18 Day New Zealand Adventure

Travel with AAT Kings onboard a luxury air-conditioned coach, with reclining seats, panoramic windows and experience the most amazing scenery in the world on this 18 day fully escorted tour of New Zealand. With an experienced Driver and Tour Guide providing informative commentary along the way, this New Zealand holiday will be one you'll never forget.

Visit spectacular sights such as the Bay of Islands where you'll tour the Waitangi Treaty Reserve, and spend the day at leisure where you can go dolphin watching or catch a ferry to Russel. Enjoy a scenic cruise to Cape Brett and the "Hole in the Rock", ride the Christchurch Tram and tour New Zealand's only castle - Lanarch Castle. Spend an adrenaline filled day in Queenstown where you can experience the thrill of a jet boat ride or white water rafting, or if you would prefer, take it easy with a wine or garden tour - the choice is yours!

This 18 day itinerary is excellent, as it allows plenty of free time and longer stays at each destination, enabling the traveller to experience the natural wonders and amazing scenery of the north and south islands. Consider doing one or all of the fantastic optional tours that are also available at certain locations on this incredible journey of New Zealand.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Auckland: Meet and transfer from the airport to your hotel. See Auckland your way until an evening welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.

Day 2 Auckland - Bay of Islands: Over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and up the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Walk among the Kauri trees, explore Whangarei, then on to the Bay of Islands. Enjoy a scenic cruise through the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and the 'Hole in the Rock'. Explore Urupukapuka Island then return to Paihia.

Day 3 Bay of Islands 'Free Time': The day is yours to explore the Bay of Islands. Dolphin watch, catch a ferry to Russell, drive along the Ninety Mile Beach, sail or sea-kayak - whatever you like, then have a night on the town.

Day 4 Bay of Islands - Auckland: Tour the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve and then return to Auckland.

Day 5 Auckland - Rotorua: After an Auckland City Sights Tour, trace the Waikato River to Waitomo Caves, where you'll see the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. The Rotorua orientation tour takes in views of Lake Rotorua. Tonight experience The Realm of Tãne, a Maori Hangi feast and concert.

Day 6 Rotorua: Sparkling wine breakfast cruise on Lake Rotorua on board the Lakeland Queen. On to the Agrodome Sheep Show and a sample of farm life. Visit Te Puia and be accompanied by a local Maori guide for a tour of the geothermal reserve. Enjoy an afternoon of 'Free Time'.

Day 7 Rotorua - Wellington: From the mountains to the sea. View the Huka Falls. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of its lake. Travel through the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu. Tongariro National Park. Manawatu. The Kapiti Coast. On the Wellington city sights tour see the city from Mt. Victoria.

Day 8 Wellington - Blenheim: A morning to explore Wellington your way. Visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, with time to discover it yourself. Cruise the tranquility of Queen Charlotte Sound. On to Picton then Blenheim for a city tour. Tonight, enjoy a tasting, tour and dinner at Allan Scott Wines. A family owned and run winery which has developed its own reputation as a Marlborough icon.

Day 9 Kaikoura - Christchurch: En route to Kaikoura, pass the Grassmere Salt Works and see New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point. Explore Kaikoura, maybe take an optional scenic Whale Watching flight. Travel to Christchurch via the Canterbury Plains. A city tour, then it's 'Free Time'.

Day 10 Mt. Cook: A ride on the Christchurch Tram. Then you're free to go shopping or relax. Later you'll see Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the alpine scenery of Mt. Cook National Park. Take an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook.

Day 11 Dunedin: From the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam, travel through Oamaru to Dunedin, tour the city and the afternoon is yours - take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway - it's up to you.

Day 12 Dunedin - Te Anau: A guided tour of New Zealand's only castle - Larnach Castle - and its gardens begins the day. Across fertile sheep-filled farming land to Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau. A visit to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves is an option tonight.

Day 13 Milford Sound: In Fiordland National Park you'll cruise on Milford Sound. See Mirror Lakes, Claudu Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and more. Travel along Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown for an orientation tour on arrival. For dinner you may choose to dine at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere and there'll be the Kiwi Haka Maori Show as well!

Day 14 Queenstown 'Free Time': Explore Queenstown for yourself. Take it easy with wine or garden tours. Or go wild with a jet boat ride or white water rafting. Dinner is at Walter Peak Sheep Station via New Zealand's oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw.

Day 15 Franz Josef: Visit the historic gold mining town, Arrowtown. Stop at Cromwell with its sensational stone fruit. Then it's a trio of lakes - Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka, the Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls. A small rainforest walk. Then Franz Josef Glacier - the world's most accessible glacier.

Day 16 Franz Josef - Punakaiki: Explore Franz Josef Glacier - take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It's on to Punakaiki, where you'll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.

Day 17 TranzAlpine - Christchurch: Enjoy time at leisure before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur's Pass where you'll board the TranzAlpine to travel through the Southern Alps to Christchurch.

Day 18 Depart Christchurch: You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.

Itinerary Options

Optional Extras are available at an additional cost.

Day 9: Optional Whale Watching flight
Day 10: Optional scenic flight over Mt Cook
Day 16: Optional scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier

Highlights

• Waitangi Treaty Reserve
• Cape Brett 'Hole in the Rock'
• Waitomo Glow Worm Grotto
• Experience The Realm of Tãne
• Maori Hangi and concert
• Breakfast on Lake Rotorua
• Thermal Reserve Rotorua
• Visit Te Papa
• Dinner at Allan Scott Wines
• View mighty Mt. Cook
• Larnach Castle Dunedin
• Cruise on Milford Sound
• View Franz Josef Glacier
• Famous TranzAlpine Train
• Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

Inclusions

• Rooms with private facilities in centrally located 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 (17)
• Exciting Highlight Dinners (3)
• Hotel Dinners (9)
• Airport Transfers
• All purpose travel wallet and touring map
• Porterage at tour Hotels

Additional Information

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