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New Zealand Panorama

Auckland
Auckland
Queenstown
Queenstown
Auckland Harbour Bridge
Auckland Harbour Bridge
Parnell Village
Parnell Village
Christchurch
Christchurch
Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park
Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park
Waitomo Caves
Waitomo Caves
Hobbiton
Hobbiton
Rotorua
Rotorua

General information

DurationDestinationDeparture
11 days and 10 nights
New Zealand (Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown, Franz Josef, Christchurch)
New Zealand (Auckland)

Description

Itinerary seat in coach, departs daily with English speaking guide / driver.

Accommodation (category standard or similar):
- Auckland: Scenic Hotel Auckland or similar
- Rotorua: Hotel Ibis Rotorua or similar
- Queenstown: Scenic Suites Queenstown or similar
- Franz Josef: Bella Vista Franz Josef or similar
- Christchurch: Rydges Latimer Christchurch or similar

Program

Day 1:

Auckland
Upon arrival in Auckland, you will be welcomed and transferred by Italian private transfer to your selected Hotel.

Day 2:

Auckland
This morning you will discover the beauty of Auckland.
Discover first-hand why Auckland is regarded as one of the best places in the world to live! This half-day tour takes you around the central city, experiencing many of its best and most scenic sights. Journey over the Auckland Harbour Bridge for stunning views back to the city. Visit the Viaduct Harbour and Auckland's famous Queen Street before continuing on through the Auckland Domain. With its classic charm, the Auckland Domain is the city's oldest and one of its largest parks, situated on a 62,000 year old volcano.

After your visit to the Domain continue on to Parnell Village for your morning tea stop. The historic buildings of Parnell have been transformed into a trendy shopping area featuring many boutiques, antique, craft and specialty shops. Following this, the tour will then take you along the stunningly scenic waterfront route of Tamaki Drive to the Michael Joseph Savage Memorial Park, in Mission Bay. Michael Savage is often regarded as one of New Zealand's greatest and revered Prime Ministers and was given the title of 'New Zealander of the Century' by the New Zealand Herald in 1999. The Memorial Park has beautiful panoramic views over Whenua Rangatira, Auckland city and Waitemata Harbour. This park is a popular wedding venue, with its formal gardens and tranquil atmosphere.
Following the city tour visit Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. This underground visitor attraction enables you to experience something truly unique. Come face to face with species from New Zealand's waters including sharks, stingrays, turtles and other incredible sea creatures. Enjoy an informative encounter with your favourite animals as the staff give talks and feed them before your very eyes.

The Antarctic Encounter lets you take a peek inside New Zealand's only colony of Arctic penguins. Come within arms length of the 80 plus colony as you travel on a fantastic snowcat ride. See live penguins gracefully swimming underwater and going about their days in a sub-Antarctic snow and ice domain setting.

There is also a replica of Captain Robert Falcon Scott's Antarctic hut, decorated with authentic memorabilia. Walking through will take you back 100 years to see what it was like living in Antarctica, the coldest place on earth!
You will be back to Auckland in time for lunch.
Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 3:

Auckland to Rotorua
Depart Auckland for Rotorua via Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton. Lunch at the Green Dragon Inn included.

Your professional driver-guide will take you to into the heart of the Central North Island, taking in the Waitomo Caves and Hobbiton Movie Set on a full-day sightseeing tour. Setting off from Auckland, travel through the lush farmland of the Waikato and King Country regions, enjoying your driver guide’s entertaining and informative commentary.

Take a guided tour of the famous Hobbiton Movie Set, located inside a picturesque 1,250 acre sheep and beef farm near Matamata. Here, the village of Hobbiton was carefully created in amazing detail as a film location for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movie trilogies.

During your guided tour of this amazing location, 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 at the Green Dragon Inn.

At the world-famous Waitomo Glow-worm Caves, take a 45-minute guided tour through impressive underground caverns and learn how stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone structures were formed over millions of years. Your tour includes a boat ride through the Glow-worm Grotto - glide silently along an underground river as you gaze at the twinkling glow-worms overhead.

After visiting Waitomo and Hobbiton, continue to Rotorua, arriving in the early evening.

Please note the order of this tour is subject to change without notice.
Overnight at your selected hotel.

Day 4:

Rotorua
Morning City Highlights.
Experience Te Puia, a place of Maori culture and a thermal wonderland of impressive geysers and boiling mud pools. Explore Rainbow Springs Nature Park, which showcases native flora and fauna as well as the New Zealand Kiwi. Then see NZ's agricultural industry in action with a sheep shearing display and sheepdog trials at the Agrodome.
This tour includes entrance at Te Puia Thermal Reserve, Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, Rainbow Springs Nature Park and the Agrodome Sheep Show. This tour is half-day and brings you back around lunchtime in Rotorua.
Depart around 0600pm for a typical Maori dinner.
In the evening you will taste a typical Hangi dinner with a Maori welcome.
Take a journey back in time through the Maori village of ‘Te Tawa Ngahere Pa’. Experience the pre-European lifestyle and customs of the ancient Maori ancestors as the village comes alive with tribal songs, dances and activities. Enjoy a night of truly authentic, traditional culture and entertainment. Feast on a selection of foods cooked the traditional Maori way on hot stones in an authentic earthen oven. Tour includes transport to and from accommodation with coach commentary and Maori guide to instruct you on protocol.
You will return to your hotel around 0930pm

Day 5:

Rotorua to Queenstown (air) not included
Private transfer from Rotorua Hotel to Rotorua Airport. Private Transfer from Queenstown Airport to Queenstown Hotel. Rest of the day at leisure. To enjoy Queenstown.

Day 6:

Queenstown
Depart in the morning for your Half day Safari of the Scenes Tour of Wakatipu.
The perfect tour for those that want the thrills of an off-road adventure but also want to discover exciting Lord of the Rings film locations. The Wakatipu Basin tour takes you to The Remarkables, which were used as various mountains throughout the trilogy including the Misty Mountains. Traveling partway up this beautiful mountain range you get a birds-eye view onto Deer Park Heights, which was used for the refugees of Rohan and the Battle of the Wargs scenes.
Traveling from The Remarkables we head to the Kawarau Gorge where the filming took place for the Argonath, or Pillars of the Kings. Leaving the Kawarau Gorge the trip heads to Arrowtown where the loss of The One Ring at Gladden Fields was filmed. Near Arrowtown, you will experience some true off-road adventure. Following a historic gold mining road up the Arrow River, you will cross the river to get to the Ford of Bruinen. At this point, you can indulge in morning or afternoon tea and try your hand at a spot of gold panning.
From Arrowtown, you will travel to the entrance of Skippers Canyon where you will be offered spectacular panoramic views of the Wakatipu Basin and over Skippers Canyon.
This tour will take approx. 4 hrs.
Rest of the day at leisure.

Day 7:

Queenstown
Today you will be taken to see one of the finest New Zealand’s fiords.
Travel by coach on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown into Milford Sound - located within the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Highlights include Te Anau, Eglinton Valley, Mirror Lakes, Christie Falls, Upper Hollyford Valley, Homer Tunnel, Cleddau Valley and Milford Sound. Your tour includes a cruise on Milford Sound Red Boat where you will see the wonders of Mitre Peak, glacier scarred rock walls that rise 1,200m vertically from the sea, and waterfalls that tumble from hanging valleys and crash into the sound far below. In the afternoon return to Queenstown by coach.
Lunch and Milford Sound Scenic Cruise. This is a full-day tour from the early morning until approx. 0800pm.
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 8:

Queenstown to Franz Josef
Coach transfer from Queenstown to Franz Josef - time can change with no notice
Service: NM 9824 (Newmans Coaches Queenstown - Franz Josef)
Departs: 8.10 am Queenstown - Athol St in the middle of the car park
Arrives: 4.10 pm Franz Josef - Franz Josef Bus Stop, Main Rd
Note: there is no transfer from Hotel in Queenstown to Hotel in Franz Josef.

Day 9:

Franz Josef
Half Day Glacier Valley Walk (English – Franz Josef Glacier Guides)
This relaxing, interpretive walk to the glacier is the perfect opportunity to learn the role of the Franz Josef Glacier in shaping this remarkable landscape. After a short walk through the regenerating rainforest, the trip continues along the glacier valley with your guide calling stops to explain the unique features of the Franz Josef Glacier and its surroundings.

With the emphasis more on geographical information and the glacier's history, you're able to venture beyond the public barriers and right up to the dramatic terminal face of this advancing glacier with your experienced and knowledgeable guide.
This tour can provide with Breathable Rain Jacket, Waterproof over-trousers (if required), Socks and sturdy boots (or you have the option to wear your own hiking boots) Woollen hats and gloves (if required). Please make your way to the departure point.
Departs: 10.15 am
Returns: 3 hours later

Day 10:

Franz Josef to Greymouth
Coach transfer from Franz Josef to Greymouth (English – Intercity Coach)
Departs: 9.15 am Franz Josef Bus Stop, Main Road
Arrives: 1.15 pm Greymouth Railway Station, 164 MacKay St.
Your scenic train trip on TranzAlpine Train to Christchurch will Departs: Greymouth 1.45 pm please make your way to the train station. This service will arrive in Christchurch at 6.05 pm.

No transfer to the hotel is included.
The TranzAlpine scenic train journey travels between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand to the other. From your carriage, you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush beech rainforest to the West Coast town of Greymouth – a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the always popular glaciers. The TranzAlpine journey is an ideal weekend getaway or honeymoon vacation highlight. All carriages include both one-way seating and tabled group seating allowing you to experience the amazing views while enjoying the company of other passengers on-board. An open-air viewing carriage allows you to get even closer to the stunning scenery and provides many opportunities to photograph your favorite spots. There’s a lot to look forward to! Our train journey sets off from Christchurch - New Zealand's largest city on the South Island. The trip is 223.8 kilometres long and takes just four and a half hours. There are 19 tunnels, and 4 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres.

Day 11:

Christchurch onward
Private transfer to Christchurch Airport. Depart Christchurch.

Price includes

- 10 nights accommodation, room only basis
- All tours and transfers as shown above

Price does not include

- Optional Excursions
- Meals unless stated

Itinerary

Day Overnight Itinerary highlights
1 Scenic Hotel Auckland or similarAuckland   Auckland - Auckland Airport (AKL)
2 Scenic Hotel Auckland or similarAuckland
3 Hotel Ibis Rotorua or similarRotorua
4 Hotel Ibis Rotorua or similarRotorua
5 Scenic Suites Queenstown or similarQueenstown
6 Scenic Suites Queenstown or similarQueenstown
7 Scenic Suites Queenstown or similarQueenstown
8 Bella Vista Franz Josef or similarFranz Josef
9 Bella Vista Franz Josef or similarFranz Josef
10 Rydges Latimer Christchurch or similarChristchurch
11   Christchurch - Christchurch International Airport (CHC)

Accommodations provided in each place

Place
AucklandScenic Hotel Auckland or similar
RotoruaHotel Ibis Rotorua or similar
QueenstownScenic Suites Queenstown or similar
Franz JosefBella Vista Franz Josef or similar
ChristchurchRydges Latimer Christchurch or similar