 |
| Day by Day Itinerary: |
 |
|
| Day 1 - Auckland / Rotorua |
|
 Your tour departs from Rydges Hotel, Federal Street, City at 11.30am.
First stop is a city tour visiting the summit of Skytower, at 328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere for panoramic views across the city and its two magnificent harbors, the Domain, the downtown city area, the Waterfront Drive with its numerous yacht marinas and nearby residential suburbs. Follow the motorway across the Bombay Hills to the lush farmlands of the Waikato Region noted particularly for its dairy farming and internationally recognised horse studs. Cross the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua, centre of Maori culture for the region and a thermal wonderland.
Sudima Hotel (2 nights) |
|
| Day 2 - Rotorua |
|
| A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome to see a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds and sheep shearing, Rainbow Springs to see rainbow and brown trout and native birds including the Kiwi. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement try a Luge ride with our compliments. There will be time this afternoon for optional activities. This evening enjoy a Maori hangi (meal) with traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes and followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka. |
|
| Day 3 - Rotorua / Christchurch |
|
 Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. Transfer to Rotorua Airport for your flight to Christchurch. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is free to enjoy at leisure. The “Garden City” has lots to offer. A stroll along Worcester Boulevard and a circuit of the city centre on the Tram will highlight much of interest – Victoria Square, the Cathedral, and Christs College. (Flight not included)
Pavilions Hotel. (1 night) |
|
| Day 4 - Christchurch / Mt Cook / Omarama |
|
Cross the broad Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine to the barren MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd dedicated to the early pioneers of the region and the Collie Dog memorial overlooking the milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Time for a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional). Visit Mt Cook National Park, with time to enjoy the scenic majesty of New Zealand’s highest snow capped peaks before travelling around Lake Pukaki to Twizel and Omarama.
Heritage Gateway Hotel. (1 night) |
|
| Day 5 - Omarama / Dunedin |
|
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin – the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion or explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Cargills Hotel. (1 night) |
|
| Day 6 - Dunedin / Lake Manapouri / Te Anau |
|
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri with its rugged bushclad mountains before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau.
Fiordland National Park Hotel. (2 nights) |
|
| Day 7 - Te Anau / Milford Sound / Queenstown |
|
 Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.
Rydges Hotel. (2 nights) |
|
| Day 8 - Queenstown |
|
| A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at your leisure. Your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many sightseeing activities available. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola to the Skyline high above, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon or for the adventurous – white water rafting. Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries. |
|
| Day 9 - Queenstown / Haast Pass/ Fox Glacier |
|
 Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or take the optional guided walk to the glacier’s terminal face.
Fox Glacier Hotel. (1 night) |
|
| Day 10 - Fox Glacier / Christchurch |
|
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glaciers then north to Greymouth to visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory to see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass to the Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch.
Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch which is scheduled for 6.05pm. |
|
| Departure Dates: |
|
| |
|
|
| TOUR |
START FRI
|
FINISH SUN
|
| |
|
|
| F16 |
10 Oct 2008 |
19 Oct 2008 |
| F17 |
17 Oct 2008 |
26 Oct 2008 |
| F19 |
31 Oct 2008 |
09 Nov 2008 |
| |
|
|
| F20 |
07 Nov 2008 |
16 Nov 2008 |
| F21 |
14 Nov 2008 |
23 Nov 2008 |
| F22 |
21 Nov 2008 |
30 Nov 2008 |
| F23 |
28 Nov 2008 |
07 Dec 2008 |
| |
|
|
| F25 |
12 Dec 2008 |
21 Dec 2008 |
| F27 |
26 Dec 2008 |
04 Jan 2009 |
| |
|
|
|
|
| TOUR |
START FRI
|
FINISH SUN
|
| F282* |
07 Jan 2009 |
16 Jan 2009 |
| F292* |
14 Jan 2009 |
23 Jan 2009 |
| F31 |
23 Jan 2009 |
01 Feb 2009 |
| F312* |
28 Jan 2009 |
06 Feb 2009 |
| F32 |
30 Jan 2009 |
08 Feb 2009 |
| |
|
|
| F33 |
06 Feb 2009 |
15 Feb 2009 |
| F332* |
11 Feb 2009 |
20 Feb 2009 |
| F34 |
13 Feb 2009 |
22 Feb 2009 |
| F342* |
18 Feb 2009 |
27 Feb 2009 |
| F35 |
20 Feb 2009 |
01 Mar 2009 |
| F352* |
25 Feb 2009 |
06 Mar 2009 |
| F36 |
27 Feb 2009 |
08 Mar 2009 |
| |
|
|
| F37 |
06 Mar 2009 |
15 Mar 2009 |
| F38 |
13 Mar 2009 |
22 Mar 2009 |
| F382* |
18 Mar 2009 |
27 Mar 2009 |
| F39 |
20 Mar 2009 |
29 Mar 2009 |
| F40 |
27 Mar 2009 |
05 Apr 2009 |
| |
|
|
| F402* |
01 Apr 2009 |
10 Apr 2009 |
| F41 |
03 Apr 2009 |
12 Apr 2009 |
| F42 |
10 Apr 2009 |
19 Apr 2009 |
| F422* |
15 Apr 2009 |
24 Apr 2009 |
| F43 |
17 Apr 2009 |
26 Apr 2009 |
| F432* |
22 Apr 2009 |
01 May 2009 |
| F44 |
24 Apr 2009 |
03 May 2009 |
| |
|
|
| F45 |
01 May 2009 |
10 May 2009 |
| F46 |
08 May 2009 |
17 May 2009 |
| F47 |
15 May 2009 |
24 May 2009 |
| F48 |
22 May 2009 |
31 May 2009 |
| |
|
|
| F50 |
05 Jun 2009 |
14 Jun 2009 |
| F51 |
12 Jun 2009 |
21 Jun 2009 |
| F53 |
26 Jun 2009 |
05 Jul 2009 |
| |
|
|
| F54 |
03 Jul 2009 |
12 Jul 2009 |
| F57 |
24 Jul 2009 |
02 Aug 2009 |
| F58 |
31 Jul 2009 |
09 Aug 2009 |
| |
|
|
| F14 |
28 Aug 2009 |
06 Sep 2009 |
| |
|
|
| F15 |
04 Sep 2009 |
13 Sep 2009 |
| F16 |
11 Sep 2009 |
20 Sep 2009 |
| F162* |
16 Sep 2009 |
25 Sep 2009 |
| F17 |
18 Sep 2009 |
27 Sep 2009 |
| F172* |
23 Sep 2009 |
02 Oct 2009 |
| F18 |
25 Sep 2009 |
04 Oct 2009 |
| |
|
|
| F19 |
02 Oct 2009 |
11 Oct 2009 |
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
* Starts Wednesday, finish Friday
|
|
|
;)
