Itinerary Summary:

Day 1	Auckland
Day 2	Auckland > Coromandel
Day 3	Coromandel
Day 4	Coromandel > Rotorua
Day 5	Rotorua
Day 6	Rotorua > Abel Tasman National Park
Day 7	Abel Tasman
Day 8	Abel Tasman > Punakaiki
Day 9	Punakaiki > Fox Glacier
Day 10	Fox Glacier > Queenstown
Day 11	Queenstown
Day 12	Queenstown > Fiordland
Day 13	Fiordland > Dunedin
Day 14	Dunedin
Day 15	Dunedin > Christchurch
Day 16	Depart Christchurch

 

> NZ$4,295.00 per person (twin share)

> View itinerary details (pdf format)

 

Included in this Package are:

Accommodation as listed (twin share, 2 people in one room):

• The Sebel Suites, Auckland (1 night)
• Driving Creek Cottage, Coromandels (2 nights)
• Koura Lodge, Rotorua (2 nights, incl. breakfast)
• The Resurgence, Abel Tasman (2 nights, incl. breakfast)
• Hydrangea Cottages, Punakaiki (1 night)
• Misty Peaks Lodge, Fox Glacier (1 night, incl. breakfast)
• Browns Boutique Hotel, Queenstown (2 nights, incl. breakfast)
• Doubtful Sound Overnighter, (1 night, incl. Dinner & breakfast)
• Hyland House, Dunedin (2 nights, incl. breakfast)
• Elizas Manor House, Christchurch (1 night, incl. breakfast)
   
• Rental car for 15 rental days, Compact Automatic, unlimited kms, standard insurance with NZ$1688 insurance excess
• Domestic flight Rotorua to Nelson
   
  Tours as listed:
• Cathedral Cove Kayaks, Coromandels, Classic tour
• Volcanic Air Safaris, Mt. Tarawera Scenic Flight
• Te Puia Cultural Experience, Rotorua
• Abel Tasman Kayaks, Guided Day tour
• White Heron Hour, Whataroa
• Guided Walk Routeburn Track, Queenstown
• Monarch Wildlife Tour, Dunedin, Guided Day tour

 

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Itinerary Details:

Day 1.

• Arrive in Auckland and transfer to Sebel Suites accommodation on the waterfront in central downtown Auckland
• Take a walk around the waterfront and yacht marina, a boat trip across to Devonport or catch the ferry to Waiheke island, a 30 minute trip away. Famous for wine, art and a relaxed atmosphere, Waiheke has hundreds of safe, sheltered beaches for swimming and snorkelling. Visit for a couple of hours then catch the ferry back to downtown Auckland, right beside the Sebel Suites
• Dinner Recommendations: The French Cafe, Symonds St, Soul Bar and Restaurant, Viaduct Basin or Cibo in Parnell

 

Day 2.

• Leaving Auckland City today drive to Coromandel and your accommodation at Driving Creek Villas on the fringe of the Coromandel Town.
• Take the scenic coastal road via Clevedon and Orere Point and the Seabird Coast to Miranda with it's 8500 hectare intertidal sanctuary for migratory birds. The Miranda Shorebird Centre and the Miranda Hot Springs are worthwhile stops.
• Coromandel Town has a couple of great design stores and some good cafes - green lipped mussels are a speciality.
• Driving Creek Railway and the Waiau Waterworks are both fun places to visit in Coromandel Town
• At Driving Creek Villas enjoy the sound of birdsong in the surrounding bush and soak under the stars in the Japanese Hot Tub
• Driving Time Today : Around 3 hours

 

Day 3.

• Leave early to explore over the Coromandel Peninsula. Head for Whitianga first, then drive to Cooks Beach, a great spot for swimming and walking then onto Hahei for lunch.Hahei is a 35 minute drive from Whitianga
• At Hahei join Cathedral Cove Kayaking for a seakayaking adventure, exploring the volcanic coastline and snorkelling in the marine reserve.
• If the tide is low, carry on to Hot Water Beach, another 7 minutes on from Cathedral Cove, and dig your own hot spa pool in the sand.
• Alternatively drive onto Tairua, a coastal resort town and take the short walk up Mt Paku for views of the peninsula. Return to Driving Creek Villas via Whitianga again with stops for beaches or bush walks along the way.

 

Day 4.

• Drive to Rotorua via Waihi and Tauranga. Take a short drive from Tauranga up to Mt Manganui. This is a lovely swimming beach and the walk up 'The Mount' gives great views of the Pacific Coastline and offshore islands.
• Travel down the coast to Whakatane where you may get a glimpse of White Island then head inland to Rotorua.
• Stop at Hells Gate in Tikitere and walk on platforms over a mud volcano and the largest hotwater falls in the Southern hemisphere. Adjacent is the Wai-ora Spa where you can cover yourself with detoxing mud, wash it off and soak in the thermal pools
• Stay at Koura Lodge on the edge of Lake Rotorua, a short drive from the centre of this attractive thermal resort. Take a stroll around the town this evening and visit the old Edwardian Bath House and Museum
• Dinner Recommendation : Bistro 1284 in Eruera St, Rotorua
• Driving Time Today: Allow just over 3 hours

 

Day 5.

• This morning join Volcanic Air Safaris for a flight over the geothermal valleys or out to White Island by helicopter. The White Island helicopter trip is 3 hours and lands on the island and takes you right into the active volcano crater.
• This afternoon drive over the hill to the beautiful Lake Tarawera, stopping at the Blue and Green lakes and the Buried Village on the way. Return to Rotorua, visit the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where you'll see trainee weavers, carvers and greenstone artists at work then enjoy a relaxing massage and a soak in the rock pools at the Polynesian Spa.
• Experience Maori culture and hospitality firsthand tonight at Te Puia Reserve where you'll be welcomed onto the Marae with a traditional powhiri, tribal songs, dances and a hangi meal cooked on hot stones underground.

 

Day 6.

• This morning fly from Rotorua to Nelson via Wellington. Total travel time is just over 2 hours. At Nelson airport transfer to Abel Tasman Air where you'll be flown directly to Resurgence Retreat in the Abel Tasman National Park region
• Awaroa Lodge is a New Zealand Tourism Awards Winner for Innovation in Eco-Tourism
• Explore the wetlands around the lodge, beach and bush walks

 

Day 7.

• Abel Tasman is sea kayaking country - join a tour 2-6 hours long depending on how energetic you are feeling - visit the Tonga Marine Reserve, go snorkelling and take a 2 hour return walk over the headland to Totaranui
• Enjoy a meal tonight on the outdoor verandah overlooking the wetlands - specialities include vegetables from the Awaroa's organic garden, fresh seafood, meat, local wines and beers

 

Day 8.

• This morning continue to drive to Punakaiki on the West Coast via Murchison
• Take a short detour just south of Westport to the Cape Foulwind seal colony and The Bayhouse Cafe, highly recommended for a late lunch stop or coffee with a view of the wild west coast beaches
• Just down the road at Charleston, join Norwest Adventures for the short open topped train trip up the Nile River through the West Coast rain Forest to the Limestone Caves
• Stay tonight at Hydrangea Cottages in Punakaiki
• Total driving time today: 4.5 hours

 

Day 9.

• If you didn't get a chance to see the Blowholes in action yesterday, take a walk to the Pancake rocks at high tide this morning and the Truman Track to the beach
• Drive from Punakaiki to Fox Glacier, stopping off at Whataroa to join White Heron Tours for a trip to Okarito and the bird sanctuary
• If time allows, stop off in Franz Josef before travelling onto Fox Glacier and your accommodation at Misty Peak Lodge. Take an evening stroll around Lake Matheson and see the reflections of Mt Cook, the Glacier and bush in the lake
• Total driving time today: 4.5 hours

 

Day 10.

• You may want to take an early morning flight up onto the glaciers before leaving or fly across both glaciers with views to Mt Cook - stunning and memorable
• Drive Fox Glacier to Queenstown, a beautiful drive through rainforest, across rivers, past lakes and through the gorge to Queenstown
• Plenty of places for photographs and short walks along the way - make sure you stop and walk to the Blue Pools
• Stay tonight at Browns Boutique Hotel in central Queenstown
• Total Driving time today: 5.5 hours

 

Day 11.

• Join Guided Walks for a full day guided walk experience into the Routeburn Valley
• Dinner recommendation tonight - Amisfield Bistro at Lake Hayes or Saffron in Arrowtown

 

Day 12.

• Drive from Queenstown to Manapouri via Te Anau and join Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise departing at 12.30 pm and returning tomorrow at 12.00pm
• Total Driving time today: allow 3 hours

 

Day 13.

• Returning to Manapouri after your overnight cruise, drive to Dunedin via Mossburn and Balclutha
• Stay tonight at Hyland House.
• Total driving time today: allow 6 hours

 

Day 14.

• Join Nature Guides Otago for the Sunrise Penguin Walk this morning or/and 
• Join Monarch Wildlife Cruises for a half day tour of the peninsula, rich in bird and sea life including the Royal Albatross and yellow-eyed penguin
• Dinner Recommendation tonight - Bell Pepper Blues in Princes Street.

 

Day 15.

• Fly Dunedin to Christchurch. Stay tonight at Elizas Manor Bed and Breakfast in central Christchurch, a short walk from the botanical gardens, Canterbury Museum and the Arts centre
• Dinner Recommendation tonight - The Curators House in the botanical gardens, Hays Restaurant in Victoria Street or 'Cooking with Gas'

 

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