Spirit of New Zealand

Day 1 Welcome to Christchurch

On arrival at Christchurch Airport you’ll be transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your Travel Director for a welcome reception and dinner.

Hotel: Ibis Hotel Christchurch

Included Meals: Dinner

Day 2 Christchurch – Omarama

Board your coach to see the extensive work carried out to rebuild the city after the devastating earthquake of February 2011. Later, travelling over the patchwork countryside of the Canterbury Plains, the spectacular sightseeing begins. Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki are first up. Next you’ll visit the Church of the Good Shepherd before soaking up the sensational alpine landscape of Mt. Cook National Park – a scenic highlight! You may choose to take an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting).

Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 3 Omarama – Dunedin

Travel through Oamaru, with its famous white limestone buildings, to Dunedin for a tour of the city. Then you’ll have the opportunity to visit Larnach Castle.

Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Dunedin

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 4 Dunedin – Milford Sound

Be awestruck by the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. You’ll see rainforest, ancient glaciers and mountain ranges, and then drive through the Homer Tunnel. Pass Lake Matheson, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, before arriving in Milford Sound for your overnight cruise.

(Please note: Cruise does not operate 21 May-15 September. During this period there will be a day cruise on Milford Sound and accommodation in Queenstown)

Hotel: Cruise Overnight Milford Sound

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Milford Sound – Queenstown

This morning depart for Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau. Explore the famous Te Anau Glowworm Caves by boat with a local guide, before travelling to the adventurecapital Queenstown.

Day 6: Queenstown ‘Free Time’

Explore exciting Queenstown, your way. You may like to consider taking one of our optional experiences. You could ride the Shotover Jet boat, join a wine tour, play a round of golf, take a 4WD minibus excursion through Skippers Canyon or explore Queenstown on your own. This evening why not consider a cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard New Zealand’s oldest steamship, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead? An entertaining after-dinner farm show provides a glimpse into high-country farm life. Then join in a sing-a-long on your cruise back to Queenstown.

Day 7: Queenstown ‘Free Time’

Another action-packed day or time to relax. Tonight you’ll ride the gondola to Bob’s Peak for a highlight dinner at the Skyline Restaurant.

Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown , 3 nights

Included Meals: Day 5: Breakfast, Dinner. Day 6: Breakfast. Day 7: Breakfast, Highlight dinner

Day 8 Queenstown – Franz Josef

Visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, on the Arrow River. Second stop is Cromwell and its sensational stone fruit. Then it’s a trio of lakes – Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka. Through the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls and enjoy a rainforest walk. Final stop, majestic Franz Josef Glacier.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9 Franz Josef – Punakaiki

You can see Franz Josef Glacier from the air or take a glacier hike (both optional). Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), for a factory visit and demonstration. Later travel to Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. You’ll stay in an eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront. Enjoy dinner while watching the thundering surf at your doorstep!

Hotel: Punakaiki Resort

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 10: Punakaiki – Nelson

Soak up the scenic wilderness of the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge and the Kahurangi National Park before arriving in Nelson. This afternoon you’ll visit the amazing World of Wearable Arts and Classic Cars, where you will experience unforgettable garments from the gala award shows held each year.

Day 11: Nelson ‘Free Time’

On this day at leisure, you’ll have the option to journey to the top of the South Island and enjoy a relaxing cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park. Or perhaps take a short bush walk, relax in sunny Nelson or explore the many arts and craft galleries.

Hotel: Grand Mercure Nelson Monaco Hotel and Resort , 2 nights

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 12: Nelson – Wellington

Visit the seaside village of Picton and cruise on tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound, before you head across Cook Strait to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. Enjoy a city sights tour before you visit “Maori Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, where you’ll explore its nature, art, history and cultural heritage.

Day 13: Wellington ‘Free Time’

You have a free day to see the sights of your choice. Perhaps take a tour of Parliament, a Lord of the Rings movie tour or a cruise to Somes Island in Wellington Harbour.

Hotel: Travelodge Wellington, 2 nights

Included Meals: Day 12: Breakfast, Dinner. Day 13: Breakfast

Day 14 Wellington – Napier

Travel through the vineyards of the Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay to Napier. Enjoy a city walking tour with a local guide and learn how Napier was rebuilt after the 1931 earthquake.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Te Pania

Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 15: Napier – Rotorua

Travel to Lake Taupo, the largest in New Zealand. Visit mighty Huka Falls en route to Rotorua. Take a sightseeing tour with views of Lake Rotorua. Enjoy an evening of fun and laughter and gain an insight into traditional Maori culture followed by a delicious buffet highlight dinner at the Tamaki Maori Village.

Day 16: Rotorua

“Maori Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, where you’ll see demonstrations of wood carving and weaving. Then tour the geothermal valley and hear about its importance to the Maori people.

Hotel: Ibis Rotorua Hotel, 2 nights

Included Meals: Day 15: Breakfast, Highlight dinner. Day 16: Breakfast

Day 17 Rotorua – Auckland

You’re off to see the multi-awardwinning and highly entertaining Agrodome Farm Show, to gain an insight into agricultural life in New Zealand. You’ll see the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feeding of lambs and an exciting sheep auction. Later, travel through the dairy farming district of Waikato then continue to Auckland for a city sightseeing tour.

Hotel: VR Queen Street Hotel & Suites

Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 18: Auckland – Bay of Islands

Depart Auckland through Orewa and the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Walk among the Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. Explore Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand, and then it’s off to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. Enjoy a scenic cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’.

Day 19: Bay of Islands ‘Free Time’

You have a free day to experience the beauty of the Bay of Islands. Perhaps go dolphin-watching, take a coach trip to Cape Reinga via idyllic 90 Mile Beach, a day of sailing on a tall ship or take a tour to historic Russell. Ask your Travel Director about optional experiences.

Hotel: Copthorne Resort Bay of Islands, Garden Rooms, 2 nights

Included Meals: Day 18: Breakfast, Dinner. Day 19: Breakfast

Day 20 Bay of Islands – Auckland

“Maori Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve, where New Zealand’s founding document, the Treaty of Waitangi, was signed. Later, return to Auckland. Celebrate your holiday at a farewell dinner with your Travel Director and new-found friends.

Hotel: VR Queen Street Hotel & Suites

Included Meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner

Day 21 Farewell from Auckland

Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You’ll be transferred to Auckland Airport for your onward flight.

Included Meals: Breakfast