15 Days: New Zealand Highlights 15 day New Zealand Highlights, see the north and south island including Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound and more.

Spectacular sightseeing experiences

• Savour a degustation featuring fresh local produce in Auckland
• Discover Waitomo’s famous Glow Worm Grotto
• Take your pick of a selection of included local highlight experiences at Rotorua
• ‘You’re invited’ to Shenandoah Estate for a unique private afternoon tea experience 
• Wellington’s City Sights and Mt. Victoria
• Sail the Cook Strait to beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound
• Indulge in a 5 course dinner with matching wines in Blenheim
• Savour a delicious Kiwi BBQ at Morelea Farm 
• Marvel at the crystal clear waters of Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki
• Take your pick of a selection of included local highlight experiences at Dunedin
• Discover truly spectacular Milford Sound on a cruise
• Tailor your trip with a selection of included enriching experiences in Queenstown
• Taste Central Otago stone fruit at a local orchard
• Discover Franz Josef Glacier
• Visit a jade factory and marvel at artists at work
• Walk around Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
• Journey over the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine Train

Guided Holiday Inclusions

Transportation

Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts,
reclining seats, panoramic windows

Professionally Escorted

Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Driver Guide

Dining Inclusions

Breakfast of choice (4) BC

Full buffet breakfasts (10) B

You are invited Lunch (1) YL

You are invited afternoon tea (1) YA

Highlight dinners (4) HD

Dinners with wine (6) D

Farewell dinner (1) FD

Accommodation

Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels

Plus

Welcome drink

Travel wallet and map

Airport transfers (see flight information below)

Hotel porterage included

Flight Information

Day 1     Flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Auckland

Day 15   Flights anytime from Christchurch

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Auckland

On arrival at Auckland Airport you’ll be met by private car and transferred to your hotel. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city. You could visit the Sky Tower for spectacular views of the city, picturesque Viaduct Harbour and surrounding lush volcanic hills. Perhaps visit the Auckland Museum or go shopping in stylish Parnell. This evening meet your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions for a welcome reception and ‘highlight dinner’ at The Langham. Your indulgent degustation is prepared for you from the freshest, quality ingredients, including mouth-watering seafood and delicious desserts. A selection of New Zealand wines is included with your dinner.
Hotel: The Langham, Auckland. HD

Day 2: Auckland – Rotorua

After a sightseeing tour of Auckland, trace the Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves to sail through the fascinating Glow Worm Grotto and discover the limestone formations. From Waitomo to Rotorua you’ll venture through the King Country. This area was at the centre of the New Zealand Wars in the 1860s, when colonial forces invaded the Waikato region. On arrival in Rotorua an orientation tour takes in views of Lake Rotorua.Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast ‘highlight dinner’ and concert for an insight into Maori culture at the Tamaki Family Marae.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD

Day 3: Rotorua Included Choice

 Today choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. You have the option to join the Kiwi Encounter at Rainbow Springs Nature Park, discover Maori culture at Te Puia Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, see the Agrodome Farm Show, relax in the seclusion of your own hot mineral pool or unwind with a facial treatment in the Lake Spa Retreat at the Polynesian Spa. Maybe ride the amphibious Rotorua Duck or the luge at Rotorua Skyline.

*Tonight you have the option of staying at your hotel or on a nearby farm – see the details below. BC

Day 4: Rotorua – Wellington

View the mighty Huka Falls and drive along the shores of Lake Taupo. Discover the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park and the dairy farms of Manawatu. 
 This afternoon ‘you’re invited’ to Shenandoah for a unique experience. The historic villa’s owners, Simon and Claudia, will show you around their property, which includes a unique private collection of Harley Davidson motorcycles. Enjoy afternoon tea in their garden then take a short tour to see the local wildlife including friendly Highland cows. Continue along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington. See the city from Mt. Victoria on your sightseeing tour. This evening enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel.
Hotel: James Cook Grand Chancellor, Wellington. BC YA DW

Day 5: Wellington – Blenheim

Why not discover more of Wellington this morning. There’s time to visit the Parliament buildings and the Beehive, home to New Zealand’s politicians.  Later, you’ll visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand and explore the exhibits at your leisure, including their unique Marae (Meeting House). Cruise the Cook Strait into Queen Charlotte Sound. The village of Picton is next, then it’s on to Blenheim for a city sightseeing tour. Tonight enjoy a 5-course ‘highlight dinner’ prepared from local produce matched with wines of the Marlborough region, including selections from Villa Maria and Saint Clair wineries.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Marlborough, Blenheim B HD

Day 6: Blenheim – Christchurch

En route to the whale-watching haven of Kaikoura, you’ll pass the Grassmere Salt Works and see New Zealand fur seals up close at Ohau Point. Travel to Christchurch and see the extensive work carried out to rebuild the city after the earthquake of February 2011. Stop in and visit the Re:Start Mall, a project designed to breathe life back into the devastated Christchurch city centre. The mall is entirely constructed from shipping containers and as it was able to be built quickly, retail shopping was re-established several years before it would have otherwise taken place. 
Hotel: Novotel, Christchurch. B

Day 7: Christchurch – Twizel

 ‘You’re invited’ to Morelea Farm, a typical working sheep farm, where you’ll get a taste of traditional New Zealand country life. You’ll be welcomed into the home of Angie and Stan Taylor and their beautiful 240 hectare garden. You’ll have the chance to see sheep shearing and farming demonstrations before enjoying a barbecue lunch and wait until you try Angie’s famous pavlova dessert! Listen to the family’s story of growing up in rural New Zealand and their challenges of farming in the foothills of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Later, see spectacular Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki and visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd on your way to Twizel.
Hotel: Mackenzie Country Inn,  Twizel. B YL DW

Day 8: Twizel – Dunedin

View the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam located on the shores of New Zealand’s largest man-made lake, Lake Benmore. You’ll stop in at the gorgeous harbour town of Oamaru. Most well-known for its stunning 19th century white limestone architecture, Oamaru is also home to potters, painters, cheese-makers and many other artisans. And you may even spot an Oamaru Blue Penguin!
On arrival in Dunedin, you may wish to take a wander around the beautiful grounds of New Zealand’s first university, Otago University. Dunedin, also known as the Edinburgh of the South, has strong connections to its northern hemisphere sister city, even down to sharing many of the street names. This evening enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin. B DW

Day 9: Dunedin Included Choice – Te Anau

 This morning choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. You have the option to tour Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle, ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway or take the Monarch Wildlife Cruise. Or choose a tour of Cadbury World or Speight’s Brewery. Later, travel across farming land to the village of Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the South Island’s largest lake. This evening enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau. B DW

Day 10: Te Anau – Queenstown

You’ll be awestruck by the magnificence of the World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. Amazing photo opportunities await you today as you see rainforest, ancient glaciers, mountain ranges and the hand-made Homer Tunnel. Pass the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm. Your cruise on Milford Sound will take you past Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak. Afterwards, travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu on your way to Queenstown, where an orientation tour finishes this highlight day. 
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights B

Day 11: Queenstown Included Choice

 Today choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. You have the option to ride the Shotover Jet, join a wine tour, play 9 holes of golf or take the gondola to the Skyline Restaurant for dinner. Perhaps take a 4WD minibus through Skippers Canyon, relax with a spa treatment at Millbrook Resort or go horse riding. This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue ‘highlight dinner’ at the Colonel’s Homestead. An entertaining farm show provides a glimpse into high-country farm life. Why not join in a sing-a-long on your way back to Queenstown? BC HD

Day 12: Queenstown – Franz Josef

Visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown then enjoy the tastes of delicious stone fruit at Cromwell. See lakes Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka. Travel over the Haast Pass and view Thunder Creek Falls. Then it’s on to Franz Josef Glacier, the world’s most accessible and still advancing glacier. This evening enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing), Franz Josef. BC DW

Day 13: Franz Josef – Punakaiki

It’s time for an exhilarating adventure among temperate rainforest giants on the West Coast Treetop Walkway. Explore Franz Josef Glacier – take a scenic flight or a glacier hike (both own expense). Then you’ll depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) 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. This evening enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel, while watching the surf thundering at your doorstep!
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B DW

Day 14: Punakaiki – Christchurch

Travel to the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine. This spectacular train journey dates back to 1914, and is rated as one of the word’s most scenic train trips. The train forges through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Join your Tour Director this evening for a farewell dinner with wine.
Hotel: Novotel, Christchurch. B FD

Day 15: Farewell from Christchurch

Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You’ll be transferred by private car to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.B

*Farmstay Option

 A warm welcome awaits you on your New Zealand farm stay and your hosts will provide you with the wonderful Kiwi hospitality that really makes you feel ‘at home’. 

Enjoy dinner and breakfast, a farm tour to introduce you to the way of life and comfortable accommodation in the farm home or cottages. You may choose to meet the animals, including sheep, cows, deer and many others, or simply relax and enjoy the company of your hosts and the scenic surroundings.