State: New Zealand
Operator: Adventure Express
Minimum Price: AUD $ 1,930 Begin this delightful tour in New Zealand's capital - Wellington,
before crossing the Queen Charlotte Sound to the South Island and the
winery region of Blenheim. Then discover the best of the sightseeing
attractions the South Island offers. You have the option to finish the
tour with the famous Tranz Alpine rail journey.
Highlights:
- Sightseeing tours of Christchurch and Dunedin
- Scenic cruise
Wellington–Picton
- Montana Winery visit with tasting and afternoon tea
- Spectacular Kaikoura Coast
- World renowned Mt Cook Region
- Massive
man-made Hydro Electric schemes
- Traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony
- The might of Milford Sound
- Te Anau Glow-worm caves
- Spectacular
Southern Lakes region
- Earnslaw Cruise and Dinner in Historic
Homestead
- Remote National Parks of Westland and Fiordland
- West
Coast Glaciers
- Visit Greenstone (Jade) Factory
- International
Antarctic Centre
- Christchurch Sightseeing Tram
- Olveston House
- Milford Sound Launch Cruise
Itinerary:
Day 1 Arrive Wellington:
Welcome to New Zealand! Kirra Tours will greet you at the airport, with transport waiting to take you to your hotel.
Bay Plaza Hotel (1 night)
Day 2 Wellington / Picton / Blenheim
Join the Interislander Ferry for a scenic cruise to
the South Island with views of the City and its
hillside suburbs. Cross Cook Strait into the
sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound,
bush clad hillsides remote bays and isolated
holiday homes. In Picton, you are welcomed by
your South Island Coach Captain. Explore Picton
then drive to Blenheim for an afternoon’s
sightseeing and a visit to the Montana Winery
for a complimentary tasting and afternoon tea.
Blenheim Country Hotel (1 night)
Day 3 Blenheim / Kaikoura / Christchurch
Past Lake Grassmere then follow the coastline
to Kaikoura, an area noted for whale watching.
Over the Hundalee Ranges and onto the
Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of
Christchurch. Visit the International Antarctic
Centre before a city tour highlighting a strong
English influence. See the parklands and River
Avon before boarding the Tourist Tram for a
circuit of the city centre which showcases all
the main points of interest. Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Day 4 Christchurch / Mt Cook / Omarama
Cross the broad Canterbury Plains with the
Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills
near Geraldine to the barren MacKenzie
Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd
dedicated to the early pioneers of the region
and the Collie Dog memorial overlooking the
milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Time for a
spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes
and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional). Visit Mt
Cook National Park, with time to enjoy the
scenic majesty of New Zealand’s highest snow
capped peaks before travelling around Lake
Pukaki to Twizel and Omarama. Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)
Day 5 Omarama / Dunedin
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 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.
Cargills Hotel (1 night)
Day 6 Dunedin / Lake Manapouri / Te Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the
agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri with its
rugged bushclad mountains before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau.
Fiordland National Park Hotel (2 nights
Day 7 Milford Sound Day Trip
A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and
Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach
to the roads edge and snow capped peaks
tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon
to Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A
launch cruise takes you to the open sea and
shows such highlights as the Bowen and
Stirling Falls. Time to relax and appreciate your
surroundings. Walk into the rainforest to visit
The Chasm a spectacular waterfall then pause
at the Homer Tunnel. If conditions permit, your
Coach Captain may make a short drive into the
Lower Hollyford Valley. Return to Te Anau.
Day 8 Te Anau / Queenstown
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing
water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow
worms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to Kingston
and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This
evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for
dinner in the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
Rydges Hotel (2 nights)
Day 9 Queenstown
A day to explore the delights of this
alpine resort. Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers
Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw.
Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your
Coach Captain will be pleased to advise.
Day 10 Queenstown / Haast Pass / Fox Glacier
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 lakes
edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the
upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into the
Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to
the magnificent glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters
or take the optional guided walk to the glacier’s terminal face.
Fox Glacier Hotel (1 night)
Day 11 Fox Glacier / Greymouth / Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to
Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass
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. Now join the Tranz Alpine train for
one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. Through
rainforests to Otira, snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps, the rugged
Gorges of the Waimakariri river and across the Canterbury Plains to
Christchurch.
OR ...
Day 11 Fox Glacier / Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight
over the glaciers then north to Greymouth to visit a Greenstone (Jade)
factory to see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create
fine jewellery. Cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass to the
Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch.
Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Day 12 Christchurch / Home
Today is goodbye to all your new found friends before you make your
homeward journey. You will be transferred to Christchurch International
Airport to join your flight home.
What's Included?
- A warm welcome at the Airport on arrival to begin your tour
- Transfers Airport - Hotel - Airport at the beginning and end of your tour
- Quality, twin share or double accommodation
- A hearty cooked breakfast each morning (Optional, recommended)
- A 3 course multi choice dinner each evening (Optional, recommended)
- Travel in luxurious, well appointed and fully air conditioned tour coaches
- Escorted by a professional Coach Captain
- An informative commentary as you travel
- Comprehensive sightseeing admission fees as detailed with each itinerary
- Cook Strait ferry crossing where applicable
- Baggage handling / porterage
- Travel kit including travel bag, ticket wallet, notebook, pen, postcards, maps and itinerary
- GST
Notes: Special Departure Dates: Departs Saturdays & Monday's from May through to December 2007
Departs Saturdays & Mondays from January through to December 2008
Trip Duration: 12 days
Departs from: Wellington
Tour Ends: Christchurch
Departure Days:
All Prices: 01 May 2007 to 30 Sep 2007 $1930pp
01 Oct 2007 to 31 Jan 2008 $2180pp
01 Feb 2008 - 30 Apr 2008 $2250pp
01 May 2008 to 30 Sep 2008 $1930pp
Breakfast (11)Supplement add $165
Dinner (9) Supplement add $260
Tranz Alpine Day 11 add $120
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