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Including Tranz Alpine & Tranz Coastal Train Options
Attractions in bold print are included in your tour cost. TOUR MEAL PLAN : Dinner (D) Breakfast (B) Room Only (R) Specialty Dinner regardless of meal plan (S)
MON: DAY 1 - CHRISTCHURCH/MT COOK/OMARAMA (D)
Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road , Christchurch at 8.00am. Please be there by 7.30am. You may wish to reconfirm this by phoning Kirra Tours Office the preceding business day between 9.00am and 5.00pm.
A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before travelling across the Canterbury Plains into the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo . Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook National Park. Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama. Your overnight accommodation is at the Heritage Gateway Hotel .
TUE: DAY 2 - OMARAMA/DUNEDIN (B,D)
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin - the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton 's Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion, or just explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to dinner, you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Cargills Hotel .
WED: DAY 3 - DUNEDIN/LAKE MANAPOURI/TE ANAU (B,D)
Visit historic Olveston House , then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Fiordland National Park Hotel .
THU: DAY 4 - TE ANAU/MILFORD SOUND/QUEENSTOWN (B,S)
Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys , pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak . A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls . Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant , where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Queenstown Hotel .
FRI: DAY 5 – QUEENSTOWN (B, D)
A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the historic Earnslaw. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Queenstown Hotel.
SAT: DAY 6 - QUEENSTOWN/HAAST PASS/FOX GLACIER (B, D)
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lake's edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora and into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face (daylight hours permitting). Your overnight accommodation is at the Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier.
SUN: DAY 7 - FOX GLACIER/GREYMOUTH/CHRISTCHURCH (B, D)
Time this morning for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. The snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass glades of dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery.
***For the rest of today and the start of tomorrow, you will be leaving the coach for your train journeys. We suggest that you leave your suitcase on the coach and only take an overnight bag with you.***
On to Greymouth to join the Tranz Alpine train for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. Through rainforests and past Lake Brunner to Otira, beneath the high snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass, follow the rugged Gorges of the Waimakariri River and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Please note: From mid March to mid October it starts getting dark as the Tranz Alpine train journey nears its completion.
Your overnight accommodation is at the Pavilions Hotel .
MON: DAY 8 - CHRISTCHURCH/BLENHEIM/PICTON/WELLINGTON (B, D)
Join the Tranz Coastal train for a kaleidoscope of scenery, through Christchurch, across Canterbury farmland to the Hundalee Ranges. Follow the Pacific coastline, with the Kaikoura mountains forming a rugged backdrop to the west, passing tiny holiday settlements and Kaikoura, famous for whale-watching. You will arrive into Blenheim at approximately 11.45am, where you will disembark the train. You now have free time to explore Blenheim and perhaps get some lunch. If you have too much luggage to carry around with you, you may leave it with the staff at the Visitor Information Office (Ph: (03) 577 8080) located at Blenheim Train Station. Please return to Blenheim Train Station by 2.15pm, where your Coach Captain will meet you and you will rejoin the coach. A short tour of the area includes a visit to the Montana Winery for a complimentary tasting and afternoon tea . On to Picton for an evening Interislander ferry cruise to Wellington . Your Coach Captain will give you a NZD$30 voucher per person to be redeemed for food & beverage for your evening meal aboard the ferry. If your order exceeds this amount, you may pay the difference direct. If the order is less than this amount there will be no cash refunds. Sail through the picturesque and sheltered waterways of Queen Charlotte Sound, pass remote bays and isolated holiday homes. Then sail across Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand's Capital City. Your overnight accommodation is at the Bay Plaza Hotel .
TUE: DAY 9 – WELLINGTON/TAUPO/ROTORUA (B, D)
A city sightseeing tour will cover the key points of interest, the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and harbour, Oriental Parade and the Houses of Parliament. Drive north to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and on a clear day, the South Island. Cross the Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin and Foxton to Bulls. Across rolling farmland to the central North Island National Park dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt. Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake and famous for trout fishing. Stop at Huka Falls skirting massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua.
WED: DAY 10 - ROTORUA (B, S)
A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand's various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and native birds including the Kiwi. Visit Te Puia for the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka. Your overnight accommodation is at the Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua.
THU: DAY 11 – ROTORUA/BAY OF ISLANDS (B, D)
Cross the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to the lush farmlands of the Waikato region, noted for dairy farming and world famous horse studs. The Bombay Hills signal your approach to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. A tour will include it's waterfront drive, prestigious residential suburbs and numerous yacht marinas, the Domain and central city area with the highlight being a visit the summit of Skytower, at 328 metres the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere which allow for incredible views of the city, it's harbour and surrounding volcanic cones. Continue north to Warkworth and other coastal communities to the city of Whangarei then Kawakawa to reach Paihia in the picturesque Bay of Islands. Your overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Paihia .
FRI: DAY 12 - BAY OF ISLANDS (B, D)
A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many optional activities available. Your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. A full day Tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's northern most point and Ninety Mile Beach or explore historic Russell, New Zealand's first settlement, and visit its original Church, Mission House and Museum. Alternatively visit nearby Kerikeri, play golf at the Waitangi Course or relax in Paihia. Your overnight accommodation is at the Hotel Paihia .
SAT: DAY 13 - BAY OF ISLANDS/ AUCKLAND (B)
A launch cruise will take you across the Bay and world acclaimed fishing grounds to Cape Brett and the famous “Hole in the Rock”. Return to Paihia where you will be met by a local Maori guide who will travel with you to the famous Waitangi Treaty House and Grounds, providing you with a detailed history and commentary on the area and of the Treaty of Waitangi. Once at the Treaty House and Grounds, you are free to explore at your own pace. Board your coach for the return journey south enjoying undulating landscapes with fine coastal scenery. Approaching Auckland the city's skyline comes into view then cross the Harbour Bridge to complete your journey.
Your tour concludes at approximately 5.30pm. > return to top <
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