Contrasts Of New Zealand
Start: Auckland Finish: Christchurch (Nz)
Duration: 9 Nights
Tour Operator: AAT Kings
Prices From:
Tour Overview
Take in the contrasts of two distinct islands. From Auckland’s sparkling harbour, to Rotorua’s geothermal wonderland, across to the rugged beauty of the West Coast and the untouched serenity of Milford Sound, another snapshot of New Zealand’s natural splendour reveals itself around every corner.
Highlights
Highlights - Experience farm life at the Agrodome Farm Show- Highlights - Taste Central Otago stone fruits at a local orchard
- Highlights - See Franz Josef Glacier
- Enjoy New Zealand wines with all hotel dinners
- Immerse yourself in Maori culture with the Tamaki family over dinner
- Taste Central Otago stone fruits at a local orchard
- Highlights - Immerse yourself in Maori culture with the Tamaki family over dinner
- Highlights - Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
- Frolic in the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown
- Marvel at the crystal clear waters of Lake Tekapo
- Highlights - Discover truly spectacular Milford Sound on a lunch cruise
- Highlights - Marvel at the crystal clear waters of Lake Tekapo
- Discover the Waitomo Glowworm Grotto
- Journey over the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train
- Explore Auckland & cruise on Waitemata Harbour
- Highlights - Frolic in the adventure capital of New Zealand, Queenstown
- Experience farm life at the Agrodome Farm Show
- Highlights - Enjoy New Zealand wines with all hotel dinners
- Discover truly spectacular Milford Sound on a lunch cruise
- Visit a working sheep farm
- See Franz Josef Glacier
- Experience warm Kiwi hospitality at Morelea Farm with a BBQ lunch
- Highlights - Journey over the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train
- Highlights - Experience warm Kiwi hospitality at Morelea Farm with a BBQ lunch
- Highlights - Explore Auckland & cruise on Waitemata Harbour
- Highlights - Discover the Waitomo Glowworm Grotto
- Highlights - Visit a working sheep farm
Places You'll See
Countries:
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Auckland
Accommodation: Stamford Plaza Auckland
On arrival in Auckland you’ll have time to relax or explore. This evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception and dinner.
Day 2: Auckland
Embark on a city sightseeing tour this morning to Mission Bay. Keep your camera at the ready to capture spectacular panoramic views of the skyline, sprawling North Shore and Waitemata Harbour from Bastion Point and Michael Joseph Savage Memorial. Spend the afternoon as you wish.
Day 3: Auckland – Rotorua
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua
Today, you’ll venture through the King Country region, which was at the centre of the New Zealand Wars in the 1860s. On arrival in Rotorua, embark on an orientation of the area before visiting Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Discover native flora that grows around the crystal-clear mineral water springs and you might even spot a kiwi or two! This evening, enjoy a traditional Hangi Highlight Dinner and cultural performance at the Tamaki Māori Village.
Day 4: Rotorua – Queenstown
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown
Spend time at leisure this morning or consider an optional experience. You could visit Te Puia to meet the local Māori community for an introduction to their gift from the gods – the bubbling geysers, mud pools and thermal springs of Rotorua. Later, you’ll fly to Queenstown (airfare is not included and must be booked by you or your travel agent).
Day 5: Milford Sound Cruise
Journey over the Devil’s Staircase and along the shore of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau and its lake, the largest in the South Island. Travel through the rainforest of World Heritage Fiordland National Park, sighting glaciers and mountain ranges. Drive through the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel to the numerous photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Pop’s lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls before reaching Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this wonder of nature. Return to Queenstown for the evening.
Day 6: Queenstown Free Time
Your final day in Queenstown could see you take an optional experience ride on the Shotover Jet boat or a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue lunch at the Colonel’s Homestead. This evening join your Travel Director for dinner at The Boatshed, set in the historic Railway Shipping Office built in 1936. Restored and relocated to its lakefront setting, The Boatshed with its spectacular views of Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables, is the perfect venue for your Highlight Dinner.
Day 7: Queenstown – Franz Josef
Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat
This morning you’ll leave the alpine wonderland of Queenstown behind, and begin the passage through Central Otago and out to Westland. On the way, you will stop and visit the faithfully restored gold mining settlement of Arrowtown. From here you will travel over to Cromwell, where you will stop in at a local orchard for a taste of some of the town’s delicious stone fruit. It is a day of gorgeous lakes as you travel further into Central Otago and view the vivid blue waters of Lake Hawea, followed by Lake Wanaka, where the shoreline is charmingly lined by poplars and willows. Our destination for today is the extraordinary rivers of ice that make up Franz Josef Glacier. You may want to get up close and personal with the glaciers on an optional experience helicopter flight (weather permitting).
Day 8: Franz Josef – Christchurch
Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Head off to the drift-wood strewn beaches of Hokitika. Here you will visit a pounamu (jade) factory for the chance to see master carvers at work creating intricate pieces of jewellery and art. Later, travel inland to the small settlement of Arthur’s Pass. Board the TranzAlpine train and head back to the East Coast and Christchurch. This spectacular train journey dates to 1914 and is rated as one of the world’s most scenic train trips.
Day 9: Christchurch
This morning see how Christchurch is rebuilding after the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011, and pop into the Transitional Cathedral in Latimer Square, the temporary home of the Christchurch Cathedral. It is the world’s only cathedral made substantially of cardboard! After a Christchurch city sights tour, you’re invited to a Be My Guest morning tea at the home of Tim and Isabelle Weston, owners of Britten Stables. Formerly horse stables for nearby Mona Vale Gardens and following that, the birth place of the worldrecord- setting Britten V1000 motorcycle designed and built in the garage by Isabelle's late father, John Britten. The couple restored the original charm of The Britten Stables and transformed it into the exquisite home that it is today. This evening join your Travel Director for a Farewell Dinner.
Day 10: Farewell from Christchurch
Your holiday comes to an end this morning after breakfast. You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.
What's Included
-
Airport transfers (see flight information below)
-
Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
-
What's Included
Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
-
Experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide
-
Quality accommodation
-
Travel by luxury coach
Your Peace of Mind Options
-
Low Deposit
AAT Kings requires a deposit of 150 GBP to secure a place on this tour, and the final balance is not due till 60 days before departure..
-
Secure payments
All payments to TourHub are deposited into an externally regulated Trust account.