26 days - from $6390
? Explore the Bay of Islands & Waitomo Caves
? Discover art-deco Napier & Fox Glacier
? Cruise Doubtful Sound on the Fjordland Navigator
Aukland, caves & geysers
After exploring Auckland on North Island we head to the Hauraki Gulf island of Waiheke famous for its beaches, wineries & olive groves. Next it's on to Waipoua Kauri Forest and beautiful Hokianga Harbour to our seaside hotel. After a boat cruise in the Bay of Islands including the famous "hole in the rock" we return to Auckland and continue south for Waitomo Caves and onto Rotorua where we visit Rainbow Springs and the geyser area at Whakarewarewa. At Waiotapu we discover Lady Knox Geyser before exploring the pretty lakeside town of Taupo.
Napier, Wellington & Queen Charlotte Sound
At Hawkes Bay we discover the city of Napier, destroyed by an earthquake in 1931 and rebuilt in Art Deco style. After visiting the gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers, it's on to New Zealand's capital, Wellington, where there's time to ride the cable-car to the Botanical Gardens or walk along historic Tinakori Road. Taking the ferry across Cook Straight we reach Picton on South Island. A scenic drive around lower Queen Charlotte Sound takes us to Havelock and the pleasant city of Nelson. Travelling down the west coast we visit the famous Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki and the goldmining centre at Ross where you can try your hand at gold-panning.
Doubtful Sounds & Christchurch
From Fox Glacier we spend time in Queenstown before continuing south via Lake Manapouri to Doubtful Sound to spend a night on the Fiordland Navigator cruise ship. From the distinctly Scottish town of Dunedin we take a trip to see the yellow-eyed penguins at Penguin place before arriving at the enigmatic boulders of Moeraki Beach. From Oamaru we drive along the Waitaki River valley to Mt. Cook National Park where there's time for a boat trip or helicopter flight. A pleasant drive through the Canterbury countryside takes us to Akaroa, first settled by the French, where we can relax in one of the towns many cafes. After a boat trip in the harbour to look for Hector's dolphins our journey ends in the city of Christchurch.
Itinerary:
Day 1 Join Auckland. 2 In Auckland; visit the wineries at Waiheke island. 3 Visit Waipoua Kauri Forest; continue to Hokianga Harbour. 4 Visit Waitangi; boat cruise in Bay of islands. 5 Optional ferry excursion to Russel; return Aukland. 6 Drive Waitomo; optional cave visit; continue to Rotorua. 7 In Rotorua; visit agrodome, Rainbow Springs & Whakarewarewa geysers, Tamaki village. 8 Drive to Taupo via the Waiotapu Thermal Reserve. 9 Drive to Napier; Cape Kidnappers visit. 10 Art-Deco tour of Napier; bus to Wellington. 11 Free day for sightseeing in Wellington. 12 Ferry to Picton; visit Edwin Fox museum. 13 To Nelson via Queen Charlotte Sound; explore city. 14 Visit Nelson Lakes NP; continue to Punakaiki. 15 To Fox Glacier via Ross gold-mining centre and Franz Josef. 16 To Queenstown via Haast Pass. 17 In Queenstown; optional activities. 18 Via Lake Manapouri and Wilmot Pass to Doubtful Sound; overnight cruise. 19 Launch and bus to Dunedin. 20 Free in Dunedin; visit Albatross Colony & Penguins. 21 Drive via Moeraki Boulder Beach and Oamaru to Mt Cook NP. 22 Drive Tekapo; optional observatory visit. 23 To Akaroa. 24 In Akaroa; boat cruise; drive to Christchurch. 25 In Christchurch; explore town. 26 End Christchurch.
Accommodation: 20nts hotel, 3nts inn, 1nt chalet, 1nt cruise boat - standard accommodation throughout; 25 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 6 dinners included.
Transport: Bus/Ferry/On foot/Cruise Boat.
Comment: A comprehensive tour taking in the best of New Zealand, with a wide range of activities included or available to book locally. Easy day walks suitable for anyone with reasonable fitness.
Group: Approx. 14 to 22.
Staff: Explore Tour Leader plus driver, and some local guides.
Trip Reference: DNZ2010
