Southern Cross

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

Kia Ora and welcome to New Zealand.  On arrival to Auckland International Airport collect your Budget rental car and make your way to your hotel. 

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.

Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Superior Room, 2 nights including full cooked breakfast.

Day 2: Auckland

Today is at your leisure to explore Auckland City.  Within you documentation there are vouchers for admission to the Sky Tower and Auckland Museum.

Auckland War Memorial Museum: Spend time experiencing this unique tribute to New Zealand's natural, Maori and European history. A recommended alternative within a short walking distance is 'The Winter Garden' Pavilion. See rare indoor plants and a spectacular fern display.

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

Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Superior Room, including full cooked breakfast.

Day 3: Auckland/Waitomo/Rotorua (Approx. 367km)

Depart Auckland city and begin your journey through the rural townships of the Waikato to Waitomo, where you will join a boat tour through the Glow worm caves.

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.  

Enjoy a BBQ lunch at Roselands Farm after your glowworm tour.

Continue to Rotorua, known as 'Sulphur City', centre of Thermal activity and Maori culture, and visit Te Puia (previously known as Whakarewarewa) where we will enjoy a guided tour through the thermal valley, including visits to the Kiwi House and the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute.

This evening enjoy a Maori Cultural experience called Te Po with Te Puia.  Te Pō is Te Puia’s new evening cultural experience. It is a feast of cultural storytelling, entertainment and Māori kai (indigenous food). Feel the spirit of Te Puia at night and experience our heritage - a living legacy of people, culture and place.  Includes shuttles to/from Te Puia.

Accommodation: Rotorua Millennium, Superior Room, 1 night including full cooked breakfast.

Day 4: Rotorua/Christchurch/Lake Tekapo (approx 230kms)

This morning visit one of the most important thermal valleys in the area, Waimangu, where you will clearly see the effects of the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera, which changed the landscape of the entire region.  Following your visit return your rental car to Rotorua Airport before your flight to Christchurch (flight not included and at own expense).  On arrival to Christchurch Airport collect your new rental vehicle and make your way to your hotel. 

The scenic route to Lake Tekapo begins at Rangiora, a rural centre north of Christchurch city.  Small towns appear regularly as you travel across the Canterbury Plains through fields and farms. Explore the old coal mining settlement of Glentunnel before the road climbs over the braided Rakaia River and up to Mount Hutt.  There are historic lime kilns at Staveley and Mt Somers, and the pretty town of Geraldine has an interesting car museum. After Fairlie you'll ascend to the region known as MacKenzie Country, named after the legendary Scottish sheep rustler who once roamed the area.

LAKE TEKAPO - located in the MacKenzie Country with fantastic views of the surrounding Alps.  The Lake's unusual turquoise colour is given by fine rock-flour, which is dust ground by glacial movement and held in suspension by the Lake's waters. The Lake is also well known for it s brown and rainbow trout.

Accommodation: Peppers Bluewater Resort, 1 Bedroom Mountain View including full cooked breakfast.

Day 5: Lake Tekapo / Wanaka (via Mount Cook) (approx 198kms) 

The road to Mt Cook takes you through high country tussock to beautiful Lake Pukaki. You'll hug the edge of the lake for most of the way up the Tasman Valley to Mount Cook Village.  The Aoraki Mount Cook National Park includes the highest peak in Australasia (Mt Cook 3755m).  The region attracts mountain climbers, hikers and scenery fanatics. Heli-hiking and aerial sightseeing provide visitors with amazing memories.  A variety of walking trails begin in or near Mount Cook Village - most take only a couple of hours.  In the bar of the local hotel, huge windows provide a perfect view of Mount Cook.  

The road to Twizel hugs the edge of Lake Pukaki.  The exquisite opaque turquoise colour of this lake and others in the area is caused by fine, glacier-ground rock particles held in suspension. The landscape is a mixture of high country tussock, farmland and snow-capped mountains.

The easy drive to Omarama takes you through picturesque sheep farming country fringed with mountain ranges.  You'll have the chance to detour to the fascinating Paritea cliffs, which are constantly being exposed by teh active Osler fault line.  You could also pause to cast a line into the Ahuriri River - famous for sizeable rainbow and brown trout.

You'll know your in Omarama when you see the giant merino sheep statue.  This area's unique geography has made it a magnet for gliding enthusiasts. The northwesterly wind blows steadily to form the famous Northwest Arch, a thermal that can take the glider pilots to 10,000 metres. Scenic soaring can be arranged.

Your trip to Wanaka begins with the beautiful Lindis Pass - just magic when there's snow around. Once you reach Tarras leave the main highway for State Highway 8A to Wanaka.

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.

Accommodation: Edgewater Resort, 1 Bedroom Suite including full cooked breakfast.

Day 6: Wanaka/Queenstown (Approx. 117km)

Today depart Wanaka, and take State Highway 6 through Lowburn, Cromwell and Gibbston to Queenstown. (WARNING: Do not attempt to take the Crown Range Road (the short-cut to Queenstown) through Cardrona during Winter as it is a dangerous winding road).

Skyline Gondola & Restaurant - Return Gondola
Enjoy a return Skyline Gondola ride to the summit of Bob's Peak where you can enjoy panoramic views of Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu.

QUEENSTOWN: is the South Island's most popular resort, set alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu, under the gaze of the Remarkables Ranges.  See the contrast of smooth  glacier rounded hills, and jagged mountain summits that reach high above ancient ice floor.  The town is renowned as the "Adventure Capital of New Zealand" where you can go jet boating, bungy-jumping, sky-diving, skiing, and much more. Local story as it, that the gold prospectors of the 19th century pronounced the town as "fit for any Queen" and so she was called Queenstown.

Accommodation: Queenstown Millennium Hotel, Superior Room, 2 nights including full cooked breakfast.

Day 7: Milford Sound Day Excursion

Real Journeys: Coach/Milford Sound Nature Cruise/Coach ex Queenstown
(01 Oct-30 Apr departs 7.30am returns 8.00pm, 01 May-30 Sep departs 6.55am returns 7.45pm) 

Today you will be collected from your hotel by Real Journeys and travel from Queenstown along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, and through rolling countryside to Te Anau. After a short break at Te Anau, continue via the spectacular Milford Road to Milford Sound.  Board the Milford Mariner vessel for a relaxing cruise of Milford Sound. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. An onboard nature guide provides interpretation in English only.

Picnic lunch included onboard your cruise. Return transportation by luxury coach to Queenstown.

Accommodation: Queenstown Millennium Hotel, Superior Room including full cooked breakfast.

Day 8: Queenstown/Franz Josef Glacier (approx 355kms)

Today depart Queenstown and travel north along State Highway 6 via Haast and Lake Matheson to Franz Josef Glacier.

FRANZ JOSEF: originally named Victoria after Queen Victoria of England, geologist Julius Von Haast renamed it Franz Josef after the current Emperor of his homeland Austria. The Glacier is pale blue/green ice that has retreated and advanced many times over the years. A walk from the carpark to the Glacier terminal will give you some impressive views and an idea of the immense size of the Glacier itself.  The township of Franz Josef is a small town based around the tourist and supply trade.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef, Douglas Wing 2 nights including full cooked breakfast.

Day 9: Franz Josef Glacier

Franz Josef Glacier Guides - Glacier Valley Walk (Duration : 3hrs. Departs 1015 hr + 1415 hr (year round).                            

A 3 kilometre guided walk to the Terminal face exploring the lower reaches of the Franz Josef Glacier - no ice walk - but does include a bonus Mountains to the Sea DVD.

Please bring:  3 - 4 warm layers for your upper body (ideally woollen or polypro, not cotton) and pair of lightweight trousers.  NO JEANS (as the get cold when wet).  A light snack and bottle of water or similar carried in a backpack with 2 shoulder straps.

Also included within your documents is admission to the Franz Josef Hot Pools.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef, Douglas Wing including full cooked breakfast.

Day 10: Franz Josef Glacier/Punakaiki (Approx. 220km)

Depart Franz Josef and continue your journey North through the towns of Hokitika and Greymouth to Punakaiki.

En route visit the Monteith's Brewery and enjoy a tasting of their New Zealand brews.

PUNAKAIKI - is the gateway to the dramatic limestone country of the Paparoa National Park. It lies halfway between Greymouth and Westport on one of the most spectacular coastal highways.

The Pancake Rocks that Punakaiki is famous for are limestone formations that began forming 30 million years ago. The seabed was raised above sea level by earthquakes to form the coastal cliffs and coastline. The sea, wind and rain have since etched out the soft layers to form the unusual rock formations we see today.

When conditions are right, large ocean swells thunder into the caverns beneath the rocks and huge water spouts blast skywards through the blowholes creating a spectacular sight.

Tourism activities in the area include canoe adventures, horse trekking, caving and guided walks to name just a few.

Accommodation: Punakaiki Resort, Standard Room including full cooked breakfast.

Day 11: Punakaiki/Kaikoura (approx 374kms)

Depart Punakaiki and travel south back to Greymouth where you travel inland on State Highway 7 & 70 across the width of the South Island to Kaikoura.

KAIKOURA - means "to eat Crayfish", from the Maori words "Kai" meaning food and Koura meaning crayfish. You can savour crayfish here in Kaikoura, view whales and dolphins at play or visit local galleries and craft shops, or take a walk along the Peninsula Walkway.  If you travel out onto the Kaikoura Peninsula and look back towards the mountains, an amazing tableau will appear before you.  The seaward Kaikoura Range appears to rise from the sea, with the snow-capped Southern Alps as a backdrop.

Accommodation: Kaikoura Gateway Motor Lodge, Deluxe Room including continental breakfast.

Day 12: Kaikoura/Picton/Wellington (approx 157kms)

Whale Watch Kaikoura Whale Watch Tour (departs 7.15am, 10am, 12.45pm plus 3.30pm Nov – Mar, duration 2.5 hours, no tour on xmas day)

A typical whale watch tour (boat excursion duration 2.5 hours) may encounter New Zealand fur seals, pods of dusky dolphins and the endangered wandering albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating humpback whales, pilot whales, blue whales and southern right whales.  Kaikoura often hosts the world's largest dolphin—the orca—and is home to the world's smallest and rarest—the hector's. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of albatross, 14 varieties of petrels and seven types of shearwater. Designed for New Zealand whale watching tours, their modern catamarans are equipped with engines that minimise underwater noise and toilets that never pollute the sea. The main passenger cabin is enclosed and large outside decks offer great viewing and photo opportunities.

Following your cruise, lunch is included at a nearby restaurant.

Today continue your journey north along the east coast of the South Island.  In Picton return your rental car and you will embark upon the Interislander Ferry across Cook Strait to Wellington - New Zealand's Capital city.

Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel by Crown Chauffeur Car Services.

WELLINGTON - the Capital city of New Zealand since 1865 is situated around Wellington Harbour, it's houses clinging precipitously to the steep hillsides.  Wellington is renowned for its wind which is channelled through the Cook Strait, and causes the wind to blow most days.  A clever bend of buildings, old and new, beautiful vistas of the city and harbour, and a cosmopolitan mix of culture and arts give Wellington its heart and vibrant atmosphere.

Accommodation: Amora Hotel, Deluxe Room, 2 nights including full cooked breakfast.

Day 13: Wellington

This morning you will be collected from your hotel by Wellington Sites for a morning sightseeing tour of Wellington.

Wellington Sights - Snapshot of Wellington Tour (10.00am-12.30pm or 2.00pm-4.30pm)

This 2.5hr hour interactive journey through Wellington will provide you with the most memorable experience in New Zealand's capital city.  Capture Wellington's most picturesque landmarks and learn creative photographic techniques. Popular sites include Kelburn Lookout with panoramic views over Wellington's harbour, the rugged South Coast with the South Island on the horizon, both modern and historical architecture, a wide range of public art and sculptures, New Zealand's Parliamentary house also known as the Beehive, as well as features of the New Zealand film industry.  A visit to Wellington isn't complete without seeing the iconic Wellington Cable car.

Along the way your expert guide will entertain you with stories about Wellington as well as inform you of all there is to know about this wonderful city.

The photographic techniques that you learn along the way will stay with you forever and enhance your photo collection.  Let us show you where to look!  Not only will you take away the memories and camera techniques but you will be provided with an electronic photo book as a memento of your time in Wellington.

Accommodation: Amora Hotel, Deluxe Room, including full cooked breakfast.

Day 14: Depart Wellington

Transfer to the airport and end of the tour.

Rates are per person including GST, currently 15% and subject to change.

Deluxe Class

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

NZD10.00 per person documentation fee will be applied to the above rates.

Costs include

• Accommodation in hotels as specified, share twin subject to availability unless otherwise specified.
• Goods & Services Tax at 15%, subject to change.
• Budget rental car throughout (CDAR for 2 pax / FDAR for 4 pax) – Full terms and conditions of rental will be provided at time of documentation.
• Basic vehicle insurance (subject to insurance excess)
• Admissions to: Auckland Museum, Sky tower, Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Te Puia, Waimangu, Skyline Gondola Queenstown.
• Milford Sound Nature Cruise – including return coach from Queenstown
• BBQ lunch in Waitomo
• Picnic Lunch aboard Milford Nature Cruise
• Hangi dinner at Te Puia
• Whalewatch Cruise Kaikoura
• Lunch in Kaikoura
• Franz Josef Glacier Valley Walk & Franz Josef Hot Pools.

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
• Fuel for car
• Additional rental car charges
• Insurance excess

Subject to

• Subject to surcharges beyond our control
• Accommodation subject to availability at time of booking.
• Minimum 2 pax travelling
• Increase in Goods & Services Tax, currently 15%
• Special Event / Holiday surcharges