1
Arrive in Auckland
‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand!
On arrival you will be met at at the airport and transferred to your hotel and, depending at what time you'll arrive, will then have some time to explore the city of Auckland before meeting your travelling companions over a complimentary pre dinner drink.
Some Activities and Sightseeing Options if Time Allows:
Explore Waiheke Island | Island Kayaking Adventure | America’s Cup Sailing |
Auckland's Sky Tower | Whale and Dolphin Safari | Rangitoto Island Cruise & Walk |
Meals: Dinner (not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm)
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night
2
The Enchanted Bay of Islands
Board the luxurious Ultimate Coach and enjoy a city tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, before travelling to Matakohe to enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Bay of Island - 2 Nights
3
Bay of Islands at Leisure
Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Excursions available in the Bay of Islands:
Historical Island Cruise | Diving Rainbow Warrior | 4WD Adventure Cape Reinga |
Sailing the Islands | Golf at Kauri Cliffs | Giant Kauri Forest Walk |
Meals: Breakfast
4
Hole in The Rock Cruise - Auckland
This morning you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands including an island visit aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. On return to Paihia, travel south, returning to Auckland. This evening is free to dine at leisure.
On return to Paihia, travel south before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to dine at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night
5
Auckland - Rotorua
This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15 kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train. Visit the restoration workshop and on return to Glenbrook Station, morning tea will be served.
Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua to visit the National Kiwi Hatchery, for a unique behind the scenes tour of the world’s largest kiwi hatchery.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights
6
Explore Rotorua - Cultural Evening
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride. Enjoy some leisure time in the geothermal capital 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.
Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner
7
Rotorua - Wellington
Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and along the Kapiti Coast to NZ’s capital city, Wellington.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights
8
Wellington at Leisure
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your Ultimate Coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time at leisure this afternoon. This evening is also free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Here are some sight seeing and activity suggestions while in Wellington:
Wellington Cable Car | Visit Cuba Street | Weta Workshop Tour |
Zealandia Wildlife Reserve |
Meals: Breakfast
9
Interisland Cruise and Train Journey to Christchurch
This morning board the Interislander Ferry, and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy breakfast as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Ranges. Meet your Ultimate Coach in the fishing village of Kaikoura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Christchurch - 2 Nights
10
Antarctic Centre Christchurch
Today visit the International Antarctic Centre designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at your leisure, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions. If tie allows why not go punting on the Avon River (own expense). This evening is also free to enjoy one of the many eateries near your hotel.
Meals: Breakfast
11
Tranzalpine Rail Journey - Fox Glacier
This morning we board the TranzAlpine, renowned for being one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur's Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Afterwards, we board our coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before we continue through Franz Josef to Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation Fox Glacier - 1 Night
12
Fox Glacier - Queenstown
See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into Arrowtown to visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to picturesque Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights
13
Queenstown at Leisure and Lake Wakitipu Cruise
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown. Your Coach Captain is available to assist with the many options available. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. 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 on your return cruise.
Recommended excursions around Queenstown:
Routeburn Day Walk | Highest Bungey Jump | Gibbston Valley Wine Trail |
Dart River Jetboat Safari | Round at Millbrook Golf Resort |
Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner
14
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Today travel via Te Anau to Manapouri. Enjoy a picnic lunch as you cruise across this glacial lake. A short ride over the Wilmot Pass brings you to the boarding point to join the Fiordland Navigator for an amazing overnight experience. As you cruise through the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound, naturalist guides will provide commentary and point out the resident wildlife. When evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Doubtful Sound - 1 Night
15
Doubtful Sound - Te Anau
Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Deep Cove for the trip back to Manapouri. Return back to the wharf and meet your Ultimate Coach for the journey back to Te Anau.
This afternoon is free so why not cruise across Lake Te Anau to visit the Glow Worm Caves where you will admire the incredible limestone caverns, waterfalls and mystery of the Glow Worm Grotto (optional) or perhaps take in the stunning movie Ata Whenua?
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 Night
16
Te Anau - Dunedin
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s.. Enjoy a city tour of Dunedin, which is New Zealand’s oldest university city.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation: Dunedin - 2 Nights
17
Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle
Travel along the picturesque Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour you will hear the tragic and scandalous tales which make up the castle’s history. There is time to explore this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Return to Dunedin for some free time. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
18
Dunedin - Christchurch
This morning travel to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue north to Pleasant Point Museum and Railway for a short rail experience followed by lunch. Heading further North we cross the Canterbury Plains before arriving at the Garden City of Christchurch.
This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Specialty Dinner
Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night
19
Farewell from Christchurch
"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!
There maybe time for some last minute excursions or shopping before making your way for your outbound flight. Our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Meals: Breakfast
Itinerary Variations
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.
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What Jaydene says about this tour: I love the variety this tour offers. From island cruising in the Northern Bay of Islands to the deep Southern Doubtful Sound this small group luxury experience mixes in kiwi culture and heritage with stunning New Zealand scenery. With world renowned train journeys and overnight cruise at Doubtful Sound this is true `Business Class' travel.
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