Quintessential New Zealand - New Zealand Trip of a Lifetime
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Travel Time:24 days / 23 nightsDeparts:AucklandPricing From:NZ$ 8370 per person - excluding flightsQuintessential New Zealand is a trip of a lifetime that takes in all the very best locations, experiences and people of New Zealand. From the tip of the North Island to the Fiords of the South Island, from beaches to lakes, Alps and valleys, it is all included. Choose to enjoy the entire 24 day journey or perhaps just portions of the itinerary that resonate just for you. Whatever you choose - New Zealand will dazzle you.
Synopsis
From the top of the North Island to the Fiords of the South Island, Quintessential New Zealand Itinerary takes in all of the very best New Zealand has to offer.
The white sandy beaches of the Bay of Islands, the beautiful Coromandel and the tourism mecca of Rotorua. The wine districts of the Hawkes Bay and Blenheim allow you to sample world renown New Zealand wines, while plenty of hiking throughout the country opportunities await. Enjoy a whale watch and dolphin viewing and experience the spectacular alpine resort town of Queenstown, offering endless adventure options.
While in the southern lakes distric, an overnight cruise on the spectacular Doubtful Sound is included. This New Zealand holiday will provide memories for a lifetime!
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Bay of Islands
Coromandel
Wanaka
Day 1 Upon arrival at Auckland International Airport, transfer to Kerikeri Airport (flight not included), collect your rental car and drive to your accommodation in Russell, Bay of Islands. Day 2 This morning drive to Kerikeri and join your flight to Cape Reinga on your Fly/Drive tour - this the only way to experience the Far North of New Zealand in its entirety as much of the East Coast of the North is unreachable by road and therefore an aircraft presents the ideal viewing platform for this area. Day 3 Spend the day cruising through the Bay of Islands... This day cruise is created for both nature lovers and those wanting to see all the highlights of the magnificent Bay of Islands in one day. Day 4 This morning drive south to Auckland. Enjoy the day exploring New Zealand's largest city. Day 5 Today drive to Mercury Bay on the Coromandel Peninsula. Later today explore The Coromandel region. Hot Water Beach is a surf beach with hot thermal springs that emerge on the beach itself. Check the tides, hire a spade and dig your own hot pool! Besides Hot Water Beach, Mercury Bay offers a beautiful coastline with Cathedral Cove being one of its jewels Day 6 Day at leisure enjoying The Coromandel - the place where New Zealanders go for holiday! Day 7 Today drive via Tauranga to Rotorua, world-famous for gushing geysers, bubbling mud pools, and a palpable sense of Maori culture both past and present. Day 8 Today is in Rotorua - Mt Tarawera & White Island Floatplane flight, Mitai Hangi. The scenic flight journey begins at Lake Rotorua and travels over the Crater Lakes District. Fly over Mt. Tarawera's Crater Rift and wonder at the massive destruction caused by the 1886 eruption. Continue south past the Steaming Cliffs and the hot lakes of Waimangu Volcanic Valley. Return to Rotorua over the Blue and Green Lakes, the geysers of Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, and Rotorua City. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an evening of Maori culture through a concert and a traditionally cooked meal. Day 9 Today drive to the Hawkes Bay via Taupo, a pretty lakeside town popular for recreational pursuits. With nearby thermal parks, plenty of backcountry for trekking, fishing & hunting and the lake itself, it is easy to understand why. Day 10 Today is at leisure. You could spend the morning exploring the Art Deco architecture of Napier, maybe join a tour to the Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony - Cape Kidnappers is the largest and most spectacular mainland nesting place for gannets in the world with up to 20,000 birds populate the colony on dramatic cliffs high above the Pacific Ocean. Day 11 Today drive to Wellington. Wellington is a compact city with its modern buildings complemented by traditional wooden houses that cover the surrounding hillsides. Day 12 Today begins in Wellington, Interislander Ferry to Picton, drive to Nelson. At Wellington Ferry Terminal return your rental car and board the Interislander. Enjoy the scenery from the deck of the famous Interislander as you cruise through the spectacularly beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound and cross the infamous Cook Strait between the North Island and 'The Mainland'. On arrival at Picton collect your rental car and drive to Nelson. Day 13 Today begins in Nelson, Abel Tasman Cruise. This morning drive to join a small group cruise, exploring the Abel Tasman's coastline past Split Apple Rock, Kaiteriteri, Marahau, round sandy bays, Adele and Fisherman Islands and on to Tonga Island seal colony. Day 14 Today drive to Blenheim. Blenheim, the heart of Marlborough, is renowned for wine - in particular Sauvignon Blanc. Just to the west of the town on the fertile Wairau Plains are some of New Zealand's finest wineries including labels like Cloudy Bay, Allan Scott and Shingle Peak. With good wine should come good food, a tip for dinner this evening? Herzog is a sure bet. Day 15 Today drive to Kaikoura. Kaikoura - Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. Other locals include New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Day 16 Today begins in Kaikoura, Whale Watch Cruise, drive to Christchurch. This morning enjoy a whale watch excursion. To see these wonderful creatures, you take to the water to view sperm whales rising from the deep to catch their breath before diving again into the Kaikoura Trench in search of food, a favorite being giant squid. Day 17 Day at leisure in Christchurch. A day to explore the Garden City - Early birds could take to the skies in a hot air balloon and drift over the Canterbury Plains with sweeping views of the Southern Alps. Other attractions include the very informative Antarctic Centre. Day 18 Today begins in Christchurch, Tranzalpine Train to Greymouth, Drive to Fox Glacier This morning return your rental car to Christchurch Airport. Private transfer to Christchurch Rail Station. Depart aboard the Tranzalpine Train to Greymouth. In a remarkably short journey - little more than 4 hours - The World famous TranzAlpine train travels between Christchurch and Greymouth Day 19 Today begins in Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier Helicopter flight, drive to Wanaka. This morning experience Fox Glacier and Mt Cook with a 30 minute helicopter flight with snow landing. This afternoon drive to Wanaka. Set in glacial valleys and surrounded by mountains, Lake Wanaka is a huge crystal clear lake which has drawn people to her edges for centuries Day 20 Today is at leisure in Wanaka. Wanaka with its picture-postcard mountain backdrop, namely the Mt Aspiring National Park, is not too busy, not too quiet and has plenty to offer the visitor. Day 21 Today drive to Manapouri. Check in for your overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound aboard the 'Fiordland Navigator'. Following a cruise across beautiful Lake Manapouri and a coach trip over Wilmot Pass, you will board the Fiordland Navigator at Deep Cove, Doubtful Sound. Enjoy the stunning views and discover the hidden arms of Doubtful Sound. Fur seals and bottlenose dolphins are often seen and penguins can be observed. Day 22 After breakfast you will disembark at Deep Cove and then cruise back across Lake Manapouri. Today drive to Queenstown. Queenstown is often described as the 'adrenalin capital' of the Southern Hemisphere - it caters for every white-knuckle, heart-pumping activity you've ever heard of (and even some you haven't). Day 23 Today is in Queenstown - Dart River Jetboat Safari. This morning drive out to Glenorchy for your Dart River Jetboat Safari - one of the most scenic Jet Boating trips in New Zealand. A 1 and half hour ride along the Dart River amongst towering mountains and the refreshingly beautiful wilderness of the Mt Aspiring National Park. Then take a short and easy walk, of 20-40 minutes, through ancient forests, unchanged for 80 million years. Hear an informative and entertaining commentary on the area and its history - including the quest by early Maori for highly prized pounamu (greenstone). Later this afternoon is at leisure... Day 24 Depart Queenstown Having travelled the length of New Zealand, it is time to drive out to Queenstown Airport and, in good time for your onward flights, return your rental car. As you walk out to your plane from the Terminal framed on one side by The Remarkables and Coronet Peak on the other you may well be thinking of your next visit to Aotearoa - 'Land of the Long White Cloud'.