19 Day New Zealand Wanderer Escorted NZ Coach Tour

Ask our expert Steve Cooper about the 19 Day New Zealand Wanderer Escorted NZ Coach Tour

Day 1. Auckland.
On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your centrally-located hotel. Enjoy the rest of today at leisure in beautiful Auckland, the City of Sails.
Stay: Auckland, Copthorne Hotel.

Day 2. Auckland, Bay of Islands.
Visit the Matakohe Pioneer Museum and continue to the Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve where you’ll view the giant kauri tree Tane Mahuta. Travel to the Bay of Islands National Maritime Park and visit Waitangi Reserve.
Two Night Stay: Bay of Islands, Heartland Beachcomber Resort. 

Day 3. Bay of Islands at Leisure.
Not only is the beautiful Bay of Islands the birthplace of the nation and full of rich history, it is also home to 144 islands. Enjoy a full day at leisure today to relax, or undertake one of the many activities available (own expense). 

Day 4. Bay of Islands, Auckland.
What better way to explore New Zealand’s finest national maritime park than on a catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Sail through game fishing waters to the Cape Brett lighthouse then make passage through the hole. Return this afternoon to Auckland.
Stay: Auckland, Copthorne Hotel. 

Day 5. Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi Feast.
Leaving the City of Sails, travel south through the Waikato Province to the Waitomo Caves. Here, experience a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns, lit by thousands of tiny glow-worms. This afternoon arrive in Rotorua. Tonight immerse yourself in a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance of traditional dance accompanied by beautiful song.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Hotel Ibis.

Day 6. Rotorua.
Today experience the attractions of Rotorua. Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve, enjoy a guided tour through the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute and continue to the Agrodome. The remainder of today is at your leisure to explore or relax as you choose.
Country Homestay option available tonight. 

Day 7. Rotorua, Taupo, Napier.
Depart Rotorua this morning and travel via Wairakei Park to the mighty Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Enjoy a tour and wine tasting at Church Road Winery then continue to Napier for a city sights tour and a guided Art Deco walk around Napier city.
Stay: Napier, The Nautilus Hotel.  

Day 8. Napier, Wellington.
Depart Napier, travel south via Hastings and cross to the West Coast of the North Island. Follow the Kapiti Coast to Wellington. This afternoon enjoy a city tour, including the Parliament buildings.
Stay: Wellington, Kingsgate Hotel. 

Day 9. Wellington, Picton.
This morning enjoy a visit to Te Papa – The Museum of New Zealand. This afternoon cruise across Cook Strait through the breathtaking natural beauty of Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to the sunny seaside port of Picton on the country’s South Island.
Stay: Picton, Beachcomber Inn.  

Day 10. Picton, Christchurch.
After breakfast today, enjoy a spectacular scenic journey between mountains and sea. Travel between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges and via the seaside town of Kaikoura en route to Christchurch. On arrival take in a city sightseeing tour. The afternoon is at your leisure to explore.
Stay: Christchurch, Holiday Inn or Avon. 

Day 11. TranzAlpine Train, Greymouth.
This morning board the award-winning TranzAlpine train. Cross the vast patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury plains before climbing up into the Main Divide. Enjoy stunning scenery as you journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. Finish this amazing rail journey
at Greymouth, situated on the West Coast.
Stay: Greymouth, Kingsgate Greymouth. 

Day 12. Greymouth, Franz Josef, Haast.
This morning journey to Hokitika and continue along the dramatic coastline through dense rainforest to World Heritage-listed Westland National Park. Enjoy the grand scenery as you travel along the West Coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers.
Stay: Haast Heritage Hotel.  

Day 13. Haast, Queenstown, Walter Peak Dinner.
Cross the snow-capped Southern Alps and travel through Haast Pass. Trace the beautiful shorelines of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the alpine resort of Queenstown, on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. This evening, enjoy a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm to enjoy a candlelit dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Kingsgate Hotel.  

Day 14. Queenstown at Leisure.
Today is at your leisure so that you may explore the endless attractions and activities on offer in Queenstown (own expense).   

Day 15. Queenstown, Milford Sound.
Today follow the Remarkables mountain range to Fiordland National Park. Journey along the Milford Road, renowned as one of the world’s finest alpine drives, to Milford Sound. Here, you will board the Milford Mariner and cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord. View the cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforest and towering mountains of this World Heritage-listed area. After reaching the open sea, return and anchor for the night in sheltered Harrison’s Cove. You may like to venture out in the Mariner’s kayaks.
Stay: EXCLUSIVE! Milford Sound, Milford Mariner.

Day 16. Milford Sound, Dunedin, Scottish Evening.
Depart Milford Sound and travel to Dunedin. Tonight enjoy a Scottish-themed evening at your hotel, complete with bagpipes, kilts and haggis.
Two Night Stay: Dunedin, Mercure Leisure Lodge. 

Day 17. Explore Dunedin.
This morning, enjoy a city tour of Dunedin before visiting Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle.
The remainder of today is at leisure in Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South. 

Day 18. Dunedin, Lake Ohau, High Country Hospitality Dinner.
Visit Olveston house then travel to the Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. Stop at Oamaru, a town known for its limestone architecture. Continue to Lake Ohau, where this evening you’ll enjoy a High Country Hospitality Dinner.
Stay: Lake Ohau Lodge.  

Day 19. Lake Ohau, Mt Cook, Depart Christchurch.
This morning view Mt Cook then continue to Lake Tekapo and Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel the Canterbury plains to Christchurch. Your tour concludes on arrival and a transfer to the airport is included.  

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