Spirit of New Zealand
Indulge in a little star-gazing before retiring to your private cabin for your overnight stay on Milford Sound. Journey out to Abel Tasman National Park and take a stroll along seemingly untouched golden beaches. Hear how the coastal city of Napier was rebuilt in Art Deco style after the earthquake of 1931.
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Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch
Meet your Travel Director and travelling companions this evening at a Welcome Reception.
Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch
Day 2: Christchurch – Omarama
Visit the city this morning, then travel over the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd before continuing to Mt. Cook National Park.
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel
Day 3: Omarama – Dunedin
Travel via Oamaru to Dunedin for a city tour on arrival.
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin
Day 4: Dunedin – Milford Sound
Journey through rainforest, ancient glaciers and mountain ranges, and pass through the monumental Homer Tunnel. See Lake Matheson, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm before arriving in Milford Sound for your overnight cruise.
Please note: Cruise may not operate on 10 Sep 2020 departure. On this date, you can enjoy a day cruise on Milford Sound and accommodation in Te Anau or Queenstown
Hotel: Cruise Overnight Milford Sound
Day 5: Milford Sound – Queenstown
Depart this morning for Lake Te Anau. Explore the famous Te Anau Glowworm Caves by boat, drifting in silent darkness beneath the luminous shimmer of hundreds of glowworms. Later, travel to Queenstown.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown, 3 nights
Day 6: Queenstown ‘Free Time’
Today is free for you to explore Queenstown at your own pace. This evening, consider a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw.
Day 7: Queenstown ‘Free Time’
Today, take time to either relax or tailor your own action-packed agenda.
Day 8: Queenstown – Franz Josef
Your first destination today is the old goldmining settlement of Arrowtown. Travel on to witness the serenity of the region’s vivid blue lakes, the most famous of which is pristine Lake Wanaka. Drive over the spectacular Haast Pass and take a rainforest walk to Thunder Creek Falls on your way to the extraordinary Franz Josef Glacier.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Graham Wing)
Day 9: Franz Josef – Punakaiki
This morning, why not choose an optional experience and see Franz Josef Glacier from the air or take a glacier hike. Travel on to Hokitika, home of New Zealand’s famous greenstone, for a factory visit and demonstration. Continue to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort
Day 10: Punakaiki – Nelson
The Heritage Highway leads you to the Buller Gorge and Kahurangi National Park before arriving in Nelson.
Hotel: The Rutherford Hotel, 2 nights
Day 11: Nelson ‘Free Time’
Today you’ll have the option to journey to the top of the South Island and take a scenic cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Day 12: Nelson – Wellington
Visit the seaside village of Picton then cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound before heading across Cook Strait to the North Island and Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. Enjoy a city sights tour before a guided tour of Te Papa Museum of New Zealand.
Hotel: Travelodge Wellington, 2 nights
Day 13: Wellington ‘Free Time’
Explore Wellington at your own pace today.
Day 14: Wellington – Napier
Your special packed lunch today won’t only be wholesome, it will also feed a Kiwi child who may otherwise go without, through the charity ‘Eat My Lunch’. Travel through the vineyards of the Wairarapa region and Hawke’s Bay, and take a walking tour of Art Deco Napier.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Day 15: Napier – Rotorua
Today journey to Lake Taupo, then visit Huka Falls on your way to Rotorua. Visit Te Puia, the Māori Arts and Crafts Institute. A tour of Rotorua’s active geothermal fields follows. Gain a further insight into traditional Māori culture at a concert and Hangi Highlight Dinner at the Tamaki Māori Village.
Hotel: Ibis Rotorua Hotel, 2 nights
Day 16: Rotorua
Today is free for you to explore at leisure.
Day 17: Rotorua – Auckland
Travel through the dairy-farming land of Waikato en route to Auckland.
Hotel: VR Queen Street Hotel & Suites
Day 18: Auckland – Bay of Islands
Travel through Northland to the Bay of Islands where you’ll experience spectacular scenery as you cruise through the ‘Hole in the Rock’.
Hotel: Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Garden Rooms, 2 nights
Day 19: Bay of Islands ‘Free Time’
Today is free for you to explore at leisure.
Day 20: Bay of Islands – Auckland
Drive through lush farmland scenery on your return to Auckland. This evening, join your Travel Director and travelling companions for a Farewell Dinner.
Hotel: VR Queen Street Hotel & Suites
Day 21: Farewell from Auckland
Your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast.
| 2020 Dates & Prices | Twin Share | Solo Traveller |
|---|---|---|
| October: 08 | $6,995.00 | $9,645.00 |
| November: 26 | $6,995.00 | $9,645.00 |
| December: 17 | $6,995.00 | $9,645.00 |
| 2021 Dates & Prices | ||
| January: 28 | $6,995.00 | $9,645.00 |
| February: 04, 18 | $6,995.00 | $9,645.00 |
| March: 11 | $6,995.00 | $9,645.00 |
| Inclusions | |
|---|---|
| Meals: | 20 breakfasts, 14 dinners |
| Transport: | Airport Transfers & Travel by luxury coach |
| Accommodation: | 19 nights accommodation & 1 night cruise |
| Guide: | Experienced Travel Director & Driver Guide |
| Entrance Fees & Touring: | Entrance fees & activities as per itinerary |
* Tour departure dates are subject to availability at time of booking.
* Prices and itinerary are correct at time of publication and are subject to change without notice.