Saturday, March 22 – Arriva Auckland, New Zealand

Kia Ora – welcome to New Zealand! After clearing customs and immigration at Auckland Airport, you will be met by your local tour driver. The rest of the day at leisure to relax after your journey and to start to explore this cosmopolitan city. Auckland is a vibrant cosmopolitan city with a busy nightlife, world-class restaurants, bush-clad mountain ranges and diverse neighbourhoods to explore. The Waitemata Harbour is a mecca for sailors, and the popularity of sailing on the harbour has led to the affectionate term, ‘City of Sails’. Enjoy a welcome dinner and overnight at Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour or similar (1 night). Dinner Included

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Sunday, March 23 – Auckland / Waitomo Caves / Rotorua

Departing Auckland travel south crossing the Bombay Hills through the dairy rich Waikato countryside we arrive at the famous Waitomo Caves. Here a guide will take you underground to view the amazing limestone caves featuring stalagmites and stalactites, which have taken centuries to form. Continue to walk down to an underground stream to board a small boat to view the glow-worm grotto – an underground cavern featuring millions of glow-worms. From Waitomo continue onto the Geothermal Area of Rotorua.

With a unique thermal and volcanic landscape, living Maori culture, natural hot springs and bubbling mud pools, Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s best known and most popular destinations. Rotorua forms part of the geologically active ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’ and evidence of the bubbling thermal activity just under the earth’s crust is surprisingly evident throughout the city.

In the late afternoon visit Te Puia for a guided tour followed by the Te Po (the night) experience – an immersive feast of indigenous cultural storytelling, entertainment and food. Your guided tour provides a premier Maori culture experience combined with an introduction to the magnificent geothermal activity in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. Whilst in the valley see the boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces, hot springs and geysers including the famous Pohutu Geyser which can erupt up to 30 metres high, depending on its mood. Visit the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are learning the traditional carving and weaving skills of their ancestors.

Your evening experience will commence with a sumptuous buffet dinner including food from the hangi (traditional Maori method of cooking) served in the Pātaka Kai Restaurant.

After dinner enjoy a cultural performance in the fully carved Te Aronui-a-Rua meeting house where highlights include waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant) poi and haka. Following the concert, the evening culminates with hot chocolate served in the geothermal valley bathed in coloured light. Overnight at Pullman Rotorua Hotel or similar (2 nights). Breakfast and Dinner Included.

 

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Monday, March 24 – Rotorua, Matamata, Rotorua

This morning travel out to the Redwood Treewalk for daytime discovery experience like no other, walk high amongst giant 120-year-old redwood trees and open your eyes to the natural beauty of our forest. A peaceful haven for you to discover above the forest floor, surround yourself with gentle giants, native fauna and sweeping silver ferns. The Treewalk takes an average 40 minutes to complete.

Then visit the National Kiwi Hatchery for a guided tour. The Kiwi, New Zealand’s national icon, is an endangered species and The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa is a world leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. Your visit here will showcase how Kiwi recovery programmes are playing their part to bring this treasured icon back from the brink of extinction on the New Zealand mainland.   During your 45-minute guided visit, learn all about the Kiwi bird at the world’s most successful kiwi hatchery and discover how more than 2100 kiwi chicks have been hatched here.    Gain an understanding of what it takes to hatch a chick and see genuine ‘Conservation in Action’ in the purpose-built incubation facility and if you’re very lucky, perhaps see a newly hatched kiwi chick!

By sharing in this experience, you will make a valuable contribution to the conservation of our precious kiwi with all funds going to the National Kiwi Recovery Trust.   Note – the tour is non-exclusive and other travellers may join.

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This afternoon travel to Matamata to experience the real Middle-Earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, the bucolic setting for The Shire. In 1999 New Zealand filmmaker, Peter Jackson, transformed the green pastures of this Waikato sheep farm into The Shire, Middle-Earth, where Hobbits lived in peace in their Hobbit holes. During your guided tour, your guide will escort you through the ten-acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created. Hear stories from filming as you view the Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures. The tour includes a walk-up Bagshot Row to Bag End, to stand outside the most famous Hobbit hole in Middle-Earth. Following your tour, dinner is served at the ‘Green Dragon’ Inn. The Green Dragon featured in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy as the local meeting place for all the residents of Hobbiton. The inn also makes an appearance in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Following dinner return to Rotorua. Breakfast and Dinner Included.

 

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Tuesday, March 25 – Rotorua / Napier

Departing Rotorua, travel via New Zealand’s largest pine tree forests to Taupo. Enroute, you take a visit to the Wairakei Geothermal Steam Field. This was a world-first, generating electricity by tapping a natural steam field then channelling the steam to a nearby power generation plant. Continuing to view the mighty Huka Falls. Huka in Maori translates to “snow” as the water here has the appearance of snow falling as it is forced along from Lake Taupo through the falls on its journey along the Waikato River. This afternoon you continue to the ‘Fruit Bowl’ of New Zealand, Hawkes Bay – Napier. The area is also one of New Zealand’s top grape growing regions, with some of the country’s best-known wines coming from the Hawke’s Bay. This evening’s dinner is at the Mission Estate Winery. French missionaries planted the first vines here in the mid-19th century: today award-winning wines are produced. Enjoy dinner in the restored seminary buildings that offer sweeping views of Napier. Overnight at Scenic Hotel Te Pania or similar (2 nights). Breakfast and Dinner Included.

 

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Wednesday, March 26 – Napier

This morning take a two-hour specialised guided Art Deco walk of Napier. Napier’s now famous Art Deco reputation was a result of the massive earthquake of February 1931 and the subsequent rebuilding of the city in the Art Deco style so popular in the 1930’s. Registering 7.9 on the Richter scale, the earthquake levelled almost all of the buildings in Napier and raised the seabed by 2.5 metres. This afternoon travel to one of the local vineyards for wine tasting and lunch. After lunch depart on a 4wd Gannet Safari. The coach traverses riverbeds, broad rolling pastures, through stands of native bush, steep gullies and breath-taking inclines. There is a stop on the way at a spectacular cliff top with panoramic views of Hawke’s Bay right to Mahia Peninsula. The amazing geology of the area can also be taken in. The 3-hour trip includes a commentary by the tour guide on the farming operation on Cape Kidnappers and an introduction to the gannets. Breakfast and Lunch Included with dinner on your own in the local community.

 

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Thursday, March 27 – Napier / Wellington (BD)

Travel through the rolling farmlands of Central Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa and travel into the Manawatu Region and drive south through the towns of Levin and Otaki down the scenic Kapiti Coast into Wellington, the Capital City and Seat of Parliament. On arrival visit Te Papa for a self guided visit through the museum – open until 6.00 pm. Then depart on an orientation tour of Wellington. Enjoy harbour and hill views from some of the city’s most spectacular vantage points, as well as pass by many of Wellington’s most famous sights, landmarks and icons. Dinner at the hotel this evening. Dinner and overnight at Sofitel Wellington Hotel & Resort or similar (1 night). Breakfast and Dinner Included.

 

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Friday, March 28 – Wellington / Queenstown  

This morning fly to Queenstown (domestic flight included).

Surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and the unique energy of the Queenstown region create the perfect backdrop for a holiday full of adventure, exploration or relaxation. On arrival in Queenstown meet your South Island coach driver and transfer to your hotel.

This evening take a local steam ship, the TSS Earnslaw across stunning Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm where you will enjoy a farm tour, including seeing the legendary New Zealand sheepdogs, and a delicious gourmet BBQ dinner. A dining experience that’s unlike any other in Queenstown, disembark at Walter Peak where you will be escorted through the lakeside gardens to the recently refurbished Colonel’s Homestead. Relax in the unique ambience in front of a roaring open fire and soak in the views from this stunning lakeside setting while the chefs prepare a gourmet BBQ on the outdoor grill. The night-time cruise home is magical – join in the camaraderie of a sing-a-long with the ship’s pianist on the return journey. Overnight at The Rees Hotel or similar (3 nights). Breakfast and Dinner Included.

 

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Saturday, March 29 – Queenstown 

Day at leisure to enjoy the many activities and attractions available in the area. Breakfast and Dinner Included

 

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Sunday, March 30 – Milford Sound Day Excursion 

A very early start this morning, as you depart Queenstown, traveling along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau – a picturesque town on the eastern shore of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island in Fiordland National Park.   At Te Anau stop for breakfast before continuing to Milford Sound – the road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is incredibly scenic. On reaching Milford Sound, enjoy a cruise of the fiord in a purpose-built vessel offering excellent viewing of waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife with large windows, spacious decks and comfortable lounges. Includes picnic box lunch. Following the cruise, return to Queenstown, arriving late evening. Own arrangements for dinner tonight. Breakfast and Lunch Included with dinner on your own in the local community.

 

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Monday, March 31 – Queenstown / Franz Josef 

Travel across the fruit-growing Central Otago region, around the shores of glacial Lakes Wanaka and Hawea then into the rugged beauty of the Haast Pass as you travel through the Southern Alps. Continue up the West Coast past wild beaches, over mountain streams, through native rainforest and past bush-fringed lakes to Franz Josef Glacier. On arrival, time is available for optional scenic flights, (additional cost) before continuing onto your accommodation for the night. Dinner and overnight at Te Waonui Forest Retreat or similar (1 night). Breakfast and Dinner Included.

 

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Tuesday, April 1 – Franz Josef / Arthurs Pass / Christchurch 

Travel north from Franz Josef on State Highway 6 and the native rainforest of the Westland National Park then across farmlands with the Southern Alps rising steeply to the east and vistas of the Tasman Sea to the west. At Hokitika you may like to visit the Greenstone studios where jade stone is crafted into jewellery and ornaments of both modern and traditional design. Continue along the coast and then inland to Arthur’s Pass to board the famous Tranz Alpine to Christchurch. Enjoy thrilling vistas over deep gorges along one of the most spectacular train journeys in the world. Travel alongside the ice fed Waimakariri River and traverse the mighty Southern Alps where chiselled alpine landscape will take your breath away at every turn. Upon arrival at the station in Christchurch (approx. 7.00pm) you will be transferred to your hotel. Farewell dinner included tonight. Overnight at Sudima Hotel Christchurch or similar (1 night) Farewell dinner and breakfast included.

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Wednesday, April 2 – Depart New Zealand 

This morning is at your leisure until your departure flights. You will then be transferred from the hotel to Christchurch International Airport for your flight back home.