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Antipodean Adventure
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18 days Christchurch to Auckland
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Day 1 Arrive Christchurch
‘Haere Mai’ … welcome to New Zealand
Having cleared customs & immigration formalities, you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your city hotel.
Stay Hotel Grand Chancellor
Day 2 4WD High Country Tranz Alpine Experience (B,L)
Travel by road through the Canterbury Plains to the Waimakariri Gorge in the foothills of the rugged Southern Alps. Travel by jet boat through the gorge deep into the Southern Alps to areas otherwise inaccessible. Rendezvous with the Unimog and travel in this unique 4WD vehicle to Flock Hill Station, viewing spectacular alpine scenery en-route. After lunch, travel by road to Arthur's Pass National Park where you return to Christchurch abroad the world-famous Tranz Alpine train.
Stay Hotel Grand Chancellor
Day 3 Hanmer Springs, Kaikoura (B)
After a leisurely breakfast, we travel inland to the naturally picturesque and tranquil alpine village of Hanmer Springs, nestled in a valley surrounded by a superb expanse of mountains and forest clad hills. Relax in hot thermal pools at the Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve before continuing on to Kaikoura, located in a narrow strip of stunning coastline that lies between mountain peaks and the Pacific Ocean.
Stay White Morph Inn
Day 4 Whale Watch Kaikoura or Swim with the Dolphins (B)
Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience & sightings may vary from day to day. Giant sperm whales are the star of the show and are year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter fur seals, pods of Dusky dolphins & the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season, you may also see migrating Hump Back whales, Pilot whales, Blue whales & Southern Right whales. Kaikoura also attracts the largest concentration and variety of seabirds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrel & 7 types of Shearwater. For those choosing to swim with the dolphins, all diving gear is supplied. Later, we continue north to Blenheim, gateway to the well-known Marlborough Sounds region before arriving at Nelson, a city of charm based on a harbour that is home to the busiest fishing port in New Zealand.
Stay The Honest Lawyer
Day 5 Abel Tasman National Park Bush 'n' Beach walk (B,L)
Today you can choose from a number of included Cruise & Walk or Cruise only options in the famous Abel Tasman National Park. Cruise into protected bays & view the fur seal colony on Tonga Island. The launch hugs the shore, travelling in close to idyllic beaches fringed by native forest. The Abel Tasman Coastal track is well formed & shaded and comes out onto protected beaches excellent for swimming. Your Tour Host will give you details of the various choices available & will be happy to guide you onto the best tour that suits your own individual needs. Enjoy a great day on the water combining cruising, sightseeing, bush walks, beach stops & plenty of relaxing!
Stay The Honest Lawyer
Day 6 Nelson Lakes, Punakaiki Rocks (B)
Travel south through the Nelson Lakes region before arriving on the West Coast. Marvel at the bizarre limestone landscapes that is the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowhole.
Stay Punakaiki Rocks Hotel
Day 7 Greymouth, Franz Josef Glacier (B)
The West Coast is home to towering rainforests, mountains and glaciers, tranquil lakes and rushing rivers. It is steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1860's. Our overnight stay tonight is in the glacial village of Franz Josef.
Stay Punga Grove Lodge
Day 8 Haast, Wanaka, Queenstown (B)
There is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions) before our departure this morning. Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. We then travel over the magnificent Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. There is time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling over the spectacular Crown Range to the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown. On to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination.
Stay The Heritage Hotel
Day 9 Explore Queenstown & its surrounds (B)
Enjoy a free day today to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure & leisure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. There are numerous activities from which to choose and your Tour Host will be pleased to offer advice and help you in your selection.
Stay The Heritage Hotel
Day 10 Milford Sound Overnight Cruise (B,D)
Travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and through the rolling countryside to Te Anau. Continue along the spectacular Milford Road and through the hand-strewn Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound where you board the Milford Mariner for a relaxing cruise. Cruise the entire length of the Sound to the Tasman Sea & view spectacular waterfalls, rainforests, mountains & wildlife. The Milford Mariner is designed along the lines of a traditional New Zealand trading scow to reflect Fiordland's heritage and you will be accommodated in private cabins with en-suite bathrooms in this purpose-built vessel. It boasts spacious deck areas for viewing the wilderness, scenery & wildlife of Milford and activities include kayaking and excursions in the tender vessels (stabi craft) to explore the coastline.
Stay Overnight in sheltered Harrison Cove.
Day 11 Return to Queenstown, day at leisure (B)
For those wishing to return to Queenstown by air, an optional scenic flight is available (subject to weather conditions). Upon our return, the rest of the day is free to relax & enjoy all that this spectacular resort has to offer.
Stay The Heritage Hotel
Day 12 Mighty Dart River Jetboat Safari (B)
This morning, we are collected from our hotel & travel to Glenorchy to join our Dart River Jetboat Safari. Here you jet boat on crystal clear waters in a wild and scenic landscape amidst towering peaks, glaciers and the ancient rainforests of the Mt. Aspiring National Park. This is far more than a jet boat ride … it's a rare journey into the enchanted wilderness of a World Heritage area. This afternoon is free for further sightseeing.
Stay The Heritage Hotel
Day 13 Fly Queenstown - Rotorua (B,D)
This morning we board our aircraft for the flight north to the geothermal city of Rotorua. The region’s raw beauty has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years. Here you can stand upon volcanoes, peer into massive craters, see boiling mud, exploding geysers and marvel at the unspoiled native forests that cloak the land. Tonight enjoy a traditional Maori hangi (feast) & cultural evening.
Stay Millennium Hotel
Day 14 Helicopter to White Island Volcano (B)
Today, board your helicopter for an incredible flight over the geothermal region of the Volcanic Plateau to White Island. Whakaari (the Maori translation), is New Zealand’s only active marine volcano and perhaps the most accessible on earth, attracting scientists and volcanologists worldwide as well as many tourists.
The full Maori name for the island is 'Te Puia o Whakaari' meaning literally: 'The Dramatic Volcano.' It was named 'White Island' by Captain Cook on October 1, 1769 because it always appeared to be in a cloud of white steam. Although Cook went close to the island he failed to notice that it was a volcano.
Words cannot express the experience that is walking on the active crater floor of this unique lunar landscape, part of our Pacific 'Ring of Fire'. Located 52km’s off the Bay of Plenty Coastline the Islands active Volcanic vents, steaming Crater Lake, bubbling hot streams and desolate mining ruins combine to create a surreal experience. When present the sighting of Dolphins in the Pacific Ocean over which we fly contrast to create an awesome & inspiring excursion.
Stay Millennium Hotel
Day 15 Bay of Plenty, Coromandel Peninsula (B)
Travel north this morning to Tairua Harbour on the eastern side of the Coromandel Peninsula, a region where many kiwis choose to escape the bustle and stress of city life. This afternoon, we board the Hahei Explorer a state-of the-art rigid hull inflatable boat. The Explorer trip is an hour long, travels up to 12kms, and takes us into coastal Islands of the marine reserve, reefs, massive sea caves and bays, including the world famous Cathedral Cove. The magnificence of this natural volcanic scenery is legendary and the approach by sea, combined with an insightful yet relaxed commentary further enhances the experience. Marine life is all around and can be experienced close up because the boat is right in amongst the natural scenery. Smell the seaweed, watch gannets dive headlong around the islands, reach and touch the rainbow coloured rock formations and hear stories of Maori encampments. One of the leading attractions of this extraordinary volcanic coastline, when the tide is right, the tour visits an awesome blowhole, venturing through a sea cave underground into a gigantic rock cylinder 80 feet high - Truly a magical place! Photographic opportunities abound, so bring plenty of film!
Stay Pacific Harbour Lodge
Day 16 Coromandel Town, Auckland (B)
Today's journey takes us over the divide to the quaint goldmining township of Coromandel and on down the Thames Coast to Auckland, the 'City of Sails', New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences.
Stay Duxton Hotel
Day 17 Sail Auckland Harbour (B)
Today you have the opportunity to crew on an original America's Cup racing yacht. NZL40 was built for the 1995 America's Cup challenge in San Diego and you will have the chance to take the helm, trim on the grinders or simply sit back and relax and enjoy the action as you sail down the Auckland Harbour. The rest of today is free to follow your own pursuits.
Stay Duxton Hotel
Day 18 Depart Auckland (B)
Sadly your holiday is at an end and your tour arrangements end after breakfast this morning. Here we bid you farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
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Highlights & Inclusions
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- Group size won’t exceed 16 guests
- 16 nights superior hotel accommodation
- Overnight Milford Sound Nature Cruise
- Full breakfasts daily, 2 lunches & 2 dinners
- Domestic flight Queenstown to Rotorua
- Accompanied by Tour Host throughout
- 2 night stopovers in Christchurch, Nelson, Rotorua & Auckland
- 4 nights majestic Queenstown
- 4WD High Country experience & jet boat ride
- World-famous Tranz Alpine train
- Hanmer Springs Thermal Reserve
- Choice of whale watching or swimming with dolphins
- Cruise & walk Abel Tasman National Park
- Punakaiki Rocks & Blowhole
- Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers
- Milford Sound Nature Cruise
- Dart River Jet Boat Safari
- Traditional Maori hangi (feast) & Cultural evening
- Helicopter flight to White Island Volcano and guided tour
- Hahei Explorer boat excursion
- Explore the Coromandel Peninsula
- Sail a genuine America’s Cup racing yacht
- Complimentary airport transfers
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Departure Dates
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