Travel to New Zealand on your Vacation. After departing from Los Angeles you will be provided with an evening meal. You can relax, have a drink, watch a movie, review your itinerary or just rest. You will be given breakfast before landing in Auckland, New Zealand (you lose one day crossing the International Date Line but don’t worry you’ll catch it up again on your return flight to the USA)

The Qantas Boeing 747-400 is equipped with the latest entertainment features of any Airline. The overnight flight to New Zealand can be a good opportunity for sleeping or to watch the latest movies after your evening meal.

Please confirm with the airlines at Check-in that they have all your Frequent Flyer information on record.

Note: Flights from Los Angeles to Auckland will require a stop-over in Australia (Sydney or Brisbane) from 6th May 2012 onwards.

Travel by shuttle from the Airport to your vacation accommodation in Auckland, New Zealand.

Please note: For airport transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

Travel to your accommodation in Auckland, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 2 nights.

Your vacation accommodation in Auckland, New Zealand, is located on the city’s spectacular Waitemata Harbour and features stunning water views, conference facilities, and a rooftop restaurant. Auckland’s centre of entertainment, dining, and nightlife, the Viaduct Harbour precinct, is just a short walk away. Experience the rich New Zealand culture as you travel to Rotorua and its geothermal springs. Or maybe travel to New Zealand’s Waitakere and Hunua Ranges, to the west and south of the city centre respectively, to take you deep into cool, peaceful rainforests.

Visit one of Auckland’s many attractions.

Fly a kite or throw a Frisbee in the beautifully landscaped Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park. Critique a giant selection of both traditional and contemporary art at Auckland Art Gallery. Take a walking, swim or hike through any of Auckland’s 25 Regional Parks. Have a laugh at The Classic Comedy and Bar in Queen Street, New Zealand’s home of live comedy. Take the bus over to Eden Park, New Zealand’s largest stadium. In the evening you can join the dancing on K’Road and party on till the wee hours at one of the many nightclubs. Or maybe you would rather visit the trendy suburb of Ponsonby and enjoy delicious cuisine, superb lattes or cocktails if more to your taste. And if it is cafes, bars and restaurants you’re after, the Viaduct Harbour has a great selection.

Photo Credit: Tourism New Zealand

Visit a true thing of beauty and cruise the sparkling waters of Waitemata Harbour!

Head out to see the Devonport Naval Base, travel past the township and North Head, then cruise towards the iconic Rangitoto Island as you pass the historic Bean Rock lighthouse. You’ll pass under the Harbour Bridge twice and then off to Westhaven Marina to catch a glance at the viaduct harbour bustling with super yachts!

Runs 364 days a year, morning, lunch and afternoon.

A great chance to experience the city of Auckland from the business districts to the lush surroundings.

Explore ‘The City of Sails’ and soak up the history of New Zealand’s largest city the following way:
Queen Street: The ‘Golden Mile’ of Auckland’s business and shopping district.
University: New Zealand’s largest, featuring historic Auckland buildings and an early NZ Government House.
Harbour Bridge: Cross the 8-lane connection to our North Shore, wide views of harbour and yacht marina.
Mt. Eden: Travel to the summit of this dormant volcano, once home to an ancient Maori tribe. Wide views of the city. Domain Parks and Gardens: A picturesque park and lakes laid out in a large extinct volcanic crater.
Auckland Memorial War Museum: Spend time experiencing this unique tribute to New Zealand’s natural, Maori and European history. A donation is requested on entry ($5 per person). As an alternative within a short walking distance is ‘The Winter Garden’ Pavilion. See rare indoor plants and a spectacular fern display.
Paritai Drive: Auckland’s most expensive residential street with fantastic views of the Waitemata Harbour and islands.
Tamaki Waterfront: Drive via Mission Bay along the edge of the Waitemata Harbour dominated by large native Pohutakawa trees.

Includes: Accommodation transfers

Half Afternoon Tour:
Departs at 2:00pm, returns at 5:00pm

The Auckland Explorer Bus is a hop on, hop off sightseeing tour visiting Auckland’s big attractions, with full commentary.

This unique city tour through Auckland departs from the Ferry Building (End of Queen St) every 30 minutes starting at 9:00am, with the last round-trip service departing at 4:00pm (Winter Times on the hour only). You can get on or off at any of the stops on the route. Your ride on the Explorer Bus will take you to some of Auckland’s major attractions, including Holy Trinity Cathedral, Mt. Eden, and the Sky Tower. You determine the length of your tour. With no stops, your ride will take approximately one hour. We encourage you to get off the bus and visit the attractions that interest you. The Auckland Explorer operates 365 days of the year, but attractions may not be opened on main public holidays. Tickets can be purchased the day of for $35 NZD for adults and $15 NZD for children (4-16 years of age).

For additional information, please visit: http://www.explorerbus.co.nz

The America’s Cup Sailing Experience, offer the unique opportunity to sail on these grand prix racing machines!

Enjoy two hours as passengers become the crew and are encouraged to take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the action as we sail down the Auckland Harbour. The trip suits people of all experiences and abilities and is the perfect activity in Auckland, ‘City of Sails’.

Age Restrictions: Children under the age of 10 yrs not permitted
Weather Restrictions: Sailings subject to weather conditions

Upgrade Available: 3 Hours Match Cup Race (extra cost) – Not Available from April-October.

On your vacation travel by deluxe luxury coach to the Waitomo Glow-Worm Caves and the spectacular geothermal regions of Rotorua, New Zealand.

DEPART AUCKLAND: Travel the main Southern Highway through small rural townships steeped in early pioneer history. Your host serves morning tea during this sector.

WAIKATO: Travel through New Zealand’s largest dairy and sheep farming province. Travel the outskirts of Hamilton City via the small farming settlements towards the King Country, birthplace of the Maori Monarchy.

WAITOMO GLOW WORM CAVES: Join a guided tour through this world-famous cave formation, climaxed by drifting silently in a boat through a glow worm cavern lit up with thousands of tiny glow worm lights.

LIGHT LUNCH: Served on-board as we make our way to Rotorua through magnificent rural farmland with its vast numbers of grazing animals.

ROTORUA: New Zealand’s highest city, 305 meters (1000 feet) above sea level, located inside the rim of a volcanic crater. An area of great geothermal activity. We visit the following attractions:

AGRODOME FARM TOUR: An introduction to New Zealand farming, with a 45-minute tour of an authentic working farm in all-weather, all-terrain vehicles. Watch a sheep being shorn and hand-feed the animals.

LAKE ROTORUA: Drive through the foreshore park past the hundreds of ducks and swans. Then through the beautiful historic Government Gardens.

TE PUIA INSTITUTE (MAORI ARTS & CRAFTS AND WHAKAREWAREWA THERMAL RESERVE): One of Rotorua’s most famous attractions. See woodcarving, weaving displays, Maori village and the thermal valley with the famous Pohutu Geyser, fumaroles, colourful silica deposits and boiling mud pools.

This tour ends in Rotorua

Travel to your accommodation in Rotorua, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 2 nights.

Located on the shores of Lake Rotorua your accommodation is only a short walk to the city centre, convention centre, cafes and restaurants. Here in the heartland of New Zealand’s Maori culture you’ll experience an enveloping warmth, proud spirit, deep sense of history and a quick humour. Picturesque cobbled and lantern lined streetways and striking Tudor architecture celebrates New Zealand’s significant colonial history. Travel the region by mountain bike or participate in local bush walks.

Upgrade Available (extra cost):
Lake View Room

Be entertained by the award-winning Matariki Concert group, view the raising of the Hangi and feast on traditional New Zealand food!

Experience the warmth and spirit of the natives of New Zealand through their food and culture! View the place where it all starts, the Hangi. A Hangi is the Maori method of cooking in an outdoor pit which produces rich, succulent food with a flavour quite unlike anything else. With this feast you will get to taste traditional hangi foods including breads, soups, salads, meats, vegetables, deserts and drinks. After your meal relax in the cultural centre and prepare to indulge your mind. You will be entertained and enchanted by the poi dance, the haka (war dance), and traditional songs and stick games. By the night’s end you will know you have truly experienced a one in a lifetime native tradition!

Enjoy some free time in Rotorua to explore this historic city!

Rotorua is a geothermal wonderland filled with a plethora of activities and attractions to check out. The region’s unique location is filled with hot pools, geysers, mud pools and geothermal activity.

Visit Waiotapu, where there are many sights to explore. Experience the Champagne Pool and waterfall filled with rich vibrant colours of the mineral salts, bubbling mud pools, craters, and Lady Knox Geyser when you visit. Arrive in the morning to see the Lady Knox Geyser at 10:15 am. For a full day of relaxation, visit the hot mineral pools and treat yourself to a relaxing Polynesian spa treatment that uses the local products (like a Rotorua mud wrap or manuka honey facial). Go Zorbing! Roll down a hill in an inflatable globe in this truly unique experience. There are different tracks to roll down with up to three people in the globe. You can choose to roll down with water in the globe for a fun time splashing around. For the adventure seekers, try Skydiving, the adrenaline rush of the jump will have you accelerating at 200 kilometres/hour. All the great views of Rotorua are best seen from 15,000 feet above.

Photo Credit: Tourism Rotorua

Take a breath as you marvel at Mother Nature in Rotorua…

Find out how the world began, with a visit to Waimangu Volcanic Valley, where in geological terms was created just this morning! Flying Pan Lake, the world’s largest hot water spring; Inferno Crater with its mysterious geyser action; and Cathedral Rocks with vent billowing clouds of steam and more will be a photographic wonderland. Set amidst a landscape of erupting geysers, hot thermal springs and bubbling mud pools visit the authentic, living thermal village since 1863 of Whakarewarewa! Then see the unique lifestyles of a natural Maori village, filled with bubbling mud pools and mineral springs and the awesome powers of the ‘Pohutu’ and ‘Prince of Wales Feathers’ geysers. With so many natural wonders, Rotorua will inspire abundant moments of awe!

Land on and explore an active volcano!

Your helicopter flight takes you north over Hell’s Gate Thermal Valley to the Pacific Ocean coastline and the active volcano of White Island. Land at the crater’s rim and spend approximately one hour on a guided walk of this fascinating natural attraction. Experience the volcanic fury of the main crater, view sulphur deposits, and the remains of the old sulphur mine.
Allow 3 hours

At this maori tourist attraction step into an ancient valley where geysers, mud pools and boiling waters still play after 40,000 years.

As direct descendants, guides offer an insight into the lives, activities and land that no other tour in New Zealand can match. Your Maori guide will show you the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and explain the tribal history.

Visit The New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute.Discover the fascinating traits of New Zealand’s national icon (The Kiwi) and listen to the songs of other birds in our beautiful valley.Stunning maori cultural performers excite and entertain in daily concerts.

Travel by shuttle from your vacation accommodation in Rotorua, New Zealand, to the Airport.

Please note: For airport transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

Travel within New Zealand by domestic air from Rotorua to Queenstown (South Island).

Travel by shuttle from the Airport to your vacation accommodation in Queenstown, New Zealand.

Please note: For airport transfers – 2 suitcases per person, extra pieces may be charged at $5.00 per piece. Surfboards, Bicycles etc – $5.00 each.

Travel to your accommodation in Queenstown, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 nights.

It’s all about location! Your 4 star accommodations sits in a tranquil lakefront setting only a minute’s walk from the heart of Queenstown with shopping, restaurants, nightlife and activities all within easy reach. This fresh, modern hotel features rooms and facilities furnished with the finest comforts and conveniences. A place where you can relax with surperb uninterrupted views of the lake, mountains and adjoining gardens. Comfortable and serene you will surely enjoy your stay here!

Upgrades Available: Garden View Room, Lakeview Room

An award wining alpine walk with stunning vistas of sweeping valleys below and majestic peaks above.

Day 0: Pre Track Briefing
On the afternoon before your departure you are required to attend a Pre-Track Briefing. Please check in at the Ultimate Hikes Centre, Ground Floor, The Station Building, Queenstown at 3:45pm.

Here you will receive a complete outline of what to expect, be provided with equipment, given an opportunity to purchase last minute required items, complete the required medical forms, ask/answer any last minute questions that you may have and meet your fellow walkers. Please advise our reservations department if you are unable to attend the Pre-Track Briefing (strongly advised to attend).

Day 1 : The Divide to Lake Mackenzie (13km, 5-6hrs)
Your adventure begins with a coach ride from Queenstown to the Divide on the scenic Milford Road, stopping at Te Anau for morning tea. You will climb the wide and well formed track from the Divide to the optional ascent to Key Summit. Here you can sit among the alpine plants and gaze down three valleys from which water flows to three different coasts.

You then descend to Lake Howden hut for a hot drink and picnic lunch, before gradually climbing through lush silver beech forest to the base of Earland Falls, quite a sight in wet weather! You will look over the Hollyford Valley to the ice capped Darran Mountains before descending to the splendid lodge at Lake Mackenzie where refreshments, a hot shower, three course meal and comfortable beds are waiting.

Day 2: Lake Mackenzie to Routeburn Falls (15km, 5-7hrs)
You leave the ancient forest draped in moss and lichen and enter the world of daisies, buttercups, gentians and edelweiss. Here you have a full vista of the Darran Mountains across the Hollyford Valley, which slices through Fiordland to the distant Tasman Sea at Martin’s Bay. After lunch at the Harris Saddle, you can ascend Conical Hill for a panoramic view of the surrounding peaks. After walking around Lake Harris you descend into the upper basins of the Routeburn Valley, with the towering mountains above. Spend your final night of luxury at the beautifully located Routeburn Falls Lodge where you will be treated to a special dinner

Day 3: Routeburn Falls to Routeburn Road (10km, 3-4hrs)
Take time to enjoy the dramatic landscape around the Falls, before descending to the alpine pastures of the Routeburn Flats. Your guides will take the scenic route through the meadows and find the deepest green pool for you to picnic beside. The track shadows the river as it roars through a magnificent gorge before plunging beneath the unyielding rocks at the Sump. From here it is a gentle walk through the beech forest to the Road End. A coach will take you back to Queenstown, stopping at the small town of Glenorchy on the way

Travel to your accommodation in Queenstown, New Zealand, where you will be staying whilst on vacation for 1 nights.

It’s all about location! Your 4 star accommodations sits in a tranquil lakefront setting only a minute’s walk from the heart of Queenstown with shopping, restaurants, nightlife and activities all within easy reach. This fresh, modern hotel features rooms and facilities furnished with the finest comforts and conveniences. A place where you can relax with surperb uninterrupted views of the lake, mountains and adjoining gardens. Comfortable and serene you will surely enjoy your stay here!

Upgrades Available: Garden View Room, Lakeview Room

Enjoy a two day tour from Queenstown to Christchurch via the West Coast.

Day 1: Queenstown – Franz Josef Glacier
Leave Queenstown, travel to the West Coast passing through Cromwell, Wanaka and Hawea before climbing over the Haast Pass into the Westland National Park. The Haast Pass is our southern-most pass that traverses the Southern Alps linking the east coast with the west coast. Arrive into Franz Josef where you will be taken to your 4-star accommodation. You will then be transferred to the Glacier Carpark where you can take a short walk to the glacier lookout point (this walk is not guided). Overnight in Franz Josef (4 star accommodation).

Day 2: Franz Josef – Christchurch
Travel north through lush rainforests and spectacular scenery to Greymouth where we transfer on to the world famous TranzAlpine train. A remarkable journey of little more than four hours from the west coast to the east coast including the lush rainforest of the Arthur’s Pass National Park. Pass through the Southern Alps via the Otira Tunnel, cross massive viaducts over the Waimakariri Gorge descending to the fertile farmlands of the Canterbury Plains and on to the garden city of Christchurch where you arrive in time for Dinner.

Included:
Pick up from your Queenstown accommodation, coach travel, one nights accommodation, shuttle to the glacier car park, and the TranzAlpine Train.

Option: Tour can operate in reverse.

Please note that depending on seasonality/weather conditions, Fox Glacier may be substituted in place of Franz Josef.

Enjoy your 1 night stay in Christchurch, New Zealand.

No other hotel in Christchurch enjoys such a location just two minutes or 700m from Christchurch International Airport. Spacious hotel rooms offers the ideal Christchurch accommodation for singles, couples, families and large groups. You can take a refreshing dip in the outdoor swimming pool. Enjoy a hearty breakfast or a sumptuous dinner in the Lobby Restaurant. Relax with your favourite drink in the Lobby Lounge Bar or have something delicious delivered to your room.

Rooms Include the following:
24-hour room service, 24-hour reception and 24-hour airport shuttles
All rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, with complimentary toiletries
Swimming pool and BBQ area
SKY TV and internet access from all rooms

Shuttle Transfers to/from Hotel provided.

Travel within New Zealand from Christchurch to Auckland (North Island).

Today depart Auckland and fly to the USA. Enjoy an in-flight dinner and movie with arrival in the USA. Note: you will be traveling back across the International Date Line. Gain that day back you lost on the way over, you actually arrive in the USA on the same day you leave Auckland.

Note: Flights from Auckland to Los Angeles will require a stop-over in Australia (Sydney or Brisbane) from 6th May 2012 onwards.

Your flight home will give you the opportunity to reflect on your New Zealand vacation. Please tell your friends if you have enjoyed the experience and direct them to “ABOUT AUSTRALIA ” for information via our website at www.aboutaustralia.com