Aotearoa

From Auckland to Rotorua down to Queenstown and back up through Wanaka to Christchurch, get a great 10 Day overview of the amazing scenery and truly memorable activities that New Zealand has to offer, all from the comfort of a coach.  Accommodation, seat in coach travel and some meals are included to help make planning this journey to remember extremely straight forward.

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

Kia Ora and welcome to New Zealand. On arrival to Auckland International Airport you will be met by Hallmark Limousines and transferred by private vehicle to your hotel.

Included in your documentation is a voucher for entry to the Sky Tower.

The Sky Tower which at 328 metres high offers a clear view towards the Pacific Ocean as well as of the city of Auckland.

AUCKLAND - an exciting, sporting and cultural city, sprawled on a narrow isthmus, between two harbours. The Waitemata and Manukau Harbours, are a main feature of the city, along with numerous volcanic cones such as Mount Eden and Rangitoto Island. The city's many beaches, marinas and parks, make it ideal for outdoor pursuits such as yachting, rugby, cricket or a day at the beach.  The Auckland metropolitan area is New Zealand's biggest city, and the population mix of European, Maori, and Pacific Islander, make Auckland the largest Polynesian city in the World.

Tourist Accommodation: The Quadrant, Studio Apartment, 2 nights
Deluxe Accommodation: Stamford Plaza,  Superior Room, 2 Nights

Day 2: Auckland

This morning you will be collected from your hotel by TIME Unlimited tours for a full day tour of Auckland (1000-1800). Picnic lunch is included.

Auckland Sightseeing Tour FULL Day Highlights include:

In Auckland City and Devonport:

• Mount Eden, Auckland’s most famous volcano, with magnificent 360 degree views of Auckland City.
• Drive through Auckland Domain with Auckland Museum, one of New Zealand’s architectural icons;
• Continue with a drive through the suburb of Parnell, restored in the old colonial style and with many beautiful mansions. From here, drive along the waterfront of Tamaki Drive to see several of the stunning beaches alonng Auckland's shoreline.
• Tamaki Drive, one of the world’s most beautiful city drives;
• Mission Bay, arguably Auckland’s most well-known beach with lovely golden sand;
• Great views of the famous Hauraki Gulf and the mystical island volcano Rangitoto Island;
• The best viewpoints over the dramatic Hauraki Gulf and the mystical island volcano, Rangitoto;
• The Harbour Bridge, spanning sparkling blue waters dotted with white sails.
• Devonport, the picturesque old North Shore marine village nestled in the shadow of historic Mount Victoria with great cafes and boutiques and blessed with a wonderful view back across to Auckland city.
• Leisurely return cruise from Devonport across the harbour to downtown Auckland (optional at own cost)

Auckland's West Coast and Waitakere Ranges:

• Titirangi (Maori for Fringe of Heaven), the artists’ enclave on the Manukau Harbour;
• The Arataki Visitor Centre at the gateway to Auckland's famous West Coast with its very interesting displays and magnificent views over the Manukau Harbour;
• Spectacular ocean vistas along Auckland’s wild West Coast in our famous Waitakere Ranges;
• Unique indigenous flora and fauna;
• Soaring cliffs, roaring surf and spectacular, volcanic black sand beaches;
• We visit the most stunning of all the black sand beaches on Auckland's famous West Coast!
• Ancient native rainforest including our New Zealand Christmas Trees (Pohutukawa Trees) and our amazing Kauri Trees

Tourist Accommodation: The Quadrant, Studio Apartment, 2 nights
Deluxe Accommodation: Stamford Plaza,  Superior Room, 2 Nights

Day 3: Auckland/Waitomo/Rotorua

This morning you will be collected from your hotel by Grayline NZ for your tour to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves (0730-1700)

Highlights

• DEPART AUCKLAND: Travel the main Southern Highway through small rural townships steeped in early pioneer history. Your host serves morning tea during this sector.
• WAIKATO: Travel through New Zealand's largest dairy and sheep farming province. Travel the outskirts of Hamilton City via the small farming settlements towards the King Country, birthplace of the Maori Monarchy.
• WAITOMO GLOW WORM CAVES: Join a guided tour through this world-famous cave formation, climaxed by drifting silently in a boat through a glow worm cavern lit up with thousands of tiny glow worm lights.
• LIGHT LUNCH: Served on-board as we make our way to Rotorua through magnificent rural farmland with its vast numbers of grazing animals.*
• ROTORUA: New Zealand's highest city, 305 meters (1000 feet) above sea level, located inside the rim of a volcanic crater. An area of great geothermal activity. We visit the following attractions:
• AGRODOME FARM TOUR: An introduction to New Zealand farming, with a 45-minute tour of an authentic working farm in all-weather, all-terrain vehicles. Watch a sheep being shorn, hand-feed the animals and finish with a sheep dog trial.
• ROTORUA LAKE FRONT: Drive through the foreshore park past the hundreds of ducks and swans. Then through the beautiful and historic Government Gardens.
• TE PUIA CULTURAL PERFORMANCE: A 45 minute show of Maori song and dance inside Te Puia's sacred meeting house.
• TE PUIA INSTITUTE (MAORI ARTS & CRAFTS AND WHAKAREWAREWA THERMAL RESERVE): One of Rotorua's most famous attractions. See woodcarving, weaving displays, Maori village and the thermal valley with the famous Pohutu Geyser, fumaroles, colourful silica deposits and boiling mud pools.

This evening enjoy a Maori Hangi & Concert experience on a local Marae

Tourist Accommodation: Ibis Rotorua, Standard Room, 1 night
Deluxe Accommodation: Rotorua Millennium, Superior Room, 1 night

Day 4: Rotorua/Queenstown

This morning you will be met at your hotel by Hallmark Limousines and transferred to Rotorua airport by private vehicle.  (Flight not included in quotation). 

On arrival to Queenstown you will be met by Limousine South and transferred to your hotel by private vehicle.  En route enjoy a brief sightseeing tour of Queenstown.  Included is a Skyline Gondola ride to the summit of Bob’s peak where you can enjoy panoramic views over Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

Tourist Accommodation: Mercure Resort Queenstown, Garden View Room, 2 nights
Deluxe Accommodation: Millennium Queenstown, Superior Room, 2 Nights

Day 5: Milford Sound Excursion

Today we will enjoy a full day tour to Milford Sound, in the Fiordland National Park. On arrival at Milford, a cruise on the fiord will take you to the Tasman Sea, allowing you to marvel at the size of this fiord, Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls. A picnic lunch is included on board. In the afternoon, we return to Queenstown by coach, or you may prefer an optional scenic flight which will take you high over the mountains, glacial valleys, waterfalls, rainforest, coastline, rivers and lakes, before arriving back in Queenstown. (extra cost, and subject to weather conditions)

Tourist Accommodation: Mercure Resort Queenstown, Garden View Room, 2 nights
Deluxe Accommodation: Millennium Queenstown, Superior Room, 2 Nights

Day 6: Queenstown/Wanaka

Today you will be transferred by coach from Queenstown to Wanaka with Wanaka Connexions.

On arrival to Wanaka the rest of the day is at your leisure.  Enjoy a quiet stroll along the lakes edge.

WANAKA - faces north across Lake Wanaka, to views of the surrounding mountains, which are often reflected on the Lake's surface on calm days. Poplars and willows grow around the Lake's edge, affording a colourful show during Autumn. Wanaka is best known for boating, fishing and skiing at the Cardrona and Treble Cone ski-fields.

Tourist Accommodation: Grand Mercure Oakridge, Standard Room, 1 night
Deluxe Accommodation: Edgewater Resort, One Bedroom Suite, 1 night

Day 7: Wanaka/Lake Tekapo

This morning you will be collected from your hotel by Grayline NZ who will transfer you to Christchurch via Mount Cook.

Travel north from Queenstown via the fruit growing area of Cromwell,  Lindis Pass and the McKenzie Country. Stop for lunch at Mount Cook Village (own arrangements) located at the foot of New Zealand's highest peak  Aorangi ( Mount Cook).

Enjoy an Alpine Buffet Lunch at the Hermitage Hotel.

Tourist Accommodation: Peppers Bluewater Resort, Studio Room, 1 night
Deluxe Accommodation: Peppers Bluewater Resort, Studio Lake View, 1 night

Day 8: Lake Tekapo/Christchurch

Morning Free at Mt Cook. After midday join the Grayline Coach to Christchurch.

Tourist Accommodation: Ibis Christchurch, Standard Room, 2 nights
Deluxe Accommodation: Millennium Christchurch, Superios Room, 2 nights

Day 9: Christchurch

This morning you will be collected from your hotel by Grayline NZ for your sightseeing tour of Christchurch.

Highlights

• CENTRAL LANDMARKS: Including Cathedral Square, Town Hall, Bridge of Remembrance, The Art Center, Art Gallery, Canterbury Museum, Christ's College and original Provincial Government buildings.
• THE AVON RIVER: Travel along the banks of this beautiful tree lined waterway.
• BOTANICAL GARDENS: Drive past the huge park that is the Botanical gardens and Hagley park.
• MONA VALE: Walk through these beautiful gardens past the magnificent mansion located alongside the Avon River. In summer months see a stunning rose display planted for the international Rose World Conference held in 1994.
• SIGN OF THE TAKAHE: Travel via Hagley Park up to the Port Hills through the exclusive hillside residential area of Cashmere, Pause at this famous Landmark as your driver shows you through this magnificent building, and enjoy your Complimentary tea and coffee., while enjoying the breathtaking view (on a clear day).
• SUMNER BEACH: Back down the Port hills and travel along their base to the Seaside suburb of Sumner.
• LYTTELTON HARBOUR: Over the hills again to the Volcanic Caldera of Lyttelton, Canterbury's Port township.
• LYTTELTON TUNNEL: Longest road tunnel was completed in 1964 and now the main road between Lyttelton and Christchurch.

Tourist Accommodation: Ibis Christchurch, Standard Room, 2 nights
Deluxe Accommodation: Millennium Christchurch, Superios Room, 2 nights

Day 10: Depart Christchurch

Today you will be met at the hotel by A2B Luxury Lines and transferred to Christchurch Airport by private vehicle for your departure flight.

Rates are Nett per person (includes 15% GST)

3 Star Rates

4 Star Rates

Travel is to be completed within the season.  Any travel that falls over both seasons will be priced on application.

All packages travelling in September and October during the Rugby World Cup will be quoted on application.

Costs include

• Accommodation in hotels as specified, share twin subject to availability.
• Goods & Services Tax 15%
• Private Airport transfers
• Seat in coach city to city a local sightseeing tours
• Welcome documentation 

Costs exclude

• Airfares National or International
• Airport Tax
• Personal expenses & tips
• Drinks during meals (except water/tea/coffee)
• Any items of personal nature
• Optional activities
• Foreign speaking assistance

Subject to

• Subject to surcharges beyond our control
• Accommodation subject to availability
• Minimum 2 pax travelling
• Hotel surcharges as per our on line tariff