New Zealand Wonderland Tour

17 days/16 nights - Auckland to Christchurch

Commencing in Auckland, our 17-day Wonderland treks up to the beautiful Bay of Islands where we spend two nights in this National Maritime Park. Journey down the North Island and on to Rotorua enjoying two nights in this geothermal city. Immerse yourself in culture as you enjoy a traditional steam-cooked Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance. Continue to the Nations capital city, Wellington and enjoy a spectacular cruise across Cook Strait, through the Marlborough Sounds to Blenheim.

Travel on the world-renowned TranzAlpine Train through gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. See the rugged West Coast and Franz Josef Glacier before proceeding to Queenstown, an adventurers paradise. Cruise the full length of Milford Sound and spend the evening at the lakeside settlement of Te Anau. Discover Dunedin with our Exclusive Experiences, where you choose the activity and we will include it! Continue to Twizel, a town built on the outskirts of Mt Cook National Park before arriving in Christchurch, renowned as the ‘Garden City’.

Day 1: Arrive Auckland, Exclusive Experiences
You will be met and transferred to your centrally located hotel. Today you choose an activity and we will include it! Perhaps take an Auckland City Highlights Tour or a trip up to Auckland’s Sky Tower. Adventure Options are also available.
Accommodation: Auckland, Sky City Hotel.

Day 2: Auckland, Bay of Islands (BD)
We cross Auckland’s busy Harbour Bridge and travel along the Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe, home to a boutique Museum with displays centered on early New Zealand pioneering history, the magnificent Kauri tree, its timber and gum. View the magnificent Hokianga Harbour before traveling across country to the subtropical Bay of Islands, a beautiful unspoilt paradise, rich in history and culture and the cradle of European settlement in New Zealand. On arrival, we take a guided tour of the historic Waitangi Reserve where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Paihia, Paihia Pacific Resort.

Day 3: Bay of Islands, Exclusive Experiences (B)
Today you have the opportunity to choose the sightseeing activity that interests you the most and we will include it. Take an exciting day tour to Cape Reinga and drive along the sands at Ninety Mile Beach or tour New Zealand’s first National capital, Russell. You may like to be a little more adventurous and join a Dolphin Encounters Tour, or just unwind on a golden sandy beach. The choice is yours!
Adventure Options are also available.
Tonight you have the opportunity to treat yourself with the local cuisine of Paihia (own expense).

Day 4: Bay of Islands, Auckland (BD)
Explore New Zealand’s finest National Maritime Park on a catamaran cruise. Venture to Cape Brett and the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Sail through game fishing waters then make passage through the ‘Hole’ (sea conditions permitting). Meander through inner islands viewing golden sandy beaches, rocky outcrops, and visit a secluded bay, Urupukapuka Island, with time for relaxation. Returning to Paihia our coach departs for our relaxed journey to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’. The rest of today is at your leisure.
Accommodation: Auckland, Sky City Hotel

Day 5: 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 limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Journey underground on a subterranean adventure through lime-stone chambers and passages. Be suspended in awe and silence, surrounded by cave decorations and a galaxy of tiny living lights found in the Waitomo glow-worm Caves. As you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glow-worms, it is only the gentle sound of dripping water that reminds you that you are deep underground and not beneath a star-filled sky. Journey to the centre of Maori culture and the geothermal region of Rotorua. Immerse yourself in Maori culture tonight, as you enjoy a Hangi (feast) and cultural performance of song and dance.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Park Heritage Hotel.

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 it’s fascinating geothermal activity and experienced the regions Maori culture. Today we give you the opportunity to choose an activity and we will include it! Perhaps visit Rotorua Museum or enjoy a relaxing soak in the thermal mineral pool at the Polynesian Spas. You may prefer to marvel at Rotorua’s ‘Must See Three’ activities; Te Puia Thermal Reserve, where you can view bubbling mud pools and exploding geysers; Rainbow Springs, a sanctuary for New Zealand’s native flora and fauna and the Agrodome, where you can be entertained by a sheep show and shearing display. You may decide to partake in a half day Eco-Tour of Rotorua learning about its useful resources and its native flora and fauna or immerse yourself in Maori culture with a guided tour of the Realm of Tane, a blend of guided tour, storytelling and character theatre of Maori history. Adventure Options are also available.
Accommodation: Choose to stay in a Country Homestay tonight!

Day 7: Rotorua, 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, New Zealand’s first established National Park. Continue to Wellington, a busy, diverse cosmopolitan city and also New Zealand’s capital. This city is home to New Zealand’s government and also boasts a strong creative background, seen in some of the architectural pieces and local artwork displayed around the city.
Accommodation: Wellington, James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel.

Day 8: Wellington, Blenheim (BD)
Enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour this morning around Wellington viewing parliament buildings and traveling to Mt Victoria to enjoy spectacular panoramic views of this city. Continue to Te Papa, ‘National Museum of New Zealand’. This afternoon board our Interislander cruise for a journey across Cook Strait to the South Island. Known as one of the most beautiful cruises in the world, journey from scenic Wellington Harbour through the breathtaking natural beauty of Marlborough Sounds to the seaside port of Picton. On arrival into Picton rejoin the coach and travel through the orchard and vineyard region of Marlborough to Blenheim.
Accommodation: Blenheim, Blenheim Country Hotel.

Day 9: Blenheim, Kaikoura, Christchurch (BD)
Leaving Blenheim this morning enjoy spectacular scenery as we journey through renowned vineyards and productive orchards of the Marlborough region. Visit the fishing town of Kaikoura, famous for its whale and dolphin watching excursions. Leaving Kaikoura, travel between the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline and the untamed Kaikoura Ranges. This afternoon we arrive in Christchurch renowned as the ‘Garden City’ and also South Island’s largest city.
Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel.

Day 10: Christchurch, TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef (BD)
This morning board the award-winning TranzAlpine Train for a journey renowned as New Zealand’s ‘Great Rail Adventure’. Travel from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs the Southern Alps before descending through lush Beech rainforest. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue to Hokitika by coach, where you can view beautiful Pounamu (Jade) being made into jewelry and artefacts. Continue along the dramatic west coast and view the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier; river of ice (weather permitting).
Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.

Day 11: Franz Josef, Queenstown Dine About (BD)
View magnificent scenery today as we travel along the rugged west coast to Haast. Experience a unique river safari, capturing breathtaking views of the massive glacier-formed Haast River Valley, flanked by towering peaks, cascading waterfalls and dense temperate rainforest. Rejoin our coach and continue to the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown. This town was named, because it was ‘fit for a Queen’. Queenstown is popular for adventurers and holiday-makers at any time of the year, making it the perfect place for relaxation and activities. Tonight enjoy a choice of 4 dining options, where you choose the restaurant and we will include it! You may prefer to dine at the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak Station, or you may like to take in spectacular views of the city from the Skyline Restaurant and Gondola.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Copthorne Lakefront Resort.

Day 12: Queenstown, Exclusive Experiences (B)
Queenstown is perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike, nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern Alps. Today you have a selection of activities to choose from and we will include it! Perhaps join an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River, enjoy the day rambling through beautiful local gardens or enjoy a wine tour at one of the region’s wineries. You may like to participate in a fun Double Decker bus tour around the streets of Queenstown and to the settlement of Arrowtown. Adventure Options are also available.

Day 13:Milford Sound Cruise, Te Anau (BD)
Today we travel to Fiordland, a World Heritage-listed area. Here we see some of New Zealand’s most remote and untouched scenery as we journey to Milford Sound. Join a cruise on this beautiful, glacier-carved fiord (weather permitting). Cruise to the mouth of the fiord and view the mighty Tasman Sea. This afternoon take a relaxing journey to the pretty lakeside settlement of Te Anau.
Accommodation: Te Anau, Village Inn.

Day 14: Te Anau, Dunedin, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
Leaving the dramatic landscape of the Fiordland region we journey through rolling Southland countryside. Travel via the rural support towns of Lumsden, Gore and Balclutha to the East Coast and the city of Dunedin, ‘Edinburgh of the South’. This afternoon you choose an activity and we will include it! Perhaps visit Olveston House or take the opportunity of a tour of Otago Peninsula to view Royal Albatross or Yellow-eyed Penguin colonies in their natural environment.
Accommodation: Dunedin, Dunedin City Hotel.

Day 15: Dunedin, Twizel (BD)
Journey north along the coast to view the unique Moeraki Beach boulders; giant rocks that have been eroded by wave action and lie scattered on the beach. We turn inland and travel past the beautiful azure-colored man-made lakes of Pukaki, Aviemore and Benmore, all developed for hydroelectric power schemes. Continue to Twizel, a town built on the outskirts of Mt Cook National Park.
Accommodation: Twizel, MacKenzie Country Inn.

Day 16: Mt Cook, Christchurch (BD)
This morning we journey into the majestic scenery of Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage-listed area and home to New Zealand’s highest mountain, Mt Cook. Stop at picturesque Lake Tekapo to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd which was built in 1835. Travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch, the pretty ‘Garden City’.
Accommodation: Christchurch, Copthorne Central Hotel.

Day 15: Depart Christchurch Exclusive Experiences (B)
This morning enjoy a sumptuous breakfast. Today you choose an activity and we will include it! You might like to partake in the ‘Must See Four’ Christchurch Tour. First stop at the International Antarctic Centre, a winner of the New Zealand Tourism Board's award for 'Best Visitor Attraction'. Then move on to Willowbank Wildlife Reserve where you experience New Zealand's largest and most unique daytime Kiwi viewing area. Enjoy the Christchurch Tram with its 2.5km of track through the central city. The 25-minute tour includes a guide to the city's 'must see' attractions, and full on-board commentary. The tour then moves to the Christchurch Gondola, where following a cable car ride to the summit you will be treated to breathtaking 360 degree views of the city, Canterbury Plains, and Banks Peninsula.
Adventure Options are also available. Your tour concludes after your sightseeing experience and a departure transfer to the airport is included.