New Zealand Adventure-Auckland to Christchurch

AAT Kings’ 17 day premium New Zealand Adventure, see the north & south island including Bay of Islands, Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Milford Sound & more

Tour code ZABC
17 days
Priced from A$4395
Premium Escorted
Departs from Auckland, finishes at Christchurch

Highlights

SPECTACULAR SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCES

• EXCLUSIVE! Enjoy a Skyline Gondola ride and breakfast with sparkling wine
• EXCLUSIVE! Sample wine and enjoy dinner at the Montana Winery
• EXCLUSIVE! Discover the sights of Christchurch on the Christchurch Tram
• EXCLUSIVE! Experience the Scottish heritage of Dunedin at Larnach Castle
• Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve
• Cruise through the ‘Hole in the Rock’
• Experience The Realm of Tãne
• Enjoy a Maori Hangi and Concert
• Explore Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
• Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum
• View mighty Mt. Cook
• Explore spectacular Milford Sound
• View magnificent Franz Josef Glacier
• See the Pancake Rocks and blowholes
• Journey aboard the TranzAlpine train

FIRST CLASS HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS

Transportation

• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, reclining seats, seat belts and large panoramic windows

Professionally Escorted

• Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Dining Inclusions

• Full Buffet Breakfasts (16) (B)
• Exciting Highlight Dinners (3) (HD)
• Hotel Dinners (7) YOUR CHOICE

Accommodation

• Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels

Plus

• Welcome drink
• All purpose travel bag and map
• Airport transfers (Day 1 Auckland Airport to hotel – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm; Day 17 to Christchurch Airport – flights anytime)
• Hotel porterage included

Itinerary

Day 1 Sat: Arrive Auckland

On arrival at the hotel the remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Auckland. Perhaps you would like to visit the Sky Tower. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Auckland.

Day 2 Sun: Auckland – Bay of Islands

Cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge and take in the amazing scenery of the Hibiscus Coast. Walk amongst the Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park, then journey to the Bay of Islands where you will visit the Waitangi Treaty Reserve.
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Bay of Islands, 2 nights. (B)

Day 3 Mon: Bay of Islands

Today is free for you to experience the beauty of the Bay of Islands at your own pace – perhaps take a coach trip to Cape Reinga, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach; enjoy a guided sea-kayaking trip or a day of sailing. (B)

Day 4 Tue: Auckland

This morning take a scenic cruise through game fishing waters to Cape Brett and, weather permitting, through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ formation. This afternoon return to Auckland.
Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Auckland. (B)

Day 5 Wed: Waitomo Caves

Today we experience a guided tour of the famous Waitomo Caves and discover the incredible Glow-worm Grotto on an underground boat trip.
Enjoy a special cultural evening with a visit to The Realm of Tane followed by a Maori concert and Hangi feast.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. (B) (HD)

Day 6 Thu: Rotorua

We begin our day with a ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast with sparkling wine overlooking Rotorua. We also visit Paradise Valley Springs and enjoy an entertaining look at farm life at the Agrodome’s Sheep Show.
Later, tour Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve where a local Maori guide escorts us past pools of boiling mud and geysers. We also view kiwis here. This afternoon there is free time for you to relax, explore or join an optional tour. (B)

FARM STAY OPTION
Spend the night with a local family on a nearby farm. Enjoy some true New Zealand hospitality.
Additional cost $25 per person.

Day 7 Fri: Wellington

Our highlights today include charming Taupo, in the heart of the North Island, a visit the mighty Huka Falls and a picturesque drive into the capital city of Wellington.
Accommodation: Novotel Capital, Wellington. (B)

Day 8 Sat: Blenheim

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington and panoramic views from the top of Mount Victoria.
Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, and explore the fascinating exhibits at your leisure. Later, join the inter-island cruise across Cook Strait and tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. Enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at the Montana Winery.
Accommodation: Blenheim Country Hotel or Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim. (B) (HD)

Day 9 Sun: Christchurch

Today we experience the stunning scenery of the east coast and see New Zealand fur seals. Visit Kaikoura where you can take an optional whale watching flight (own expense), then continue on to Christchurch.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. (B)

Day 10 Mon: Mt. Cook

Discover the sights of Christchurch this morning on the Christchurch Tram. Visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and see the Church of the Good Shepherd. We also take in the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain and you have the chance to take a spectacular optional scenic flight (weather permitting).
Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Inn – Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. (B)

Day 11 Tue: Dunedin

See the pretty Oamaru region today before journeying on to Dunedin. This afternoon is free for you to explore this charming town founded by Scottish settlers – perhaps visit Cadbury World or take an optional Albatross & Yellow Eyed Penguin Cruise.
Accommodation: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin. (B)

Day 12 Wed: Dunedin – Te Anau

This morning enjoy a guided tour at Larnach Castle, followed by the highlights of Dunedin on a sightseeing tour. This evening stay in pretty Te Anau.
Accommodation: Village Inn, Te Anau. (B)

Day 13 Thu: Milford Sound

Experience the magnificent alpine scenery of Fiordland today. We drive through the mile long hand hewn Homer Tunnel and see The Chasm. Later, cruise on Milford Sound seeing Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls.
Why not experience the entertaining Kiwi Haka & Dinner tonight?
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. (B)

Day 14 Fri: Queenstown

Explore Queenstown at your leisure today. Tonight board the historic steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station where you experience a sumptuous carvery dinner. (B) (HD)

Day 15 Sat: Franz Josef

Colourful Arrowtown is our first stop today. We also see Kawarau Gorge, Cromwell, Lake Wanaka, travel over the Haast Pass and stop at Thunder Creek Falls. Continue along the coastal road to Franz Josef.
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef. (B)

Day 16 Sun: Franz Josef – TranzAlpine

Discover the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier today. Next we visit Hokitika where you can see beautiful native greenstone (jade) jewellery and artefacts then view the fascinating Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Punakaiki. At Arthur’s Pass board the TranzAlpine train for a spectacular journey over the Southern Alps to Christchurch.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. (B)

Day 17 Mon: Depart Christchurch

You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Tour Dates & Prices

* = Guaranteed Departure