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15 Days,
Priced from $1,729
Auckland, Rotorua, Napier,
Wellington, Nelson, Franz Josef,
Queenstown, Christchurch
 Day 1 - 2 Board your transpacific flight and skip a
day as you cross the International Date Line.
Day 3 Arrive Auckland. Pick up your rental car from the airport depot.
Use any free time to explore the "City of Sails." Visit Kelly
Tarlton's fascinating Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World, shop or perhaps
take a walk around Auckland's exciting marina and waterfront.
Day 4 Auckland. Continue
with any of the activities that you did not manage to fit in yesterday. Add a
trip up the Sky Tower, perhaps a drive over to Devonport for coffee, or catch a
ferry to Rangitoto Island.
Day 5 Auckland-Waitomo-Rotorua. Today travel south to Rotorua via the
rich pastoral province of Waikato to the fascinating Waitomo Caves. Here,
experience an included guided tour of the famous GLOWWORM GROTTO featuring an
underground boat ride. Continue on via Lake Karapiro to arrive in Rotorua.
Day 6 Rotorua. Today you will experience the many varied sights that
Rotorua has to offer on an included SIGHTSEEING TOUR. Visit the TE HAKAREWAREWA
THERMAL RESERVE and MAORI ARTS & CRAFTS INSTITUTE, enjoy a guided tour and
see Maori carving and weaving demonstrations. Walk through the Thermal Reserve
to see boiling mud pools and shooting geysers. Next, Rainbow Springs, a unique
showcase of New Zealand's flora and fauna, features some of New Zealand's
endangered native species. The Rainbow Farm Show is definitely a hands-on
experience that will entertain and amuse, giving an animated insight into New
Zealand's farming history. Then enjoy an afternoon at leisure. Perhaps take a
tour of the Buried Village, or enjoy a swim at the Polynesian Spa (optional
excursions).
Day 7 Rotorua-Napier. Depart Rotorua and head to Napier via Lake Taupo.
Upon arriving in Napier, take some time to visit the wineries that the region is
famous for. The main street displays some of the best Art Deco architecture in
the country, and a guided walk is a great way to get an understanding of the
history.
Day 8 Napier-Wellington. Head south today for Wellington. On arrival,
make time to visit "Te Papa," the Museum of New Zealand. This is an
interactive museum that has frequently changing exhibitions. Other highlights of
the Capital City include a visit to the Beehive/Parliament buildings, the
gondola ride, or a coffee or two on the waterfront. For a dining experience that
embodies New Zealand's multicultural society, try dinner at Monsoon Poon at 12
Blair St. Courtenay Place
Day 9 Wellington-Nelson. Board the ferry and head towards the South
Island. Try to be on deck as the boat berths in at Picton — the Sounds are not
to be missed. Disembark from the ferry and head towards Nelson. Either take the
inland route through Blenheim, or the very scenic route via Queen Charlotte
Sound. Carry on to Nelson. Whichever route you take, you will drive through the
township of Havelock. This is where both Ernest Rutherford (famous for first
splitting the atom) and William Pickering (of space exploration fame) obtained
their early schooling. Also great for a meal of mussels.
Day 10 Nelson-Franz Josef Glacier. Today head south via Murchison and
Reefton and onto the wild West Coast. Drive through Greymouth, where a visit to
the Jade Boulder Gallery shows beautiful displays of these stones and explains
much of the importance the Maori place on this precious stone. Continue to Franz
Josef.
Day 11 Franz Josef Glacier-Queenstown. Before leaving Franz Josef, a trip
to the glacier is a must. Either walk to the base or take a flight — including
a landing at the top — to view this magnificent wonder. Continue on southwards
through Haast, past Lake Hawea and onto Wanaka. From there, head around the
range and reach Queenstown, via Cromwell. As you pass through Cromwell, stop off
at Jackson's Orchard for great fruit, preserves, and honey.
Day 12 Queenstown. Milford Sound Excursion. (Subject to road and weather
conditions) Travel in a coach along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau,
gateway to FIORDLAND NATIONAL PARK. View the Mirror Lakes as you continue
through the Eglinton Valley. From the Homer Tunnel emerge into the Cleddau
Valley. Join your Milford Sound CRUISE for an unforgettable experience, and
explore the wonder of this majestic fiord. Journey to the mouth of the sound and
see the seals and dolphins that inhabit this part of the world. Return to
Queenstown.
Day 13 Queenstown. A free day to enjoy the many leisure pursuits
available. These include jet boating, bungee jumping, traveling up the gondola,
visiting wineries, and much more. The staff at "The Station" can
assist with information and reservations for the huge selection of things to see
and do.
Day 14 Queenstown-Dunedin. During this drive, you will view Otago's
unspoiled scenery as your journey takes you into a rugged, pioneering landscape.
If time allows, visit the Jacobean Olveston House, take a walk around the city,
and view the statue of Robert Burns and the University of Otago, or you may like
to take a guided tour of Larnach Castle or a stroll around Glenfalloch Gardens.
Day 15 Dunedin-Mt. Cook Region. Today you will drive north through Oamaru
(famous for the Oamaru stone many of the buildings are constructed from), then
back inland past Lake Aviemore, Lake Benmore and Lake Pukaki, until you reach
the base of Aoraki/Mt Cook. Once here, a scenic flight can be one of the best
ways to enjoy this magnificent scenery.
Day 16 Mt. Cook Region-Christchurch. Today travel through Mackenzie
country via Lake Tekapo where you can view the solitary Church of the Good
Shepherd and the monument to the shepherd's best friend, the sheepdog. Head
through Fairlie and onto the Canterbury Plains. Continue north to Christchurch.
When driving through Fairlie, the BP petrol station on the corner may well be
the friendliest petrol station in New Zealand. The restaurant "The
Library," also in Fairlie, is a great place to stop for lunch.
Day 17 Christchurch. Use this day to explore the city of Christchurch.
Take an historic tram ride, go shopping or visit the botanical gardens. If you
are looking to go further afield, take a drive to the beach of Brighton or on to
Akaroa.
Day 18 Depart Christchurch. Today your vacation concludes as you return
your rental car.
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Included Features
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Waitomo - Glowworm cave tour and boat ride
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Rotorua - City Sightseeing including visits to Te Whakarewarewa Thermal
Reserve and the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute.
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Queenstown - Milford Sound excursion including cruise.
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