Great New Zealand Experience

20/17 days - Auckland to Auckland

See all the highlights of New Zealand with this comprehensive and stylish vacation. Absorb the majestic sights of the Bay of Islands, experience Maori culture and amazing thermal activity in Rotorua; discover the rugged beauty of the West Coast; cruise the length of spectacular Milford Sound and explore the magnificent ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown. Enjoy our Exclusive Experiences in Auckland, the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Queenstown and Dunedin, where you choose the activity and we will include at no extra cost.

In the Bay of Islands you may enjoy an ultimate marine adventure, get up-close to dolphins and perhaps even get the opportunity to swim with them. In Rotorua you may choose to soak in a thermal mineral pool and enjoy a luxurious spa treatment at the Polynesian Pools and Spa. Queenstown offers a range of activities to suit your interests; take a winery or garden tour, jump on a Double Decker bus tour around Queenstown and Arrowtown, or be more adventurous with a jet boat ride or a ‘Lord of the Rings’ guided safari. The Great New Zealand Experience has it all!

Day 1: Arrive Auckland, Exclusive Experiences
You will be met & transferred to your hotel. Today you choose the activity and we will include it! You may like to cruise Waitemata Harbour or enjoy a Royal Reflexology treatment. Adventure Options are also available.
Accommodation: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 2: Auckland, Bay of Islands (BD)
This morning we journey across the Auckland Harbour Bridge, traveling through the farming communities of Warkworth and Wellsford. Visit the Matakohe Museum, home to the world’s largest Kauri gum collection. Continue to the majestic Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve where we view Tane Mahuta ‘Lord of the Forest’. View the magnificent Hokianga Harbour before traveling across country to the subtropical Bay of Islands, a beautiful unspoilt paradise, rich in history and culture. Join a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty House and view its beautiful gardens.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Paihia, Waitangi Resort.

Day 3: Bay of Islands, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
The Bay of Islands is not only the birth place of the nation and thus full of New Zealand history, it is also home to 144 islands and renowned as a favourite playground for lovers of anything aquatic. Today you have the opportunity to choose the sightseeing activity that most interests you and we will include it! It may be a day trip to the very top of New Zealand, a tour of the first capital town or sailing on a Tall Ship. Adventure Options are also available.

Day 4: Paihia, Auckland (BD)
This morning our catamaran cruise takes us on an exciting journey to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’. Return to Paihia where our coach departs for the return journey to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’. 17 day passengers (NAN17) arrive in Auckland today.
Accommodation: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 5: Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua Theme Dinner (BD)
Leaving the ‘City of Sails’, we travel south to the rich dairy land of the Waikato Province. At Waitomo Caves experience a guided tour of the lime-stone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Journey to the centre of Maori culture and geothermal region of Rotorua. Immerse yourself in Maori culture tonight with a Hangi (feast) and cultural performance of song and dance.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua.

Day 6: Rotorua, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
Rotorua is New Zealand’s oldest and best known resort, where generations of visitors have enjoyed its therapeutic waters, marveled at its fascinating geothermal activity and experienced the region’s Maori culture. Today we give you the opportunity to choose an activity and we will include it! Perhaps visit the Rotorua Museum or enjoy a relaxing soak in the thermal mineral pools at the Polynesian Spa. Adventure Options are also available.
Accommodation: Choose to stay in a Country Homestay tonight!

Day 7: Lake Taupo, Wellington (BD)
Today we view Wairakei Steam Valley, a unique and fascinating geothermal power project. See spectacular Huka Falls and picturesque Lake Taupo. Traveling south we cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park to Wellington, a busy diverse, cosmopolitan city and the Nation’s capital.
Accommodation: Wellington, Hotel Inter-Continental.

Day 8: Wellington, Nelson Dine About (BD)
Today our Interislander cruise takes us across Cook Strait to the South Island. Cruise from scenic Wellington Harbour, into the breathtaking natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. See magnificent scenery in Queen Charlotte Sound before arriving in the seaside port of Picton. This afternoon we journey through the pretty orchard and vineyard region of Marlborough to Nelson. Tonight choose from two fine restaurants located in your hotel. Miyazu, a critically acclaimed Japanese restaurant or Oceano, a restaurant boasting a great range of fresh seafood.
Accommodation: Nelson, The Rutherford Hotel.

Day 9: Nelson, Franz Josef (BD)
Follow the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge to the wild and rugged West Coast. View the fascinating ‘Pancake’ rock formations at Punakaiki. Continue along the dramatic west coast and enter World Heritage-listed area of South West New Zealand. View the glaciers; magnificent rivers of ice.
Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.

Day 10: Franz Josef, Wanaka (BD)
View incredible scenery today as we leave this World Heritage-listed area traveling through Haast Pass and over the incredible Southern Alps. This scenic road takes us along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea where crystal-clear blue waters reflect dramatic landscapes. Continue to Wanaka township, originally settled during the goldrush era of last century and surrounded by Mt Aspiring National Park.
Accommodation: Wanaka, Edgewater Resort.

Day 11: Wanaka, Queenstown Dine About (BD)
Depart Wanaka this morning and journey to the delightful village of Arrowtown. On arrival visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown, situated on the banks of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by the majestic towering peaks of the Remarkables. Tonight you have the opportunity to choose from a selection of fifteen restaurants, and we will include it!
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel.

Day 12: Queenstown, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
Today you may personalize your sightseeing from a range of activities, and we will include it in your itinerary. Enjoy rambling through beautiful local gardens or a relaxing winery tour. Adventure Options are also available.

Day 13: Milford Sound, Te Anau (BD)
This morning travel through Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound and cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord, traveling below famous mile-high Mitre Peak and beneath spectacular waterfalls. View dense rainforests, towering mountains and hanging valleys. This afternoon we have a relaxing drive returning through Eglington Valley and Homer Tunnel to the pretty settlement of Te Anau.
Accommodation: Te Anau, Te Anau Hotel and Villas.

Day 14: Te Anau, Dunedin, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
Today we journey via beautiful Lake Manapouri to the southern-most coast of New Zealand. Continue to Dunedin settled by the Scottish in 1848 and renowned as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. The Scottish heritage is still apparent today in some of the historic buildings located around Dunedin. This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it! Perhaps take the opportunity to tour the Otago Peninsula and view Royal Albatross and Yellow-Eyed Penguin colonies in their natural environments. You may like to visit historic Larnach Castle and it’s beautiful gardens.
Accommodation: Dunedin, Southern Cross Hotel.

Day 15: Dunedin, Mt Cook (BD)
Travel north along the coast to view the unique Moeraki Beach boulders. Pass hydro electric dams and glacier fed lakes of incredible color on our journey to Mt Cook National Park a World Heritage-listed area and home to Australasias highest mountain Mt Cook.
Accommodation: Mt Cook, The Hermitage.

Day 16: Mt Cook, Christchurch Dine About (BD)
This morning we visit the beautiful Lake Tekapo and the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Leaving the High Country and it’s sheep stations behind, we travel through Burkes Pass to the patchwork plains of Canterbury to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch. Tonight experience our Dine About dinner, where you choose from three superb restaurants located within your hotel and we will include it! Experience Yamagen Restaurant, authentic Japanese cuisine including sushi, sukiyaki and teppen-yaki. Prepared from the finest New Zealand produce and presented either traditionally or with the excitement of teppen-yaki cooking. Perhaps try Victoria St Cafe, a lively brasserie style cafe or Canterbury Tales, serving fresh and creative cuisine.
Accommodation: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 17: Christchurch, Wellington (BD)
Today view spectacular seascapes as we travel between the Pacific Ocean and towering Kaikoura Ranges. Travel to the seaside town of Picton and board the Interislander cruise for your journey across Cook Strait to the North Island and Wellington. Enjoy your overnight stay in this capital city.
Accommodation: Wellington, Hotel Inter-Continental.

Day 18: Wellington, Taupo (BD)
Leaving Wellington this morning we travel over the Rimutaka Ranges to the township of Napier, an area dominated by orchards and vineyards. Upon arrival join your Tour Director for a guided walking tour around some of the ‘Art Deco’ buildings. Depart this afternoon for Taupo.
Accommodation: Taupo, Wairakei Resort.

Day 19: Taupo, Auckland (BD)
Depart Taupo this morning and visit Wai-o-tapu Thermal Wonderland, a geothermal project and New Zealand’s most colorful natural volcanic environment. Continue via Rotorua to Kiwifruit Country, enjoy a guided tour through the lush orchards on the unique ‘Kiwi Karts’. This afternoon cross the Hauraki Plains to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’.
Accommodation: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 20: Depart Auckland (B)
Your tour concludes this morning and a departure transfer to the airport is included.