Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: Auckland. Experience the best sights of Auckland - the City of Sails in the morning followed by a fantastic beach & wilderness experience in the afternoon. Enjoy dinner (own expense) at one of our favorite Auckland restaurants - a real hidden secret! Overnight at out partner accommodation 4.5 star boutique hotel right in the city centre.
Day 2: Auckland—Paihia (Bay of Islands). Collect your rental car from the city centre and drive north to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Participate in a Dolphin cruise & swim to the Hole in the Rock & Cape Brett. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Paihia.
Day 3: Paihia—Russell—Paihia. Visit the birthplace of NZ at Waitangi. Do a tour & witness a traditional Maori Cultural Performance. In the afternoon take the ferry across to the attractive waterfront town of Russell - New Zealand’s oldest town. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Paihia.
Day 4: Paihia—Cape Reinga—Paihia. Discover the far north of NZ—rich in Maori culture & tradition. Journey along the magnificent 90 Mile Beach & stand on the wind swept tip of NZ at Cape Reinga & see where the Tasman Sea collides with the Pacific Ocean. Includes BBQ lunch. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Paihia.
Day 5: Paihia - Coromandel Peninsula. Drive from Paihia to the Coromandel Coast. Spend the rest of your day taking in the picturesque coast, white sandy beaches, rural countryside, native bush and spacious gardens of the Coromandel. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Coromandel.
Day 6: Coromandel Peninsula. Spend the day exploring this scenic area - drive south to Cathedral Cove & Hot Water Beach and relax at these beautiful beaches or go on one of the many nature walks around this area. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Coromandel.
Day 7: Coromandel Peninsula - Rotorua. Drive to Rotorua via Tauranga and Mt Maunganui. Visit "Wai-O-Tapu" geothermal wonderland. This evening visit Mitai Maori Village and be treated to concert, a traditional Maori Hangi, and glow-worm bush walk. Finish the night viewing New Zealand's elusive national bird, the kiwi, at Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Rotorua.
Day 8: Rotorua. Take a scenic a flight over Mt Tarawera & Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Spend the afternoon or evening relaxing at "Hells Gate" geothermal reserve and have a traditional relaxing mud bath and sulphur spa. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Rotorua.
Day 9: Rotorua—Lake Taupo—Napier. Drive south to Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Take a leisurely downhill stroll viewing geothermal delights and NZ Native birds. Drive to Napier, NZ's 'Art Deco' city, stopping at Lake Taupo for a late lunch. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Napier.
Day 10: Napier & Hawkes Bay. Free day in Napier & Hawkes Bay which is the wine capital of New Zealand. Take a wine tour (optional), do a 'tiki tour' (leisurely drive) around the region or participate in one of many activities! Overnight in our partner accommodation in Napier.
Day 11: Napier—Greytown—Wellington. Drive from Napier to Wellington stopping at Greytown which has a quaint, charming village atmosphere. Wellington - New Zealand's Capital and most vibrant city. Shop, eat, drink and perhaps take in a live theatre show. Take a visit to 'The Weta Cave' where the Lord of the Rings trilogy was brought to life. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Wellington.
Day 12: Wellington—Picton—Nelson. Visit Te Papa, New Zealand's National museum. Take the ferry to Picton in the South Island. Drive to Nelson. Visit the World of Wearable Arts Museum (time permitting). Overnight in our partner accommodation in Nelson.
Day 13: Abel Tasman/Nelson. Abel Tasman National Park. Take a day walk into the park and experience its wonderful beaches and climate. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Nelson.
Day 14: Abel Tasman—Kaikoura. Drive south to Kaikoura. Take a Whale Watch tour (today or tomorrow morning). Overnight in our partner accommodation in Kaikoura.
Day 15: Kaikoura—Hanmer Springs. Drive the inland scenic route to Hanmer Springs. Stroll around this pretty alpine town. Enjoy the therapeutic waters at Hanmer Springs Thermal Pool & Spa. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Hanmer Springs.
Day 16: Hanmer Springs—North Canterbury. Do one of the many short picturesque walks that Hanmer has to offer. Drive to North Canterbury, stopping at Waipara’s finest wineries on the way. Overnight in a luxury country lodge in North Canterbury.
Day 17: North Canterbury—Christchurch. Drive to Christchurch, the Garden City. Visit the Canterbury Museum, Art Gallery & Gardens. Enjoy a four course dinner on the Christchurch tram. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Christchurch.
Day 18: Christchurch—Akaroa. Drive over to charming Akaroa which is a historic French & British settlement nestled in the heart of an ancient volcano. Take your time and wander through this picturesque village. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Akaroa.
Day 19: Akaroa—Lake Tekapo. Leave Akaroa and head south to breathtaking Lake Tekapo. Take a walk around the stunning turquoise lake & visit the historic ‘Church of the Good Shepherd’. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Lake Tekapo.
Day 20: Lake Tekapo—Queenstown. Drive to picturesque Queenstown. Make sure you stop & have lunch at the superb Amisfield Winery at Lake Hayes just before you reach Queenstown (own expense). Overnight in our partner accommodation in Queenstown.
Day 21: Queenstown. Explore Queenstown & Arrowtown. Take the Gondola to Bob's peak for unsurpassed views of the Wakatipu Basin (optional). Participate in an adrenaline activity! - e.g Jet boating. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Queenstown.
Day 22: Queenstown. Free time to explore in the morning. Afternoon Vineyard tour of NZ’s premier Pinot region. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Queenstown.
Day 23: Queenstown—Milford Sound—Te Anau. Do a one day walk of the magnificent Milford Track which has been described as one of the best tracks in the world! Overnight in our partner accommodation in Te Anau.
Day 24: Te Anau—Doubtful Sound. Take an overnight cruise to sublime Doubtful Sound & be amazed by the stunning untouched scenery (dinner & breakfast included).
Day 25: Doubtful Sound—Invercargill—Stewart Island. Head further south to Invercargill via the Southern Scenic Route. Fly to rustic Stewart Island which is an unspoilt wilderness & the southernmost province in NZ. Overnight in our partner accommodation in Stewart Island.
Day 26: Stewart Island—Invercargill—Cardrona. Go bird watching, mix with the friendly locals, or take a walk through the lush wilderness. Fly back to Invercargill in the afternoon and then drive to Cardrona over the Crown Range (NZ’s highest highway). Stay at a high country homestead & enjoy the glorious Kiwi hospitality & country air. Have dinner at New Zealand’s oldest pub the Cardrona Hotel (own expense).
Day 27: Cardrona—Franz Josef. Enjoy a home cooked breakfast. Drive to picturesque Wanaka & go for a stroll around the edge of the lake taking in the inspiring landscape. In the afternoon do a scenic helicopter flight over Franz & Fox Glaciers & Mt Cook (NZ’s highest mountain). Overnight in our partner accommodation in Franz Josef.
Day 28: Franz Josef—Greymouth—Christchurch. Drive north to Greymouth. Board the TranzAlpine train, rated one of the world’s great scenic railway journeys & take in the spectacular scenery between Greymouth & Christchurch.
Member discount:
10% discount for InfoHub customer. Request a free gift certificate.
Notes:
Airfare is not included in the tour price.
Airfare not included in this package. For round trip airfare from Los Angeles to Auckland, pricing starts at $899USD per person plus a total of approx. $175USD in taxes.
Air Miles: Air New Zealand is part of the 'Star Alliance', meaning you can apply any air miles you have from other Star Alliance members (ex: Continental Airlines). Prices are based on double occupancy and are subject to change until paid in full. Quotes on Premium Economy or Business Class airfare are available upon request.
Also see tour packages in:
Australia and Oceania
New Zealand
Outdoor: Land Rambler
Multi-activity
Cultural Journey
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