Tour Inclusions
- Auckland
- 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 - city sights tour
- Dunedin - Larnach Castle
- Haast Pass
- Huka Falls
- Interislander Ferry Cruise
- Kaikoura
- Lake Tekapo - Church of the Good Shepherd
- Milford Sound
- Milford Sound Red Boat Cruise
- Moeraki Boulders
- Napier - Guided Art Deco Walk
- Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
- Rotorua - Agrodome
- Rotorua - Hangi Feast and Concert
- Rotorua - Te Puia Thermal Reserve
- Queenstown - Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Queenstown - day of leisure
- Shantytown
- Te Anau
- TranzAlpine Train journey from Christchurch to Greymouth
- Waitomo Caves - Glowworm caves tour
- Wellington - Te Papa (New Zealand’s National Museum)
- Westland National Park
- Option to do a Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise
- Option to do a Rotorua Country Homestay
Accommodation Highlights
- Option to do a Rotorua Country Homestay
Meals
- 18 hot breakfasts (B)
- 14 dinners (D)
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 Christchurch On arrival be met and transferred to your hotel. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy at leisure and to explore the beautiful garden city of Christchurch. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Ibis (2 nights) |
| 2 (B) (D) |
Mt Cook, Lake Ohau Journey to Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd, built by settlers in 1935. Continue to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia’s highest peak, Mt Cook. Perhaps take an optional scenic flight over this amazing alpine region (own expense, weather permitting). Head to secluded Lake Ohau where tonight you’ll enjoy a High Country dinner. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Lake Ohau Lodge |
| 3 (B) (D) |
Lake Ohau, Dunedin Visit historical Oamaru, known for its cream limestone architecture. Continue south to the 60 million-year-old Moeraki Boulders, on Koekohe Beach. Head to Dunedin for a city tour. Tonight enjoy a Scottish evening and dinner. |
ACCOMMODATION: Dunedin City Hotel |
| 4 (B) (D) |
Dunedin, Te Anau Tour historic Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. Built by William Larnach for his first wife, the castle took 200 workmen five years to build. View the restored rooms filled with New Zealand antiques. Departing Dunedin travel through rich countryside as we cross the South Island. Continue to the lakeside settlement of Te Anau, gateway to the magnificent Fiordland National Park. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Luxmore Hotel |
| 5 (B) |
Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown Travel Milford Road through Eglinton and Hollyford valleys. Pass through the Homer Tunnel and arrive at Milford Sound. See Mitre Peak rising from the waters as you cruise the World Heritage and beautiful fiord past waterfalls, sheer cliffs and rainforest in this pristine area. This afternoon travel to Queenstown. |
ACCOMMODATION: Kingsgate Hotel Terraces (2 nights) |
| 6 (B) (D) |
Queenstown at Leisure Today enjoy the many activities this alpine resort has to offer. Perhaps join a vineyard tour and sample some of New Zealand’s famous wines, take an exciting river rafting journey or a scenic helicopter flight (all activities at own expense). Queenstown is New Zealand adventure capital. Tonight cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Sheep Station and enjoy dinner at the Colonel’s homestead. |
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| 7 (B) (D) |
Queenstown, Haast Travelling towards the West Coast, pass the shores of lakes Hawea and Wanaka. Journey over the Southern Alps and through spectacular Haast Pass which was once the route used by Maori to carry greenstone from the West Coast to the Makarora River in Otago. Arrive in the village of Haast and stop in at the Haast Visitor Centre to learn more about this World Heritage-listed area. |
ACCOMMODATION: Heartland World Heritage Hotel |
| 8 (B) (D) |
Haast, Greymouth Journey the west coast, past rare wildlife and spectacular scenery. Continue through rainforest to World Heritage-listed Westland National Park. Here, perhaps take an optional scenic flight (own expense, weather permitting). |
ACCOMMODATION: Kingsgate Hotel |
| 9 (B) (D) |
Greymouth, TranzAlpine Train, Christchurch Visit Shantytown, a recreated 1900s gold-rush town, then travel along the coastline to Punakaiki to view the fascinating Pancake Rocks. Board the TranzAlpine Train for a journey known as one of the best in the world. Sit back as the train traverses gorges, valleys, the Southern Alps and then climbs into the Main Divide before crossing the Canterbury Plains to reach Christchurch. |
ACCOMMODATION: Holiday Inn On Avon |
| 10 (B) (D) |
Christchurch, Picton Today, journey between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Kaikoura Ranges from Christchurch to North Canterbury. Visit the seaside town of Kaikoura, famous for its whale, seal and dolphin watching. Continue to Blenheim and tour Montana Brancott Winery Estate. Here, learn about New Zealand’s wine industry and enjoy a wine tasting. Continue to Picton, a seaside port located at the top of the South Island. |
ACCOMMODATION: Beachcomber Inn |
| 11 (B) (D) |
Picton, Wellington Cruise across Cook Strait to Wellington today. Here, enjoy a sightseeing tour. Then visit the Museum of New Zealand – Te Papa, where you’ll have the chance to explore the museum’s fascinating and impressive displays. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Kingsgate Hotel, Wellington |
| 12 (B) (D) |
Wellington, Napier Leave Wellington this morning and cross the Rimutaka Ranges into the farming district of the Wairarapa. Continue through Hawkes Bay, a region dominated by orchards and vineyards, to Napier. After being destroyed by an earthquake in 1931, Napier was rebuilt and today it is famous for its Art Deco architecture. |
ACCOMMODATION: Nautilus Hotel |
| 13 (B) (D) |
Napier, Rotorua This morning marvel at some of the city’s best Art Deco buildings on a walking tour. Then journey north and see the spectacular Huka Falls at the mouth of the mighty Waikato River. Visit the town of Taupo, built on the shores of tranquil Lake Taupo, the water-filled crater of an ancient volcano. Continue to Rotorua, the centre of Maori culture and a geothermal wonderland. Tonight enjoy a Hangi feast and Maori cultural performance of traditional dance. |
ACCOMMODATION: Hotel Ibis (2 nights) |
| 14 (B) |
Rotorua Experience the attractions of Rotorua today. At the Agrodome see an entertaining show and learn about New Zealand’s sheep industry. Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve, comprising more than 500 hot springs, steaming ground, boiling mud pools and geysers. Discover the history and origins of the Maori on a guided tour through the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. The rest of the day is at leisure (own expense). Tonight, you also have the option of experiencing a Country Homestay in Rotorua. |
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| 15 (B) (D) |
Rotorua, Auckland Journey north to Auckland and visit Waitomo Caves for a guided tour of the limestone caverns and mystical grotto lit by thousands of tiny glow-worms. Arrive in this Auckland afternoon. |
ACCOMMODATION: Kingsgate Hotel Parnell |
| 16 (B) (D) |
Auckland, Bay of Islands Visit the Kauri Museum and learn of the region’s pioneering history. Continue to Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve and view the giant Kauri tree. Travel to the Bay of Islands and tour historic Waitangi Reserve, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840. See the Treaty House, Maori Meeting House and the carved war canoe. |
ACCOMMODATION: Beachcomber Hotel (2 nights) |
| 17 (B) |
Bay of Islands Home to 144 stunning islands, the Bay of Islands offers nature experiences, marine adventures and scenic cruises. Today is at leisure or perhaps join an overnight cruise. |
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| 18 (B) (D) |
Bay of Islands, Auckland Today, take a catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Watch for dolphins and schools of fish you wind through the inner islands. This afternoon return to Auckland. |
ACCOMMODATION: Kingsgate Hotel Parnell |
| 19 (B) |
Auckland After breakfast 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.
