New Zealand Medley Tour

12 days/11 nights - Auckland to Christchurch

Explore New Zealand independently with a group of new-found friends. On the New Zealand Medley, you will explore both the North and South Island. From the large cities to the secluded towns, there is something for everyone. Experience an amazing journey on the TranzAlpine Train, renowned as one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Travel through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the majestic Southern Alps. Enjoy an overnight stay in Wanaka – a place of peace and tranquility – surrounded by Mt Aspiring National Park. Travel to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park and spend the evening at the spectacular Hermitage, nestled beneath Mt Cook. Watch the sunrise over the majestic mountain and then continue to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch.

Please note that the first 4 days of touring are on an independent basis.

Day 1: Independent; Arrive Auckland
On arrival you will be met & transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 2: Independent; Auckland, Rotorua (BD)
Travel south through 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 geothermal region of Rotorua. Tonight immerse yourself in Maori culture with a Hangi (feast) and cultural performance.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua.

Day 3: Independent; Rotorua Sightseeing (BD)
Take a morning city sightseeing tour of Rotorua's leading attractions. At Te Puia Thermal Reserve, see boiling mud pools and mighty geysers and at the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute enjoy a guided tour to see Maori carving and weaving demonstrations. Venture to Rainbow Springs Nature Park, offering a unique showcase of native flora and fauna. At the Agrodome, view a New Zealand Farm Show and sheep shearing display. The remainder of today is at your leisure in Rotorua.
Accommodation:Choose to stay in a Country Homestay tonight!

Day 4: Independent; Rotorua, Christchurch (BD)
Today you will be transferred from your hotel to Rotorua Airport for your flight (own expense) to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of today is at your leisure in Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city.
Accommodation: Christchurch, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 5: Christchurch, Franz Josef (BD)
This morning take a short journey to the Christchurch Railway Station, where we board the TranzAlpine Train, for a stunning award-winning rail journey. Join our coach at Greymouth and stop at Hokitika situated beside the Tasman Sea to enjoy stunning views to Mt Cook and the spectacular Southern Alps. Continue along the dramatic west coast and enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park, where you can view the magnificent glaciers.
Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.

Day 6: 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. Travel along the shores of picturesque 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 7: Wanaka, Queenstown Dine About (BD)
Depart Wanaka this morning and journey to the delightful village of Arrowtown, an old goldrush settlement. Visit the Lakes District Museum, before continuing to the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown, situated on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Tonight we explore Queenstown even further with our Dine About dinner.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel.

Day 8: Queenstown, Exclusive Experiences
Today you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps take a Queenstown Double Decker Explorer tour, an ‘Original Wine Tour’ of some of the local and award winning wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River or a relaxing garden tour might be for you. Perhaps the ‘Lord of the Rings’ safari or an adventure into Skippers Canyon might appeal.
Adventure Options are also available.

Day 9: Queenstown, Milford Sound, Te Anau (BD)
This morning travel through Fiordland National Park where lush rainforests meet snow-capped mountains. On arrival into Milford we cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord, traveling below famous mile-high Mitre Peak and beneath spectacular waterfalls. This afternoon we have a relaxing drive returning through Homer Tunnel and Eglington Valley to the pretty lakeside settlement of Te Anau.
Accommodation: Te Anau, Te Anau Hotel and Villas.

Day 10: 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'. This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps a visit to Speights Brewery and Heritage Centre where they brew the popular Speights ale. A visit to Otago Peninsula to visit the Royal Albatross colony might be your preference.
Accommodation: Dunedin, Southern Cross Hotel.

Day 11: Dunedin, Mt Cook (BD)
Travel north along the coast to view the unique and fascinating Moeraki Beach boulders. Stop at Oamaru, a town renowned for its distinctive lime-stone architecture. Pass massive 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 Australasia's highest mountain, Mt Cook. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (weather permitting, own expense) and land on the mighty Tasman Glacier.
Accommodation: Mt Cook, The Hermitage.

Day 12: Mt Cook, Christchurch (B)
This morning we visit the beautiful glacier-fed lake of Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935 of locally gathered stone and oak. Leaving the High Country and its sheep stations we travel through Burkes Pass to the patchwork plains of Canterbury. Continue via the Rakaia Gorge to Christchurch, the pretty ‘Garden City’. Your tour concludes on arrival and a departure transfer to the airport is included.