Tour Inclusions
- Auckland - Freedom of Choice Touring
- Arrowtown - Lakes District Museum
- Bay of Islands - Freedom of Choice Touring
- Bay of Islands - Matakohe Kauri Museum
- Bay of Islands - Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve
- Bay of Islands - Waitangi Treaty House and grounds
- Bay of Islands - Cruise to the Hole in the Rock
- Christchurch
- Dunedin - Freedom of Choice Touring
- Franz Josef Glacier
- Haast Pass
- Hokitika - Greenstone (Jade) Factory
- Huka Falls
- Interislander Ferry Cruise
- Kaikoura
- Kiwifruit Country
- 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
- Moeraki Boulders
- Napier
- Nelson
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Queenstown - Freedom of Choice Touring
- Rotorua - Freedom of Choice - including Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland
- Rotorua - Mitai Maori Village
- Te Anau
- Waitomo Caves - Glowworm caves tour
- Wairakei Steam Valley
- Westland National Park
- Option to take the TranzAlpine Train
Accommodation Highlights
- Option to do a Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise
- Option to do a Rotorua Country Homestay
- Option to upgrade to the luxury Huka Lodge
- Stay at Two nights at the luxurious Sofitel Queenstown
- Stay at the at The Hermitage, Mt Cook, with views of Mt Cook
- Stay at the Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat, Franz Josef
- Stay at the Edgewater Resort, Wanaka, a tranquil lakeside haven
Meals
- 20 hot breakfasts (B)
- 19 dinners (D) including 3 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 |
Arrive Auckland On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of today is at leisure to explore this wonderful city. |
ACCOMMODATION: Crowne Plaza (2 nights) |
| 2 (B) (D) |
Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring This morning is at leisure in Auckland. This afternoon, you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps take an Auckland sightseeing tour, visit Auckland’s museum or embark on a Waitakere Rainforest adventure. |
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| 3 (B) (D) |
Auckland, Bay of Islands Cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge and visit Matakohe Kauri Museum. Continue to Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve and view the giant kauri tree Tane Mahuta, ‘Lord of the Forest’. Travel to the Bay of Islands, home to 144 islands and known as a favourite playground for lovers of anything aquatic. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the Maori Meeting House and see the War Canoe. |
ACCOMMODATION: Copthorne Waitangi Resort (2 nights) |
| 4 (B) (D) |
Bay of Islands, Freedom of Choice Touring Today, choose the activity that interests you and we will include it. Among the options available is a day trip to Cape Reinga at the top of New Zealand, sailing on a unique tall ship or a dolphin watching adventure. Overnight Cruise option available tonight |
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| 5 (B) (D) |
Bay of Islands, Auckland This morning, take a catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. In these deep-sea fishing grounds, dolphins and schools of fish are frequently seen. Meander through the inner islands, viewing sandy beaches and rocky outcrops, then relax on a secluded bay. Following your cruise, journey south back to Auckland. |
ACCOMMODATION: Crowne Plaza |
| 6 (B) (FD) |
Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi Feast Travel south to Waitomo for a guided tour of the limestone caves and glow-worm grotto. Then continue to the geothermal region of Rotorua, known as the centre of Maori culture. Enjoy an authentic Maori hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance at Mitai Maori Village tonight. |
ACCOMMODATION: Millennium Rotorua (2 nights) |
| 7 (B) (D) |
Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring Today, choose the activity that interests you from our Freedom of Choice options in Rotorua including the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland. Upgrade to the luxurious Huka Lodge for an overnight stay in truly special accommodation. Add pp from: $790 Twin Share; $1240 Single. |
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| 8 (B) (D) |
Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington Today visit Wairakei Steam Valley, a unique and fascinating geothermal power project. See spectacular Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park on the way to Wellington. |
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel InterContinental |
| 9 (B) (D) |
Wellington, Nelson, Dine Around Dinner Our Interislander Cruise takes us through Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait and into the Marlborough Sounds before arriving in Picton on the South island. Then travel through the pretty Marlborough region to Nelson. Tonight, choose from two fine restaurants. |
ACCOMMODATION: The Rutherford Hotel |
| 10 (B) (FD) |
Nelson, Franz Josef, West Coast Theme Dinner Follow the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge to the wild and rugged West Coast. View the fascinating Pancake rock formations at Punakaiki. Stop at Hokitika which has stunning views to the Southern Alps. Here, see beautiful Pounamu (jade) being carved into jewellery. Enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park, where you can view the magnificent glaciers. There may be the opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight over this region (own expense, weather permitting). Enjoy a West Coast Regional Specialities dinner tonight. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Te Waonui Rainforest Retreat |
| 11 (B) (D) |
Franz Josef, Wanaka View incredible scenery today as you travel through Haast Pass, over the Southern Alps and along the shores of Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea, to Wanaka township. |
ACCOMMODATION: Edgewater Resort |
| 12 (B) (D) |
Wanaka, Arrowtown, Queenstown Dining Depart Wanaka and journey to Arrowtown, an old goldrush settlement. Continue to Queenstown, a popular holiday destination on Lake Wakatipu. Tonight choose to dine at one of 14 different restaurants. |
ACCOMMODATION: Sofitel Queenstown (2 nights) |
| 13 (B) (D) |
Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring Today, personalise your sightseeing by choosing from our range of activities. You might like to visit a selection of beautiful local gardens or take a relaxing winery tour. Perhaps take an exciting jetboat ride or a fun double-decker bus tour. |
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| 14 (B) (D) |
Milford Sound, Te Anau This morning travel through Fiordland National Park where lush rainforest meets snow-capped mountains. Drive along Milford Road, renowned as one of the world’s most spectacular alpine drives. On arrival at Milford Sound, take the Red Boat cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord, travelling below famous mile-high Mitre Peak. This afternoon, return through the Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel to the lakeside settlement of Te Anau. |
ACCOMMODATION: Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas |
| 15 (B) (D) |
Te Anau, Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring Today, journey via beautiful Lake Manapouri to Dunedin, settled by the Scottish in 1848 and renowned as the Edinburgh of the South. This afternoon select an activity from our Freedom of Choice Touring options. Perhaps visit Larnach Castle, tour the Otago Peninsula, visit Speight’s Brewery, or enjoy a Taieri Gorge Railway excursion. |
ACCOMMODATION: Southern Cross Hotel |
| 16 (B) (D) |
Dunedin, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring Today travel north along the coast to view the fascinating Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. Stop at Oamaru, known for its distinctive limestone architecture. Then pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes on the journey to Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia’s highest mountain. On arrival, join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Choose from a guided nature walk through the national park, an afternoon of discovery at the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or stargazing with an astronomy guide. Tonight choose to dine at either The Panorama Room or Alpine Restaurant within The Hermitage. |
ACCOMMODATION: The Hermitage with views of Mt Cook from your room |
| 17 (B) (D) |
Mt Cook, Christchurch, Dine Around Dinner This morning you’ll travel to Lake Tekapo and visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. On the way to Christchurch, you might like to ride the scenic TranzAlpine Train from Arthurs Pass or continue by coach through the Rakaia Gorge to Christchurch. Tonight enjoy a Dine Around Dinner, choosing from three superb restaurants at your hotel. |
ACCOMMODATION: Crowne Plaza Hotel |
| 18 (B) (D) |
Christchurch, Wellington, Dine Around Dinner Choose your activity this morning before travelling to Kaikoura, a whale watching town. Continue to Picton and cruise back across Cook Strait to Wellington. |
ACCOMMODATION: InterContinental Hotel |
| 19 (B) (D) |
Wellington, Taupo Cross the Rimutaka Ranges into the farming district of Wairarapa. Continue to the coastal town of Napier, an area dominated by orchards and vineyards. Explore this Art Deco city before you continue to Taupo. |
ACCOMMODATION: Wairakei Resort |
| 20 (B) (D) |
Taupo, Auckland Near Taupo, stop and visit Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, a geothermal area well-known for its beautiful colours and mystical quality. Then visit Kiwifruit Country before travelling to the beach resort of Mt Maunganui and on to Tauranga. Later, return to Auckland. |
ACCOMMODATION: Crowne Plaza Hotel |
| 21 (B) |
Depart Auckland Today is at leisure for you to explore this beautiful city, before your included departure 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.
