Tour Inclusions
- Auckland - explore the 'city of sails'
- Arrowtown - historic gold mining town
- Bay of Islands - Day of leisure
- Bay of Islands - Cruise to the Hole in the Rock
- Christchurch - beautiful city
- Dunedin - city tour
- Fox Glacier - overnight stay
- Haast Pass
- Huka Falls - the mighty waterfall
- Lake Tekapo - Church of the Good Shepherd
- Punakaiki - Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
- Milford Sound - cruise
- Milford Sound - Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls
- Queenstown - Free day
- Rotorua - Hangi Feast and Concert
- Rotorua - Agrodome Sheep Show to enjoy an entertaining look at life on a New Zealand farm
- Waitomo Caves - Glowworm caves tour
- Wellington - Te Papa (New Zealand’s National Museum)
- Opportunity to journey on the TranzAlpine Train
- Opportunity to journey on the TranzCoastal train
Meals
- 16 Full Buffet Breakfasts (B)
- 1 Exciting Highlight Dinner (HD)
- 10 Hotel Dinners (D)
- Welcome Drink
Escorted Coach Tour Standard Inclusions
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts, reclining seats, panoramic windows
- Experienced, professional Tour Director
- Luxury coach Driver
- Twin share accommodation with private facilities in quality hotels
- Admissions Outlined in the Itinerary
- Airport transfers to/from hotel
- Hotel Porterage
- Travel wallet and map
| Day | Stay / Optional tours | |
| 1 (D) | Arrive Christchurch On arrival at the hotel the afternoon is free for you to explore the 'Garden City' of Christchurch. This evening enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow passengers. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Ibis Christchurch |
| 2 (B) (D) | Fox Glacier Opportunity to journey on the TranzAlpine Train over the Southern Alps (please request at time of booking). Depart Christchurch for the scenic drive to Punakaiki. View the Pancake Rocks and blowholes. Pass through Greymouth en route to Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration, before continuing south along the rugged coastal road to Fox Glacier – a rare, still advancing glacier. Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional scenic flight weather permitting. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier |
| TranzAlpine Train Option Experience one of the world’s top 6 train trips aboard the TranzAlpine to Christchurch. Additional cost $185 per person from Greymouth or $135 per person from Arthur’s Pass. (option available on all departures) |
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| 3 (B) (D) | Queenstown Travel through the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls, take a rainforest walk. Then it’s a trio of lakes – Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan. Next is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit and Arrowtown on the Arrow River. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour followed by dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range. |
ACCOMMODATION: Mercure Queenstown Resort (2 nights) |
| 4 (B) | Queenstown Today is at leisure for you to enjoy the many scenic delights of Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital. From wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting, Queenstown will keep you occupied and exhilarated. For dinner you have the option to dine at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere. Dinner options include the Kiwi Haka Maori Show. Ask your Tour Director for details. |
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| 5 (B) (D) | Milford Sound Travel along the Devils Stair Case and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. From Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, you'll witness Mirror Lakes, Cleddau Valley, The Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and more on your journey there and back and on your cruise on the Sound. Optional Te Anau Glowworm Caves tour tonight. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Kingsgate Hotel |
| 6 (B) (D) | Dunedin We’ll cross sheep-filled farming land to Dunedin founded by Scottish settlers, for a city tour. ‘Free Time’ this afternoon – take a wildlife cruise, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Kingsgate Hotel |
| 7 (B) (D) | Mt Cook After a morning of time to yourself and the opportunity to visit historic Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only authentic castle. Travel through Oamaru which is famous for its white stone buildings made of limestone. Follow the Waitaki River, passing hydro-electric dams at Waitaki and Aviemore on to Omarama. |
ACCOMMODATION: Heritage Gateway Hotel |
| 8 (B) | Christchurch Travel past Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). This afternoon stop at Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd, then continue over the colourful Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. ‘Free Time’ – ride the Christchurch Tram or just relax. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Ibis Christchurch |
| 9 (B) (D) | Picton Travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast to Kaikoura, famous for its whales (optional Whale Watching flight). We’ll get up close and personal with some New Zealand’s Fur Seals at Ohau Point. Pass the Grassmere Salt Works then travel to the pretty seaside town of Picton. |
ACCOMMODATION: Beachcomber Inn |
| (B) (D) |
TranzCoastal Train Option For a scenic feast journey on the TranzCoastal train between Picton & Christchurch, with the Kaikoura Mountain Range on one side and the rugged Pacific Ocean on the other. Additional cost $136 per person. |
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| 10 (B) (D) | Wellington We’ll cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington for a city tour with views from Mt Victoria. ‘Free Time’ then we visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Tonight experience the local cuisine for yourself. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Mercure Willis Street |
| 11 (B) (HD) | Rotorua Travel along the Kapiti Coast, through the dairy farms of Manawatu and Tongariro National Park, discover the alpine scenery of Mt Ruapehu. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake. En route to Rotorua view Huka Falls and pass the Wairaki Geothermal Power Station. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and Concert and gain an insight into traditional Maori culture. |
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Ibis Rotorua (2 nights) |
| 12 (B) | Rotorua This morning we visit the Agrodome Sheep Show to enjoy an entertaining look at life on a New Zealand farm. The afternoon is ‘Free Time’ for you to take in all the other activities Rotorua has on offer. Perhaps take in a guided tour accompanied by a local Maori guide and share the beauty and history of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve at Te Puia. Wander amidst pools of boiling mud and geysers of all sizes! |
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| 13 (B) (D) | Waitomo Caves - Auckland Travel through the Waikato region to Waitomo Caves for a tour of the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. We then follow the Waikato River to Auckland for a city sights tour including Viaduct Harbour and Mt Eden. |
ACCOMMODATION: Mercure Hotel |
| 14 (B) (D) | Bay of Islands Cross over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, through Orewa and the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Walk amongst Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. We have time to explore Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand then it’s off to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Take a scenic cruise through game fishing waters to cape Brett and, weather permitting, through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ formation. The return cruise to Paihia meanders through picturesque islands – see deserted sandy beaches and secluded bays and keep your eyes peeled for the marine life. |
ACCOMMODATION: Copthorne Hotel & Resort (Garden View) (2 nights) |
| 15 (B) | Bay of Islands Today is free for you to experience the beauty of the Bay of Islands at your own pace – perhaps take a coach trip to Cape Reinga, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach, enjoy a guided sea-kayaking trip or a day of sailing. Tonight is at leisure so why not dine at a local restaurant. |
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| 16 (B) | Bay of Islands - Auckland We’ll visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve, where New Zealand’s founding document was signed. You’ll have time on your own to take in highlights such as the magnificent Maori War Canoe (Waka) and Marae (Meeting house). This afternoon enjoy the lush farmland scenery as you return to Auckland. |
ACCOMMODATION: Mercure Hotel |
| 17 (B) | Depart Auckland Explore Auckland at your leisure until your transfer to Auckland Airport. |
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| This tour in reverse is Best of New Zealand - HABC. | ||
Prices are in New Zealand Dollars (NZD).
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. If we fail to match you, we’ll provide a single room at no extra cost. 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.
- Please refer to any additional General Information, eg Refund Policy, etc.
- If in doubt for any reason, please use the "Contact Us" form for this tour.
