YOUR ITINERARY

Day 1 Friday: Arrive Auckland

You will be met on arrival in Auckland and transferred to your hotel (flights anytime). The remainder of the day is at  leisure to explore Auckland.

Accommodation: Copthorne Harbourcity,  Auckland.

Day 2 Saturday: Auckland/Bay of Islands

Depart Auckland on your independent tour and travel  north along the Hibiscus Coast to the Bay of Islands. On arrival enjoy a brief  sightseeing tour of Paihia and Waitangi. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore the beautiful sights of this region.

Accommodation: Park Lodge on Paihia, Bay of Islands, 2 nights. (B)

Day 3 Sunday: Bay of Islands at Leisure

Enjoy a day at leisure in the beautiful Bay of Islands today. You may like to take a full day tour to Cape Reinga and experience the spectacular drive along 90 Mile Beach. Or perhaps take a ferry to historic Russell and explore this quaint town. (B)

Day 4 Monday: Bay of Islands/ Auckland

This morning join a catamaran cruise through game  fishing waters to Cape Brett. Travel through the famous 'Hole in the Rock'  (weather permitting). On return to Paihia you will see deserted sandy beaches,  beautiful bays and marine life. This afternoon return to Auckland, arriving at approximately 9.00pm, where you will be met by your Tour Director for a welcome  drink.

Accommodation: Copthorne Harbourcity, Auckland. (B)

Day 5 Tuesday: Waitomo Caves/ Rotorua

Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Auckland then journey  south through the Waikato district to Waitomo. At the Waitomo Caves experience a guided boat tour of the incredible Glow-worm Grotto. This afternoon travel to  Rotorua. Dinner tonight is a special Hangi feast followed by an entertaining  Maori concert.

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

Day 6 Wednesday: Rotorua Sightseeing

This morning visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and wander amidst pools of boiling mud and geysers of all sizes! Travel to Rainbow  Springs to view the rare, flightless bird, the Kiwi. At the Rainbow Farm Show enjoy an entertaining look at life on the farm. 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 7 Thursday: Rotorua/Wellington

This morning depart Rotorua, travelling through  extensive pine forest, heading south to Wairakei and on to Taupo, in the very heart of the North Island. Stop to view mighty Huka Falls, then continue through the rich dairy farming lands of Manawatu to the coast for a picturesque drive  into the capital city Wellington. This afternoon enjoy a brief sightseeing tour,  before a visit to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand.

Accommodation: Ibis Wellington. (B)

Day 8 Friday: Wellington/ Christchurch

This morning join the inter-island cruise across Cook Strait and into the tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound, before arriving at the pretty fishing port of Picton. Travel along the rugged coast to Kaikoura, where  you will have the opportunity to enjoy an optional whale watching flight. This  afternoon continue to Christchurch.

Accommodation: Rydges Christchurch/ Copthorne Hotel. (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 9 Saturday: Christchurch/Mt Cook

Travel over the colourful, patchwork plains of Canterbury. Visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good  Shepherd. Continue past Mount Cook National Park, a world heritage site and home to New Zealand's highest mountain. Time to take an optional scenic flight over  this mighty mountain (weather permitting).

Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Inn, Twizel. (BD)

Day 10 Sunday: Mt Cook/Dunedin

Follow the Waitaki River, passing hydro-electric dams at Waitaki and Aviemore. Travel through Oamaru which is famous for its  white stone buildings made of limestone. Continue south to Dunedin, founded by  Scottish settlers.

Accommodation: Quality Hotel, Dunedin. (BD)

Day 11 Monday: Dunedin/Te Anau

Enjoy sightseeing and a visit to the historic  Olveston House with its collection of antiques and New Zealand paintings. Travel south through Balclutha and the farming town of Gore. Cross the rich fertile country of South Otago and continue to Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau.

Accommodation: Quality Hotel, Te Anau. (BD)

Day 12 Tuesday: Milford Sound/ Queenstown

An early start this morning as we travel south towards Fiordland and through the Homer Tunnel, a tunnel one mile long and  completely hand hewn. Stop briefly at the Chasm before arriving at Milford  Sound. Cruise on the waters of this natural wonder, with Mitre Peak and Bowen  Falls standing high above you.

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

Day 13 Wednesday: Queenstown at Leisure

Today is at leisure for you to 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 overlooking Queenstown. (BD)

Day 14 Thursday: Queenstown/ Fox  Glacier

Enjoy a visit to Arrowtown, a colourful township steeped in local history. We then follow the course of the Kawarau River through  the Kawarau Gorge. Climb over the Haast Pass, which winds its way through Mount Aspiring National Park and travel through dramatic mountain and forest scenery. Continue north along the coastal road to Fox Glacier, with the towering mountains on your right and the mighty Tasman Sea on your left.

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

Day 15 Friday: Fox Glacier/ Greymouth

This morning you will have the opportunity to enjoy  an optional scenic flight over Fox Glacier, Franz Josef Glacier and Mt Cook (weather permitting). On to Hokitika where there is an opportunity to see  beautiful native greenstone (jade) jewellery and artefacts. Continue north to Greymouth.

Accommodation: Quality Kings Hotel, Greymouth. (BD)

Day 16 Saturday: TranzAlpine/ Christchurch

This morning we travel to Punakaiki and see the  Pancake Rocks and blowholes. Board the TranzAlpine train at Arthur's Pass for an  exciting journey over the spectacular Southern Alps. This evening enjoy an  optional farewell dinner arranged by your Tour Director.

Accommodation: Rydges Christchurch/Copthorne Hotel. (B)

Day 17 Sunday: Depart Christchurch

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

BEST OF NEW ZEALAND 17 Days

DEPARTURE DATES

Departs Friday

2002

Jan: 4, 8*, 18, 22*
Feb:1, 5*, 15, 19*
Mar: 1, 5*, 15, 19*
Apr: 9*, 12
May:7*, 10
Jun:4*, 21
Jul:9*, 19
Aug: 6*, 16
Sep: 3*, 13, 17*, 27
Oct: 1*, 11, 15*
Nov:1, 5*, 15, 22, 26*
Dec: 6, 10*, 20, 24*

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