17D16N DISCOVER NEW ZEALAND – SEAT IN COACH (SIC)

• On arrival you will be met and privately transferred to your accommodation. 
• Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. 
• We recommend getting out on the water when you are here.  
• Overnight: Auckland 

• Experience the best of Auckland sightseeing on a small group shared tour enjoying the highlights of Auckland City in the morning combined with an afternoon visiting Auckland’s wild, west coast with black sand beaches and lush rainforest.  
• Overnight: Auckland 

Included Activities:  

Best of Both Worlds Tour  

Optional Activities: 

Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise  

• Today’s coach tour takes you through the rolling green hills to the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set, one of New Zealand’s ‘must-see’ destinations. 
• See where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed as your tour guide shares behind-the-scenes tales. 
• You’ll see sights like Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and The Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle earth. 
• After exploring Hobbiton, tuck into a delicious lunch before continuing to Rotorua. 
• Overnight: Rotorua   

• Early evening, visit Te Puia for an Indigenous Evening Experience including a buffet dinner and cultural performance, culminating with hot chocolate and pudding on the geyser terrace.  
• Overnight: Rotorua 

• There’s a bit of everything on today’s drive past Great Lake Taupo to Napier.  
• Your scenic journey includes volcanic geography, fresh forest plantations, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains and huge vistas.  
• Overnight: Napier 

• Following an earthquake in 1931, a rebuild saw Napier completely redesigned in the style of the times.  Buildings were constructed in the Art Deco style with Maori motifs to give the city a unique New Zealand character.  Today, the delightful seaside city of Napier has the extraordinary feeling of a time capsule with its seamless line of some of the world’s finest 1930’s architecture. 

• Relive the glamour and style of the jazz era on a luxurious vintage car tour this morning.   

• The rest of the day is free to explore or choose to add an optional wine tour.  

• Overnight: Napier 

Included Activities:  

Vintage Car Tour  

Optional Activities:  

Twilight Wine Odyssey  

• Enjoy the ever-changing scenery on the journey south to New Zealand’s capital city.   
• Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills, the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot.  
• Overnight: Wellington. 

Optional Activities: 

Zealandia by Night Tour  

• Make your own way around the city to experience a charming cable car ride to enjoy stunning views of the city and harbour.  
• We recommend adding a guided tour at Te Papa for a greater insight into New Zealand’s rich history and culture. 
• Overnight: Wellington 

• Transfer to Wellington Ferry Terminal where your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton.  
• Take the short walk to the bus deport for your transfer to Kaikoura. 
•  Overnight: Kaikoura 

• This morning’s tour heads to the tip of the Kaikoura peninsula for some amazing sea views, interesting rock formations and the odd seal basking in the sunshine. 
• This afternoon you’ll be transferred to Christchurch.  
• Set between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps, this is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. 
• Overnight: Christchurch 

• Travel through the wide Canterbury plains farmland and impressive alpine passes to the famous blue lakes of Lake Tekapo, stopping at the very popular Church of the Good Shepherd.  
• Hug the shores of pretty Lake Pukaki, up to the rugged landscape of ice and rock that surrounds New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook. 
• Enjoy some free time here before continuing through more expansive and dramatic scenery on the journey to Queenstown. 
• Overnight: Queenstown. 

• Today is a free day to add some of the endless optional activities Queenstown has to offer.  
• Overnight: Queenstown 

• Today’s stunning tour takes you past mirror lakes and waterfalls into Milford Sound, carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world.  
• On arrival, board your vessel for a cruise of the fiord surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs that plunge into the sea.  
• Feel the refreshing spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces before returning to shore. 
• After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your coach return to downtown Queenstown. 
• Lunch is included. 
• Duration: approx.12 hours and overnight stay at Queenstown.  

• Depart Queenstown through wineries and orchards on your private transfer to Dunedin.  
• Follow the footsteps of early Maori and European settlements based on gold and whaling. 
• Set amidst a magical landscape edged by the sea, Dunedin and its surround are a vibrant mix of heritage and wildlife. 
• Overnight: Dunedin 

• Today’s private tour visits The Catlins, an unspoilt corner of the world – a place where time has stood still. 
• The remarkable Catlins is rugged and remote with hidden waterfalls, ancient forests and home to some of the world’s rarest marine animals. 
• Overnight: Dunedin 

• The attractive harbour town of Oamaru displays some captivating limestone architecture on the journey north. 
• Wide, braided river crossings then become a feature on the rest of the trip with the Southern Alps providing a majestic scenic backdrop on your return to Christchurch. 
• Overnight: Christchurch 

• Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer to Christchurch Airport.