Day 1 "Auckland to Coromandel Peninsula"
Experience wonderful scenery and the seabird coast to the old gold town of Thames. View spectacular volcanic peaks clad in semi tropical rainforest with giant ancient Kauri trees.
Accommodation: Puka Park Lodge or similar
Included meals: L
Day 2 "Glowworms, treeferns, beaches & fun!"
Enjoy the highlights of this amazing region - white sand beaches and offshore islands, beautiful jungle like forest, unique flora and fauna, crystal clear streams and glowworms!
Accommodation: Puka Park Lodge or similar
Included meals: B, L
Day 3 "Coastlines, orchards, craters & mud"
From the beauty of the Coromandel we travel through the Bay of Plenty to Rotorua, famous for Maori culture, hot mud pools and geysers. Here your Kiwi Dundee Guide will say farewell.
Accommodation: Quality hotel or B&B
Included meals: B, L
Day 4 "Rotorua to Christchurch"
A free morning to explore Rotorua before flying to Christchurch - the very "English" city.
Rotorua airport is just 10 mins from town for your flight south to Christchurch.
After transferring to your Christchurch accommodation, the time is yours for the rest of the day.
ACCOMMODATION : Quality hotel or deluxe homestay (B).
Day 5 "Christchurch or a Canterbury Trails Day Tour"
Founded by English settlers in 1850, Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter in 1856 which makes it the oldest officially established city in New Zealand.
Located on the east coast of the South Island, Christchurch is a city of contrasts. A place where residents enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle amidst a natural environment. Officially known as the "Garden City", Christchurch has over 3,000 hectares of parklands which include Hagley Park and the famous Botanic Gardens.
Christchurch has a special relationship with Antarctica. For almost a century, Christchurch has been the stepping-off point for numerous Antarctic activities. The International Antarctic Centre is a working campus and home to Antarctica New Zealand and various other international Antarctic groups. The Visitors' Centre, which opened in 1992, provides a fun and interactive Antarctic experience for young and old and is just one of many attractions open, as life carries on as normal in Christchurch, after the earthquakes. Others include the Canterbury Museum, the Contemporary Art Gallery, Willowbank and Orana Park
A massive amount of work has gone on since those earthquakes to get Christchurch back up and running. Sadly, however, much of the city centre is still not accessible. Most of the historic buildings (both Cathedrals, Art Centre and Provincial Buildings, Riccarton House and Mona Vale) will be undergoing repair for some time and tourist shopping is better done elsewhere for the time being.
An alternative to exploring Christchurch is to take a day tour with Canterbury Trails into the surrounding area to either picturesque Akaroa, Arthur's Pass or to Kaikoura for whale watching.
Accommodation: Quality hotel or B&B | Included meals: B
Day 6 "Christchurch to the alps"
Travel west across the vast Canterbury Plains and into the mountains. Here in the heart of the "High Country" is the Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass where you will stay for the first two days of your South Island adventure.
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass | Included meals: B, AT, D
Day 7 "High country, sheep, valleys & keas"
Discover the real high country where you can explore alpine plants, animals and the mountains. Experience the workings of a sheep station, explore Arthur's Pass National Park in the heart of the Southern Alps and view the wide braided river system. Walking, mountain biking or relaxing are options available at the lodge.
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass | Included meals: B, MT, L, AT, D
Day 8 "Mountains, moas, pioneers & ice"
Travel through the Arthur's Pass National Park and cross the pass created as a gold rush link. Great mountain valleys, history and home of the kea - the world's only alpine parrot. Down the incredible Otira Gorge to the West Coast and "Glacier Country". Take a walk to view the mighty Franz Josef Glacier.
Accommodation: Franz Josef or Fox Glacier | Included meals: B, MT, AT
Day 9 "Geology, ice age & podocarps"
Depart Franz Josef and travel south to Fox where walks can be taken to explore this incredible glacial area. A tranquil walk can also be made to Lake Matheson, the beautiful lake famous for it's alpine reflections or to a remote beach for views of the Southern Alps.
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki | Included meals: B, MT, L, AT, D
Day 10 "Wilderness, wildlife & rainforests"
Magnificent and rugged beaches that are home to the crested penguins and NZ fur seals, untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain from the snow capped Southern Alps...
this is Lake Moeraki.
Accommodation: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki | Included meals: B, MT, L, AT, D
Day 11 "Coastline, explorers, tussocks and gold"
Moving on, you will cross the alps over the Haast Pass where the forests give way to golden tussock grasslands. Pass Lakes Hawea and Wanaka, ancient glacial lakes and visit the alpine village of Wanaka. Then it is over the Crown Range to Arrowtown, an old gold-miners' village and your accommodation where you will stay for the next three nights.
Accommodation: Millbrook Golf Resort and Spa or similar | Included meals: B, MT, AT
Day 12 "Adventure in the mountains"
Choose your own optional adventure - bungy jumping, a backcountry safari, jetboating, kayaking or a cruise on the historic steamship Earnslaw. Perhaps shopping, golf, wineries, an art & craft trail or just relax and take in the beautiful mountain setting.
Accommodation: Millbrook Golf Resort and Spa or similar | Included meals: B
Day 13 "Milford, glacial lakes, alps & fiords"
Travel to magnificent Milford Sound and cruise on the fiord. You will see deeply carved glacial valleys, ancient forests and incredible scenery - truly magnificent.
Accommodation: Millbrook Golf Resort and Spa or similar | Included meals: B, MT, L, AT
Day 14 "Queenstown & farewell"
After breakfast, perhaps relax and indulge in some pampering, last minute shopping or experience that last adventure before it is time for your guide to bid you farewell. Included meals: B
Meal codes…
B = Breakfast;
MT = Picnic morning tea;
L = Lunch;
AT = Picnic afternoon tea;
D = Dinner
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