21 Day New Zealand Wonderland Coach Tour
Includes 7 National Parks and World Heritage areas. Special highlights include sightseeing tours of Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin & Wellington, Rotorua thermal springs, traditional Maori culture, and all the beauty of the North and South Islands.
SPECIAL INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS
• Sightseeing tours of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland • World renowned Mt Cook Region • Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony • Spectacular Southern Lakes • Awe inspiring Milford Sound • Dinner at Skyline Restaurant • Remote National Parks of Fiordland & Westland • West Coast Glaciers. • Visit Greenstone (Jade) Factory • Punakaiki Pancake Rocks • Montana Winery visit with tasting and afternoon tea • Scenic cruise Picton - Wellington • Volcanic and Geothermal Region • Sheep shearing and working dog demonstration • Authentic Maori Hangi and Concert • Rotorua's Thermal Wonderland • Waitomo Glow-worm Caves • Subtropical Bay of Islands • Olveston House • Milford Sound Launch Cruise • Shanty-town with gold panning • Agrodome • Rainbow Springs and Kiwi House • Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve • Skyline Gondola and Luge ride • Auckland's Skytower • Matakohe Kauri Museum • Guided Tour of Waitangi Treaty House and grounds • Cape Brett Launch Cruise
DAY 1: WEDNESDAY
Depart UK
DAY 2/3: THURSDAY and FRIDAY - stopover if required
DAY 4: SATURDAY
At leisure prior to your evening departure for Christchurch
DAY 5: SUNDAY - CHRISTCHURCH
Welcome to New Zealand! Kirra Tours will greet you at the airport with transport waiting to take you to your hotel.
Pavilions Hotel. (1 night)
DAY 6: MONDAY - CHRISTCHURCH/MT COOK/OMARAMA
A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before travelling across the Canterbury Plains into the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook National Park. Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama.
Heritage Gateway Hotel. (1 night)
DAY 7: TUESDAY - OMARAMA/DUNEDIN
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin - the "Scottish" city. An early arrival allows a choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton's Citibus tour to see the penguins, albatross and seals, enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train or explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Cargills Hotel. (1 night)
DAY 8: WEDNESDAY - DUNEDIN/LAKE MANAPOURI/TE ANAU
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau.
Fiordland National Park Hotel. (1 night)
DAY 9: THURSDAY - TE ANAU/MILFORD SOUND/QUEENSTOWN
Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.
Rydges Hotel. (2 nights)
DAY 10: FRIDAY - QUEENSTOWN
A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the historic Earnslaw. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise.
DAY 11: SATURDAY - QUEENSTOWN/HAAST PASS/FOX GLACIER
Pass Lake Hayes then on to an area steeped in fascinating history related to early settlement and the goldmining era. Then on to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Cap off the day with the magnificent Glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face.
Fox Glacier Hotel. (1 night)
DAY 12: SUNDAY - FOX GLACIER/GREYMOUTH
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. At Greymouth, visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Next is Shantytown, a restored gold-mining town of the 1860's where you pan for gold, ride on the steam train, stage coach or horse and buggy, all at no extra cost.
Hotel Ashley. (1 night)
DAY 13: MONDAY - GREYMOUTH/BLENHEIM
View the unusual rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki and pass Charleston, a former goldmining township. Follow the Buller River through the Buller Gorge and on to Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Follow the long Wairau Valley to Blenheim. A short tour of the area includes a visit to the Montana Winery. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery, learn about and taste a range of the famous local wines followed by afternoon tea.
Blenheim Country Lodge Hotel. (1 night)
DAY 14: TUESDAY - BLENHEIM/PICTON/WELLINGTON
Drive to Picton, nestled on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds, to board the Interislander ferry. Sail through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, sheltered waterways, remote bays and isolated holiday homes. Across Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand's Capital City. A city tour will incorporate the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and harbour, the Houses of Parliament and the distinctive "Beehive", Wellington Cathedral, city centre and Oriental Bay. Also explore the city yourself. Don't miss Te Papa, the new "Museum of New Zealand" or take a ride on the famous Cable Car.
Bay Plaza Hotel. (1 night)
DAY 15: WEDNESDAY - WELLINGTON/TAUPO/ROTORUA
Drive to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and on a clear day, the South Island. Cross the Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin and Foxton to Bulls. Across rolling farmland to the central North Island National Park, dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake and famous for trout fishing. Stop at Huka Falls skirting massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture.
Lake Plaza Hotel. (2 nights)
DAY 16: THURSDAY -ROTORUA
A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand's various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and native birds including the Kiwi. Visit Whakarewarewa, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka.
DAY 17: FRIDAY - ROTORUA/WAITOM/AUCKLAND
Cross the Mamaku Ranges to the Waikato region, noted for dairy farming and world famous horse studs. At Waitom, a guide will escort your group underground to the limestone caverns and glow worm grotto. On through Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, centre for the region's Maori people, then alongside the Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach New Zealand's largest city -Auckland. A city tour will visit the summit of Skytower, at 328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere for superb city and harbour views, the downtown area and waterfront drive.
Rydges Hotel. (1 night)
DAY 18: SATURDAY - AUCKLAND/BAY OF ISLANDS
Cross Auckland's Harbour Bridge and drive north along the Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe and the Kauri museum telling the story of the Kauri tree and the regions early settlement, the displays are superb and their story fascinating. Continue north through Kawakawa to Paihia and visit New Zealand's birthplace, Waitangi. Visit the famous Treaty House, the Maori Meeting House and giant war canoe all set in spectacular grounds overlooking the bay.
Hotel Paihia. (2 nights)
DAY 19: SUNDAY - BAY OF ISLANDS
A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many activities available. Your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. A full day Tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's northern most point and Ninety Mile Beach or explore historic Russell, New Zealand's first settlement, and visit its original Church, Mission House and Museum.
DAY 20: MONDAY - BAY OF ISLANDS/AUCKLAND
A launch cruise will take you across the Bay and world acclaimed fishing grounds to Cape Brett and the famous "Hole in the Rock". Returning to Paihia, board your Coach for the journey south through Whangarei and Warkworth passing the satellite tracking station. Shortly Auckland city and Harbour come into view.
Rydges Hotel. (1 night)
DAY 21: TUESDAY - AUCKLAND
Morning at leisure before mid afternoon transfer to Auckland International Airport to join your flight to UK.
DATES and PRICES
| Departures | |
| Month | Dates/Prices |
September 2010 | |
October 2010 | 03rd,10th,17th,24th,31st - £1880pp |
November 2010 |
07th,14th,21st,28th - £1880pp |
December 2010 | 03rd,05th,12th,19th,26th - £1880pp |
January 2011 |
02nd,09th,14th,16th,21st,23rd,28th,30th - £1880pp |
February 2011 | 04th,06th,13th,18th,20th,25th,27th - £1880pp |
March 2011 | 04th,06th,11th,13th,18th,20th,27th - £1880pp |
April 2011 | 03rd,10th,15th,17th - £1880pp |
May 2011 | |
June 2011 | 05th,19th - £1670pp |
July,August,Sept 2011 | |
| |
PRICE ARE BASED ON TWIN/DOUBLE OCCUPANCY AND subject to price increase due to rates of exchange. Please call to check availability & to obtain full price which includes flights.
SUPPLEMENTS:
SINGLE ROOM £640.00.
DINNER THROUGHOUT IN NEW ZEALAND £180.00
(RAFFLES AND FIRST CLASS ON REQUEST.
WHY NOT EXTEND YOUR STAY OR PERHAPS ADD AUSTRALIA? PLEASE CALL TO DISCUSS ALTERNATIVES.
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