New Zealand Tour
- RAIL INCLUSIONS:
- The Overlander Train - Auckland to Otorohanga - Te Kuiti to Tongariro National Park
- The TranzMetro Service - Featherston to Wellington
- The TranzCoastal Train - Picton to Christchurch
- The TranzAlpine Train - Christchurch to Greymouth
- The Seasider - Dunedin to Palmerston
- The Taieri Gorge Railway (optional)
- The Wellington Cable Car
- Auckland - Freedom of Choice Touring
- Arrowtown - Lakes District Museum
- Christchurch
- Dunedin - Freedom of Choice Touring
- Franz Josef Glacier
- Huka Falls
- Interislander Ferry Cruise
- Kaikoura
- Lake Tekapo - Church of the Good Shepherd
- Mt Cook - Freedom of Choice Touring
- Milford Sound - Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls
- Milford Sound Red Boat Cruise
- Queenstown - Freedom of Choice Touring
- Rotorua - Freedom of Choice - including Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
- Rotorua - Hangi Feast and Concert
- Te Anau
- Waitomo Caves - Glowworm caves tour
- Wellington - Te Papa (New Zealand’s National Museum)
- Westland National Park
Accommodation Highlights
- Stay overnight at Chateau Tongariro
- Stay overnight at The Hermitage, Mt Cook
- Option to do a Rotorua Country Homestay
- Two nights at the Novotel Lakeside Hotel in Queenstown
Meals
- 13 hot breakfasts (B)
- 10 dinners (D) including 2 Feature Dinners (FD)
Escorted Coach Tour Standard Inclusions
- Air-conditioned coach travel
- An experienced Tour Director and Driver
- Quality Twin Share Accommodation
- Admissions outlined in the Itinerary
- Airport transfers on the first and last day
| 1 |
Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring On arrival in Auckland today be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, you have your choice of our exciting Freedom of Choice Touring options, including a climb up Auckland Harbour Bridge, sail on Waitemata Harbour, an informative trip to Auckland’s museum and more. |
ACCOMMODATION: Sky City Hotel |
| 2 (B) (FD) |
The Overlander, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua, Hangi Feast This morning board the Overlander train. Journey alongside the Waikato River and pass by Taupiri Mountain, the sacred burial ground of the Maori. Continue through Ngaruawahia before disembarking at Otorohanga, known for its displays of ‘Kiwiana’. Travel to the world-famous Waitomo Caves and discover stunning underground scenery as we are guided into an ancient labyrinth of limestone caverns. Travel on to geothermal Rotorua. This evening enjoy the warmth of the Maori people with a New Zealand Hangi (feast) and cultural performance of Maori song and dance, including the Haka. |
ACCOMMODATION: Heritage Rotorua (2 nights) |
| 3 (B) (D) |
Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring Today you have the opportunity to choose a Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Perhaps indulge in a leisurely soak at the Polynesian Spa, explore the Rotorua Museum or take a tour of the eco-thermal highlights of the region. Country Homestay option available tonight. |
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| 4 (B) (D) |
The Overlander, Tongariro National Park Travel to Te Kuiti to join the Overlander train for a tour through the heart of the North Island. Travel over the world-renowned Raurimu Spiral, one of the great surveying and engineering achievements of the main trunk line. Its three horse-shoe curves, one complete circle and two short tunnels allowed the Main Trunk Railway coming south from Auckland and north from Wellington to finally be joined at Horopito. Disembark at the ski village of Tongariro National Park. Spend this evening in the World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park, nestled at the base of majestic Mt Ruapehu. |
ACCOMMODATION: Tongariro National Park, Chateau Tongariro |
| 5 (B) (D) |
TranzMetro Train, Wellington This morning we head south to Featherston. Travel through Taihape, renowned as the ‘Gumboot Capital’ of New Zealand. Every year a festival is held here to celebrate this essential item of rural ‘Kiwi’ footwear. Continue through the Manawatu Gorge and the Wairarapa region. On arrival into Featherston, we visit the Fell Engine Museum before we board the TranzMetro Train for our short journey to Wellington. |
ACCOMMODATION: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (2 nights) |
| 6 (B) |
Wellington at Leisure Today we take a short stroll to the Wellington Cable Car whose service from Lambton Quay to Kelburn began in 1902. Ascend to the top by cable car, perhaps visit the Cable Car Museum or take a tranquil walk around the Botanic Gardens. The gardens contain native bush and other gardens including the Lady Norwood Rose Garden with over 100 rose species. Rejoin your coach and journey to Mt Victoria for the best view of the city, harbour and surrounding regions. View Parliament Buildings and the ‘Beehive’, the 1876 Government Building, one of the largest all-wooden buildings in the world. Continue on to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, where our morning sightseeing tour concludes. The remainder of today is at leisure in Wellington. |
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| 7 (B) (D) |
TranzCoastal Train, Christchurch This morning cruise across Cook Strait and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the TranzCoastal Train for a scenic trip along the east coast. Journey between mountain and sea as we travel along a thin ledge of land pinned between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Kaikoura Ranges. Arrive in Christchurch, the pretty ‘Garden City’, and the largest in the South Island. |
ACCOMMODATION: Holiday Inn City Centre |
| 8 (B) (D) |
TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef This morning board the award winning TranzAlpine Train voted one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the country’s greatest mountain range, the mighty Southern Alps. Disembark at Greymouth and continue to Hokitika where you will have the opportunity to see beautiful native Pounamu (Jade). We continue south along the West Coast, travelling through dense rainforest. There is an opportunity for a scenic flight over the breathtaking glaciers that this region is renowned for (own expense). |
 ACCOMMODATION: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel |
| 9 (B) (FD) |
Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner Enjoy incredible scenery this morning as you leave the Westland National Park. See spectacular mountain ranges, untouched native forests, lakes and glaciers. Journey along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Continue to the alpine resort of Queenstown and tonight choose from four different dining experiences. |
ACCOMMODATION: Novotel Lakeside Hotel (2 nights) |
| 10 (B) |
Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring Today choose an activity from our Freedom of Choice options. Perhaps enjoy a garden tour or visit some local wineries. You may join an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River or choose to join a double-decker bus tour through the streets of Queenstown and to the small gold rush settlement of Arrowtown. |
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| 11 (B) (D) |
Milford Sound Cruise, Te Anau Journey along the Milford Road into Fiordland National Park and Milford Sound. Wind down the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys and through the Homer Tunnel. On arrival at Milford Sound cruise the full length of this stunning fjord. Following your cruise, drive to the tranquil lakeside settlement of Te Anau. |
 ACCOMMODATION:Luxmore Hotel |
| 12 (B) (D) |
Te Anau, Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring On arrival in Dunedin choose your touring activity. Perhaps jump aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway Excursion, or view the magnificent Royal Albatross or Yellow-eyed Penguin colonies on the Otago Peninsula. You could even visit Speight’s Brewery, where one of New Zealand’s best-known beers is made. |
ACCOMMODATION: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City |
| 13 (B) (D) |
Dunedin, Seasider, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring This morning board the Seasider train at Dunedin and journey up the east coast to Palmerston. Continue by coach through the High Country, passing wide expanses of tussock grasslands, High Country sheep stations and beautiful glacier-fed lakes of incredible colour. Journey into World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia’s highest mountain, Mt Cook, and chose your touring activity. |
ACCOMMODATION: The Hermitage, Mt Cook |
| 14 (B) |
Mt Cook, Christchurch Visit the azure Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd and statue of the working collie dog, erected to honour the collie whose work was invaluable to the early settlers of this region. Leave the High Country and travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch, where your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport. |
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Prices are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).
On APT Tours, if you're a solo traveller and are happy to share a room with a solo traveller of the same gender, you'll only pay the Twin Share price. If we can't find you a room-mate, you'll stay in a single room by yourself at no added cost, subject to availability.
On APT Tours, if you're a solo traveller and are happy to share a room with a solo traveller of the same gender, you'll only pay the Twin Share price. If we can't find you a room-mate, you'll stay in a single room by yourself at no added cost, subject to availability.
To book this tour:
- Click on the DATE - a tick will appear in the checkbox.
- Click on the PRE or POST accommodation you require.
- Change the "NUMBER OF TRAVELLERS" to 2, or If you are a single traveller, "Single Supplement" checkbox.
- Click [Add to Cart].
- Airfares are not included in the prices, unless where stated.
- You receive a smart travel wallet, luggage labels and a useful booklet containing valuable holiday information. Plus, while on tour, you will receive a map of New Zealand as a memento of your special escorted coach holiday.
- Twin-share accommodation is the basis of the price.
- TRAVELLING ALONE? If you are willing to share a room with a person of the same gender then you can save paying a single room supplement. We will ensure you share a room with a person of the same gender, if you tell us at booking time. Please note: No smoking policy in all shared rooms.
- A single supplement must be added for travellers wanting a room alone.
- All tour information is correct at time of tours going live, however is subject to change, and all details will be confirmed at time of booking.
- Dates are subject to availability at time of booking. You will receive confirmation within 24 hours from booking.
- Prices indicate brochure rates and dates, less discounts, however are still subject to final confirmation.
- If in doubt for any reason, please use the "Contact Us" form for this tour.
