Tour Inclusions
- Auckland - Freedom of Choice Touring
- Arrowtown - Lakes District Museum
- Franz Josef Glacier
- Haast River Safari in the Haast Pass
- Hokitika - Greenstone (Jade) Factory
- 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 - Mitai Maori Village
- TranzAlpine Train Journey
- Waitomo Caves - Glowworm caves tour
- Wellington - city sights tour
- Wellington - Te Papa (New Zealand’s National Museum)
- Wairakei Steam Valley
- Westland National Park
Accommodation Highlights
- Stay in Auckland at Skycity Hotel
- Two nights at Rotorua’s Heritage Hotel
- Three nights in Queenstown at the centrally-located Novotel Lakeside Hotel
- Stay overnight at The Hermitage, Mt Cook
- Option to do a Rotorua Country Homestay
Meals
- 11 hot breakfasts (B)
- 9 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 |
Arrive Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring Be met on arrival in Auckland and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon choose from an extensive range of Freedom of Choice Touring activities. Perhaps relax with a Bliss Reflexology treatment at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, join a cruise aboard the Pride of Auckland on Waitemata Harbour, visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter & Underwater World, take a city sightseeing tour, explore Auckland Museum or climb Auckland harbour bridge for incredible views. |
ACCOMMODATION: Sky City Hotel |
| 2 (B) (FD) |
Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi Feast Leaving the ‘City of Sails’ we travel south to Waitomo Caves and experience a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns. Join a silent boat ride and glide through a mystical grotto lit by thousands of tiny glow-worms. Emerge into daylight and continue to Rotorua and tonight immerse yourself in traditional Maori hospitality and culture as you enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and performance of song and dance. |
ACCOMMODATION: Heritage Rotorua (2 nights) |
| 3 (B) (D) |
Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring Take the opportunity to choose an Exclusive Experience and we will include it. Perhaps visit Rotorua’s ‘Must See Three’ attractions including Te Puia Thermal Reserve, the Agrodome for an entertaining sheep show then walk amongst beautiful native flora at Rainbow Springs. You might prefer a relaxing spa treatment at the Polynesian Spa. There are many activities for your to enjoy. It’s your choice! |
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| 4 (B) (D) |
Rotorua, Wellington Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of the North Island and view Wairakei Steam Valley, where thermal energy is harnessed in the world’s second largest geothermal power plant. Visit the mighty Huka Falls and Lake Taupo before travelling south across the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park on our way to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. |
ACCOMMODATION: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor |
| 5 (B) (D) |
Wellington, Blenheim Enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour this morning before visiting Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand. This afternoon board our Interislander Cruise for a journey across Cook Strait to Picton. Rejoin the coach and travel to Blenheim for dinner and your overnight stay. |
ACCOMMODATION: Heartland Hotel Marlborough |
| 6 (B) (D) |
Blenheim, Christchurch Today enjoy a spectacular scenic journey between mountains andsea. Travel through the Marlborough region, an area with a strong international reputation for white wines. Arrive in the thriving seaside settlement of Kaikoura, an area offering unique whale, seal and dolphin-watching experiences. Journey between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges, through North Canterbury to Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island and renowned as the Garden City due to its profusion of elegant gardens and beautiful architecture. Christchurch was founded in 1850 as a model Church of England settlement and has retained a unique English flavour. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Copthorne Central Hotel |
| 7 (B) (D) |
TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef Board the award-winning TranzAlpine Train and cross the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, formed from the alluvial shingle fans of several large rivers, before climbing into the Main Divide. Cross the Southern Alps, then disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue to Hokitika, the gateway to World Heritage-listed Westland National Park. See Pounamu (jade) being carved into jewelry. Continue along the coast and view Franz Josef Glacier. Together with Fox Glacier, it is unique in the fact that it descends from the Southern Alps to just 650 feet above sea level amid the greenery and lushness of a temperate rain forest. Perhaps join a scenic flight (own expense, weather permitting). |
 ACCOMMODATION: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier |
| 8 (B) (FD) |
Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner Enjoy the scenery today as you travel past mountains and glaciers, lakes and rivers. At Haast join a river safari, taking in views of the glacier-formed Haast River Valley. Follow the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to Queenstown, an alpine resort that has gained a reputation as a wine and food centre. Tonight select from four dining experiences, including a cruise on Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a delicious carvery dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. |
ACCOMMODATION: Novotel Lakeside Hotel (3 nights) |
| 9 (B) |
Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring Queenstown is an exhilarating, year round, alpine resort, perfect for adventurers and leisure seekers alike. Today, your touring options include a guided tour of gardens or wineries, a jetboat ride, a double-decker bus tour, a lakeshore and forest walk, an exploration of Skippers Canyon and more. |
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| 10 (B) (D) |
Milford Sound Cruise, Queenstown Leave your escorted tour for independent touring to Milford Sound. Following the Remarkables mountain range to Fiordland National Park. On arrival, cruise the full length of Milford Sound. View waterfalls, cliffs, dense rain forest, mountains and famous Mitre Peak. Seals, penguins and dolphins frequent these waters. This afternoon return to Queenstown. |
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| 11 (B) (D) |
Queenstown, Christchurch Travel to Otago and visit Mt Cook Village. Join an optional scenic helicopter or ski plane flight with a snow landing (own expense, weather permitting). Stop at the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo before continuing on to Christchurch. |
 ACCOMMODATION: Copthorne Central Hotel |
| 12 (B) |
Depart Christchurch Today, your tour ends with an airport transfer included. |
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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.
