15 Day Wonderland

From large cities to secluded villages, there is something to please everyone. Steaming geysers, World Heritage-listed National Parks, breathtaking cruises and stunning scenery are just a few things you will experience on this exceptional tour.

Day 1 - Christchurch/Mt Cook/Omarama

Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road, Christchurch at 8.00am. A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before travelling across the Canterbury Plains into the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook National Park. Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama. Your overnight accommodation is at the Heritage Gateway Hotel.

Day 2 - Omarama/Dunedin

Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin - the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton's Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion, or just explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to dinner, you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Cargills Hotel.

Day 3 - Dunedin/Lake Manapouri/Te Anau

Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Fiordland National Park Hotel.

Day 4 - Te Anau/Milford Sound/Queenstown

Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel.

Day 5 - Queenstown

A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the historic Earnslaw. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel.

Day 6 - Queenstown/Haast Pass/Fox Glacier

Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lake's edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora and into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face (daylight hours permitting). Your overnight accommodation is at the Fox Glacier Hotel.

Day 7 - Fox Glacier/Greymouth

Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the Skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Next is Shantytown, a restored goldmining town of the 1860's where you pan for gold, ride on the steam train, stage coach or horse and buggy. Your overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Ashley.

Day 8 - Greymouth/Blenheim

View the unusual rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki and pass Charleston, a former goldmining township. Follow the Buller River through the Buller Gorge and on to Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Follow the Long Wairau Valley to Blenheim. A short tour of the area includes a visit to the Montana Winery for a complimentary tasting and afternoon tea. Your overnight accommodation is at the Blenheim Country Lodge Hotel.

Day 9 - Blenheim/Picton/Wellington

Drive to Picton, nestled on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds, to board the Interislander ferry. Sail through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, sheltered waterways, remote bays and isolated holiday homes. Across Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand's Capital City. A city tour will incorporate the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and harbour, the Houses of Parliament and the distinctive “Beehive”, Wellington Cathedral, city centre and Oriental Bay. Also explore the city yourself. Don't miss Te Papa, the new “Museum of New Zealand” or take a ride on the famous Cable Car. Your overnight accommodation is at the Bay Plaza Hotel.

Day 10 - Wellington/Taupo/Rotorua

Drive to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and on a clear day, the South Island. Cross the Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin and Foxton to Bulls. Across rolling farmland to the central North Island National Park, dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake and famous for trout fishing. Stop at Huka Falls where the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm then skirt massive man-made pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Lake Plaza Hotel.

Day 11 - Rotorua

A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand's various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. Whilst at the Agrodome, be sure to visit the Bliss Confectionery factory & shop for a complimentary treat and tempting sweet delights. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and native birds including the Kiwi. Visit Whakarewarewa, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka. Your overnight accommodation is at the Lake Plaza Hotel.

Day 12 - Rotorua/Waitomo/Auckland

Cross the Mamaku Ranges to the Waikato region, noted for dairy farming and world famous horse studs. At Waitomo, a guide will escort your group underground to the limestone caverns and glow worm grotto. On through Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, centre for the region's Maori people, then alongside the Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach New Zealand's largest city - Auckland. A city tour will visit the summit of Skytower, at 328metres the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, for panoramic views across the city and its two harbours, the Domain, the city area, the Waterfront Drive with its numerous yacht marinas and nearby residential suburbs. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Rydges Auckland Hotel.

Day 13 - Auckland/Bay of Islands

Cross Auckland's Harbour Bridge to drive north along the Hibiscus Coast and on to Matakohe and the Kauri museum telling the story of the Kauri tree and the region's early settlement, the displays are superb and their story fascinating. Continue north through Kawakawa to Paihia and visit New Zealand's birthplace, Waitangi. Visit the famous Treaty House, the Maori Meeting House and giant war canoe all set in spectacular grounds overlooking the bay. Your overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Paihia.

Day 14 - Bay of Islands

A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many activities available. Your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. A full day Tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's northern most point and Ninety Mile Beach or explore historic Russell, New Zealand's first settlement, and visit its original Church, Mission House and Museum. Your overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Paihia.

Day 15 - Bay of Islands/Auckland

A launch cruise will take you across the Bay and world acclaimed fishing grounds made famous by Zane Grey, to Cape Brett and the spectacular “Hole in the Rock”. Returning to Paihia, board your Coach for the journey south through Whangarei and Warkworth passing the satellite tracking station. Shortly Auckland city and Harbour come into view with a late afternoon arrival and your tour concluding at approximately 5.30pm.

• Includes 7 National Parks and World Heritage areas. Special highlights include sightseeing tours of Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin & Wellington, Rotorua thermal springs, traditional Maori culture, and all the beauty of the North and South Islands.

• Sightseeing tours of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland
• World renowned Mt Cook Region
• Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony
• Spectacular Southern Lakes
• Awe inspiring Milford Sound
• Dinner at Skyline Restaurant
• Remote National Parks of Fiordland & Westland
• West Coast Glaciers.
• Visit Greenstone (Jade) Factory
• Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
• Montana Winery visit with tasting and afternoon tea
• Scenic cruise Picton – Wellington
• Volcanic and Geothermal Region
• Sheep shearing and working dog demonstration
• Authentic Maori Hangi and Concert
• Rotorua’s Thermal Wonderland
• Waitomo Glow-worm Caves
• Subtropical Bay of Islands
• Olveston House
• Milford Sound Launch Cruise
• Shanty-town with gold panning
• Agrodome
• Rainbow Springs and Kiwi House
• Te Puia Thermal Reserve
• Skyline Gondola and Luge ride
• Auckland’s Skytower
• Matakohe Kauri Museum
• Guided Tour of Waitangi Treaty House and grounds
• Cape Brett Launch Cruise

(Twin Share)
• Kirra’s Recommended Tour Price from
  NZ $3,015.00 per person

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(Twin Share)
• Acrossnz Tour price from
  NZ $2,864.00 per person

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• A warm welcome at the Airport on arrival to begin your tour (see ‘Airport Transfers’ note).
• Transfers Airport-Hotel-Airport at the beginning and end of your tour (see ‘Airport Transfers’ note).
• Quality, twin share or double accommodation.
• A hearty cooked breakfast each morning (Optional).
• A 3 course multi-choice dinner each evening (Optional).
• Travel in luxurious, well appointed and fully air-conditioned tour coaches.
• Escorted by a professional Coach Captain.
• An informative commentary as you travel.
• Comprehensive sightseeing admission fees as detailed with each itinerary.
• Cook Strait ferry crossing where applicable.
• Baggage handling / porterage
• Travel kit including travel bag, ticket wallet, maps and itinerary.