|
TOUR CODE TAVNZ14
“STEAMERS, SPRINGS AND SPECIAL SHEEP DOGS”
A tour which shows off New Zealand's National Parks at their best.
 Day 1: Auckland - Waitomo – Rotorua
Travel south to Waitomo Caves for a boat ride under a galaxy of glow-worms. Continue east to Rotorua. We recommend you attend a Maori hangi (feast) and concert tonight. 2 nights Rotorua.
Day 2: At Rotorua
This morning see roaring geysers and boiling mud pools at the thermal area, tame trout at the springs PLUS performing sheep and dogs at the Agrodome. Afternoon is free.
Day 3: Rotorua - Taupo - Tongariro National Park
This morning drive south to Lake Taupo. Continue around the shores of the lake to the slopes of Mt Ruapehu, an active volcano. Overnight in Mt Ruapehu.
Day 4: Tongariro National Park – Wellington
The morning is free to explore. In the afternoon board your coach to journey to Wellington. 2 nights Wellington.
Day 5: At Wellington
This morning a half day tour of the city will take in the Parliament Buildings and 'Beehive', Old St Paul's Cathedral, panoramic views of the harbour and city from Mt Victoria. Afternoon is free.
Day 6: Wellington - Picton – Christchurch
Cross Cook Strait by ferry, to the Marlborough Sounds and Picton. The TranzCoastal train skims the spectacular coastline. Continue through North Canterbury to Christchurch. Overnight Christchurch.
Day 7: Christchurch – Glaciers
Board the renowned TranzAlpine train and cross the Canterbury Plains to the mountains, where Arthur’s Pass and the Otira Tunnel lead to the West Coast. Continue by coach through the narrow, bush clad, coastal plain. 2 nights in Fox or Franz Josef Glacier townships.
Day 8: At the Glaciers
A whole day is free and available for optional excursions on the Glacier.
 Day 9: Glaciers – Queenstown
Continue south into dense rain forest broken by rugged coastal vistas. Reach Lake Wanaka in the early afternoon, then continue through Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown. 3 nights Queenstown.
Day 10: At Queenstown
Today you have the choice of boarding the historic TSS Earnslaw steamer and enjoying lunch at a high country sheep station, or in the summer months, travelling south to Kingston to enjoy a trip on the Kingston Flyer, a vintage steam train.
Day 11: Queenstown - Milford Sound – Queenstown
An early start to Lake Te Anau, then into Fiordland National Park. View the majesty of Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls aboard a cruise on the Sound. Return to Queenstown this evening.
Day 12: Queenstown – Dunedin
Travel inland to Pukerangi where you will board the Taieri Gorge train for a journey through spectacular gorges and historic viaducts to Dunedin. Stay 2 nights in Dunedin.
Day 13: At Dunedin
This morning enjoy a double decker tour of the fascinating surroundings of Dunedin “the Edinburgh of the South”. This afternoon is free.
Day 14: Dunedin – Christchurch
Travel north through Oamaru, and Timaru, then across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch arriving early evening. Please note, no commentary is provided on this journey.
Please note – if you don’t have 14 days to spare there is a shorter 9 day option –
Back to Combined Island Tours.
|
