14 Day New Zealand Experience Low Cost

AAT Kings lets you experience the natural wonders of New Zealand on this 14 day fully escorted New Zealand tour. Travel onboard a luxury air-conditioned coach, with adjustable reclining seats and panoramic windows. Sit back and enjoy the informative commentary of the Tour Guide whilst taking in the breathtaking scenery on your next New Zealand holiday.

Visit spectacular sights such as the Fox Glacier, Pancake Rocks and the Blowholes at Punakaiki. Explore Queenstown your way - from a wine and garden tour to the ultimate thrill seeking adventure of jet boat rides, bungy jumps and white water rafting. Relax and enjoy the picturesque scenery that makes up the Fiordlands National Park and the Milford Sound.

This low cost coach tour from AAT Kings has a great itinerary, allowing you to stay longer at each destination and explore it on your own. Consider experiencing one of the fantastic optional tours, like trout fishing in Rotorua, scenic helicopter flights over glaciers or whale watching at Kaikoura.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch: After your airport transfer and hotel check-in, explore the 'most English city' outside of England, your way. You could visit Hagley Park, the Canterbury Museum, Christchurch Cathedral and the Botanic Gardens. Tonight meet your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink and dinner.

Day 2 Fox Glacier: Travel through the west coast rainforest to Punakaiki. View the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Pass through Greymouth en route to Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Next stop is Fox Glacier - a rare, still advancing glacier.

Day 3 Queenstown: Travel through the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls, take a rainforest walk. Then it's a trio of lakes - Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan. Next is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit and Arrowtown on the Arrow River. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour followed by dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkable Mountain Range.

Day 4 Queenstown: Explore exciting Queenstown your way, all day. From wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting, Queenstown will keep you occupied and exhilarated. For dinner you have the option to dine at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere. Dinner options include the Kiwi Haka Maori Show.

Day 5 Milford Sound: Travel along the Devils Stair Case and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the largest lake in the South Island. You'll be awestruck by great sights from Fiordland National Park - New Zealand's largest - to Milford Sound - one of the world's most amazing places. En route you'll drive through the hand made Homer Tunnel to the abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lakes, Pop's Lookout, Claudu Valley, The Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Then return to Te Anau. Tonight you have the option to see the Glow Worm Caves.

Day 6 Dunedin: Cross sheep-filled farming land to Dunedin for a city tour. 'Free Time' this afternoon - take a wildlife cruise to see the Penguins and Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway.

Day 7 Mt Cook: 'Free Time' this morning - visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle. Travel through Oamaru, famous for its limestone buildings, passing the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and the Benmore Dam.

Day 8 Christchurch: Soak up the scenery of Mt Cook National Park. See Lake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and travel across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. 'Free Time' - ride the Christchurch Tram or just relax.

Day 9 Picton: Travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast to Kaikoura, famous for its whales. Get up close and personal with some New Zealand's Fur Seals at Ohau Point. Pass the Grassmere Salt Works to Montana Winery for a tour and tasting. Travel to the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton for an orientation tour.

Day 10 Wellington: Cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington for a city tour with views from Mt Victoria. Visit Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum. Tonight experience the local cuisine for yourself.

Day 11 Rotorua: Travel along the Kapiti Coast, through the dairy farms of Manawatu and Tongariro National Park, discover the alpine scenery of Mt Ruapehu. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of New Zealand's largest lake. En route to Rotorua view Huka Falls and pass the Wairaki Geothermal Power Station. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and Concert and gain an insight into traditional Maori culture.

Day 12 Rotorua: Visit the Agrodome Sheep Show and enjoy an afternoon of 'Free Time' - visit Paradise Valley Springs abundant with Rainbow Trout and New Zealand farm animals or Te Puia, where a local Maori will guide you through the Geothermal Valley with its mud pools and geysers.

Day 13 Waitomo Caves: Travel through the Waikato region to Waitomo Caves for a tour of the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. Then follow the Waikato River to Auckland for a city sights tour.

Day 14 Depart Auckland: Explore Auckland at your leisure before your transfer to Auckland Airport for your return flight.

Itinerary Options

Optional Extras are available at an additional cost.

Day 2: Scenic Flight over Fox Glacier
Day 2: TranzAlpine Train
Day 8: Scenic Flight over Mt Cook National Park
Day 9: Whale Watching flight
Day 12: Farm Stay

Highlights

• Cruise on Milford Sound
• Spectacular Fox Glacier
• Hangi Feast and Concert
• See Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls

Inclusions

• Rooms with private facilities in quality hotels, on a twin share basis.
• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach, reclining seats with seatbelts, restroom and panoramic windows
• Experienced services of a professional Tour Director and Tour Driver
• Welcome Drink
• Full Buffet Breakfasts (13)
• Exciting Highlight Dinner (1)
• Hotel Dinners (8)
• Airport Transfers
• All purpose travel bag, wallet and touring map
• Porterage at tour Hotels

Additional Information

Instant Quote: Provides rates in Australian Dollars including NZ Government Taxes
Airport Transfers: AAT Kings offers return hotel or airport transfers
Children: 5 years of age and under are not catered for. Children 6-18 years must be accompanied by an adult
Luggage Allowance: One medium size suitcase per person plus an overnight bag
What to Bring: Casual light weight clothing with warmer articles for the evenings and cooler days in Summer. A warm jacket is recommended for winter. Swimsuit, towel, waterproof jacket and comfortable footwear
Operated by: AAT Kings