Holiday Schedule
Day 01 - Auckland – Paihia Via the West Coast Day 02 - Bay of Islands Day 03 - Bay of Islands – Matakana – Mangatawhiri Valley Day 04 - Mangatawhiri Valley – Waitomo – Rotorua Day 05 - Rotorua Day 06 - Rotorua – Taupo - Napier Day 07 - Napier – Martinborough – Wellington Day 08 - Wellington Day 09 - Wellington – Picton - Nelson Day 10 - Nelson – Marahau – Awaroa Lodge Day 11 - Awaroa Lodge – Marahau – Fox Day 12 - Fox Glacier - Wanaka Day 13 - Wanaka – Te Anau Day 14 - Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown Day 15 - Queenstown Day 16 - Queenstown – Mt Cook Day 17 - Mt Cook - Christchurch Day 18 - Depart Christchurch
Auckland - Paihia via the West Coast
Day 01
This morning you will board your luxury coach at your CBD hotel and travel north to the seaside township of Paihia. Today’s journey will have you travelling via the West Coast region including Opononi. Your first stop will be an interactive journey to the “Art of Cheese”– a family owned and operated cheese factory, then on to The Kauri museum before stopping for lunch at the spectacular Copthorne Hokianga Hotel.
After arriving and checking in at the Pahia Beach Resort a water taxi will transport you to Russell for dinner at the Kamakura Restaurant.
Bay of Islands
Day 02
Today can be spent at your leisure as you are able to participate in one of the many optional tours the Bay of Islands has to offer, such as:
- Cape Brett hole in the Rock cruise
- Swim with the Dolphins Cruise
- Cape Brett hole in the Rock by speed boat
- ½ Day Guided kayak tour (4hours)
- ½ Day tour of Kerikeri, featuring entrance to the Mission House and Stone Store Historic buildings.
- Waitangi Treaty grounds
In the evening you will be transferred to tonight’s dinner venue - award winning 'Pure Taste' restaurant.
Bay of Islands – Matakana – Mangatawhiri Valley
Day 03
After breakfast this morning you will re-board your luxury coach and bid the Bay of Islands region farewell, travelling south on State Highway #1, via the city of Whangarei and the towns of Ruakaka, Waipu, Kaiwaka towards the Matakana winery region.
Wine tasting and 2 course luncheon at the fabulous Ascension Winery awaits you upon arrival at Matakana before heading further south to the days final destination, the beautiful Heritage Hotel & Spa Du Vin. Canapés and NZ wine will greet you on the lawn before relaxing in the comfort of your luxurious accommodation.
Mangatawhiri Valley – Waitomo – Rotorua
Day 04
After breakfast this morning you will be travelling through the Bombay Hills, an area known for its light volcanic soil thus popular for market gardening. Continuing through the fertile plains of the Waikato district to Waitomo in the King Country you will visit the Waitomo Caves.
A choice awaits you in this enchanted location, you can either silently glide by boat on an underground river beneath a canopy of lights made by the minute larvae on the roof above you or be transported to the crystal cave tapestries in Ruakuri Cave where you descend a spiral staircase following the rumbling sound of the hidden waterfall to the stalactite straws, flowstone and majestic formations that abound this magical place.
The excitement of the day can then be contemplated upon when you arrive at the Novotel Lakeside hotel in Rotorua. Your evening will be spent at The Pepper’s on the Point Lodge as they welcome you to the region with canapés and NZ wine before you move on to your 4 course d’hote style dinner.
Rotorua
Day 05
After breakfast this morning you will be transferred from your hotel to the Agrodome complex. The Agrodome is nothing short of pure New Zealand, as it is here you will experience the fun and educational Authentic Working Farm Tour.
The afternoon is spent at your own leisure to experience any one of numerous activities Rotorua has to offer before gathering in the evening to be taken to Te Puia to enjoy a guided tour of the model Maori pa (village site) and close by, the Institute where young Maori are taught the skills of traditional carving. From here, you visit the Thermal Reserve to see boiling mud pools and geysers including “Pohutu” (“splashing”), the largest geyser, which plays several times a day.
The evening meal will consist of a traditional Hangi and Maori Concert before boarding the luxury coach back to your Lake View room at the hotel.
Rotorua – Taupo - Napier
Day 06
This morning you will awake to a full Buffet Cooked Breakfast at your hotel restaurant before your luxury coach journey to Napier, travelling through plantations of pine forest to Taupo, a township located on the edge of Lake Taupo. The approach from Wairakei offers spectacular views over the town, lake and distant mountains. En route a stop is made to see the pounding Huka Falls, “hukanui” in Maori meaning a “great body of spray”. After watching the waters of the Waikato River forced through a narrow gap between rocks at great force the relaxing 3 hour ‘home-style lunch’ cruise on lake Taupo will seem considerably quieter.
The journey across the fertile Esk Valley to Napier is next on the agenda where you will check in to the Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel before moving on the Sileni Wine Estate for wine and olive oil tasting. The on-site culinary school will then entertain you with a cooking demonstration of one the 3 courses you will be served there that evening.
Napier – Martinborough – Wellington
Day 07
After breakfast this morning your luxury coach will be traveling via Woodville and Masterton to the destination of the day, New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.
Several stops will be made on the way including a stop in the Wairarapa district at the winery town of Martinborough. Lunch will be served at the beautiful historic Pepper’s Martinborough Hotel after which your journey will continue via some of the regions winery’s before eventually reaching the nation’s capital city and you hotel for the next two evenings The Duxton.
Wellington
Day 08
After breakfast the day is yours at leisure to explore the cosmospolitan city. You could start the day with the renowned Zest Walking Gourmet tour, visiting boutique cafes and meeting the baristas, coffee roasters and chef’s while tasting the multitude of delicacies before lunching at a top Wellington restaurant or café.
The afternoon will then be yours to enjoy at your leisure, of course exciting and unique activities will be available, such as;
- Red Rock Seals 4WD Excursion
- Tour of Karori Wildlife Sanctuary – 2 hour duration
- Parliament building & Te Papa Museum guided tour
You will then meet for at 3 course dinner before retiring back to the comfort and relaxation of the Duxton Hotel.
Wellington – Picton - Nelson
Day 09
You awake this morning knowing for the remainder of the trip will be experiencing the fantastic South Island of New Zealand. After breakfast you will be transferred by private coach or mini-coach to the Inter-islander ferry terminal.
The sailing time from Wellington to Picton is roughly 3-hours to cross the Cook Strait. Be sure to remain on deck as the ferry leaves Wellington to see the capital’s skyline. There is no way to miss the South island as the sight of the Marlborough Sounds, with its steep bush clad hills rising out of the sea and the heavily indented coastline, is nothing short of sensational.
Your new South Island Driver/Guide will meet you upon arrival as you continue your days travel on board the luxury coach to Nelson and the Monaco Hotel & Resort
Nelson – Marahau – Awaroa Lodge
Day 10
After breakfast this morning you will be transferred from Nelson, to the spectacular Marahau Bay.
Here you will board a private water taxi, for your 1 ½ hour cruise to Awaroa Lodge, which is situated in the Abel Tasman National Park area.
The Lodge staff will welcome you before you leisurely explore the walking trails and ambience of the National Park. By evening you will have earned your 3 course dinner at the Lodge restaurant.
Awaroa Lodge – Marahau – Fox Glacier
Day 11
After breakfast at Awaroa Lodge you will depart by water taxi and re-board your luxury coach at Marahau to begin your journey to the west coast of the south island. Travelling past the Wild West coast you will arrive at the “Pancake Rocks”. Punakaiki, is where the rocks take on the extraordinary appearance of a pile of pancakes giving them the name, The “Pancake Rocks”.
You then travel onto Fox Glacier for the night. Dinner this evening will be in Te Weheka Inn's restaurant.
Fox Glacier - Wanaka
Day 12
After breakfast today you will enjoy a guided glacier walk on either the Fox or Franz Josef glaciers.
Travelling through Haast and the wonderful views of the Southern Alps you will link up with the Southern Lakes District of Central Otago via the Haast Pass. As you continue to admire the lush vegetation of the west and dry tussocked Otago landscape you will descend to Wanaka and your hotel for the night, the Grand Mercure Oakridge
Wanaka – Te Anau
Day 13
After breakfast this morning the luxury coach will transfer you to another mode of transport at the railway station at Kingston. Here you will join the Kingston Flyer for a short journey on this historic steam train.
After your experience on the steam train the luxury coach will greet you at Fairlight to take you for lunch at the “Five Brothers Station” café and art gallery where you will enjoy a sumptuous 2 course lunch.
Te Anau is the next stop where you will check into the Te Anau Hotel & Villas for a relaxing evening.
Te Anau – Milford Sound – Queenstown
Day 14
You have a memorable day ahead of you after breakfasting at the hotel as you depart Te Anau for a day of unsurpassed scenery, beginning with a drive through the beech forests of the Eglinton Valley before entering the Hollyford Valley, and descending through the Homer Tunnel into Milford Sound. During your journey, there is time for photo stops and short walks along the way.
On arrival, you will embark on a cruise of Milford Sound, including the hidden mouth of the Sound, towering Mitre Peak and the cascading Stirling Falls while a Gourmet Picnic style lunch is served on board.
At the end of the cruise, you will be transferred to the Milford Air strip; here you will board a fixed wing aircraft to fly to Queenstown. The flight will be one of most memorable of your lives as you look down on suspended lakes, the fiords and world famous Milford Track. On arrival into Queenstown airport, you will be transferred by luxury sedan cars to the Sofitel hotel.
The luxurious Sofitel Hotel is where you will meet your winery host who will discuss with you the samples of Pinot wines, cheeses and canapés you will be tasting from their onsite winery.
Queenstown
Day 15
After breakfast you have the choice to make the day as action packed as possible or to simply enjoy the serenity of the mountainous setting.
Queenstown is home to some of the most memorable activities such as;
- Dart River Safari Excursion including Light BBQ Lunch
- ½ Day Skippers Canyon adventure by 4WD
- Shotover Jet Boat Ride
- Golf at Millbrook – 18holes
- TSS Earnslaw Cruise & BBQ Lunch at Walter Peak Station
Queenstown – Mt Cook
Day 16
The Sofitel breakfast will energize you for your journey to Christchurch via Mount Cook. Following the Kawarau River to the township of Cromwell, you cross the Lindis Pass, which links northern central Otago with Mt. Cook and the Mackenzie Country. This inland route winds through some of the most evocative hill country to be found in New Zealand, with the forever-present Southern Alps splitting the South Island distinctly into west and east.
Omarama and The Wrinkly Rams is where you will stop to enjoy the sheep shearing show, café, art gallery and wine bar. After lunch you continue the journey to the southern most tip of Lake Pukaki before arriving at Mt Cook and your accommodation for the night the Hermitage Hotel.
Mt Cook - Christchurch
Day 17
After breakfast you will depart Mt Cook for Christchurch, retracing your route along the shoreline of Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo, a turquoise glacial lake. A stop is made at the lake's edge to look at the simple stone Church of the Good Shepherd and nearby, the bronze sheep dog.
Lunch in the Township of Geraldine awaits you before the luxury coach whisks you into Christchurh to your central city accommodation, the Heritage Hotel. Le Bon Bolli restaurant will serve you your 3 course dinner before your luxury coach returns you back to the Heritage to enjoy your final night.
Depart Christchurch
Day 18
Upon waking you have the choice of a full continental or cooked buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant before being taken by limousine to the Christchurch International Airport.