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DESTINATION
Australia/NZ/South Pacific
PROVIDER
AAT Kings
DURATION
17 days
Valued At Pay Only Save
$7,475 per person $7,326 per person $298 per couple

Discover the sights of New Zealand in this epic 17 Day Guided Holiday and experience the contrasts of both the North and South Islands. Enjoy a local connection in picturesque Hinuera Valley, journey through farmland to the turquoise torrent known as Huka Falls and immerse yourself in New Zealand’s Maori culture at Tamaki Maori Village. Each destination offers something unique and charming.

Your Guided Holiday Includes:

  • Travel by luxury coach from Auckland to Christchurch
  • 16 nights accommodation
  • 30 meals
  • Experienced Travel Director & Driver Guide
  • Airport transfers

Fly Free valid from: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Canberra, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Launceston & Hobart only. conditions apply 


Highlights:

LOCAL CONNECTION

Discover New Zealand's horse-racing traditions, visiting a former famous jockey’s farm in the picturesque Hinuera Valley.

INSIDER KNOWLEDGE

Explore Milford Sound on a nature cruise with a specialist guide, and discover the area’s spectacular wildlife and natural landscapes.

CULTURAL IMMERSION

Delve into New Zealand’s national identity, exploring an expansive collection related to this country's culture and history at Te Papa.

SUSTAINABLE FOOTPRINTS

Contribute to AAT King's Sustainable Tourism Commitment to planting indigenous trees in the wildfire-affected Port Hills.

Day 1 / Welcome to Auckland

On arrival in Auckland you'll have time at leisure to explore or relax. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Reception and dinner with your Travel Director.

Day 2 / Auckland

After a city sights tour enjoy time at leisure.

Day 3 / Auckland – Tauranga

You’re invited to a Be My Guest lunch at the Red Barn on the Waikato farm of Lance and Bridgette O’Sullivan, New Zealand horse racing royalty. Later, travel to Tauranga, in the Bay of Plenty.

Day 4 / Tauranga – Rotorua

Travel through Te Puke to visit Kiwifruit Country, then on to Rotorua for an orientation tour. This afternoon explore Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Then an evening of culture, history and a Hangi feast Highlight Dinner awaits you at the Tamaki Māori Village.

Day 5 / Rotorua Included Choice

Embark on one of your Included Choice sightseeing experiences. Glide through the Waitomo Glowworm Grotto, take an ancient forest zipline adventure with Canopy Tours, visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, or explore Rotorua and its lakes in an amphibious WWll-era Duck.

Day 6 / Rotorua – Wellington

Journey through forests and farmland to the turquoise torrent known as Huka Falls. The road unfolds in a broad panorama of stunning Lake Taupo. Continue south and along the Kapiti Coast to the capital city, Wellington.

Day 7 / Wellington – Blenheim

Explore Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. This afternoon cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The village of Picton is next, then it’s on to Blenheim for a city sightseeing tour. Tonight, enjoy a 3-course Highlight Dinner celebrating local produce and the wines of the Marlborough region.

Day 8 / Blenheim – Christchurch

Travel to Kaikoura, where sperm whales can often be seen not far from shore. Travel along the Pacific coast and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Day 9 / Christchurch – Twizel

This morning, join our Sustainable Tourism Commitment by planting a native tree in the Port Hills of Christchurch, an area recovering from wildfire. Next, visit the home of Angie and Stan Taylor at Lake Tekapo, for a Be My Guest afternoon tea and to learn about a lifetime spent farming. Later, view the little stone-hewn Church of the Good Shepherd on your way to Twizel.

Day 10 / Twizel – Dunedin Included Choice

Journey along the Waitaki River, with a photo stop at the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam. Travel through to Oamaru and on to Dunedin. Choose an Included Choice sightseeing experience. Take a wildlife cruise out to Otago Peninsula, visit the famous Speight's Brewery or ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway.

Day 11 / Dunedin – Te Anau

After free time, travel through lush sheepfarming land. Then the rolling, grassy hills turn back into forested, rugged mountains, as you meander your way up into Fiordland National Park to Te Anau.

Day 12 / Te Anau – Queenstown

You will take the scenic journey through the rainforests, beech forests and meadows of Fiordland National Park and out to Milford Sound to cruise on this natural wonder. Afterwards, travel to Queenstown for an orientation tour.

Day 13 / Queenstown Included Choice

Choose an Included Choice sightseeing experience. Ride the Shotover Jet, take a gondola to Bob’s Peak and visit Kiwi Birdlife Park or a minibus tour through Skippers Canyon. This evening, cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue Highlight Dinner.

Day 14 / Queenstown – Franz Josef

Visit the gold mining settlement of Arrowtown. From here you will travel to Cromwell to taste delicious stone fruit at a local orchard. It is a day of gorgeous lakes, as you travel further into Central Otago. Cross over the Haast Pass as the landscape changes from alpine scenery to the rainforest marvels of the wild West Coast. Your destination is the extraordinary Franz Josef Glacier.

Day 15 / Franz Josef – Punakaiki

Visit Hokitika, home of the native greenstone for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Later, travel to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You’ll spend the night in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront.

Day 16 / Punakaiki - Christchurch

Travel to Greymouth to visit the iconic Monteith’s Brewery and taste some of their innovative brews before a pub-style lunch. Later you will journey aboard the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch. This evening, join your Travel Director and new-found friends for a Farewell Dinner.

Day 17 / Farewell from Christchurch

Say farewell to your fellow travellers when your holiday concludes after breakfast.