New Zealand Adventure-Christchurch to Auckland

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 ZCBA
17 days
Priced from A$4395
Premium Escorted
Departs from Christchurch, finishes at Auckland

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
• Journey aboard the TranzAlpine train
• See the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes
• View magnificent Franz Josef Glacier
• Explore spectacular Milford Sound
• View mighty Mt. Cook
• Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum
• Explore Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve
• Experience The Realm of T ne, the story of Maori culture and mythology
• Enjoy a Maori Hangi and Concert
• Cruise through the ‘Hole in the Rock’
• Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve

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 Christchurch Airport to hotel – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm; Day 17 to Auckland Airport – flights anytime)
• Hotel porterage included

Itinerary

Day 1 Mon: Arrive Christchurch

On arrival at the hotel the afternoon is free for you to explore the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch. This evening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch.

Day 2 Tue: TranzAlpine – Franz Josef

Today enjoy a spectacular journey over the Southern Alps aboard the TranzAlpine train. Visit the fascinating Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki. We explore amazing Franz Josef Glacier and you also have the opportunity to take a spectacular optional scenic flight (weather permitting).
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef. (B)

Day 3 Wed: Queenstown

Experience picturesque scenery today. See the Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, Lake Wanaka, Cromwell and Kawarau Gorge. Visit colourful and historic Arrowtown this afternoon and enjoy an evening at leisure in Queenstown.
Why not experience the Kiwi Haka & Dinner tonight?
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. (B)

Day 4 Thu: Queenstown

This morning is free to explore Queenstown. Later, we take a scenic journey on the steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw across stunning Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak sheep station. Enjoy a sheep dog demonstration and a delicious carvery dinner. (B) (HD)

Day 5 Fri: Milford Sound

Discover the stunning scenery of Fiordland this morning and see the Homer Tunnel and The Chasm. We take a magical cruise on Milford Sound seeing Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Overnight in pretty Te Anau.
Accommodation: Village Inn, Te Anau. (B)

Day 6 Sat: Te Anau – Dunedin

Today we travel through rich fertile South Otago and enjoy time at leisure to explore charming Dunedin, founded by Scottish settlers.
Accommodation: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin. (B)

Day 7 Sun: Dunedin

Enjoy a guided tour at Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only authentic castle, followed by a sightseeing tour of Dunedin. Later, we journey through Oamaru to Twizel.
Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Inn – Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. (B)

Day 8 Mon: Mt. Cook – Christchurch

See the fantastic scenery of Mount Cook National Park this morning (optional scenic flights available – weather permitting). Visit the beautiful turquoise Lake Tekapo and see the Church of the Good Shepherd, before travelling over colourful plains to Christchurch. Discover the sights of Christchurch on the Christchurch Tram.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. (B)

Day 9 Tue: Blenheim

The rugged coastline provides a spectacular backdrop to our touring today – we see New Zealand fur seals and visit Kaikoura, where you have the opportunity to join an optional whale watching flight. Tonight a special wine tasting and dinner awaits us at the renowned Montana Winery in the heart of the Marlborough wine region.
Accommodation: Blenheim Country Hotel or Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim. (B) (HD)

Day 10 Wed: Wellington

We join an inter-island cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait, then explore Wellington on a sightseeing tour featuring views from Mount Victoria and free time at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum.
Te Papa allows you to experience the warmth and vibrancy of Maori culture.
Accommodation: Novotel Capital, Wellington. (B)

Day 11 Thu: Rotorua

Today travel to Taupo and see the thundering Huka Falls, before continuing to Rotorua.
Tonight enjoy a special evening of entertainment presenting The Realm of T ne, an extraordinary journey through Maori culture, mythology and our story of creation, which is followed by a delicious Maori Hangi & Concert.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. (B) (HD)

Day 12 Fri: Rotorua sightseeing

Our day begins with a ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast with sparkling wine overlooking Rotorua. We also visit Paradise Valley Springs and take 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. (B)

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

Day 13 Sat: Auckland

Explore the famous Waitomo Caves on a guided tour through the incredible Glow-worm Grotto, then journey north to Auckland.
Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Auckland. (B)

Day 14 Sun: Bay of Islands

Cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge, then take in the amazing scenery of the Hibiscus Coast. Walk amongst the Kauri trees, then journey to the Bay of Islands.
You will have time to explore the Waitangi Treaty Reserve and take in highlights such as the Maori War Canoe and meeting house.
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Bay of Islands, 2 nights. (B)

Day 15 Mon: Bay of Islands

Today is free for you to experience the beauty of the Bay of Islands. (B)

Day 16 Tue: Bay of Islands – 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.
Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Auckland. (B)

Day 17 Wed: Depart Auckland

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

Tour Dates & Prices

* = Guaranteed Departure