12 nights Naturally New Zealand

Itinerary | Inclusions | Cost Back to index

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Auckland / SkyTower Ride at your leisure
Meet and greet by your driver and transfer to your hotel. Auckland hotel is for three nights including daily breakfast.
During your stay at the hotel ride up the SkyTower at your own leisure to enjoy the 360 degree views of Auckland City.
During the evenings you may wish to visit the Casino or explore around the ‘city of sails’.
Accommodation: SkyCity Auckland Hotel and Casino / New President Auckland Hotel

Day 2: Morning Auckland City Tour inc Kelly Tarlton’s / Free Afternoon
Your driver will collect you from the hotel. We will take you along the city waterfront, over the Harbour Bridge, up to the summit of Mount Eden to enjoy the panoramic views of Auckland, to the War Memorial Museum which has some very impressive exhibits and through the most desirable properties in Auckland. We will visit Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World & Antarctic Encounter, which is Auckland’s most popular tourist attraction with its live penguins, come face to face with the sharks and much more. Enjoy a free afternoon as you please.

Day 3: To Bay of Islands inc Waitangi Treaty Grounds & Hole in the Rock Cruise

Today’s journey takes from your hotel over the Auckland Harbour Bridge to the North Shore suburbs of Auckland. From here the scenery is ever changing from the seaside homes of the Hibiscus Coast and typical rural farm scenes to the lush tropical growth of the native bush and forests. Several scenic and comfort stops are made during the journey before arriving at picturesque Paihia nestled on the shore of the Bay of Islands National Maritime Park. On arrival visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds the idyllic spot where the Maori people and early settlers signed the historic Treaty of Waitangi. Then board the luxury catamaran for this popular cruise which takes you into the Hole in the Rock on Motukokako Island at Cape Brett, (subject to sea conditions). On the return journey pass some of the 144 islands which the region is named after. At Paihia board your coach to return to Auckland and your hotel.

Day 4: To Rotorua - Waitomo Caves, Te Puia, Agrodome Farm Show & Rainbow Springs
Full day starting with hotel pick and onto the Auckland Motorway. Then travel through the horticultural farmland and into the lush dairy farm area before reaching Waitomo township for your guided tour through the famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves which have been attracting visitors for over 100 years. The highlight is a silent boat trip through the glowworm grotto where you glide quietly beneath the lights of thousands of glowworms which live on the cave ceiling. After your cave experience continue past Lake Karapiro and picturesque Fitzgerald Glade to arrive in Rotorua. On arrival at Rotorua your tour continues with entry to sparking Rainbow Springs Nature Reserve to see the fresh water springs which are home to hundreds of trout, the elusive Kiwi bird and many other wildlife species. Then onto the highly entertaining Agrodome Farm Show which gives an animated insight into New Zealand’s farming history. During the show see a sheep being shorn, cow being milked and have a chance to feed and touch the animals. Then onto your guided tour of Te Puia where you will see many boiling mud pools, hot springs and geysers and the NZ Maori Arts & Crafts Institute, to see young people learning the traditional methods of flax weaving and woodcarving from their tribal elders. Lunch is included today, it is served on the coach aero-plane style. Your driver will then deliver you to your hotel for two nights including daily breakfast.
Accommodation: Millennium Rotorua Hotel / Sudima Lake Rotorua Hotel

Day 5: Afternoon Skyline Gondola Ride & Lunch & K-Jet Boat Ride
This morning enjoy a late breakfast followed by afternoon tour. Be collected by coach at 1.30pm and transferred to the Skyline Gondola Base. From here ride the Gondola 487 metres up Mount Ngongotaha to the Skyline Restaurant. Enjoy their famous buffet lunch while taking in the spectacular views of Lake Rotorua. The adventurous may take optional Luge Ride or Sky Swing before riding back down the Gondola. From here be transferred to the lake and take the exciting K-Jet ride on Lake Rotorua for 25 minutes of face paced action as you speed across the lake in a jet boat powered by twin 700 hp V8 Chev motors. You’ll need to hold on during the 360° K-Jet spins and as you reach speed of up to 85 kmh. Return to your hotel at leisure along the lake esplanade.

Day 6: Rotorua to Queenstown
This morning you will be transferred to the Rotorua Airport in time for your flight to Queenstown.
** Flight is booked and ticketed by your agent **
Upon arrival at Queenstown Airport a transfer to your hotel for three nights accommodation including daily breakfast.
The rest of today is free for you to enjoy Queenstown as you wish.
Accommodation: Gardens Novotel Hotel / A-line Queenstown Hotel

Day 7: Day trip to Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park
Pickup from your hotel for what has been described as the best one day journey in the world. The day begins travelling along the edge of Lake Wakatipu beneath the impressive Remarkable Mountains on the way through to Te Anau. From here progress through the Upper Hollyford Valley to the 1.2 kilometre Homer Tunnel which was drilled through solid rock. On exiting the tunnel you descend down to Milford Sound. Board the waiting vessel for a one hour forty minute full length cruise of Milford Sound out to the Tasman Sea. An excellent commentary is given during the cruise and apart from the majestic scenery of towering peaks jutting out of the Sound itself you should also see sparkling waterfalls, fur seals lazing on the rocks, dolphins playing in the ships wake and numerous sea birds. After your cruise sit back relax and enjoy the views from the coach on the return journey to Queenstown.

Day 8: Morning Queenstown Highlights Tour / Free Afternoon
The most spectacular photo opportunity in Queenstown. Queenstown Hill offers spectacular panoramic views over the town centre, Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables Mountain Range. Remember to bring your camera for picture postcard photo opportunities. Visit the Kawarau Bungy Bridge the home of the original bungy jump. The birth place of bungy jumping as we know it and Mecca for all adrenalin junkies. Get a behind the scenes look at how bungy jumping started, how bungy cords are made and privileged access to restricted viewing platforms. Then its onto the Gibbston Winery. A chance to savour a selection of four locally produced wines and browse through the winery's well stocked delicatessen and gift shop. Gibbston Valley Wines and winemaker Grant Taylor are on top of the world after the 2000 Reserve Pinot Noir was named Champion Pinot Noir and winner of the Burgundy and Pinot Noir Trophy at the world's largest and most prestigious wine competition in London. Lastly we visit the beautiful town of Arrowtown. The picturesque town retains its old world charm through careful preservation of its colourful history and colonial style architecture. Highlights are the Lakes District Museum, Remarkables Sweet Shop and the great shops and cafes in the high street. On completion of your tour, be returned to Queenstown or your hotel around 1pm

Day 9: Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier / Helicopter Flight with Snow Landing
Today starts with a pickup from your hotel, then make a short visit to Lake Wanaka and from here you are on the Haast Road traveling beside splendid Lake Hawea and the ancient Maori trail to the West Coast. Once over the Haast Pass the scenery changes as you pass through small settlements and lakes full of Trout and Salmon. Your driver will deliver you to your hotel for one night’s accommodation including breakfast. As soon as you have checked in at the hotel (or before depending on instructions given) report for your Neve Discoverer scenic flight by helicopter. This is the perfect opportunity to get land on the glacier and touch snow. You’ll be captivated from lift off as you fly up the riverbed and over the glacier to land in this wonderful alpine wonderland.
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel - Douglas Wing / Franz Josef Glacier Hotel – Graham Wing

Day 10: Franz Josef to Christchurch via Greymouth inc Tranz Alpine Train
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel to continue up the West Coast travelling through native bush and impressive views of the wild West coast arriving in Greymouth where you board the Tranz Alpine train which is rated as one of the top six scenic train journey's in the world. Travelling by train allows you enjoy the varied landscapes as you pass though native bush, pass tranquil lakes and powerful rivers then onto the fertile Canterbury Plains. When you arrive in Christchurch be delivered to your hotel for three night’s accommodation including breakfast.
Accommodation: Copthorne Central Christchurch Hotel / Ibis Christchurch Hotel

Day 11: Must See Four Christchurch City Tour
Be collected from your hotel for your ‘Must See Four’ City Tour which includes entry to the International Antarctic Centre where you have the opportunity to experience the awesome and challenging Antarctic environment with displays show both past and present exploration. The highlight will be the new Little Blue Penguin display and the ‘Snow & Ice’ room where you play in the snow and experience sub zero Antarctic weather conditions. Next be delighted at the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve with its farmyard animals and wide variety of birds including the Kiwi New Zealand’s national icon. Take a ride on the historic tram with its 2.5 kilometres of track through the central city and then ride up Mt Cavendish on the Gondola where you can get expansive views over the city, Canterbury Plains, the Southern Alps and down into the deep water port of Lyttelton.

Day 12: Day trip to Kaikoura for Whale Watch Cruise
This morning be collected from your hotel and travel through North Canterbury’s rural landscape to Kaikoura 'where the mountains meet the sea'. On arrival at Kaikoura board the waiting vessel for your Whale Watch cruise. In addition to seeing the whales which make this cruise world famous, you are likely to encounter other marine life such as dolphin, fur seals and the majestic Royal Albatross. Before departing Kaikoura we will visit the fur seals lazing on the rocks at their resident colony on the rocky coast. We will break the journey part way back to Christchurch with a visit to a Waipara winery where a tasting of their wine is included for your pleasure. Arrive back at your hotel early evening.

Day 13: Farewell New Zealand / Depart Christchurch
You will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to Christchurch International Airport for your flight.

Inclusions on the 12 night Naturally New Zealand Itinerary
·   Greet and private transfer to hotel on arrival in Auckland
·   Three nights hotel accommodation in Auckland on bed and cooked breakfast basis
·   Ride up the Auckland Sky Tower
·   Auckland City Highlights Tour including
·   Entry to Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World & Antarctic Encounter
·   Day coach tour to the Bay of Islands including
·   Entry to the historic site of Waitangi Treaty Grounds
·   Cape Brett Hole in the Rock Cruise
·   Deluxe Tour by coach from Auckland to Rotorua including
·   Guided tour of the Waitomo Glow-worm Caves
·   Entry to Rainbow Springs Nature Reserve
·   Entry to Agrodome Farm Show
·   Guided Tour of Te Puia
·   Light Lunch served on-board coach on Deluxe Day Tour
·   Two nights hotel accommodation in Rotorua on bed and breakfast basis
·   Ride on the Skyline Gondola up Mount Ngongotaha
·   Buffet lunch in the Skyline Restaurant
·   K-Jet boat ride on Lake Rotorua
·   Transfer from hotel to Rotorua Airport
·   Transfer from Queenstown Airport to hotel
·   Three nights hotel accommodation in Queenstown on bed and cooked breakfast basis
·   Day trip by coach to Milford Sound including
·   One hour forty minute cruise the full length of Milford Sound
·   Morning Queenstown Highlights Tour including
·   Wine tasting at Gibbston Valley Winery
·   Secrets of Bungy Tour
·   Coach tour from Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier
·   Twin Glacier Explorer 30 minute scenic helicopter flight with snow landing
·   One night hotel accommodation at Franz Josef on bed and cooked breakfast basis
·   Coach tour from Franz Josef Glacier to Greymouth
·   Tranz Alpine Train journey from Greymouth to Christchurch
·   Transfer from Christchurch Railway Station to hotel
·   Three nights hotel accommodation in Christchurch on bed and cooked breakfast basis
·   Christchurch Must See Four City Tour including
·   Entry to the International Antarctic Centre
·   Entry to the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve
·   Ride on the historic Christchurch Tram
·   Ride on the Christchurch Gondola up Mt Cavendish
·   Day tour by coach to Kaikoura including
·   Whale Watch Eco-Cruise in Kaikoura
·   Transfer from hotel to Christchurch International Airport

Price on request / $ depends on number in your group

** please apply for pricing for more than 6 pax traveling together

Return to top

Back to index

Visit Naturally New Zealand Holidays