Best of New Zealand. 14 Days

Tour 402.         BEST OF NEW ZEALAND. Driver escorted small group tour.

14 days/13 Nights. Commence Auckland every sunday year round for a minimum of 2 subject to availability of driver guide and vehicle. Please note we may use different driver/guides and vehicles for different sections of the tour.                                             

AUCKLAND - KAURI MUSEUM AND FOREST - HOKIANGA HARBOUR - BAY OF ISLANDS CRUISE - KERI KERI - CAPE REINGA - RUSSELL - AUCKLAND - WAITOMO CAVES - HOBBITON - ROTORUA - TE PUIA THERMAL AREA - AGRODOME FARM SHOW  - CHRISTCHURCH - LAKE TEKAPO - MT COOK - QUEENSTOWN - ARROWTOWN - LAKE TE ANAU - MILFORD SOUND CRUISE - (DOUBTFUL SOUND OPTION) - LAKE WANAKA - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER - (TRANZ ALPINE TRAIN" option) - CHRISTCHURCH 

Unsolicited comment from past clients: 

Hi Steve - just wanted you to know how much we enjoyed our BEST OF NEW ZEALAND tour. All of the drivers were excellent, as were the accommodations. You certainly put together a great package, and I enjoyed meeting you the first morning in Auckland. I'll be sure to pass along my completely positive comments to anyone who may be wanting to travel in that wonderful area of the world. (C.S. USA). For more comments see the end of the itinerary!

Day 1. Sunday.                     AUCKLAND ARRIVE
Arrive Auckland and you will be met and transferred to your hotel. 

WHY NOT ARRIVE AUCKLAND EARLIER AND ENJOY MORE TIME IN NEW ZEALAND'S LARGEST AND MOST VIBRANT CITY.   Extra cost per person per night..  2 per room..  $160. Single room $290. 

Day 2. Monday.     AUCKLAND - KAURI FORESTS - HOKIANGA -  BAY OF ISLANDS                                 (BL)
Depart Auckland 7.30am and drive north over the Harbour Bridge and on to the Otamatea Kauri and Early Settlers Museum - the best little museum in New Zealand!. See the amazing displays of kauri gum and early settlers way of life before continuing through Dargaville to the Waipoua forest. Visit "Tane Mahuta" giant kauri tree - some 2,000 years old and enjoy the views of the Hokianga Harbour and sand dunes. A traditonal 'fish and chips' lunch is  included on the shores of the Hokianga Harbour (vegetarian option available if preordered). Continue to the  Waitangi Treaty House where the Treaty of Friendship between Maori and the British Government was signed in 1840, the beautifully carved meeting house and see the great war canoe and new Waitangi Museum.  Accommodation in Bay of Islands for 2 nights 

Day 3. Tuesday.              CAPE REINGA EXCURSION               (BL)
Travel by special coach to Ninety Mile Beach for a drive on the sands and see the amazing Te Paki sand dunes and quicksand. Visit Cape Reinga lighthouse and see the meeting of the Tasman Sea and Pacific Ocean. Return to Paihia early evening. Picnic lunch is included today.

FLY/ROAD TO CAPE REINGA: For a shorter day, a bigger experience, and fabulous scenery not seen from the ground transfer from your hotel to Kerikeri airport and fly north over Ninety Mile beach to land near Cape Reinga. Your special vehicle will be waiting for a 2.5 hour (approx) land tour to Te Paki stream and massive sand dunes on Ninety Mile beach, Cape Reinga light house, Tapotupotu Bay. Fly back to Keri Keri via the fabulous coastal scenery of Parengarenga Harbour, Great Exhibition Bay, Houhora Harbour, Karikari Peninsula, Whangaroa Harbour, Cavalli Islands and Bay of Islands. Return to Kerikeri airport and transfer back to you hotel. Departs twice daily in summer, once daily in winter - extra cost instead of coach $360 per adult. Total time from Paihia approximately 5 hours

Day 4. Wednesday.       BAY OF ISLANDS - AUCKLAND          (B)
Enjoy a cruise around the beautiful Bay of Islands this morning to Cape Brett and pass through the 'hole in the rock' - weather permitting. Cruise past the islands and into secluded bays. Usually dolphins are to be seen during this cruise. Disembark at historic Russell for a short tour and see the oldest church in New Zealand and Pompallier House. Return to Auckland early evening with a short stop at the Whangarei boat harbour en route.. 

Day 5.Thursday. AUCKLAND - WAITOMO CAVES - HOBBITON - ROTORUA              (BL)      

Depart Auckland 7.30am and drive south over the Bombay Hills and along the banks of the Waikato River to Waitomo Caves for a guided tour through the main limestone cave and cruise through the glowworm grotto. (45 minute tour) 

Visit Lake Karapiro, home of New Zealand rowing, and the Karapiro hydro dam on the Waikato River, at 425 km this is New Zealand's longest river.

Continue to Hobbiton and the Shires Rest to join your guided tour of the Hobbiton Movie set, made famous by "Lord of the Rings, and "Hobbit" films. Drive through part of the picturesque 500 hectare (1,250 acre) sheep and cattle farm and your guide will escort you through the 10 acre Hobbiton site. See the Hobbit Holes, Bag End (Bilbo and Frodo Baggins home), go 'Beyomd the Door' into a Hobbit home, and see the Party Tree, Lake, The Mill, and the Green Dragon Inn, and learn how this Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth. Enjoy an included cold drink from the Green Dragon Inn and continue to Rotorua. Accommodation usually at Millennium Hotel.

Day 6. Friday.              ROTORUA              (BD)          

Enjoy  a guided tour of the Te Puia thermal to see bubbling mud pools, famed Pohutu geyser, and to visit the Maori carving and weaving school. Continue to the Agrdome farm show for an introduction to 19 types of sheep and see the amazing sheep dogs working. Ride the Skyline gondola for a panoramic view over the lake and city, and with luge and lunch options - extra expense. You have time to relax in the hot thermal waters of the Polynesian Spa, walk the Redwood forest canopy, scenic floatplane flight over the volcanic lakes and mountains, or white water raft. All activities this afternoon are extra expense). This evening enjoy an introduction to Maori culture with an exciting concert, and hangi steam cooked dinner. (Your driver will usually return to Auckland this evening).

Day 7. Saturday.           ROTORUA - CHRISTCHURCH             (B)                   

Fly south to Christchurch and enjoy a tour of introduction to Christchurch en route to your accommodation including the Port Hills, Sumner Beach, and the central city area.

Day 8. Sunday.  CHRISTCHURCH - TEKAPO - MT COOK  (B)

Depart Christchurch 8.30am and drive across the Canterbury Plains and over Burkes Pass to Lake Tekapo. See the Church of the Good Shepherd and sheep dog monument before driving along the shores of amazing Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. You have time to visit the National Park headquarters, Sir Edmund Hillary centre, or take an optional ski plane or helicopter flight to land on the snows of the Glacier. (All activities are extra expense - flights are weather dependent).

Day 9. Monday.           MT COOK - QUEENSTOWN      (B)

Drive south through the McKenzie Country with a short visit to a Salmon farm and over the Lindis Pass to the fruit growing region of Cromwell, and on to Queenstown arriving early afternoon. The afternoon and evening are free for your own activities. We recommend a Shotover Jet boat ride, Skyline gondola and luge, and a cruise across Lake Wakatipu on the historic steamer "Earnslaw" to the Walter Peak sheep station. Maybe take a journey along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to beautiful Glenorchy.  All activities today are  extra expense.

"Earnslaw" cruise and barbecue at Walter Peak. Lunch cruise 12pm -   3.45pm.   $199............ Dinner cruise 5pm - 9pm, or 6pm-10pm.  $199

Day 10.     QUEENSTOWN- Milford Sound tour and cruise.     (BL)
A day of magnificent scenery as we drive along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and across Southland farming country to Lake Te Anau for a brief stopover then on into the heart of the Fiordland National Park travelling through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys. Visit the Mirror Lakes and drive through the Homer tunnel before we arrive in Milford Sound. Board your cruise to travel the length of Milford Sound under majestic Mitre Peak. See the seal colony and Bowen Falls before retracing our steps to Queenstown. A picnic lunch is included during your cruise. 
CRUISE MAGNIFICENT DOUBTFUL SOUND OPTION
Enjoy Doubtful Sound instead of Milford sound. cruise across Lake Manapouri and drive over Wilmot Pass to cruise the length of Doubtful Sound before returning to Manapouri and Queenstown - extra cost $150

Day 11. Wednesday.  QUEENSTOWN - WANAKA - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER.

Depart 10am to the historic gold mining centre of Arrowtown for a short visit. Visit the remains of the Chinese village and you have time to visit the museum and shops before continuing  north to Lake Wanaka for a brief stop (optional admission to Puzzling World - own expense)  before heading over the Haast Pass to the rainforest of the West Coast. Continue north with  amazing vistas of the coastline and a photo stop at Knights Point. Continue to Fox Glacier and visit beautiful Lake Matheson then on  to  the Franz Josef Glacier. Overnight Scenic Franz Josef Hotel.

Day 12.  Thursday.  FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER – HOKITIKA        (B)

Optional scenic flights to land on the glacier if you were unable to do them at Mt Cook.  Visit the Glacier car park and it is about a 30 minute return hike to the glacier lookout (limited views). Shorter walks available.  Optional scenic helicopter flights which is now really the only way to see Franz Josef Glacier. Drive north to Treetops for an exciting walk above the forest canopy and enjoy an eco cruise on the Lake Mahinapua waterways (cruise not available May - October - deduct $50 from tour cost).. Continue to Hokitika. Usually jade carvers and maybe a glass blower will be at work.  Accommodation Beachfront Hotel in Hokitika or some groups may stay at Punakaiki Resort

Day 13. Friday.    HOKITIKA - PUNAKAIKI - CHRISTCHURCH.   (B)

Drive north to the beautiful Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. Explore the area before returning to Greymouth for a short tour and visit the recreated gold mining village of Shantytown to ride the steam train and pan for gold.  Drive over spectacular Arthurs and Porters Passes and the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Arrive Christchurch airport about 5.00pm and Christchurch city about 5.30pm.

Option to join the "Tranz Alpine express" for one of the most scenic train journeys in the world across the Southern Alps to Christchurch arriving late afternoon. You will be transferred back to your accommodation - extra cost including transfers $250. 

Day 14. Saturday.           CHRISTCHURCH DEPART                   (B)
You will be transferred to the airport for departure. 
                                   

More unsolicited comments from past passengers

We consider ourselves very lucky to join your tour package. We had a wonderful time in your beautiful country. Every day there is new scenery and excitement to enjoy. the drivers are courteous, resourceful, and always ready to satisfy customers special needs. This is our first time to join a customised and small scale group. We find it much more enjoyable than huge coaches. (D.C. Toronto, Canada).  

Our trip was terrific and beyond all expectations. You and Des were great tour guides and you surely provided us with wide coverage of New Zealand. Everything went like clockwork. (J and A D. CA USA ) 

Hello Steve, we want to thank you for a fantastic journey through New Zealand. This is an experience to remember for a lifetime. I would like your business cards to pass out to my friends. (M.S. USA).    

Sorry we missed meeting you! We had a wonderful trip, thanks to your terrific planning. Please feel free to give us as references for Americans who may want to call us. (C and A Carron. Virginia. USA).

I'm a Japanese working holiday maker. I enjoyed myself on your tour. Your service is very good, especially the quality of drivers is excellent. They tried to make our tour enjoyable all the time. I'd like to join your tour again. (Y.Y Japan). 

My family and I are still talking about the great trip in New Zealand. It is an occasion that will be long remembered. (T.S. Indonesia). 

Thanks very much for making our trip to New Zealand a pleasant one and enjoyable. We'll recommend you to our friends back in Israel. (L and J. Israel).

When we first entered the Tourist Information Bureau in Auckland to arrange a trip through New Zealand we had only a very vague idea of what we were after. We did not want to be part of a large group shepherded here and there but at the same time we did not want to travel independently. They recommended your tour. We have just completed a 10 day 2 island tour and felt that you should know how much we enjoyed it - it suited our requirements very well. We considered ourselves very fortunate in our driver/guide who looked after us very well and whose knowledge of all facts connected with your country was very impressive. (M.B. Scotland). 

Our sincere thanks for all the pleasant arrangements in transport, lodging, and sightseeing. We are very grateful for the comfortable lodging. Not only were we able to have such wonderful experience in travelling in small group but also to feel at peace of the safety and guidance of our driver. (J.H and M.L. Singapore).             

Thank you for arranging the tour for us. It made our trip more fun, NZ is such a great place. I love everything. (Kimi and Mikio. Japan).