Day 1
Christchurch
Once you’ve arrived into Christchurch, you will be met by a representative who will transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, join in with a fun welcome dinner and meet your travelling companions.
Overnight: Quality Hotel Elms (Dinner included)
Day 2
Omarama
The morning will be spent on a city sights tour, before departing Christchurch and journeying through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. Here you’ll discover the stunning turquoise water, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and find the Sheep Dog Statue.
There may even by time to enjoy a scenic flight over the Southern Alps (optional and at an extra cost) before travelling on to Omarama.
Overnight: Heritage Gateway Hotel (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 3
Dunedin
Begin the day with a trip to Lake Benmore, before travelling along the Waitaki River to Oamaru, well-known for its jaw-dropping limestone. Afterwards, you will venture south to Dunedin for a fascinating city tour, along with some free time to explore for yourself. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a traditional Scottish night, with bagpipes, a special Haggis Ceremony and delicious food.
Hotel: Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 4
Te Anau
Today you will travel via the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, where you’ll learn about the buildings tragic and scandalous past. You’ll have a bit of time to explore the Garden of International Significance, followed by a tasty Devonshire tea. Soon you’ll leave Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, the picturesque gateway to Fiordland. Tonight, you’ll have the chance to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional, and at an additional price).
Overnight: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Room), Breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5
Milford Sound & Queenstown
Your day will begin with a fantastic cruise along the magnificent Milford Sound, marvelling at the Bowen Falls and soaring Mitre Peak as you tuck into a picnic lunch. Afterwards, you’ll journey to Queenstown and have the rest of the day and evening to do as you wish.
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront or similar (Breakfast and lunch included)
Day 6
Queenstown
The whole day is free for you to explore Queenstown at your own pace. Your Coach Captain and tour guide can help you plan a day full of activities if you wish, including jet boat rides, getting up close to Kiwi birds, and enjoying a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon (all additional cost).
In the evening, you’ll board the history TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Here you’ll tuck in to a delicious gourmet BBQ prepared in front of you at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner, you will embark on a short farm tour, before hopping back on to the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano back to Queenstown.
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront or similar (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 7
Arrowtown & Fox Glacier
The morning will be spent in Arrowtown, visiting the Lakes District Museum. After a quick tour, you will travel via the Haast Pass to the marvellous West Coast, adorned with the snow-shrouded peaks of the Southern Alps. Travelling north to Fox Glacier, you might even have time for a scenic flight over the glaciers (optional, at an additional price).
Overnight: Heartland Fox Glacier (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 8
Arthur’s Pass & Christchurch
Beginning the day with a trip to Hokitika and its interesting Greenstone Factory, you’ll soon continue on to Arthur’s Pass to board the TranzAlpine, known as one of the best train journeys in the world. Travelling past the Canterbury Plains, beautiful rivers and valleys, the Waimakariri Basin and over huge viaducts, soon you’ll arrive in Christchurch.
Overnight: Quality Hotel Elms (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 9
Picton & Wellington
Travel along the East coast to Kaikoura, a seaside village. Enjoy the amazing scenery as your travel through the Marlborough Country – well known for its decadent food and wine. Once in Picton, you will hop onto the Interislander Ferry to journey through the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds, across Cook Strait, and on to Wellington.
Overnight: Ibis Wellington (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 10
Wellington
The morning gets to an interesting start with a trip to New Zealand’s National Museum Te Papa to see the Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition – a fascinating exhibition that uses cutting technology to tell the stories of extraordinary New Zealanders. Afterwards, you will board your coach for a great Wellington city tour and spend the rest of the afternoon and evening to do as you please.
Overnight: Ibis Wellington (Breakfast included)
Day 11
Taupo & Rotorua
Your first journey today will involve spectacular views of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you journey to Lake Taupo. Once there, you’ll have the opportunity to see the cascading Huka Falls, before travelling along the Thermal Explorer Highway all the way to the geothermal beauty of Rotorua.
Overnight: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua or similar (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 12
Rotorua
Get your morning off to a lovely start with a gondola ride and breakfast at the Skyline Rotorua, before enjoying a fun luge ride. The next stop will be Agrodome for a brilliant, fun-packed hour full of farming entertainment and education shows.
The afternoon will be spent at Te Puia, full of boiling mud pools and spectacular geysers that Rotorua is famous for, before having the rest of the day at your leisure. In the evening, you’ll get together with fellow travellers and enjoy an entertainment Maori Hangi and concert.
Overnight: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua or similar (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 13
Auckland & Bay of Islands
On day 13 you will depart Rotorua and venture north via Auckland to the Parry Kauri Park, a great place to see the breath-taking Kauri tree. You’ll then journey on to Paihia, a charming town in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. This is the opportunity for you to marvel at the stunning Bay of Islands, including delving into its history by seeing the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.
Overnight: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 14
Bay of Islands
Today will be spent sailing through the jaw-dropping Bay of Islands on board a luxury catamaran, journeying to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Along the way, be sure to look out for elusive bottlenose and common dolphins. The cruise will return to Paihia for a free afternoon and evening exploring.
Overnight: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (Breakfast included)
Day 15
Auckland
In the morning, you will depart the Bay of Islands and travel to Matakohe for an insightful talk at the Kauri Museum. Once in Auckland, you will embark on a great city sights tour, before enjoying a farewell dinner with your new-found friends.
Overnight: Rydges Auckland (Breakfast and dinner included)
Day 16
Auckland
Today marks the end of your tour. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.
(Breakfast included)
