11 Day New Zealand Spectacular Islands Tour
Immerse yourself in the breathtaking coastlines of one of the Pacific Ocean’s most sparkling destinations. New Zealand’s legendary beauty is a tale of two islands - North and South - that each boasts spectacular mountain ranges, rambling rainforests, and stretches of unspoilt beaches as blue as the azure sky. You’ll be sure to get a Kia Ora! from the country’s famously friendly people from the get-go. Includes 10 nights accommodation, daily breakfast and one lunch, private transfers, entrance and sightseeing fees, and ferry transfer from Picton to Wellington.
DAY 1 - Christchurch
Haere mai, Kia Ora! Welcome to New Zealand! After arriving at the airport, meet with a local representative and transfer to your hotel. Depending on what time you arrive the rest of the day is at your leisure. Relax and enjoy the city before starting your explorations tomorrow.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Hotel, Christchurch or similar
DAY 2- Franz Josef
Today you have the option to traverse the Southern Alps aboard the famous Tranz-Alpine rail journey to Greymouth (optional extra). From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps, to the village of Arthurs Pass where you will be met again by your coach and driver to continue your journey onto the West Coast, stopping in Hokitika where a visit is made to the Greenstone and Glass Blowing factories.
Further south, tour the Westland National Park, the home of Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. On arrival, time is available for scenic flights (optional extra), before continuing onto our accommodation for the night
Accommodation: Franz Josef Hotel
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 3 - Queenstown
Driving towards the southern end of the South Island’s West Coast Road, there is a strong sense of entering a primeval land, and a feeling of total isolation. Arriving at Haast, you are surrounded by a landscape of rainforest, wetlands, sand dunes and surf-pounded shingle beaches. This wilderness forms part of the South West New Zealand World Heritage Area, so designated because South Westland and Fiordland have some of the most dramatic forest and mountain scenery and natural resources in the world. From the Westland National Park, we travel through the Haast River valleys and over the Haast Pass to Makaroa and onto the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka. Travelling past Lake Hawea we reach the popular Lake Wanaka, the starting point of the mighty Clutha River. This afternoon travel via Cromwell following the Kawerau Gorge Road into Arrowtown for a look at this old Gold Mining settlement. From here we continue to Queenstown.
Accommodation: Copthorne Lakefront Hotel, Queenstown or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 4 - Queenstown
Depart early this morning and travel around Lake Wakatipu and through Te Anau and the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Fiordland National Park, part of the UNESCO Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. The scenery is spectacular with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out by Ice Age glaciers. There are clear rushing streams and leaping waterfalls set in magnificent native rainforest. Board a cruise down Milford Sound past towering Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea. Seals and dolphins are often seen in the clear waters of the fiord. Return back to Queenstown travelling via the Cleddeau Gorge, Homer Tunnel and the lovely Eglinton Valley.
Accommodation: Copthorne Lakefront Hotel, Queenstown or similar
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
DAY 5 - Queenstown
Today is a day at leisure. You will have the choice to visit the Remarkable’s or Coronet Peak. Experience the thrill of a jet-boat ride along the Shotover or Kawerau Rivers. Perhaps a scenic 4-wheel drive excursion through Skippers Canyon - it’s up to you.
This evening you could take a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the steamer TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Station to dine at the Colonel’s Homestead or explore the local restaurants, cafes and bars.
Accommodation: Copthorne Lakefront Hotel, Queenstown or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 6 - Christchurch
Depart Queenstown and travel through the Central Otago farmland which is renowned for its stone fruit industry. Continue along the shores of Lake Pukaki into Mt Cook National Park. This Park has 17 peaks over 10,000 feet. Witness the magnificent blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Here we visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue of the Collie dog, before travelling the vast Mackenzie Basin, over Burke’s Pass through Fairlie, Geraldine, Ashburton and across the Canterbury Plains into Christchurch.
Accommodation: Rendezvous Hotel, Christchurch
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 7 - Wellington
Travelling along the rugged coastline through Kaikoura to Picton, keep an eye out for the seals sunning themselves on the coastal rocks. We board the InterIslander crossing Cook Strait to Wellington. On arrival into Wellington we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of New Zealand’s Capital city.
Accommodation: Novotel Hotel, Wellington
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 8 - Rotorua
This morning we travel to Rotorua via the Tongariro National Park and Lake Taupo, before continuing onto Rotorua which has the most energetic thermal activity in the country with bubbling mud pools, gushing geysers, beautiful coloured hot springs and terrace formations created by mineral water.
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Rotorua or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 9 - Rotorua
This morning join in a morning sightseeing tour of Rotorua, with highlights including a visit to Te Puia to see the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve – home of the Pohutu Geyser and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are learning the carving and weaving skills of their ancestors. Next, we visit Rainbow Springs with its crystal-clear streams and pools teeming with trout as well as the nocturnal Kiwihouse and Tuatara display. The reminder of your afternoon is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Rotorua or similar
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 10 - Auckland
Today we depart Rotorua crossing the Mamaku Ranges travelling north through the Waikato Region and crossing the Bombay Hills into Auckland. This afternoon enjoy a sightseeing coach tour of Auckland. Highlights include the Harbour Bridge, Queen Street, Auckland University, the Auckland Domain Parks and Gardens, and the Tamaki Waterfront including Mission Bay.
The rest of today is at your leisure – perhaps take a ride up the Sky Tower to enjoy 360-degree panoramic views of the city and surrounding region, take a cruise on the Harbour, or maybe some last-minute shopping as mementos of your time in New Zealand.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel Auckland
Meals: Breakfast
DAY 11 - Auckland
Your highlights of New Zealand tour end today with a transfer to the airport for your onward journey.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel Auckland
Meals: Breakfast