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| Day 1 - Christchurch – Franz Josef |
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Day 12 - Nelson – Wellington |
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Board the TranzAlpine for your journey through the Southern Alps and later visit Hokitika for a Jade jewellery demonstration. Travel through the gold-mining town of Ross and continue to Franz Josef where you join your local expert glacier guide as he walks you to your viewing area at Franz Josef Glacier.
Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Country Retreat, Franz Josef. D
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Travel to the seaside town of Picton. Cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington.
Hotel: Museum Hotel, Wellington, 2 nights. B
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| Day 2 - Franz Josef – Queenstown |
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Day 13 - Wellington 'Free Time' |
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Time for an optional scenic flight over the glacier (weather permitting) or to take a dip in the local hot pools. Later travel over the Haast Pass then stop to explore the gold-mining town of Arrowtown followed by an orientation tour of Queenstown.
Hotel: Millbrook Resort, Queenstown, 2 nights. B
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Why not explore Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand? Perhaps go shopping or enjoy a meal at one of the many cafés. B
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| Day 3 - Queenstown 'Free Time' |
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Day 14 - Wellington – Napier |
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A day at leisure in Queenstown. Tonight you’ll ride the Skyline Gondola to Bob’s Peak for dinner.B D
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Travel along the Kapiti Coast through Masterton to Napier, the Art Deco city.
Hotel: Scenic Circle Te Pania Hotel, Napier. B
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| Day 4 - Queenstown - Milford Sound (BD) |
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Day 15 - Napier - Rotorua |
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Travel south along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. Later travel into the Fiordland National Park. Take time to explore the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout and the Chasm before arriving into Milford Sound for your overnight cruise.
Hotel: Milford Mariner, Milford Sound. B D
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Your local Napier guide takes you on a walking tour to show the different types of Art Deco architecture. Visit Taupo on the shores of Lake Taupo. View the Huka Falls and pass the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station. Visit the Whakarewarewa Village for an authentic look at how Maori live today. Top off the day with a Maori Hangi and concert.
Hotel: Princes Gate Hotel, Rotorua. B HD |
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| Day 5 - Milford Sound – Stewart Island |
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Day 16 Cambridge Farm Stay |
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Enjoy the many early morning activities on board. Perhaps take a walk on the foreshore or try kayaking on the Sound. Continue further south to Invercargill. This afternoon you’ll board your ferry at Bluff to cruise to Stewart Island.
Hotel: Bay Motel, Stewart Island, 2 nights. B
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Enjoy a view of life on the farm at the Agrodome Sheep Show. Visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park for a guided tour. Later you’ll travel to Cambridge where you will be collected by your local farm host for an overnight Farm Stay!
Hotel: Farm Stay, Cambridge. B D
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| Day 6 - Stewart Island |
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Day 17 - Farm Stay - Coromandel |
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Enjoy a Village and Bays tour before a cruise with lunch on Paterson Inlet. Stop at Ulva Island and spend time with native wildlife. Tonight you may want to try to spot kiwis in the native bush near your accommodation! B L
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Travel towards the Coromandel Ranges. We meet 'Kiwi Dundee' for a tour of the region and a look at native wildlife.
Hotel: Puka Park, Coromandel. B D
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| Day 7 Stewart Island - Lake Ohau |
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Day 18 - Coromandel - Auckland |
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Board your ferry and return to the mainland. Later stop to try local stone fruit at Cromwell. Enjoy views of Lake Dunstan, New Zealand’s largest man-made lake as you travel over the Lindis Pass.
Hotel: The Hermitage Hotel. B D
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Visit the Ruakuri Glow Worm Grotto for a guided tour. Travel to Auckland for a city tour before arriving at your hotel.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland. B
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| Day 8 Twizel - Christchurch |
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Day 19 - Auckland - Hokianga |
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Soak up the scenery with an optional scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting). See Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and travel across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Cotswold, Christchurch. B
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Travel to Orewa and the scenic Hibiscus Coast, birth place of Sir Edmund Hillary. Continue through the Waipoua Forest, home of the largest Kauri tree, Ta¯ne Mahuta, over 2,000 years old! Your Maori Guide will walk you through the native bush and explain the history and legend behind the mighty Kauri. Continue to your waterfront hotel in Hokianga.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Hokianga B D
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| Day 9 - Christchurch – Punakaiki |
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Day 20 - Hokianga – Bay of Islands |
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Journey over the Southern Alps through scenic Lewis Pass to Greymouth. Later, travel along the picturesque coast road to Punakaiki. Visit the fascinating Pancake Rocks and Blowholes before you overnight at your exclusive eco-friendly resort right on the waterfront at Punakaiki.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B D
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Depart Hokianga for Opua in the Bay of Islands. Cruise past Russell, the first European settlement in New Zealand. Enjoy the scenic delights of Roberton Island with its many lagoons. This evening drop anchor in a sheltered bay, where there’s time to try kayaking or snorkelling or perhaps take a guided walk on one of the islands with the experienced crew.
Cruise: Ipipiri B D
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| Day 10 - Punakaiki - Nelson |
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Day 21 Bay of Islands – Auckland |
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Soak up the scenic wilderness of the Heritage Highway through the impressive Buller Gorge and the Kahurangi National Park before arriving in Nelson. This afternoon you’ll visit the World of Wearable Arts and Collectable Cars.
Hotel: Trailways Hotel, Nelson, 2 nights. BD
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This morning there are many activities available to you – fishing, para-sailing or a scenic helicopter flight (all own expense). Later this morning you’ll disembark your cruise and transfer to Paihia for time at leisure. This afternoon you are transferred to Auckland, where your tour concludes. B |
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| Day 11 - Nelson 'Free Time' |
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Option to journey to the top of the South Island and enjoy a relaxing cruise in the Abel Tasman National Park. Perhaps try a short bush walk, relax in sunny Nelson or explore the many arts and craft shops. B
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(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (HD) Highlight Dinner
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