Rotorua accommodation. Duration: 4.5 hours.
DAY 5: ROTORUA
Agrodome Farm Experience Combo
Situated just a 10 minutes from central Rotorua in the heart of a working farm, hear amazing facts and have a few laughs as you’re introduced to 19 breeds of sheep. Witness a live sheep shearing demonstration and the remarkable farm dogs as they keep the sheep in line. Climb aboard an all terrain vehicle for a one hour guided tour of the farm. Hand-feed and take photos with all sorts of friendly animals, including sheep, cattle, deer, llamas, ostrich, pigs and alpaca. Visit ithe Farmyard Nursery to pet and have your photo taken with cute lambs and other baby farm animals. Then head across to the herding area to watch a free live dog trial. Allow: 2.5 hours.
Polynesian Spa (Walking distance)
Lake View Private Pool 45 mins
Report to Hinemoa Street, Lakefront
Nestled on the shores of Lake Rotorua lies Polynesian Spa, a geothermal bathing retreat. The pool complex includes four Private Deluxe Rachel Spring alkaline mineral hot pools (38.5˚C) with panoramic views over Lake Rotorua. A Lake View Private Pool may be hired for a 45 minute slot ( minimum two persons required). Each pool has a heated personal changing room and a shower.
DAY 6: ROTORUA CHRISTCHURCH
Transfer Rotorua Hotel to Airport
ARRIVAL CHRISTCHURCH
Transfer International Airport to Hotel.
CHRISTCHURCH ARRIVAL
On arrival in Christchurch, ‘The Garden City’, you will be met by our local representative and privately transferred to your hotel.
DAY 7: CHRISTCHURCH TO LAKE TEKAPO
CHRISTCHURCH LAKE TEKAPO
Approx travel time 3½ hours
Departing Christchurch, a lush patchwork of flat, green farmlands surrounds you as you traverse some of the most impressive, braided rivers in the world. Enroute, the charming village of Geraldine provides for a convenient halfway refreshment stop. Continue through the vast and impressive landscape to picturesque Lake Tekapo where the Church of The Good Shepherd, sitting solitary at the edge of the vivid blue lake, offers a popular photo opportunity.
Tekapo Star Gazing – Soak in the Stars
Report to 300 Lakeside Drive
The ultimate in stellar relaxation combines a viewing of the Dark Sky Reserve through high-powered telescopes with a soak in the soul-warming hot pools. Located just four minutes from Tekapo township, your expert guide shares fascinating insights, constellations, and celestial stories: blending astronomy, local legends, and Maori mythology. Allow 90 minutes.
DAY 8: LAKE TEKAPO TO OAMARU
LAKE TEKAPO OAMARU
Approx travel time 2½ hours
Hug the shores of beautiful Lake Pukaki and traverse the brilliant blue Ohau canal. The fascinating towering pinnacles of the Clay Cliffs are situated just before your turn off at Omarama where you’ll travel through natural geological marvels as you head towards the coast. Enjoy the captivating limestone heritage architecture of Oamaru. A gorgeous harbour town, Oamaru is also home to a colony of little blue penguins.
OAMARU TO DUNEDIN
OAMARU DUNEDIN
Approx travel time 1½ hours
The journey south is flavoured with New Zealand history. At Moeraki, fascinating spherical boulders that lie scattered along the beach make for an interesting stop. Continue to Dunedin where the city’s museums and architecture display the region’s history as New Zealand’s first big city, built on wool and gold. Today Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula are renowned for a remarkable range of wildlife.
DAY 9: DUNEDIN
Blue Penguins Pukekura Experience
Report to 1245 Harington Point Rd, Otago Peninsula 15mins prior
Be fascinated by Korora, the Little Blue Penguin, situated on the Otago Peninsula, a 45 minute scenic drive from Dunedin. Walk through the penguin reserve with local expert wildlife guides who share the rich cultural history of the area and information on the area’s flora and fauna. At dusk, enjoy close up views of penguins returning from a day at sea to their nature reserve. Watch the penguins as they scurry up the beach to their burrows, often stopping just metres away, allowing for awesome viewing and photography of these birds in their natural habitat. Penguin viewing is guaranteed. Duration: 1.5 hours
DAY 10: DUNEDIN TO TE ANAU
DUNEDIN TE ANAU
Approx travel time 4¾ hours
To make the most of your journey to Te Anau, we recommend turning south at Balclutha to experience some of the beautiful Catlins Region. Enjoy panoramic views from Nugget Point, watch for wildlife sprawled on the rocks below and view the beautiful Purakanui Falls, just a short walk from the highway. Continue to Te Anau where the township lies nestled on the shores of the lake. The closest town to Milford Sound, it is an ideal base from which to explore Fiordland.
DAY 11: TE ANAU MILFORD SOUND QUEENSTOWN
TE ANAU TO MILFORD
TE ANAU MILFORD SOUND
Approx travel time 3 hours
The drive from Te Anau to Milford Sound covers it all, from lush beech forest and vast valleys to mirror-lakes, towering mountains and impressive feats of roading engineering. While the final reward is the breathtaking vista of Milford Sound, the Milford Road delivers a journey which is every bit as impressive as the destination.
Milford Sound
Milford Sound Cruise – Sovereign
Report to Milford Sound Visitor Terminal
Experience spectacular Milford Sound where sheer granite cliffs tower into the sky and plunge into the depths of clear water while Mitre Peak stands like a massive sentinel, guarding this amazing fiord. Depart Milford on a full length cruise with views of waterfalls, rainforest and wildlife easily enjoyed from large windows, spacious decks and comfortable lounges. Experience the spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces and watch out for dolphins, seals and penguins. Informative, participative, and relaxed, this is a perfect way to experience Milford Sound. Duration: 2 hours.
MILFORD SOUND TO QUEENSTOWN
Approx travel time 4½ hours
The return journey along the stunning Milford Road scenic highway provides the possibility of stopping for further sightseeing or photo opportunities that may have been missed on the way into Milford. At Te Anau, you’ll turn inland to Mossburn then northwards to the little lakeside settlement of Kingston. Hug the shores of beautiful Lake Wakatipu as it meanders beneath the surrounding towering mountains as you take yet another scenic journey into Queenstown.
DAY 12: QUEENSTOWN
Walter Peak Farm Tour on TSS Earnslaw
Report to TSS Earnslaw Steamer Wharf dock 20mins prior
Depart Queenstown Wharf on a picturesque cruise across the lake to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a farm demonstration with the farmers and their skilled sheepdogs in action. Take a guided walking tour of the farmyard to view and feed sheep, deer, cattle and alpacas with time to relax in the lakeside gardens before the return cruise. Includes morning or afternoon tea. Duration: 3.5 hours.
DAY 13: QUEENSTOWN
Departing central, Queenstown your guided tour visits the charming, historic village of Arrowtown, famous for its old gold, liquid gold and gold-star movie settings. Travel on to the gorgeous lakefront township of Wanaka and “The Wanaka Tree”, a photo favourite. Journey over the spectacular Crown Range for some epic views across the region and a stop for a beverage at the popular Cardrona Hotel. Includes afternoon beverage. Allow 6.5 hours.
DAY 14: QUEENSTOWN GLACIER REGION
Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
Enjoy waterfalls and river scenery on the journey up the West Coast, a wild and untamed place famous for its rivers, rainforests, glaciers and geological treasures. The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are relics of the last ice age and are among the most convenient in the world to visit.
DAY 15: GLACIER REGION
Neve Discoverer Heli Flight 20-25mins HLF5
Report to Main Road, State Highway 6 30mins prior tour time
Departing from Franz Josef Village, take off on a scenic helicopter flight and enjoy informative commentary from your pilot. Gaze over staggering ice formations and rugged South Island terrain. Touch down on the snowy glacial plains and inhale the crisp mountain air before heading back to base. Duration: 20 minutes.
DAY 16: GLACIER REGION GREYMOUTH CHRISTCHURCH
Franz Josef Glacier to Greymouth
Travel through scenic rainforests and past flowing rivers. The scenery is rural, but with a wild streak. The farmland is trying to turn back into forest, and the beauty of the rivers is raw and primeval. Greymouth is the West Coast’s largest town and has a history of jade hunting and gold mining.
Greymouth
TranzAlpine Greymouth to Christchurch
Report to the Greymouth Railway Station
Train journey time is approximately 4 hours 45 minutes
Described as one of the great train journeys in the world, the TranzAlpine travels from coast to coast across the mountainous spine of the South Island past aqua blue rivers and through vast patchwork plains.
Christchurch
Transfer Railway Station to Hotel
DAY 17: CHRISTCHURCH KAIKOURA CHRISTCHURCH
Kaikoura Whale Watch Day Tour including Lunch
Enjoy the rural pastoral scenes on the journey to picturesque Kaikoura, where mountains meet sea. Kaikoura is world renowned for the variety of marine mammals which can be seen, not least of all the Giant Sperm Whales and the acrobatic Dusky Dolphins. Join a three-hour Whale Watch cruise for an exciting up-close encounter with these marvellous animals in their natural environment. Following lunch, visit a fur seal colony on the rocky shores. On your return to Christchurch a stop will be made at a vineyard for wine tasting (time permitting).
Duration: Approx. 10 hours. Includes lunch and complimentary pick up/drop off from central Christchurch accommodation.
DAY 15: Depart Christchurch
Transfer Hotel to Airport.
The above tour description, inclusions, exclusions are daywise itinerary are indicative and may change at the time of quoting and booking