14 Day New Zealand Highlights

Experience New Zealand's Highlights, onboard AAT Kings luxury air-conditioned coach, with reclining seats, and panoramic windows. On this 14 day fully escorted New Zealand tour, your experienced Tour Guide & Driver will take you on an informative and scenic adventure, as you travel across the north and south islands on your next New Zealand holiday.

Visit spectacular sights such as the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, Mt Cook National Park and enjoy a ride on the Christchurch Tram and a champagne breakfast cruise aboard the Lakeland Queen on Lake Rotorua. Explore Christchurch and Queenstown your way - as there is plenty of free time, where you can get away from the crowds and soak up the atmosphere or go wild and experience the adrenaline filled jet boat rides, white water rafting or bungy jumping!

With such a great itinerary, you are sure to experience New Zealand in a way you never thought possible! With plenty of free time and staying longer at each destination, you are able to enjoy some fantastic optional tours that are available along the way.

Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Auckland: Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Check in, and the rest of the day is Auckland - your way. This evening, a welcome Drink and Dinner with your Tour Director and travel companions.

Day 2 Auckland - Rotorua: Travel along the Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves for a guided tour of the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. Then on to Rotorua. Soak up views of Lake Rotorua on the orientation tour. Tonight experience The Realm of Tãne and a traditional Maori Hangi feast and Concert.

Day 3 Rotorua: Sparkling wine aboard the Lakeland Queen kicks off the Lake Rotorua breakfast cruise. Then it's the Agrodome Sheep Show followed by a guided tour of Te Puia and the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. In the afternoon relax or explore, it's ‘Free Time'.

Day 4 Rotorua - Wellington: From the mountains to the sea. View the Huka Falls. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of its lake. Travel through the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park. Manawatu and The Kapiti Coast. On the Wellington city sights tour, see the city from Mt. Victoria.

Day 5 Wellington - Blenheim: Explore Wellington for yourself this morning before visiting Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum. Later cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The seaside village of Picton is next, then Blenheim and a city orientation tour. Enjoy a tour, dinner and tasting at Montana Winery, one of New Zealand's best winemakers.

Day 6 Kaikoura - Christchurch: On the way to Kaikoura, pass the Grassmere Salt Works and see New Zealand Fur Seals at Ohau Point. Explore Kaikoura your way - maybe take a Scenic Whale Watching flight. Head to Christchurch through the Canterbury Plains. A city orientation tour ensures you maximize your ‘Free Time'.

Day 7 Mt. Cook: Begin the day with a ride on the Christchurch Tram. Then you're free to go shopping or relax. Continuing the travels, see Lake Tekapo and Lake Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the spectacular alpine scenery of Mt. Cook National Park. Perhaps take a scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting).

Day 8 Dunedin: En route to Dunedin see the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, Benmore Dam and the white limestone buildings of Oamaru. A Dunedin city tour, then spend the afternoon as you wish - maybe take a Wildlife Cruise, a Cadbury Factory visit or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway.

Day 9 Dunedin - Te Anau: First up, take a guided tour of New Zealand's only castle - Larnach Castle and its gardens. Time out in town then head off across rich fertile, sheep-filled farming land on the way to Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the South Island's largest. Tonight you can choose to see the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.

Day 10 Milford Sound: Super highlight day! Be awestruck by the magnificence of the Fiordland National Park, not only a World Heritage Park but also New Zealand's largest. Amazing photo opportunities await as you see rainforest, ancient glaciers, mountain ranges and the hand-made Homer Tunnel, Mirror Lakes, Pop's Lookout, Claudu Valley and The Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and Milford Sound. Travel over the Devils Stair Case along the shores of Lake Wakatipu back to Te Anau. At Queenstown do an orientation tour and take a group photo. Dinner option is the Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak, via the Southern Hemisphere's steepest Gondola! A bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show makes for a top night - if you so choose!

Day 11 Queenstown ‘Free Time': Explore action adventure Queenstown your way. Take it easy with wine or garden tours. Or go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. Just be back in time for dinner and a sheep shearing demonstration at Walter Peak Sheep Station. Travel there and back across Lake Wakatipu via the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand's oldest steamship.

Day 12 Queenstown - Franz Josef: Today experience Arrowtown, the sensational stone fruit of Cromwell, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan, Haast Pass and Thunder Creek Falls. A small rainforest walk. Then the ‘pièce de résistance' - Franz Josef Glacier - the world's most accessible, and still advancing, glacier. If you need to see more - take an optional scenic flight!

Day 13 TranzAlpine - Christchurch: First stop, Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade), for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Up the coast to Greymouth then view the fascinating Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki. At Arthur's Pass, board the TranzAlpine - one of the world's top 6 train journeys and travel through the stunning and picturesque Southern Alps to Christchurch.

Day 14 Depart Christchurch: Explore Christchurch yourself. Make the most of this city, famous for its gardens, until AAT Kings transfer you to Christchurch Airport for your onward journey.

Itinerary Options

Optional Extras are available at an additional cost.

Day 3: Optional Farm Stay
Day 12: Optional Scenic Flight

Departures

On Day 1, Flights must arrive prior to 4.00pm. On Day 14, flights to depart anytime.

2008: May 06, 13 Jun 17 Jul 15 Aug 12, 26 Sep 09, 23, 30 Oct 07, 14, 21, 28 Nov 04, 11, 25 Dec 02, 16, 23, 30

2009: Jan 13, 20, 27 Feb 10, 17 Mar 03, 10, 17 Apr 07, 14

Highlights

Experience the Realm of Tane Dinner at Montana Winery Discover Milford Sound Punakaiki Pancake Rocks

Inclusions

Rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels, on a twin share basis. Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach, reclining seats with seatbelts, restroom and panoramic windows Experienced services of a professional Tour Director and Tour Driver Welcome Drink Full Buffet Breakfasts (13) Exciting Highlight Dinners (3) Hotel Dinners (7) Airport Transfers All purpose travel wallet and touring map Porterage at tour Hotels

Additional Information

Instant Quote: Provides rates in Australian Dollars including NZ Government Taxes
Airport Transfers: AAT Kings offers return hotel or airport transfers
Children: 5 years of age and under are not catered for. Children 6-18 years must be accompanied by an adult
Luggage Allowance: One medium size suitcase per person plus an overnight bag
What to Bring: Casual light weight clothing with warmer articles for the evenings and cooler days in Summer. A warm jacket is recommended for winter. Swimsuit, towel, waterproof jacket and comfortable footwear
Operated by: AAT Kings