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13 Day Economy Coach Tour

13 Day Outstanding New Zealand – Economy Coach Tour

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$5,049*
PER PERSON
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Description

This tour is a welcome to our beautiful country like no other. From Auckland, the city of sails, you will travel by coach to Waitomo where you will go on an underground
boat ride through the famous Glowworm grotto. Following on to Rotorua where we will immerse you in New Zealand farming, fishing and Maori culture. 
Continuing down the island bound for Wellington you will pass by exotic forest, geothermal Waimangu and Wairakei, extinct volcanoes, snow peaked mountains, and large expanses of pastoral farming grounds.
After exploring our vibrant capital and its entertainment you will board the Interisland Ferry for a pretty picturesque cruise through the Marlborough Sounds.

Leaving the top of the South you will travel by the Tranzcoastal pacific train to the gateway of the south, Christchurch. From where you will travel on the famous Tranzalpine Express to go on a trip of bewildering vistas and awesomely serene lakes to the stunning Glaciers and mountain ranges of the West Coast. You will glide across Milford Sound, where you keep an eagle eye out for dolphins and seals frolicking nearby. You can view Queenstown from lofty heights aboard the Skyline Gondola and partake in the many adventure options there if you are seeking some thrills and spills!

You will head back up the East Coast stopping in Dunedin, where there are many historical Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Spend a day discovering the beery delights of the ‘Speights Brewery’.
Then enjoy a leisurely relaxing ride back up the coast, past the mammoth Moeraki Boulders, through the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Inclusions

  • Transport
  • 12 nights accommodation
  • Transfers within journey
  • Waitomo Glow-worm Caves
  • Maori Hangi & Concert
  • Te Puia Geothermal Experience
  • Rainbow Springs
  • Agrodome Sheep Show
  • Wellington City Tour
  • Interislander Ferry 
  • TranzCoastal Train Journey
  • TranzAlpine Train Journey
  • Skyline Gondola – Queenstown
  • Milford Sound Cruise including Lunch

Other Information


Duration

  • ​13 day(s) 12 nights

Departure

  • ​Reporting time 7.30 am at the Sky City Coach Terminal. Departs at 8.00 am EVERY DAY.


Flexible Itineraries

All our New Zealand coach tours can be adapted to your individual specifications. If a tour does not entirely suit you, we can provide a personalised coach touring holiday that fits you like a glove. All you need to do is let us know what you want to do, and we will organise it for you.

Transfers Included
Transfers are included between your accommodation and transport on the Tour. If you need to we can book your pre-tour arrangements or you can make your own way to the Tour departure location.

Daily Departures

The tours operate every day and use routine train, ferry and motor coach services. All hotel, motel accommodation, transportation and essential sightseeing are pre-arranged for you.

Are meals included on your Tours?

Hotel and Motel accommodation on the tour are not inclusive of meals. There are many local restaurants and cafe’s from which you can sample, for your dining pleasure. Breakfast options are available to you and these can be provided on enquiry with your consultant.

Is there a Tour Guide travelling with us on the trip?
As you will be travelling independently, on scheduled coach and rail services, this is an unescorted tour. Unless otherwise stated your tour drivers will provide commentary for you to enjoy while you relax in comfort.

Can you tell me the difference between Silver and Bronze accommodation.
With Silver accommodation your stay will be in selected hotels or motor inns that are centrally located. They have a selection of bars and restaurants for your perusal, and deluxe rooms with the facilities expected of superior accommodation. With Bronze accommodation your stay will be in motels or hotels centrally located at your destination. Some of the motel accommodation will provide kitchen facilities, TV, radio etc.

Do I have to carry my own bags or will somebody do it for me?

With Gold and Silver hotels accommodation a porter will be able to assist you with your bags. Bronze accommodation does not have porters, but should you need assistance your driver will be happy to help.

I am travelling alone but I do not want to pay the single room supplement. Can you find me a roommate?
Regrettably we are unable to match you up with another traveller as the occurrence of another person travelling on the same tour with the same dates and class as you is extremely unlikely.

Where do your tours depart from?
The Auckland coaches depart from the Intercity terminal, at Sky City , Hobson Street . Auckland trains depart from the Britomart railway station. The Christchurch coaches depart from the Intercity Terminal at 118 Bealey Ave (between Colombo St and Durham St intersections). Christchurch trains depart from the Addington railway station at Clarence Street in Riccarton .

Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua - At Rotorua - Rotorua - Wellington - In Wellington - Wellington - Picton - Christchurch

DAY1

Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua

Board the Great Sights coach for an exciting tour to the magnificent Waitomo Caves and the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Travel south along the Auckland motorway to the Bombay Hills, and head into the farming province of Waikato  Your coach follows the Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest river, through Hamilton and Otorohanga to Waitomo.

Arrive at Waitomo for a guided tour through the spectacular Waitomo Caves and an underground boat ride through the famous ‘Glowworm Grotto’. Please note, rain can affect water levels in the cave which may result in a shortened tour. 

Leaving the caves, your journey continues through the lush Waikato Plains and on to Fitzgerald Glade – a section of highway where the native bush and trees form a canopy overhead. A traverse of the forest clad Mamaku Hills proceeds until the delicate wafts of sulphur lure you into fiery Rotorua.

DAY2

At Rotorua

In the morning you will be met by a representative from Great Sights Coachlines for your morning city tour of Rotorua’s leading attractions.

Highlights include: 

Te Puia 60 Minute Guided Tour: 
Te Puia is New Zealand’s leading and longest running cultural tourism attraction, offering visitors an insight into Maori history and culture, as well as an opportunity to view the spectacular Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley. 

Rainbow Springs Admission
Breathe deeply, and take in the native bush, ferns, trees and plants that grow and flower all around you as you wander through the tree lined pathways at Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Enjoy the tranquillity of the crystal clear mineral water that flows tirelessly from the subterranean springs throughout the park, and marvel at the silent grace of the magnificent specimens of Rainbow, Brown and Tiger trout and feed them as they cruise the fern-fringed pools. Hear the bustling bush wildlife, and meet the curious species of native birds on display.

Agrodome Sheep Show 
The Agrodome Sheep Show is a one-hour performance where you will see nineteen sheep breeds introduced onto the stage, and be shown the art of sheep shearing, along with sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feed lambs and an exciting sheep auction. Audience participation is a major part of this entertaining show, highlighting the significance of agriculture in New Zealand.

The afternoon is completely at your leisure for shopping, additional sightseeing options or for relaxing in the natural spring waters which first made this area so famous for its healing properties.

DAY3

Rotorua - Wellington

In the morning you will morning board your Great Sights Coach for the excursion to Milford Sound and Queenstown. 

Travel through the Eglington Valley to the Mirror Lakes, following the “Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain”, past Cascade Creek and Lake Gunn, to arrive at The Divide.  Proceed through the Hollyford Valley to the Homer Tunnel, a man-made tunnel, cut out of the rock wall.  Emerging from the tunnel into the Cleddau Valley before descending into Milford Sound.  Here you join your Milford Sound Cruise, to explore the wonder of this majestic fiord.  

Join your Milford Sound Cruise to explore the wonder of this majestic fiord and see Mitre Peak, one of the highest mountains in the world to rise directly from the ocean floor.  View the Stirling and the Bowen Falls as your cruise takes you out to the mouth of the Pacific Ocean  Spot the seals and watch out for dolphins – they may be seen surfing the bow wave of the boat.  Whilst on board the Milford Sound Cruise a buffet lunch is included.

Following the cruise, your coach will return via the same route to Te Anau, before travelling via Mossman and Kingston, and following the edge of Lake Wakatipu into Queenstown, where you will arrive in the early evening.

Stay two nights in Queenstown

DAY4

In Wellington

Today you will go on a city tour, where you will view the Parliament Buildings, Old Saint Pauls Cathedral, the Lady Norwood Rose Gardens, the National Art Gallery, the Museum and there’s an opportunity for a ride on the Cable Car.

From the summit of Mt Victoria you will have beautiful views of Wellington city, Oriental Bay and the many other scenic bays of Wellington Harbour, including the beautiful Marine Drive. 

The afternoon is free, perhaps to visit Te Papa Museum or the Museum of City and Sea.

DAY5

Wellington - Picton - Christchurch

Ferry and Train
Leaving Wellington on the InterIslander Ferry you will sail across Port Nicholson to Somes Island, before turning south, out through the heads, and then across Cook Strait to the narrow Tory Channel which leads to the placid waters of the Marlborough Sounds.

The InterIslander offers a wide range of onboard amenities and entertainment.  

The Coastal Pacific train departs from Picton, so once on board sit back and relax as you travel south through Marlborough and then edge down the narrow coastal strip where the Pacific pounds the rugged Kaikoura coastline.  You emerge into the dry North Canterbury sheep country which takes you on to Kaiapoi before reaching Christchurch in the early evening.

Bronze Accommodation Silver Accommodation Gold Accommodation
SingleNZ $5,029.00NZ $5,459.00NZ $6,519.00
Twin ShareNZ $3,619.00NZ $3,869.00NZ $4,419.00

 

Prices valid until 30 September 2015. Prices quoted are per person and are room only. Prices do not include meals. Please contact us for Self-Drive option prices.

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