Contrasts of New Zealand

Day 1-2 (for travel until 27 Mar 20)

Auckland

Arrive into Auckland (before 4pm) and be greeted with a transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring this harbour city at your leisure before the welcome reception and highlight dinner with your group and tour guide at the hotel. A selection on New Zealand wines are included in the meal so enjoy yourself and get to know your fellow travellers.

On your second day in New Zealand, begin with a sightseeing tour where you’ll visit Bastion Point, the War Memorial, Viaduct Harbour and the Auckland Harbour Bridge, among others. Later, take a cruise on the Waitemata Harbour and enjoy the sights from the waters.

Overnight: Stamford Plaza Auckland (Day 1: Highlight Dinner. Day 2: Breakfast included)

Day 3

Rotorua

Journey along the Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves, where you’ll take a boat trip tour of the Glow Worm Grotto with a local guide. Walk through the limestone caves then continue on to Rotorua to visit Te Puia. You’ll be guided through the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve by a local Maori guide who will highlight the many unique features, including the bubbling mud pools and geysers.

In the evening, you’ll be invited to attend the Tamaki Family Marae for the evening, being greeted by a Haka challenge and Karanga, and spending the evening enjoying traditional Maori life with a Hangi feast and local wine.

Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua (Breakfast and Be My Guest dinner included)

Day 4

Rotorua/Christchurch

Enjoy sightseeing with a visit to the Rainbow Springs Nature Park, where you’ll explore with a local guide to discover the myriad ferns, trees and plants that grow around the springs. Afterwards, visit the Agrodome Sheep Show – an award-winning event – and witness the art of sheep shearing, milking cows, bottle-feeding lambs and an exciting sheep auction. In the afternoon, fly to Christchurch.

Overnight: Distinction Christchurch Hotel (Breakfast included)

Day 5

Franz Josef

Begin your day with an awe-inspiring train journey on the Tranz Alpine from Darfield through the Southern Alps to arrive at Arthur’s Pass. You’ll have the opportunity to visit a New Zealand greenstone (jade) factory and witness jewellery artists at work before arriving at Franz Josef Glacier – the world’s most accessible glacier. There is also the chance to see this amazing area from an optional scenic flight (weather permitting).

Overnight: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef (Breakfast and dinner with wine included)

Day 6

Franz Josef/Queenstown

Explore the beautiful scenery on your way to Queenstown today, driving over Haast Pass, past Thunder Creek Falls, and Lakes Wanaka, Hawea and Dunstan. Visit a local orchard in Cromwell to sample the delicious stone fruits before heading to the historic gold mining Arrowtown on the Arrow River. This was once one of the richest rivers in the world and a great place to stop off at on your way to Queenstown – New Zealand’s adventure capital of the world. Enjoy a highlight dinner at The Boatshed with your group and some spectacular views over the Lake and mountain range.

Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown (Breakfast and Highlight dinner included)

Day 7

Milford Sound

Make your way over the Devil’s Staircase and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to arrive at Te Anau, home to the largest lake on the South Island. You’ll venture through the rainforest of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park to witness the breath-taking mountain ranges and glaciers. Drive through Homer Tunnel and experience the inspiring scenery along the way, offering up countless photo opportunities including Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, Mitre Peak, Mirror Lake and Bowen Falls. Cruise the natural wonder of Milford Sound while enjoying a delicious lunch; make your way back to Queenstown for the evening.

Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 8

Queenstown

There is a choice of sightseeing activities to enjoy today. Opt between a ride on the Shotover Jet, joining a wine tour, playing a round of golf or taking a gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant for dinner. You could perhaps take a 4WD minibus through Skippers Canyon or relax at Millbrook Resort with a rejuvenating spa treatment. Alternatively, explore Queenstown on a Segway tour.

Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown (Breakfast included)

Day 9

Queenstown

Departure day, say farewell to your fellow travellers and transfer to the airport for your onwards flight.

Day 1-2 (for travel from 1 April 20)

Auckland

Arrive into Auckland (before 4pm) and be greeted with a transfer to your hotel. Spend the afternoon exploring this harbour city at your leisure before the welcome reception and dinner with your group and tour guide at the hotel.

On your second day in New Zealand, begin with a sightseeing tour where you’ll visit Mission Bay, the sprawling North Shore and Waitemata Harbour from Bastion Point, the War Memorial and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial. Spend the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight: Stamford Plaza Auckland (Day 1: Dinner with wine. Day 2: Breakfast included)

Day 3

Rotorua

Journey through the King Country Region, which was at the centre of the New Zealand Wars in the 1860s. Upon arrival embark on an orientation of the area with a visit to the Rainbow Springs Nature Park, where you’ll explore with a local guide to discover the myriad ferns, trees and plants that grow around the springs.

In the evening, you will enjoy a traditional Hangi Highlight Dinner and cultural performance at the Tamaki Maori Village.

Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua (Breakfast and Highlight Dinner included)

Day 4

Rotorua/Queenstown

Enjoy a morning at leisure, perhaps consider a visit to the Glow Worm Grotto or Te Puia for a guided tour through the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve by a local Maori guide who will highlight the many unique features, including the bubbling mud pools and geysers. Later in the afternoon you will fly to Queenstown, check into your hotel and enjoy your evening at leisure.

Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown (Breakfast included)

Day 5

Milford Sound

Make your way over the Devil’s Staircase and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to arrive at Te Anau, home to the largest lake on the South Island. You’ll venture through the rainforest of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park to witness the breath-taking mountain ranges and glaciers. Drive through Homer Tunnel and experience the inspiring scenery along the way, offering up countless photo opportunities including Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, Mitre Peak, Mirror Lake and Bowen Falls. Cruise the natural wonder of Milford Sound while enjoying a delicious lunch; make your way back to Queenstown for the evening.

Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown (Breakfast and lunch included)

Day 6

Queenstown

There is a choice of sightseeing activities to enjoy today. Opt between a ride on the Shotover Jet, joining a wine tour, playing a round of golf or taking a gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant for dinner. You could perhaps take a 4WD minibus through Skippers Canyon or relax at Millbrook Resort with a rejuvenating spa treatment. Alternatively, explore Queenstown on a Segway tour. Enjoy a highlight dinner at The Boatshed with your group and some spectacular views over the Lake and mountain range.

Overnight: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown (Breakfast and Highlight dinner included)

Day 7

Queenstown /Franz Josef

Leave the alpine wonderland of Queenstown behind you as you begin the passage through Central Otago and to Westland. On the way you will stop at the historic gold mining Arrowtown on the Arrow River, once one of the richest rivers in the world. From here you will over to Cromwell to stop at a local orchard and sample the delicious stone fruits before travel further into Central Otago and the vivid blue waters of Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka at Franz Josef Glacier. You may want to take an optional experience helicopter flight to get up close and personal with the glaciers.

Overnight: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef (Breakfast and dinner with wine included)

Day 8

Franz Josef/Christchurch

Begin your day with a visit to the drift-wood strewn beaches of Hokitika, where you visit a New Zealand greenstone (jade) factory and witness jewellery artists at work before you travel inland to the small settlement of Arthur’s Pass. Board the awe-inspiring train journey on the TranzAlpine train back to the East Coast and Christchurch. This spectacular train journey dates back to 1914 and is rated one of the world’s most scenic train journeys.

Overnight: Distinction Christchurch Hotel (Breakfast included)

Day 9

Christchurch

This morning, enjoy a sightseeing tour of Christchurch followed by a Be My Guest morning tea at the home of Tim and Isabella Weston, owners of Britten Stables. Enjoy a Farewell dinner with your group and tour guide tonight.

Overnight: Distinction Christchurch Hotel (Breakfast, Be My Guest morning tea and Farewell dinner included)

Day 10

Departure day, say farewell to your fellow travellers and transfer to the airport for your onwards flight.

(Breakfast included)