16 Day New Zealand North & Southern Gems with Bay of Islands

Transcription

1 16 Day New Zealand North & Southern Gems with Bay of Islands Return International airfares Superior twin share accommodation Breakfast daily Highly experienced Coach Captain guide Stunning Milford Sound cruise with lunch Interislander Ferry Luxury private coach transportation Sightseeing as per the itinerary Hotel porterage #1 Online Travel Company in Australia Day 1: Australia - - Christchurch Depart Australia today for New Zealand s southern city of Christchurch. On arrival into Christchurch you will make your own way to your hotel. Tonight, over a welcome drink a Local Host will introduce you to your fellow travellers. Hotel: Heartland Hotel Costwold Webjet Crafted Itineraries Always Includes Flights Please note: Some flights arrive at 11:55PM in the evening on day 1. No Hassel Easy Booking Optional - Hotel Transfer - PRE PURCHASED OPTIONAL On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel. Process Day 2: Christchurch - Omarama (B) 26 September October November January February March April May 2018 After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, visit The Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand s highest peak at 3,724m. The mountain, known as Aoraki to the indigenous Maori, helped Sir Edmund Hillary to develop his climbing skills in preparation for the conquest of Everest. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional please see fine print) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel Day 3: Omarama - Dunedin (B) (B) - Breakfast / (L) - Lunch / (D) - Dinner Flight Cruise Train Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin, known for its Scottish Heritage and Victorian and Edwardian Architecture. Dunedin is New Zealand's best kept secret, the city is full of authentic welcoming characters that tell it like it is.

2 This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the Hotel: Hotel Mercure Leisure Lodge Day 4: Dunedin - Te Anau (B) This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Built 1871 by William Larnach, merchant baron and politician, for his beloved first wife Eliza. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build the Castle shell and master European craftsmen spent a further 12 years embellishing the interior. Larnach spared no expense on his dream home, which features the finest materials from around the world. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional please see fine print) Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Day 5: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown (B,L) Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. Bounded by steep cliffs and dense rainforest, Milford Sound is by far the best known of all of the fiords in New Zealand, and the only one that can be accessed by road. Rain or shine, Milford Sound continues to captivate even the most experienced traveller. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two night s at this year round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. Renowned for adventure sports, it s also a base for exploring the region s vineyards and historic mining towns. There are over 150 restaurants, cafes and bars in Queenstown, take your pick! Hotel: Hotel Mercure Queenstown Resort Day 6: Queenstown (B) Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain is available to assist with the many sightseeing options available.

3 Optional - TSS Earnslaw - PRE PURCHASED OPTIONAL: This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you at the Colonel s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown. Hotel: Hotel Mercure Queenstown Resort Day 7: Queenstown Arrowtown Fox Glacier (B) Today we leave Queenstown and begin our journey North up the West Coast. Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the breath taking Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to Fox Glacier. At 12kms, Fox Glacier is the longest of the awe-inspiring New Zealand West Coast glaciers. At its head, soaring peaks of over 3,000m (10,000ft) dominate the vista. These include Aoraki (Mt Cook) and Mt Tasman. This mighty moving river of ice falls 2,600 metres, or a little over 8,000ft, on its journey from the base of the Southern Alps to the West Coast. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional refer to fine print) over the spectacular glaciers. Hotel: Heartland Hotel Glacier Country Day 8: Fox Glacier - Arthur s Pass - Christchurch (B) Today, we travel to Christchurch, via Hokitika where we stop to visit the Greenstone Factory. For those who selected it, we make a stop via the TranzAlpine station to board the awe-inspiring train (pre purchased optional). For everyone else, we continue by the equally stunning road over Arthur s Pass. Climbing to more than 900 metres through Arthur's Pass National Park, is the highest and most spectacular pass across the Southern Alps. Optional - Tranz Alpine - PRE PURCHASED OPTIONAL: Continue into Arthur s Pass and board The Tranz Alpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Hotel: Heartland Hotel Cotswold Day 9: Christchurch - Picton - - Wellington (B)

4 Travel via the Lewis Pass from Christchurch to Picton. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington. The 92km voyage takes 3 hours and has been described as "one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world". Hotel: Hotel Ibis Wellington Day 10: Wellington (B) A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon Hotel: Hotel Ibis Wellington Day 11: Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua (B) Depart Wellington and view the snow capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. The beautiful Lake Taupo is about the size of Singapore more of an inland sea really. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. The Māori revered this place, naming one of the most spectacular springs Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters). Hotel: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua Day 12: Rotorua (B) Today begins with a Gondola ride and breakfast at the Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a luge ride! Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Pōhutu ( poor-hoo-too ) is the largest active geyser in the southern hemisphere. She erupts once or twice every hour and sometimes reaches heights of 30 metres. As well as being a spectacular sight, Pōhutu is the most reliable geyser on Earth. Eruptions can last from a few minutes to much longer. After, enjoy some free time this afternoon. Optional - Maori Hangi & Concert - PRE PURCHASED OPTIONAL This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert at the hotel.

5 Optional - Airport Transfer - PRE PURCHASED OPTIONAL Take a hassle free airport transfer to the airport to board your homeward flight. Hotel: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua Day 13: Rotorua - Auckland - Bay of Islands (B) This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland. Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy an introduction to the Bay of Islands, location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British. The Bay of Islands is a New Zealand enclave encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands next to the country's North Island. It s known for its undeveloped beaches, biggame fishing and Maori cultural artefacts. It's also home to the 19th-century whaling port of Russell, whose waterfront promenade is lined with remnants from its days as the country s first colonial capital. Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Day 14: Bay of Islands (B) Enjoy a full free day in the Bay of Islands region. A range of optional activities are available or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. Optional - Bay of Island cruise - PRE PURCHASED OPTIONAL This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands on board a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning via Russell to Paihia for a free afternoon. Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge Day 15: Bay of Islands - Auckland (B) Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. Hotel: Copthorne Auckland City Day 16: Auckland - - Australia (B) Time to say goodbye. You will make your own way to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.