13 Day Auckland to Christchurch Small GroupTour

Ask our expert Chris Hawkins about the 13 Day Auckland to Christchurch Small GroupTour

Day 1 Arrive Auckland
‘Haere Mai’ … welcome to New Zealand
Having cleared customs & immigration formalities, you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your city hotel. The 'City of Sails' is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences.
Stay Heritage Auckland Hotel

Day 2 Auckland at leisure (B)
Auckland’s blend of islands, rainforest, Polynesian culture, glistening harbours and modern city environment creates an unbelievable lifestyle that is ranked amongst the highest in the world. Auckland provides visitors with so many wonderful experiences, plenty within easy reach of the downtown city centre. Today is a free day at leisure to relax & explore what Auckland has to offer. Perhaps visit Kelly Tarlton’s Underwater World and Antarctic Encounter; take a cruise on Auckland Harbour or make your way to the top of the Sky Tower for spectacular views of Auckland city.
Stay Heritage Auckland Hotel

Day 3 Auckland, Coromandel Peninsula (B)
Today, travel south to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches that separate the Pacific Ocean from the Hauraki Gulf. It is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life and is home to many arts & crafts people who seek an alternative lifestyle. At the quaint township of Coromandel, we ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony before crossing the divide to the eastern side of the peninsula for our overnight stay in Tairua.
Stay Pacific Harbour Lodge

Day 4 Coromandel, Rotorua (B,D)
Journey along the Bay of Plenty coastline to Tauranga & Mt Maunganui before heading inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, passing many of the regions crystal clear lakes en-route. Rotorua’s raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. On arrival at our resort, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural mineral springs of Manupira Pools. Dinner this eveing is a lakeside BBQ at the hotel.
Stay Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay

Day 5 Exclusive Lake Tarawera Cruise & Te Wairoa Buried Village (B,L)
The days highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera at the base of a gigantic dormant volcano. You’ll have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach and experience some of the country’s best trout fishing before enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa.
Stay Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay

Day 6 Lake Taupo, Napier (B)
This morning we visit Wai-O-Tapu (meaning Sacred Waters), a wonderland of geothermal activity. Marvel at the reserve's unique features that include the famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud pools, steaming ground and sinter terrace formations. An hour south of Rotorua is Lake Taupo, itself a gigantic volcanic crater following an enormous explosion in AD183. View Huka Falls & the Wairakei Geothermal project and take time to walk around this popular lakeside resort. Journey on to Napier, widely regarded as the ‘Art Deco Capital of the World’, the result of a thorough rebuilding after a massive earthquake in 1931. It boasts the largest collection of Art Deco buildings outside of Miami, Florida. Nowhere else can you see as wide a variety of 1930’s-style buildings in such a concentrated area, including Striped Classical, Spanish Mission and above all, Art Deco. Your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon.
Stay Te Pania Hotel

Day 7 Discover Hawke's Bay & surrounding area (B)
Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific’, this region boasts some of New Zealand’s best and oldest wineries. You can enjoy a guided wine trail and taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world’s largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early morning balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves and orchards or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings. (B)
Stay Te Pania Hotel

Day 8 Wairarapa, Mt Bruce & Wellington (B)
Travel south through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region to Pukaha Mount Bruce, New Zealand's National Wildlife Centre. In this beautiful setting of native forest, you will see the finest collection of native birds including the Takahe, the rarest & most colourful of all New Zealand's birds. The centre also houses Tuatara, lizards & bats in its nocturnal house. Watch out for the enormous eels & trout that loiter under the bridges waiting for handouts! Later we continue on to Wellington, the nations capital. Enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation.
Stay Duxton Hotel

Day 9 Picton & the Marlborough Sounds (B)
This morning is at leisure to explore what Wellington has to offer. Downtown Wellington on Lambton Quay is popular with shoppers. Perhaps a trip on the Cable Car, which takes you from Lambton Quay to Kelburn or a visit to the Botanic Gardens. For a different perspective of the city, take a harbour cruise or a ferry trip to Eastbourne, where there are craft shops, galleries and cafes. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended. This afternoon, travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The journey across Cook Strait has a dramatic beauty all of its own. Both Islands can be viewed, including the magnificent Kaikoura ranges, and there is often the chance to see wildlife such as seabirds, dolphins, seals, whales and orca. On arrival in Picton, join your water taxi transfer to Torea Bay & transfer over the saddle by resort vehicle to your hotel.
Stay The Portage Resort

Day 10 Stunning Kenepuru Sound (B)
A free day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Resort staff will share their love of the Sounds with you through the range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips.

The wide beach access is great for fishing, boating, sailing, swimming & sea-kayaking and there is a wealth of walks and meanderings in the immediate vicinity. There is also the opportunity to visit the vineyards & wineries that are located in the famous Marlborough wine region.
Stay The Portage Resort

Day 11 Kaikoura Coast, Christchurch (B)
Return by water taxi to Picton. Rejoin your coach and travel through Blenheim to Kaikoura, world-renowned as the whale-watching centre of New Zealand. Later, we continue south to the “Garden City” of Christchurch, regarded as the most English of New Zealand cities
Stay Heritage Christchurch Hotel

Day 12 4WD High Country Tranz Alpine Experience (B,L)
Travel by road through the Canterbury Plains to the Waimakariri Gorge in the foothills of the rugged Southern Alps. Travel by jet boat through the gorge deep into the Southern Alps to areas otherwise inaccessible. Rendezvous with the Unimog and travel in this unique 4WD vehicle to Flock Hill Station, viewing spectacular alpine scenery en-route. After lunch, travel by road to Arthur's Pass National Park where you return to Christchurch abroad the world-famous Tranz Alpine train.
Stay Heritage Christchurch Hotel

Day 13 Depart Christchurch (B)
Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight or you may wish to continue travelling through the South Island, perhpas on a slef drive trip to make a change.

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