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| Day by Day Itinerary: |
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| Day 1 - Christchurch / Mt Cook / Omarama |
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 Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road, Christchurch at 8.00am. A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before travelling across the Canterbury Plains into the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook National Park. Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama. Your overnight accommodation is at the Heritage Gateway Hotel. |
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| Day 2 - Omarama / Dunedin |
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| 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 just 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. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Cargills Hotel. |
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| Day 3 - Dunedin / Lake Manapouri / Te Anau |
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| Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Fiordland National Park Hotel. |
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| Day 4 - Te Anau / Milford Sound / Queenstown |
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| 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. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel. |
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| Day 5 - Queenstown |
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 A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the historic Earnslaw. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel. |
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| Day 6 - Queenstown / Haast Pass / Fox Glacier |
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| Pass picturesque Lake Hayes then on to an area steeped in fascinating history elating 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, cross the Haast Pass into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the magnificent Glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face (daylight hours permitting). Your overnight accommodation is at the Fox Glacier Hotel. |
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| Day 7 - Fox Glacier / Greymouth |
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| Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the Skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Next is Shantytown, a restored goldmining town of the 1860's where you pan for gold, ride on the steam train at no extra cost. Your overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Ashley. |
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| Day 8 - Greymouth / Blenheim |
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 View the unusual rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki and pass Charleston, a former goldmining township. Follow the Buller River through the Buller Gorge and on to Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Follow the Long Wairau Valley to Blenheim. A short tour of the area includes a visit to Montana Winery. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery, learn about and taste a range of the famous local wines (purchase if you wish) followed by afternoon tea. Your overnight accommodation is at the Blenheim Country Hotel |
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| Day 9 - Blenheim / Picton / Wellington |
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| Drive to Picton, nestled on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds, to board the Interislander ferry. Sail through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, sheltered waterways, remote bays and isolated holiday homes. Across Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand's Capital City. A city tour will incorporate the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and harbour, the Houses of Parliament and the distinctive "Beehive", Wellington Cathedral, city centre and Oriental Bay. Also explore the city yourself. Don't miss Te Papa, the new "Museum of New Zealand" or take a ride on the famous Cable Car. Your overnight accommodation is at the Bay Plaza Hotel. |
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| Day 10 - Wellington / Taupo / Rotorua |
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| Drive to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and on a clear day, the South Island. Cross the Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin and Foxton to Bulls. Across rolling farmland to the central North Island National Park, dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake and famous for trout fishing. Stop at Huka Falls where the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm then skirt massive man-made pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua. |
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| Day 11 - Rotorua |
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 A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand's various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. Whilst at the Agrodome, be sure to visit the Bliss Confectionery factory & shop for a complimentary treat and tempting sweet delights. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and native birds including the Kiwi. Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka. Your overnight accommodation is at the Sudima Hotel. |
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| Day 12 - Rotorua / Waitomo / Auckland |
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| Cross the Mamaku Ranges to the Waikato region, noted for dairy farming and world famous horse studs. At Waitomo, a guide will escort your group underground to the limestone caverns and glow worm grotto. On through Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, centre for the region's Maori people, then alongside the Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach New Zealand's largest city - Auckland. A city tour will visit the summit of Skytower, at 328 metres the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, for panoramic views across the city and its two harbours, the Domain, the city area, the Waterfront Drive with its numerous yacht marinas and nearby residential suburbs. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Rydges Auckland Hotel. |
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| Day 13 - Auckland / Bay of Islands |
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| Cross Auckland's Harbour Bridge to drive north along the Hibiscus Coast and on to Matakohe and the Kauri museum telling the story of the Kauri tree and the region's early settlement, the displays are superb and their story fascinating. Continue north through Kawakawa to Paihia and visit New Zealand's birthplace, Waitangi. Visit the famous Treaty House, the Maori Meeting House and giant war canoe all set in spectacular grounds overlooking the bay. Your overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Paihia. |
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| Day 14 - Bay of Islands |
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| A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many activities available. Your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. A full day Tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's northern most point and Ninety Mile Beach or explore historic Russell, New Zealand's first settlement, and visit its original Church, Mission House and Museum. Your overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Paihia. |
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| Day 15 - Bay of Islands / Auckland |
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| A launch cruise will take you across the Bay and world acclaimed fishing grounds made famous by Zane Grey, to Cape Brett and the spectacular "Hole in the Rock". Returning to Paihia, board your Coach for the journey south through Whangarei and Warkworth passing the satellite tracking station. Shortly Auckland city and Harbour come into view with a late afternoon arrival and your tour concluding at approximately 5.30pm. |
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| Departure Dates: |
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| TOUR |
START MON
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FINISH MON
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| B16 |
13 Oct 2008 |
27 Oct 2008 |
| B17 |
20 Oct 2008 |
03 Nov 2008 |
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| B19 |
03 Nov 2008 |
17 Nov 2008 |
| B20 |
10 Nov 2008 |
24 Nov 2008 |
| B21 |
17 Nov 2008 |
01 Dec 2008 |
| B22 |
24 Nov 2008 |
08 Dec 2008 |
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| B23 |
01 Dec 2008 |
15 Dec 2008 |
| B24 |
08 Dec 2008 |
22 Dec 2008 |
| B25 |
15 Dec 2008 |
29 Dec 2008 |
| B26 |
22 Dec 2008 |
05 Jan 2009 |
| B27 |
29 Dec 2008 |
12 Jan 2009 |
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| TOUR |
START MON
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| B28 |
05 Jan 2009 |
19 Jan 2009 |
| B29 |
12 Jan 2009 |
26 Jan 2009 |
| B30 |
19 Jan 2009 |
02 Feb 2009 |
| B31 |
26 Jan 2009 |
09 Feb 2009 |
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| B32 |
02 Feb 2009 |
16 Feb 2009 |
| B33 |
09 Feb 2009 |
23 Feb 2009 |
| B34 |
16 Feb 2009 |
02 Mar 2009 |
| B35 |
23 Feb 2009 |
09 Mar 2009 |
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| B36 |
02 Mar 2009 |
16 Mar 2009 |
| B37 |
09 Mar 2009 |
23 Mar 2009 |
| B38 |
16 Mar 2009 |
30 Mar 2009 |
| B39 |
23 Mar 2009 |
06 Apr 2009 |
| B40 |
30 Mar 2009 |
13 Apr 2009 |
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| B41 |
06 Apr 2009 |
20 Apr 2009 |
| B42 |
13 Apr 2009 |
27 Apr 2009 |
| B43 |
20 Apr 2009 |
04 May 2009 |
| B44 |
27 Apr 2009 |
11 May 2009 |
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| B46 |
04 May 2009 |
25 May 2009 |
| B47 |
11 May 2009 |
01 Jun 2009 |
| B48 |
18 May 2009 |
08 Jun 2009 |
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| B50 |
08 Jun 2009 |
22 Jun 2009 |
| B51 |
15 Jun 2009 |
29 Jun 2009 |
| B53 |
29 Jun 2009 |
13 Jul 2009 |
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| B54 |
06 Jul 2009 |
20 Jul 2009 |
| B55 |
13 Jul 2009 |
27 Jul 2009 |
| B57 |
27 Jul 2009 |
10 Aug 2009 |
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| B58 |
03 Aug 2009 |
17 Aug 2009 |
| B11 |
10 Aug 2009 |
24 Aug 2009 |
| B14 |
31 Aug 2009 |
14 Sep 2009 |
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| B15 |
07 Sep 2009 |
21 Sep 2009 |
| B16 |
14 Sep 2009 |
28 Sep 2009 |
| B17 |
21 Sep 2009 |
05 Oct 2009 |
| B18 |
28 Sep 2009 |
12 Oct 2009 |
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* Start Saturday, finish Saturday
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;)