14 Day New Zealand Splendour Low Cost

Enjoy the natural beauty and picturesque north and south islands of New Zealand, on this 14 day fully escorted tour by AAT Kings. Travelling onboard a luxury air-conditioned coach, with adjustable reclining seats and panoramic windows, you will experience scenery unlike anything else in the world. Relax and enjoy the informative commentary of the Tour Guide, whilst the experienced Tour Driver safely transports you to each destination on your next New Zealand holiday.

Visit spectacular sights such as New Zealand's highest mountain - Mt Cook, the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo and enjoy a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and across the Cook Strait. Spend a full day of leisure in Queenstown, New Zealand's adventure capital, where you can experience bungy jumping and the exhiliration of jet boat rides, or for a more relaxing experience of Queenstown, enjoy a wine and garden tour.

The itinerary of this low coast New Zealand coach tour from AAT Kings, allows you to experience all of New Zealand, as it stays longer in each destination, letting you explore the wonderful sights at a more relaxed pace. There are many fantastic optional tours available such as a scenic flight over Mt Cook National Park or over the majestic Fox Glacier.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Auckland: Airport transfer and hotel check-in, then you're free to see Auckland for yourself. An evening Welcome Drink followed by dinner with your Tour Director.

Day 2 Auckland - Rotorua: See Auckland on the City Sights tour. Tracing the Waikato River, travel to Waitomo Caves to tour the amazing Glow Worm Grotto and the Limestone Caves. At Rotorua, take in views of Lake Rotorua and more on the orientation tour. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and Concert for an insight into Maori culture.

Day 3 Rotorua: Watch the Agrodome Sheep Show, complete with sheep dog demonstration then the afternoon is yours.

Day 4 Rotorua - Wellington: Heading south, view the Huka Falls. Visit Taupo. Drive along the shores of New Zealand's biggest lake, through the alpine scenery of Mount Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park and the dairy farms of Manawatu. Then it's along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington for a City Sights tour.

Day 5 Wellington - Picton: A morning of 'Free Time' in Wellington, then visit Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum, Photos at Parliament House. Then cruise Queen Charlotte Sound. Later travel to the seaside village of Picton for an orientation tour.

Day 6 Picton - Christchurch: Start the day with a tasting and tour at Montana Winery. En route to Christchurch, get up close and personal with some New Zealand Fur Seals at Ohau Point, watch whales at Kaikoura, travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast, across the patchwork Canterbury Plains. A City Tour of Christchurch is followed by 'Free Time'.

Day 7 Mt. Cook: After a morning at leisure, travel over the patchwork countryside of the Canterbury Plains, where the spectacular sightseeing begins. Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are first up. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before soaking up the sensational alpine landscape of Mt. Cook National Park.

Day 8 Dunedin: The day starts along the Waitaki River with the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam. Travel through Omarau with its famous white limestone buildings to Dunedin, where you will tour the city. Then you've got the afternoon to yourself - take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Chocolate Factory or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway.

Day 9 Dunedin - Te Anau: After a morning of time to yourself, during which you might like to tour New Zealand's Larnach Castle, head off across South Otago's fertile, sheep-filled farming land en route to Te Anau, on the shores of the largest lake in the South Island. Tonight you may choose to travel by boat to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.

Day 10 Milford Sound: You'll be awestruck by great sights from Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Along the way to Queenstown, see Mirror Lakes, Claudu Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls, travel along the Devils Stair Case and the shores of Lake Wakatipu. At Queenstown, have an orientation tour, take a group photo and enjoy an alpine dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.

Day 11 Queenstown 'Free Time': Explore exciting Queenstown your way, all day - from wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting. A delicious buffet at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak is your spectacular dining option. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere.

Day 12 Fox Glacier: First stop, Arrowtown on the Arrow River, followed by Cromwell. Then it's a trio of lakes - Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka. Travel the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls and enjoy a rainforest walk. Last stop of the day is majestic Fox Glacier - a rare, still advancing glacier.

Day 13 Christchurch: Visit Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Travel through Greymouth to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes before returning to Christchurch.

Day 14 Depart Christchurch: Time at leisure until your Christchurch Airport transfer for your return flight.

Itinerary Options

Optional Extras are available at an additional cost.

Day 3: The Realm of Tane, a journey through Maori mythology and the story of creation
Day 6: optional scenic Whale Watching flight
Day 7: optional scenic flight
Day 11: optional Kiwi Haka Maori Show
Day 12: optional scenic flight

Highlights

• Glow Worm Grotto at the Waitomo Caves
• Cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait
• Sightseeing in Dunedin
• Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo

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 (9)
• 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