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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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