North & South Islands Discovery (15 nights)

North & South Islands Discovery (15 nights)

Christchurch (2) - Tranz Apline Train - Punakaiki (1 ) - Franz Joseph (1) - Wanaka (1) - Te Anau (2) - Queenstown (2) - Wellington (2) - Rotorua (2) - Auckland (2)

CHRISTCHURCH:

Described by Lonely Planet as a "vibrant city in transition, coping resiliently and creatively,” Christchurch's energy is evident wherever you go. The city has bounced back after the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 with innovative new attractions, as well as some old favourites.

Visit the Re Start container mall, the transitional Cardboard Cathedral, and some of the many pop up restaurants and bars. Contemporary art galleries, boutique shops and open-air markets add to Christchurch’s creative vibe.

About Christchurch

Traditionally known as the Garden City, Christchurch’s award winning Botanic Gardens are over 150 years old and boast an enviable collection of exotic and native plants.
The Avon River flows through the city centre so why not take an Edwardian punt ride while you're there
Vintage trams make their way around the city making it an great way to see the city sights. The tram car restaurant is also a popular way to enjoy a meal onboard the lovingly restored carriages
The city is nice and flat making a leisurely bike ride a great option in the summer months. Biking through the Botanic Gardens and stopping off for an ice cream is the perfect way to spend an afternoon
Banks Peninsula offers sightseeing day trips out to the French township of Akaroa with many interesting stops along the way

PUNAKAIKI - HOKITIKA :

Today you'll say goodbye to Christchurch as you board the scenic Tranz Alpine train that will take you across the island to the West Coast.

As you depart the fertile Canterbury Plains the landscape will begin to change as you traverse the mighty Southern Alps before descending through thick stands of native beech forest to your destination - Greymouth.

On arrival into Greymouth you will collect your rental car and head North to visit the remarkable rock fomations at Punakaiki. From there it's a short drive to Hokitika

About today's highlights

The Tranz Alpine train traverses the country in 4 hours. Your GPS triggered audio commentary will ensure you don't miss any details of the areas you are passing through.
The open air viewing carriage offers great opportunities to take some fantastic photos along the way
Punakaiki Rocks borders the Paparoa National Park. There is an all weather walk way around the 'pancake' rocks and blowholes giving you a close up look over this unique formation. The most dramatic time of day to visit is at high tide when the waves crash in around you.

Tranz Alpine Train crossing from Christchurch to Greymouth 4 hrs

Distance from Punakaiki to Hokitika - 83 kms / (1 hr 10)

Recommended Sightseeing: Tranz Alpine Scenic Train | Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

Recommended Accommodation: 5* Rimu Lodge

FRANZ JOSEPH:

Franz Joseph Glacier is the most accessible rivers of ice in the world, plunging down through rainforest almost to sea level. This provides a very rare opportunity to experience a dynamic glacier in a temperate environment. The best way to see the iridescent blue ice caves is by helicopter.

An early start today will have you arrive into Franz Joseph in time to take a helicopter flight and snow landing on the glacier.

About Franz Josef

Ten minutes’ drive north of the Franz Josef village is the beautiful Lake Mapourika, a great place for fishing, birdwatching and kayaking.
Ōkārito Lagoon New Zealand’s largest estuarine lagoon is a 20-minute drive north. It is well known for its walks and coastal birdlife, including the white heron and is the perfect way to end your day

Distance from Hokitika to Franz Joseph - 133 kms / (1 hr 40)

Recommended Sightseeing: Okarito Lagoon | Scenic Flight & Snow Landing

Recommended Accommodation 5* Hotel - Te Waonui Forest Retreat

WANAKA:

Wanaka first garnered interest when gold was discovered in the 1870's. Today it's the lake (New Zealand's 4th largest), Mt Aspiring National Park , Cardrona ski field, and the bi-annual Wanaka Air Show that attract thousands of visitors.

Wanaka is nestled on the shores of the pristine Lake Wanaka in the South Island’s high country (the region that formed the Middle Earth of the Lord of the Rings). This unforgettable resort town is surrounded by a halo of jagged snow-capped mountain ranges rising dramatically round it.

About Wanaka

Wanaka operates at a slower pace than neighbouring Queenstown, but if it's high energy activities you're looking for it's all here
Wanaka is also the home to some more unusual activities such as Puzzling World and the National Transport & Toy Museum - the largest collection of toys in the Southern Hemisphere
Locally produced wine abounds and seasonally available produce keeps local restaurants busy all year round
Make the most of the hundreds of kilometers of walking tracks without spending a dollar!
A short distance away is the glacial Mount Aspiring National Park – part of the World Heritage Site. This historic alpine world is a must see and a true marvel of nature.

Distance from Franz Joseph to Wanaka - 258 kms / (3 hrs 40)

Recommended Sightseeing:     Scenic Highlights Tour  | Flight Seeing & Peak Picnic   |

Vintage Bi-Plane Flight   | Guided Bike Ride  |  Puzzling World

Recommended Accommodation   5* Luxury Lodge -    Minaret Station | Mahu Whenua Lodge

Recommended Accommodation   5* Hotels / Apartments  -   River Run Lodge   | Lakeside Apartments   |

Tin Tub

TE ANAU :

As one of the most dramatic and beautiful parts of New Zealand, Fiordland has achieved World Heritage status and is often called the Sightseeing and Walking Capital of the world.

The best base for exploring the Fiordland region is the attractive resort town of Te Anau. From here it is an easy two hours drive to Milford Sound and twenty minutes drive to Lake Manapouri and the start of a Doubtful Sound excursion.

About Te Anau

The road from Te Anau to Milford Sound is considered to be one of the world's finest alpine drives.
The township lies at the base of Mt Luxmore and the Murchison mountain range. It boarders Lake Te Anau which is the largest lake in the South Island (depths of over 400m) and the second largest in New Zealand.
Te Anau is the main gateway to the fiords, Fiordland National Park and Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Area.

By road it’s a 2 hour drive from Queenstown and about 2 ½ hours from Milford Sound.

Distance from Wanaka to Te Anau - 227 kms / (3 hrs)

Recommended Sightseeing:    Milford Sound Nature Cruise  | MiIlford Sound Overnight Cruise  |

Half Day Kepler Track Guided Walk   | Glow Worm Caves   |   Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Recommended Accommodation: 4* Lodge -    Fiordland Lodge

QUEENSTOWN:

Welcome to Queenstown - the 'Adventure Capital of New Zealand'

Located in the south-western alpine region of the South Island, Queenstown is the most iconic tourist destination in the country sitting snugly around a pristine inlet on the sparkling Lake Wakatipu. The region around Queenstown is characterised by jagged mountain ranges, deep canyons, wild cascading rivers, crystal-clear lakes, rain forest, tussock grassland and fresh mountain air – in short this region one of nature’s finest marvels.

About Queenstown

Queenstown offers a dizzying array of activities from those that involve throwing yourself off a bridge, airplane or mountain top, to the more gentle excursions that are guaranteed to keep your feet on the ground at all times!
This resort town is a great place to visit throughout the seasons, with spring and autumn becoming more popular as it's a good way to avoid the summer crowds
Be sure to get out in to the regions where the gold mining past remains part of the current landscape.
Wine making is a booming part of the area with Pinot Noir being a favourite drop both locally and internationally. Wine tours are well worth your time as the locations of the vineyards are nothing less than spectacular
Local produce features highly in your culinary experience in and around Queenstown with venison, stone fruits and wild thyme honey being a few of the ingredients you can expect to enjoy

WELLINGTON:

Welcome to Wellington, dubbed "the coolest little capital in the world" (Lonely Planet) and it is!

Our capital city is small but perfectly formed as it sits on a picturesque harbour with sweeping views. The inner city blends history with a creative energy, and a thriving art scene. Wellington also boasts fantastic coffee and a wide range of food options from fine dining to fun night markets and food trucks.

About Wellington

It's compact and very cosmopolitan and is best seen by foot as you'll be wanting to enjoy the city vibes at a leisurely pace
On a sunny day be sure to take a stroll along Oriental Parade which is where you'll find a golden sand inner city beach. It's a great place to people watch, enjoy a cold craft beer or take the plunge to cool off.
Being a noted foodie city a walking food tour is a great way to experience the best of what the city has to offer
Street art is a everywhere and you can take a free self guided walk picking up a map showing the way.
Museums and art galleries are a must, with Te Papa being the most visited museum in the country. It's modern and hands on, so perfect if travelling with children of all ages
The cable car is another must do to enjoy panoramic views of the city and harbour as you go.
Weta Workshop - say no more, as this is a highlight tour for young and old

ROTORUA :

The first thing you'll notice as you arrive into Rotorua is the strong smell of sulpha that permeates the air! Sitting within the Pacific Rim of Fire, Rotorua is renowned for its fascinating Maori culture, hot springs, boiling mud pools, spouting geysers, warm geothermal springs and native forests.

Rotorua is an area rich in Maori history and is home to the Te Arawa people who settled here some 600 years ago. Today they offer you the opportunity to experience authentic traditional Maori culture in it's many forms from a 'Kapa Haka' concert to watching local craftsmen carving and weaving just as their ancestors have done for hundreds of years.

About Rotorua

Visit the geothermal wonders that have captivated tourists for hundreds of years. Watch the giant geysers erupt and bubbling mud pools blip away as you pass by
Spend an entertaining evening at a traditional 'Hangi' (underground bbq cooked with hot rocks) and 'Kapa Haka' show, which is the traditional chants, choral singing and skillful use of 'Poi' and sticks. No night out at these shows is complete with out a 'Haka' or war dance to complete your cultural experience.

Soak in a naturally heated outdoor hot pool, smother yourself with the healing mud before washing off and feeling like you've just stepped out of a very expensive spa!
If the great outdoors is what you're after then Rotorua has it all, from epic bike trails, zip lining, treetop canopy walks, and options to get out on the crystal clear lakes that abound
Take in a farm tour for an upclose look at how a typical New Zealand farm operates
Helicopter out to White Island where you will land on this living steaming volcano

Distance from Wellington to Rotorua - 452 kms / (5hrs 40)

Recommended Sightseeing:   Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Reserve  |   Mitai Maori Village Cultural Evening Hangi  |
Te Puia Thermal and Maori Cultural Centre  |    Waimangu  Volcanic Valley walk and Boat Cruise  |

Rotorua Canopy Tours  |  Redwoods Treewalk | Wingspan Falconry  |    Volcanic Air Tour White Island

Recommended Accommodation 5* Luxury Lodges   -   Treetops Lodge |   Solitaire Lodge

Recommended Accommodation   Superior 4* Hotel -    Lodge The Black Swan

AUCKLAND via WAITOMO CAVES :

Today you'll say goodbye to Rototura and make your way back to Auckland. En-route you'll stop to visit the fascinating Waitomo Caves to view the glow worms who are unique to New Zealand.

Thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as they cling to the roof and sides of the caves. Your guide will give a full commentary on their history and the caves in which they live before continuing on to your final destination - Auckland.

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city and sits at between two harbours. Geographically blessed the city is surrounded by wonderful beaches, native forrests and a series of volcanic cones.

With a warm temperate climate, outdoor activities are enjoyable most of the year round. Culturally diverse the city offers an array of colourful festivals and concerts over the summer months, and has a thriving arts scence to explore.

About Auckland

Walking, hiking and biking options are in close proximity and cater for all levels of experience

Visit vastly different coast lines in a day from the wild black sand beaches on the West Coast then on to the gentle white sand beaches on the East Coast

Known as the 'City Of Sails' there are opportunities to get out on the harbour and try your hand at sailing an America's Cup yacht

Thanks to a culturally diverse population dinning options are endless offering the best from all cultures in both a casual or fine dinning setting.
Waiheke Island is a 35 min ferry ride from the city and offers wonderful beaches, great wineries and eateries plus a relaxed laid back atmosphere loved by all who visit

Distance from Rotorua to Waitomo Caves - 138 kms / (1hr 50)

Distance from Waitomo Caves to Auckland - 195 kms/ (2 hrs 30)

Recommended Sightseeing:      Waiheke Island Food & Wine Tour | Waiheke Island Sights & Artisan Tour    |

America's Cup Sailing  |   City & Beaches Tour | Sea Plane Flight Seeing       | Auckland Harbour Cruise | Sky Tower

Recommended Accommodation 5* Hotels -   Sofitel   |    Hilton   | Sky City Grand

Waitomo Caves

GET A QUOTE

YOUR CART