BEST OF NEW ZEALAND

Day By Day Itinerary

DAY 1 - BAY OF ISLANDS

Arrive at Kerikeri Airport  you will be met and transferred to your hotel.  Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 2 - HOLE IN THE ROCK CRUISE

Reach Paihia whart to board your vessel Dolphin Seeker, next to the Maritime Building on the waterfront OR at Russell Wharf on the waterfront to commence a half day 'Hole in the Rock' cruise with Island Stop Over. See some of the Bay of Islands' most scenic highlights on a four hour cruise around its sheltered waters. Set off from Paihia or Russell and enjoy the scenic views of secluded islands with their white sand beaches and native forest as you cruise past them. During your cruise you'll travel out along the Cape Brett Peninsula to the historic lighthouse at its end, and see the famous Hole in the Rock at Motukokako Island. According to Mâori legend, local warriors used to paddle through the Hole in the Rock in their canoes before departing for battle. Drops of water from the cave roof above were a good omen. If conditions permit, your skipper will expertly guide the ship through the narrow space... and if you get dripped on, consider yourself lucky! You'll also spend some time on the island of the day the best of the bunch will be picked for you to explore, depending on the conditions. Choose to relax on the beach or take a stroll and drink in the views of this breath taking region. Cruise concludes at approximately 12.50pm, back at Russell Wharf OR at 1.00pm, back at Paihia Wharf. Rest of the time free to explore the Bay of Island at your own. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 3 - BAY OF ISLANDS - AUCKLAND

Check out and the day is free till evening at your own. In evening Join your coach  to commence a  Paihia to Auckland coach tour  to get back to Auckland.  Your local driver guide will point out scenic highlights as you travel thourgh farmland and past native forests before crossing the Auckland Harbour Bridge and arriving into the city scene of Auckland by night. Tour concludes at approximately 8:10pm after commencement at central Auckland. Arrive Auckland and overnight at Hotel.

DAY 4 - CITY TOUR OF AUCKLAND

Join your coach to commence a half day tour introducing you to the sights of Auckland. Travel through the city centre, past iconic Karangahape Road and the stylish suburb of Ponsonby, and over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, enjoying views of the Hauraki Gulf and city skyline. Visit the Viaduct Harbour, home to America's Cup racing for many years, and the central city's main road Queen Street, before continuing to the Auckland Domain. Developed around an extinct volcano, the Domain features 75 hectares of open spaces, tropical gardens, duck ponds and public art, and is home to the Auckland War Memorial Museum. The tour continues to historic Parnell Village, where you can explore this boutique shopping area during an afternoon tea stop. Next, travel the stunning waterfront route of Tamaki Drive to Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, above Mission Bay. Named after one of New Zealand's greatest and most popular Prime Ministers, the park with its formal gardens and tranquil atmosphere offers a panoramic outlook over the picturesque Eastern Bays, Auckland city and the Waitemata Harbour. Tour concludes at approximately 12:30pm, at which time drop offs will commence. Rest of the time is free to explore Auckland at your own. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 5 - AUCKLAND - WAITOMO CAVES - ROTORUA

Board your coach to commence a day tour to Rotorua via Waitomo. Depart Auckland and travel through the lush farmland of the Waikato and King Country regions. Your experienced local driver guide will provide commentary and point out highlights along the way such as Rangiriri, where in 1863 a major battle was fought between colonial forces and those loyal to the Maori King. On arrival in the small town of Waitomo enjoy a guided tour through the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, a series of limestone caves formed over 30 million years ago. Learn all about stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone formations as you walk through the caverns and finish the tour with a silent boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto - illuminated by thousands of tiny glowworms.Your journey to Rotorua continues, passing through the beautiful Fitzgerald Glade where trees arch over the road to form a tunnel of natural greenery. Tour concludes upon arrival in Rotorua  at which time drop offs will commence. Check in and the rest of time is free at your own. overnight at Hotel.

DAY 6 - CITY TOUR OF ROTORUA

Join your coach to commence a Rotorua Sights half day morning tour. Experience Te Puia, a place of Maori culture and a thermal wonderland of impressive geysers and boiling mud pools before exploring Rainbow Springs Nature Park, which showcases native flora and fauna as well as the New Zealand Kiwi. Then see NZ's agricultural industry in action with a sheep shearing display and sheep dog trials at The Agrodome. Rest of the day is free at your own. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 7-  ROTORUA - QUEENSTOWN

Check out and transfer to Rotorua Airport for your flight to Queenstown. On arrival at Queenstown Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Check in and rest of the time is free at your own. Queenstown is one of New Zealand's top visitor destinations. It’s rumoured that gold prospectors - captivated by the majestic beauty of the surrounding mountains and rivers. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 8 - MILFORD SOUND CRUISE 

Join an unforgettable journey in which you'll experience the world famous fjord - rich in dense rainforest, glacier carved valleys and beautiful waterfalls. Journey across the Southern Alps, take photos of the stunning Mirror Lakes, uncover Eglinton Valley, a place of ancient alpine forest and gushing waterfalls, and then travel deep into the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled through solid rock, before walking across The Chasm. At the deep waters of Milford Sound, join a Southern Discoveries Scenic Cruise. See the wonders of Mitre Peak, glacier-scarred rock walls and waterfalls that tumble through valleys and crash into the sea far below. Return Back and overnight at Hotel.. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 9 - QUEENSTOWN

The day is free to at your own to pursue other adventurous activities like Bungy Jumping, Gondola Ride, Jet Boating and skydiving. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 10 -  QUEENSTOWN - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

Leaving Queenstown, travel by luxury coach through the stunning scenery. Your driver guide will provide commentary and point out sites as you pass by the crystal-clear Lakes Dunstan, Wanaka and Hawea. After morning tea break on the border of Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, you'll travel through the Haast Pass, journeying through native beech forest and over the Southern Alps, before emerging on the West Coast. This remote area has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. Skirt the coast and see pass tree-fringed lakes and stop at a boutique salmon farm on the Paringa River, before arriving in the evening at Franz Josef. Check in and overnight at Hotel.

DAY 11 - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER

Day is free to explore the Franz Josef Glacier or you can visit the Spectacular Mountain by Helicopter with a snow landing at the Glacier at your own. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 12 - FRANZ JOSEF - CHRISTCHURCH

Check out from Hotel and travel from Franz Josef to Greymouth. New Zealand's remote West Coast region contains some of the country's most dramatic scenery wild coastlines, ancient glaciers, picturesque mountain ranges and lush native rainforest. From Greymouth take Tranzalpine Train to Christchurch. The journey takes approximately four hours and passes through breathtaking scenery including landscapes made famous by the Lord of the Rings and Narnia movies. Along this journey you’ll see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest.You’ll traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains, to the backdrop of the mighty Southern Alps - the journey of a lifetime. Arrive Christchurch Railway station and transfer to Hotel. Overingh at Hotel.

DAY13 - HALF DAY CITY TOUR OF CHRISTCHURCH

Join your coach to commence a half day Discover Christchurch - Morning Tour. The trip begins by covering the central city highlights including the botanical gardens, Museum and Art Centre, the Avon river, Bridge of Remembrance, the city's new pop up container mall and many other CBD highlights. On leaving the inner city, the tour travels to Mona Vale an historic homestead and gardens. Up to the Sign of the Takahe, an historic building providing spectacular views over the city, Canterbury Plains and the Southern Alps, then over the Port Hills to the Port of Lyttleton, through the harbour tunnel to the seaside suburb of Sumner and cave rock before returning to the central city. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 14 -  CHRISTCHURCH

Day is free to explore the Christchurch at your own or go for shopping. Overnight at Hotel.

DAY 15 - DEPARTURE

Check our from hotel and rest of the time is free till your transfer to Christchurch airport for your onward flight.  

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