Arrive Christchurch

Welcome to New Zealand. A representative of Kirra Tours will greet you at the airport with transport waiting to take you to your hotel.

Accommodation

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Elms Hotel, Christchurch

The Elms Hotel situated in the garden city of Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. This wonderfully friendly Hotel is the closest accommodation to the largest shopping mall in New Zealand and is also a short drive to the airport and the CBD.

The 96 rooms are spread over four floors and each room is bright, spacious and well equipped, with an array of room types to suit your needs.

The Elms Hotel is sure to be a pleasant and accommodating stay with helpful staff on hand to ensure you simple, thoughtful hospitality.

www.elms-hotel-christchurch.com

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Omarama / Dunedin

Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley this morning, pausing at historic Oamaru with its collection of limestone heritage buildings and beautifully preserved Victorian Precinct. Next arrive into Dunedin – the “Scottish” city, which at one point was the largest town in the country due to massive population growth during the gold rush era, but is now better known for its vibrant university community as well as being home to the world’s steepest street! Discover Dunedin’s striking heritage buildings and thriving city centre, the Octagon. Your early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities and your Coach Captain will be happy to assist you. Why not take a ride on the iconic Taieri Gorge Railway for striking scenery and dramatic photo opportunities, passing through tunnels and travelling across viaducts. Or perhaps you would prefer to indulge yourself on a guided tour through Dunedin’s iconic Cadbury’s Chocolate Factory or Speight’s Brewery. (B)

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Cargills Hotel, Dunedin

Cargills Hotel offers travellers friendly hospitality and quality accommodation during their visit to Dunedin, New Zealand. With well-appointed rooms and a friendly, warm atmosphere, Cargills is relaxed and 100% professional. We pride ourselves on our levels of service and hospitality.

You’ll find our Dunedin hotel is the perfect venue whatever your occasion; accommodation, conferences, functions, weddings, food & wine, casual meals, or just great coffee!

www.cargills.co.nz

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Te Anau / Milford Sound / Queenstown

Today is a certain highlight of your New Zealand journey as you venture deep into the vast wilderness of Fiordland, with its dense forest, deep lakes and ocean flooded valleys. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach right to the roads edge and mighty snow capped peaks tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound dominated by Mitre Peak, a fjord once described by Rudyard Kipling as the ‘Eighth wonder of the world’. A launch cruise takes you right through to the open sea, the colossal walls rising on either side in sheer cliffs that will dwarf your tiny vessel. View the Bowen and Stirling Falls as they crash down the cliffs and if you are lucky even witness a splashing seal or two. After your spectacular journey through Milford Sound you will return to your coach and begin your drive back to Te Anau, before setting off for Queenstown via the winding shores of Lake Wakatipu. Tonight enjoy spectacular views over Queenstown as you ride the scenic Skyline Gondola to the summit of Bob’s Peak for a delicious fresh New Zealand buffet dinner like no other. Take in the absolutely breathtaking panoramic views from the Skyline Restaurant and enjoy a unique night out. (B, D)

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Tanoa Aspen Hotel, Queenstown

The tanoa bowl is a Pacific symbol of welcome and hospitality, and the Tanoa brand is synonymous with our desire to offer excellent customer service and exceed the expectations of our guests.

Discover the exceptional comfort and service that our hotels offer. Each of our unique properties draws inspiration from its surrounding area and evokes the essence of its city.

www.tanoaaspen.com

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Queenstown / Wanaka

Head back in time as you travel through areas steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era. First stop at Arrowtown, a charming village that was once a bustling centre during the height of the Gold Rush when this precious commodity was discovered at the nearby Arrow River. Next travel past picturesque Lake Hayes before arriving at Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. This quiet lovely town is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, yet still retains a sense of small town serenity with its natural beauty and vast reaching lake. This afternoon is at your leisure and we recommend, if the weather is good, you take a cruise on the lake or even a relaxing scenic stroll through town. Your coach captain will be there to assist with optional activities. (B)

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Wanaka Hotel, Wanaka

Surrounded by magnificent mountains and the tranquil lake, Wanaka is the perfect destination for that special holiday.

Accommodation consists of Double, Twin and Triple Hotel Rooms. Many with a view of the Lake.  All rooms have Ensuite Bathroom, TV and Wifi, Linen, Towels Toiletries, Tea and Coffee Making Facilities.

www.wanakahotel.co.nz

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Fox Glacier / St Arnaud

The journey today travels north along the scenic West Coast, stopping at the iconic Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki, a truly stunning landscape of crashing waves and windswept dramatic shores. Pause here to view the famous Pancake rocks themselves (weather permitting), unusual formations formed 30 million years ago from limestone and fragments of marine life. Next you will veer inland through Buller Gorge into an untouched heartland of pristine national parks, deep moody lakes and colossal mountain ranges that extend for miles. Discover striking Lake Rotoiti and the small town of St Arnaud where you will spend the night. Here experience a real sense of New Zealand off the beaten track at this fascinating small-town destination, learning about the history of the region on an exclusive guided tour as you discover what makes this isolated region of New Zealand such a special spot. (B)

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Alpine Lodge, St Arnaud

Alpine Lodge St Arnaud, an architecturally styled lodge in a natural setting at the very edge of Nelson Lakes National Park with great outdoors and lots of activities. It’s location presents itself as a hub for visiting the Nelson/Abel Tasman and Marlborough regions.

www.alpinelodge.co.nz

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Wellington / Taupo / Rotorua

Leave Wellington behind this morning as you travel north past rolling picturesque hills on your way to Paekakariki, a stunning coastal region with views that extend over Kapiti Island. Continue through agricultural towns and pass idyllic rolling farmlands as you draw nearer to the central North Island National Park, a region dominated by the volcanic Mt Ruapehu. Follow this Desert Road to Lake Taupo and pause at New Zealand’s largest lake, famous for trout fishing and a popular holiday spot. Next view the mighty Huka Falls where the full force of the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm and crashes into the river below, before skirting massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, an important centre of Maori culture and a region famous for its fascinating geothermal activity. (B)

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Ibis, Rotorua

Situated on the picturesque shores of Lake Rotorua, this hotel offers tranquil surroundings with sensational views. Our central location is easily accessible to cafés, restaurants and the Energy Events Convention Centre. Stunning natural scenery and geothermal wonders makes this the ultimate destination. Ibis guests also have access to conference rooms and other facilities at the adjacent Novotel Rotorua Lakeside.

www.ibis.com

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Rotorua / Matamata / Hamilton

Cross the Mamaku Ranges this morning and leave Rotorua behind, travelling into the lush farmlands of the Waikato, a peaceful and idyllic area noted for dairy farming and its horse studs. Arrive into Matamata and meet your guide who will escort your group on a fun and interesting Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tour, taking a deeper look behind the scenes of the filming for The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Take a drive through this stunning 1,250 acre sheep farm whilst hearing about how the Hobbiton Set was created. Lastly, relax in the Green Dragon, a fun authentic style Inn just like that in the films. Later travel north to reach Hamilton where you have the afternoon free to explore before tonight enjoying a tour and dinner at the Good George Brewery, a local treat that will give you a real sense of New Zealand’s famous hospitality. (B, D)

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Sudima, Hamilton

Only a five minute drive to Claudelands Events Centre and within walking distance of many restaurants, pubs, cafes and shops, Sudima hotel Hamilton is housed in an iconic 1876 historic building. The hotel offers 69 well-appointed rooms with a variety of room types and configurations, and has received a recent refurbishment with the addition of modern furniture and fittings across all accommodation rooms and public service areas. The hotel features onsite parking, wireless internet access, ensuites, kitchenettes, laundry facilities and 24 hour guest services.

www.sudimahotels.com

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Bay of Islands

Today enjoy a full free day in the beautiful Bay of Islands – take the time to relax and stroll through Paihia, checking out the many shops and cafes as you discover for yourself exactly why the Bay is such a popular holiday destination. Alternatively, if you want to take advantage of your time here and try out some optional sightseeing activities, your Coach Captain will happily assist in booking these in for you. Why not take the famous Cape Brett Dolphin Cruise, one of Paihia’s must-do activities, which takes you out through the islands to visit the iconic ‘Hole in the Rock’. Or maybe catch a ferry across to charming Russell for a tour of its heritage buildings and rich history? Perhaps even travel further afield on a full day trip to one of the most northern points of New Zealand, the windswept Cape Reinga. On this extraordinary day out, visitors can witness the fascinating phenomena of two great oceans meeting, with the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean visibly crashing together just off the coast, a highly unusual sight! (B)

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Tanoa Hotel, Paihia

Tanoa Paihia – your Bay of Islands accommodation offers 67 well-appointed guest rooms and is surrounded by attractive natural bush making this a peaceful and serene property. Each Paihia hotel room has one double bed and one single bed accommodating up to 3 guests. 

www.tanoapaihia.com

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Auckland / Home

Today is goodbye to all your new found friends before you make your homeward journey. You will be transferred to Auckland Airport to join your flight home. (B)