YOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 Tuesday: Arrive Christchurch

You will be met on arrival in Christchurch and transferred to your hotel (flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm). The remainder of the day is at leisure. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Director and fellow travelers.

Accommodation: Rydges Christchurch/Copthorne Hotel. (D)

Day 2 Wednesday: TranzAlpine/ Greymouth

This morning board the TranzAlpine train for an  exciting journey over the Southern Alps, enjoying stunning scenery. At Arthur's Pass we rejoin our coach for the scenic drive to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and blowholes. Later we return to Greymouth.

Accommodation: Quality Kings Hotel, Greymouth. (BD)

Day 3 Thursday: Greymouth/Fox Glacier

This morning travel to Hokitika where there is an  opportunity to see beautiful native greenstone (jade) jewellery and artifacts. Continue south along the rugged coastal road to Fox Glacier. Here you will have  the opportunity to enjoy an optional scenic flight over Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier and Mt Cook (weather permitting).

Accommodation: Glacier Country Hotel, Fox Glacier. (BD)

Day 4 Friday: Fox Glacier/ Queenstown

Travel along the coastal road with the towering  mountains on your left and the Tasman Sea on your right. Climb over the Haast  Pass and travel through dramatic mountain and forest scenery. Follow the shores of Lake Wanaka and through the Kawarau Gorge. Enjoy a visit to Arrowtown, before  continuing to Queenstown.

Accommodation: Rydges Lakeland Resort, Queenstown, 2 nights. (B)

Day 5 Saturday: Queenstown at Leisure

Today enjoy the many scenic delights of Queenstown.  Your Tour Director will happily advise on the optional activities available. Tonight we ride the Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak for a delicious dinner with  stunning views of Queenstown. (BD)

Day 6 Sunday: Milford Sound/Te Anau

Travel south towards Fiordland, through some magnificent alpine country. Drive through the Homer Tunnel, a tunnel one mile long and completely hand hewn. Stop briefly at the Chasm before arriving at  Milford Sound, where you cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. This  afternoon continue to Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau.

Accommodation: Quality Hotel, Te Anau. (BD)

Day 7 Monday: Te Anau/Dunedin

Cross the rich fertile country of South Otago  through the farming town of Gore and then on to Balclutha. Continue to Dunedin, founded by Scottish settlers.

Accommodation: Quality Hotel, Dunedin. (BD)

Day 8 Tuesday: Dunedin/Mt Cook

This morning enjoy some sightseeing around Dunedin,  including a visit to historic Olveston House with its collection of antiques and New Zealand paintings. Travel through Oamaru which is famous for its white stone buildings made of limestone. Follow the Waitaki River, passing hydro-electric  dams at Waitaki and Aviemore to Twizel.

Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Inn, Twizel. (BD)

Day 9 Wednesday: Mt Cook/Christchurch

Travel past Mount Cook National Park, a world  heritage site and home to New Zealand's highest mountain. You may wish to take  an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). This afternoon visit Lake Tekapo  and view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel over the colourful, patchwork plains of Canterbury to Christchurch.

Accommodation: Rydges Christchurch/Copthorne Hotel. (B)

Day 10 Thursday: Christchurch/  Wellington

Travel along the rugged coast enjoying stunning  scenery and stop to view New Zealand fur seals. At Kaikoura you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional whale watching flight. Join the inter-island  cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to  Wellington.

Accommodation: Novotel Wellington. (B)

TranzCoastal Option: Today you have the opportunity to join the TranzCoastal for a scenic rail journey along the eastern  seaboard of the South Island. Please enquire for itinerary and price details at time of booking. TOUR CODE: TC50

Day 11 Friday: Wellington/Rotorua

This morning enjoy a brief sightseeing tour around Wellington before a visit to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Continue through the rich dairy farming lands to the vast volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park. Follow the eastern shoreline of Lake Taupo to the township of Taupo. Stop to view mighty Huka Falls, then head north to Rotorua. Dinner  tonight is a special Hangi feast followed by an entertaining concert.

Accommodation: Lake Plaza, Rotorua, 2 nights.  (BD)

Day 12 Saturday: Rotorua Sightseeing

This morning visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and wander amid pools of boiling mud and geysers of all sizes! At Rainbow Springs  view the rare, flightless bird, the Kiwi, then continue to the Rainbow Farm Show  for an entertaining look at life on the farm. Some free time this afternoon for an optional scenic flight over 'geyserland' or to go trout fishing. (B)

Farm Stay Option: Spend the night with a local family on a nearby farm tonight. Enjoy some true New Zealand hospitality. Available at no extra cost, please request at time of booking.

Day 13 Sunday: Waitomo Caves/ Auckland

This morning travel to Waitomo Caves where you will  experience a guided boat tour of the incredible Glow-worm Grotto. We journey north through the rich farming area of the Waikato district to Hamilton, before  continuing on to Auckland with a sightseeing tour on arrival. This evening enjoy  an optional farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Copthorne Harbourcity, Auckland. (B)

Day 14 Mon: Depart Auckland

You will be transferred to Auckland Airport to connect with your flight. (B)

NEW ZEALAND EXPERIENCE 14 Days

DEPARTURE DATES

Departs Tuesday

2002

Jan: 7*, 8, 21*, 22
Feb: 4*, 5, 18*, 19
Mar: 4*, 5, 18*, 19
Apr: 9, 15*
May: 7, 13*
Jun: 4, 24*
Jul: 9, 22*
Aug: 6, 19*
Sep 2*, 3, 16*, 17, 30*
Oct: 1, 14*, 15
Nov: 4*, 5, 18*, 25*, 26
Dec:9*, 10, 23*, 24

*These tours operate from Auckland to Christchurch (Tour Code: HAAC). 
Please enquire for the itinerary details.