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DESTINATION
Australia/NZ/South Pacific
PROVIDER
APT
DURATION
18 days
Valued At Pay Only Save
$7,995 per person $6,299 per person $3392 per couple

Begin in Auckland, and travel to the subtropical Bay of Islands before making your way through Rotorua and across the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to the South Island.

Your guided holiday includes:

  • 18 day guided holiday with APT from Auckland to Christchurch
  • 17 nights in hand-picked accommodation
  • Finest dining - a total of 29 meals
  • Included sightseeing in up to 20 locations
  • The services of an APT Tour Director and Driver

Highlights:

  • Cruise enchanting Milford Sound, which is set deep in Fiordland National Park.
  • Enjoy time to relax at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park and take in its spectacular views. 
  • Explore the Bay of Islands with your choice of activity. Home to 144 islands, there is no lack of discovery options.

 

Advertised price is based on 08-25 May 2020

Other dates available: 03 March 2020, 13 March 2020, 03 April 2020, 11 September 2020, 25 September 2020.  Call us for a price today

 


fromDay 1. Arrive Auckland

Your journey begins today in Auckland. Be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Accommodation: Two Nights, Auckland, Grand Millennium Hotel

Day 2. Auckland

After a morning at leisure, enjoy your selected sightseeing activity as you choose from a range of exciting inclusions. Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 3. Auckland, Bay of Islands

Cross Auckland’s Harbour Bridge this morning and travel along the Hibiscus Coast. Stop at Matakohe’s Kauri Museum for an insight into the pioneering history of the country’s Northland region. Continue to the Bay of Islands. Here, you’ll also enjoy a visit to the Māori Meeting House and War Canoe. Accommodation: Two Nights, Bay of Islands, Copthorne Hotel and Resort Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 4. Bay of Islands

Today, discover the spectacular Bay of Islands region with a wide variety of included sightseeing activities. Meals: Breakfast

Day 5. Bay of Islands, Auckland

You’ll meander through the inner islands, admiring the sandy beaches and rocky outcrops. This evening, be treated to a special Pacific-themed dinner with New Zealand produce at the hotel. Accommodation: Auckland, Grand Millennium Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 6. Auckland, Waitomo Caves, Rotorua

Travel to Waitomo, home to the famous glow worm caves where thousands of tiny luminescent creatures radiate an otherworldly glow. Discover this natural wonder on a guided tour, before continuing to Rotorua. Accommodation: Two Nights, Holiday Inn Rotorua, overlooking Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 7. Rotorua

Today presents an outstanding opportunity to explore Rotorua your way, with a selection of fascinating included sightseeing options available. Meals: Breakfast

Day 8. Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington

Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of New Zealand’s North Island this morning. View the Wairakei Steam Valley, Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Later, travel across the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park. Here you’ll discover hushed cerulean blue waters and daunting volcanic peaks. Accommodation: Two Nights, InterContinental Wellington Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 9. Wellington

After breakfast, set off on a sightseeing tour taking you to the city’s best-loved landmarks and sights. Visit New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa, and take a look at the fascinating history of this country through the museum’s studded walls. Afterwards, enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore Wellington at your own pace. Meals: Breakfast

Day 10. Wellington, Christchurch

Today, travel south towards Christchurch. Proudly holding the colloquial title of the Garden City, Christchurch is well known for its English heritage and botanic attractions. This evening, you enjoy a stay among the idyllic native gardens of the Commodore Hotel. Accommodation: Christchurch, Commodore Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 11. Christchurch, TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef

Journey through the striking patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before travelling across the magnificent Southern Alps within Arthur’s Pass National Park. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass and travel by coach to Hokitika, a town teeming with fascinating historic tales of ship wrecks, goldmines and pounamu hunters. Here, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to see pounamu (jade) being skilfully carved into pieces of jewellery. Arrive later at your luxury eco-resort where you will enjoy a delicious four-course degustation dinner. Accommodation: Franz Josef, Te Waonui Forest Retreat Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 12. Franz Josef, Queenstown

Enjoy a day of breathtaking scenery travelling along the Haast River. Afterwards, arrive in Queenstown, the country’s adventure capital where you can choose from four tempting restaurants in which to dine this evening. Accommodation: Two Nights, Queenstown, Novotel Queenstown Lakeside Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 13. Queenstown

Today you can personalise your Queenstown experience with our Freedom of Choice sightseeing options. Meals: Breakfast

Day 14. Queenstown, Milford Sound, Te Anau

Embark on one of the world’s most scenic drives today as you journey along the Milford Road. Wind down the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys, then drive through the Homer Tunnel to be met by the sight of the iconic Mitre Peak which soars skywards from the shores of Milford Sound. After, enjoy a picturesque drive to the lakeside settlement of Te Anau. Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 15. Te Anau, Dunedin

This morning, journey through the beautiful rolling Southland countryside. Travel to Dunedin on the island’s east coast, a city known as the Edinburgh of the South. Take in the heritage Edwardian and Victorian structures, including the only castle in New Zealand. Spend this afternoon how you like and select a Freedom of Choice activity. Accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 16. Dunedin, Mt Cook

Journey north and view the mysterious Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. These giant stones have been eroded for centuries by the changing tides, giving them a wondrous sleek touch. At Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, choose your sightseeing activity. Accommodation: Mt Cook, The Hermitage Hotel Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 17. Mt Cook, Lake Tekapo, Christchurch

Travel to picturesque Lake Tekapo today. Here, you’ll pay a visit to the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Later, travel through delightful scenery along Burkes Pass to Christchurch. In the evening, you’ll enjoy a memorable Farewell Dinner at your hotel. Accommodation: Rydges Latimer Christchurch Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Day 18. Depart Christchurch

Today, your New Zealand adventure concludes after breakfast. Transfer to the airport and say farewell to your fellow travellers. Meals: Breakfast