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:

• Monday

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