13 DAY NEW ZEALAND WANDERER

DAY 1 Auckland, Rotorua (D)
This morning we depart the Kingsgate hotel at 8:30 am and journey tot he crest of Mt. Eden, one of Auckland's extinct volcanoes, to enjoy spectacular panaromic views of the city and its beautiful harbours.  Leaving the 'city of Sails'  we travel south through the rich dairy land of the Waikato Province before entering the native forests of the Coromandel Ranges.   Stop at the holiday resorts of Whangamata and Mt.Maunganui.  Perhaps take a walk along a golden sandy beach before continuing to rotorua, an important centre for North Island Maori culture.  Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and cutural performance.
Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel, 2 nights.

DAY 2 Rotorua Sightseeing (BD)
Today experience the attractions of Rotorua.  We visit Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, New Zealand's major geyser field.  The area has over 500 hot springs and most forms of geothermal activity, including steaming ground, boiling mud pools, hot springs and impressive geysers.  Continue to Rainbow springs Nature Park and discover New Zealand's beautiful native flora and fauna.  Walk along side crystal-clear streams teeming with thousands of impressive Rainbow, Brown and Brook Trout.  View New Zealand's 'living fossil'  the Tuatara and visit a specially designed noturnal house to view the rare flighless Kiwi bird.  Next learn about New Zealand farming with a sheep show and working dog display.  this afternoon is at leisure to further explore.
Accommodation:  Country Homestay option

DAY 3 Rotorua, Wanganui (BD)
Travel through the heart of the North Island, past beautiful native bush and some of the largest alpine forestin the Southern Hemisphere.  See the spectacular Huka falls and tranquil Lake Taupo, the water filled crater  of an ancient volcano.  We travel south and cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park to Wanganui for our overnight stay.
Accommodation: Wanganui,Collegiate Hotel

DAY 4 Wanganui, Picton (BD)
This morning we journey to New Zealand's capital city, Wellington.  There is time available to explore, perhaps visit Te Papa, the 'National museum of New Zealand', take a ride on the cable car,investigate the Houses of Pariament( own expense) or stroll along the waterfront.  This afternoon we join our cruise for the journey across the Cook Strait and through the breathtaking natural beauty of Marlborough Sounds to Picton.
Accommodation: Beachcomber Hotel, Picton

DAY 5 Picton, Hari Hari (BD)
Journey towards the wild and rugged terrain of the West Coast.  Visit Punakaiki and view the fascinating roack formations.  These are spectacular 'Pancake' stacks of soft and hard rock created by the pounding of the Tasman sea.  We travel along the coast of Hokitika and take the oppotunigy to see Pounau (jade) being carved into beautiful jewellery.  Continue to the small farming community of Hari Hari for the evening.
Accommodation: Hari Hari, Hari Hari Inn

DAY 6 Hari Hari ,Franz Josef, Wanaka (BD)
Today we enter the World Heritage listed area of Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand.   View the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier nestled in the rainforst (weather permitting).  Cross the snow capped Southern Alps and travel through Haast Pass, previously an ancient Maori greenstone trail.  We trace the beautiful shoreline of Lake Hawea to the lake side settlement of Wanaka.
Accommodation: Wanaka, Mt Aspiring Hotel.

DAY 7 Wanaka, Queenstown (B)
Enjoy a liesurely start to the morning as we follow the Kawarau Gorge to Arrowtown, established after gold was discovered in the Arrow River in 1862.  This quiet settlement was once bustling with thousands of gold miners seeking their fortunes, today it is a living reminder of days goneby.  We continue to the alpine resort of Queenstown.
Accommodation: Gold Ridge Hotel, two nights

DAY 8 Queenstown at Leisure (B)
Queenstown is an exhilarating year-round, alpine resort, perfect for adventures and leisure-seekers alike.  Nestled on the shore of lake Wakatipu, overlooked by the majestic Southern alps.  Today is free for you to explore the endless scenic attractions available.  Perhaps enjoy a guided walk through native forest, including Beech, Kowhai and Southern Rata trees or a 4WD adventure.  Take an exhilarating jet boat ride perhaps a winery tour to the Gibbston Valley Winery where you can taste wines in the stunning surroundings of th eRemarkables Mountain Range (own expense).

DAY 9 Queenstown, Milford Sound overnight (BD)
Journey along the Milford Road, renowned as one of the World's finest alpine drives to Milford Sound.  We board the Milford Mariner and cruise the fill length of thi sbeautiful fiord.  View the cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforest and towering mountains of this World Heritage listed area as our onboard Nature guide explains the fascinating history of the region.  Anchor for the night in sheltered Harrison's Cove.  Perhaps do a little exploring of your own in the vessel's kayaks or you can simply relax on deck. 
Accommodation: Milford Mariner

DAY 10 Milford Sound, Invercargill (BD)
This morning wake to the sights of Milford Sound and enjoy breakfast surrounded by the silent majesty off this area. Perhaps take the opportunity to take a scenic flight out and soar over hanging valleys, apline lakes and cloud-piercing summits that are hidden from the road (weather permitting, own expense). Depart Milford Sound and journey to Invercargill. Travel through the settlements of Tautapere and one of the oldest European settlements in New Zealand, Riverton. We arrive in Invercargill, the southern-most city in the South Island.
Invercargill, Kelvin Hotel

DAY 11 Invercargill, Dunedin (BD)
Depart Invercargill and travel through the spectacular Catlins district to Dunedin, The City was setteled by the scottish in 1848 and is now renowned as the 'Edinburgh of the South'. The scottish heritage is still apparent today in the architecture of the many fine buildings including The University of Glasgow Buildings. Enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour on arrival including the World's steepest street, before free time for shopping or optional activities. Perhaps visit beautiful Olveston House with its extensive collection of antiques and New Zealand paintings or enjoy a wildlife cruise of the Otago Peninsula and the World's only mainland albatross colony (own expense)
Dunedin, Pacific Park Hotel

DAY 12 Dunedin, Lake Ohau (BD)
Enjoy a brief city sightseeing tour, before departing Dunedin, we journey north of Moeraki Beach with its unusual boulders.  Turn inland at Oamaru, a historic town renowned for its distinctive cream limestone buildings, and pass beautiful glacier-fed lakes of incredible colour.  enter Mt Cook National Park, part of the World Heritage-listed area of Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand,  View Mt Cook before we continue to the settlement of Lake Ohau, nestled on the shores of lake Ohau. 
Accommodation: Lake Ohau Lodge

DAY 13 Lake Ohau, Christchurch (B)
This morning we travel to beautiful Lake Tekapo, whose wonderful milky colour is caused by finely ground rock from the melted water of the glaciers that feed the lake. Visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd built in 1935 of local stone and oak. We leave the MacKenzie Country with its tussock grasslands and sheep stations behind as we descend to the Canterbury Plains. Crossing over patchwork farmlands we arrive in Christchurch. Your tour concludes on arrival