Great Escape

16 DAYS AUCKLAND TO CHRISTCHURCH

16 DAYS Auckland to Christchurch Tour Code NAN16 FROM NZ$4315

Day 1. Arrive Auckland, Exclusive Experiences

On arrival at Auckland Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it! Choose from an Auckland city highlights tour, an elevator trip to the top of Auckland’s Sky Tower, a visit to Auckland’s Maritime Museum or perhaps visit Auckland Museum.
Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.

Day 2. Auckland, Bay of Islands

Cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge and visit the Matakohe Pioneer Museum. Continue to the Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve where we view the giant Kauri tree ‘Tane Mahuta’ (Lord of the Forest). Travel to the Bay of Islands and take a guided visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Maori Meeting House and War Canoe.
Two Night Stay: Waitangi, Copthorne Waitangi Resort.
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Day 3. Bay of Islands, Exclusive Experiences

Today you have the opportunity to choose the sightseeing activity that most interests you and we will include it. Whether it be a day trip to Cape Reinga, a tour to Russell, the first capital of New Zealand, sailing on the ‘R Tucker Thompson’ tall ship, swimming with the dolphins, a round of golf at the Waitangi Golf Course, a Bay of Islands fishing experience or relaxing on a golden sandy beach.
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Day 4. Bay of Islands, Auckland

This morning our Bay of Islands cruise takes us to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’. Meander through the inner islands and visit a secluded bay to relax. Return to Auckland via the Whangarei city basin.
Stay: Auckland, Crowne Plaza Hotel.
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Day 5. Waitomo, Rotorua, Theme Dinner

Journey to the crest of Mt Eden, one of Auckland’s extinct volcanoes, to enjoy panoramic views. Travel to Waitomo Caves for a guided tour of the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. Journey to the geothermal region of Rotorua. Tonight enjoy the warmth of the Maori people with a Hangi (feast) and cultural performance.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua.
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Day 6. Rotorua, Exclusive Experiences

Today we give you the chance to choose the activity and we will include it. You can visit the ‘Must See Three’ Te Puia, the Agrodome Farm Show and Rainbow Springs or perhaps visit the Polynesian Spa for a spa treatment and soak in a natural thermal mineral pool, a half day Eco thermal Tour might appeal or a tour of the Rotorua Museum or a cultural experience at the ‘Realm of Tane’.
Country Homestay option available tonight.
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Day 7. Rotorua, Wellington

Today we visit Wairakei Steam Valley. See spectacular Huka Falls and picturesque Lake Taupo. We cross the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage Tongariro National Park. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. At Mt Victoria enjoy a stunning vista of this city.
Stay: Wellington, Hotel Inter-Continental.
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Day 8. Wellington, Nelson, Dine About

Our Inter-island cruise takes us across Cook Strait. Sail through Wellington Harbour, into the Marlborough Sounds before arriving in Picton. This afternoon journey through Marlborough to Nelson. The rest of today is at leisure. Tonight dine at Miyazu or Oceano Restaurant.
Stay: Nelson, The Rutherford Hotel.
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Day 9. Nelson, Franz Josef

Follow the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge to the wild and rugged West Coast. View the fascinating ‘Pancake’ rock formations at Punakaiki. Stop at Hokitika situated beside the Tasman Sea with stunning views to the Southern Alps. Here, see beautiful Pounamu (Jade) being carved into jewellery. Enter World Heritage-listed Westland National Park, where you can view the magnificent glaciers. There may be the opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight over this breathtaking region (own expense, weather permitting).
Stay: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel
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Day 10. Franz Josef, Wanaka

View incredible scenery as we travel through Haast Pass and over the Southern Alps. This scenic road takes us along the shores of lakes Hawea and Wanaka. Continue to Wanaka, surrounded by Mount Aspiring National Park.
Stay: Wanaka, Edgewater Resort.
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Day 11. Wanaka, Queenstown, Dine About

Journey to the delightful village of Arrowtown, an old gold rush settlement, with turn of the century buildings in a wonderful landscape. Visit the Lake District museum, before continuing to the alpine resort of Queenstown, situated on the banks of Lake Wakatipu. Tonight we explore Queenstown further with our Dine About Dinner. You may wish to take a gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant and enjoy dinner and spectacular views over Queenstown. Perhaps cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamboat across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Sheep Station for a homestead carvery dinner. Or enjoy a meal at one of the diverse restaurants and cafes in Queenstown.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown Gardens Hotel.
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Day 12. Queenstown, Exclusive Experiences

Today you choose the activity and we will include it. A Queenstown ‘Double Decker Explorer’ tour, an ‘Original Wine Tour’ of some of the local wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River or a garden tour might be for you. Perhaps the Safari of the Rings tour or an adventure into Skippers Canyon by 4WD might appeal or a walk around Lake Wakatipu on a ‘Lakeshore Forest and Bird Walk’.
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Day 13. Queenstown, Milford Sound, Te Anau

Travel through Fiordland National Park where rainforests meet snow capped mountains. Cruise the full length of beautiful Milford Sound, travelling below mile-high Mitre Peak and catch sight of stunning waterfalls. Return through the rainforests of lush Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel to the lake side settlement of Te Anau.
Stay: Te Anau Hotel and Villas.
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Day 14. Dunedin, Exclusive Experiences

Journey to Dunedin. This afternoon you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps a visit to Speights Brewery and Heritage Centre. A trip to the Otago Peninsula to see the Royal Albatross Colony or combine it with a visit to Penguin Place to view the rare yellow-eyed penguins the ‘Hoiho’, or maybe tour Larnach Castle.
Stay: Dunedin, Southern Cross Hotel.
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Day 15. Dunedin, Mt Cook

View the unique Moeraki Beach boulders. Pass glacier-fed lakes of incredible colour on our journey to Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage-listed area and home to Mt Cook, Australasia’s highest mountain. You may wish to take an optional scenic flight over this awe-inspiring alpine region (weather permitting, own expense) and land on the mighty Tasman Glacier.
Stay: Mt Cook, The Hermitage.
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Day 16. Mt Cook, Christchurch

Visit the beautiful glacier-fed lake of Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. A memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie District, the church was built with local oak and stone. Travel through Burkes Pass to the plains of Canterbury. On the way to the ‘Garden City’ of Christchurch, you may choose to take the scenic TranzAlpine Train from Arthurs Pass or proceed with the coach through the Rakaia Gorge to Christchurch where your tour concludes this afternoon.
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Departure Dates