15 Days: New Zealand Highlights AAT Kings' 15 day New Zealand Highlights, see the north and south island including Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Milford Sound and more.

Spectacular sightseeing experiences

• Tour the Waitomo Caves
• Experience The Realm of Tãne
• Maori Hangi and concert
• Agrodome Sheep Show
• Thermal Reserve Rotorua
• Visit Te Papa
• Larnach Castle Dunedin
• Cruise on Milford Sound
• Cruise on the TSS Earnslaw
• View Franz Josef Glacier
• Famous TranzAlpine Train
• Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
• INCLUDED Maori Cultural Experience
• OPTIONAL Maori Cultural Experience
• 'You are invited' experience

 

Guided Holiday Inclusions

Transportation

Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts,
reclining seats, panoramic windows

Professionally Escorted

Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Dining Inclusions

Full Buffet Breakfasts (14) B

'You are Invited' Lunch (1) L

Exciting Highlight Dinner (3) HD

Hotel Dinners (8) D

Accommodation

Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels

Plus

Welcome drink

Travel wallet and map

Airport transfers (see flight information below)

Hotel porterage included

Flight Information

Day 1     Flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm into Auckland

Day 15   Flights anytime from Christchurch

 

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

You are transferred from the airport to your hotel. Check in and the rest of the day is yours to enjoy Auckland. Meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers for a welcome drink and dinner.

Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland. D

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 your orientation tour. Tonight experience The Realm of Ta–ne, and a traditional Maori Hangi feast and concert.

Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD

Day 3: Rotorua

Start the day with a ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast at Terraces Café with its stunning views over Rotorua. 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'. B

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 Your Wellington City Sights Tour see the city from Mt. Victoria.
Hotel: Novotel, Wellington. B D

Day 5: Wellington – Blenheim

Explore Wellington for yourself this morning before you visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Later you'll 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 Georges Michel Wine Estate, a family owned and run winery in the heart of the Marlborough region.
Hotel: Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim. B HD

Day 6: Blenheim – Christchurch

On the way to Kaikoura you pass the Grassmere Salt Works with a chance to see New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point. Explore Kaikoura your way – maybe take a Scenic Whale Watching flight. Head to Christchurch through the patchwork countryside of the Canterbury Plains.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. B HD

Day 7: Mt. Cook

You are invited to enjoy a taste of country life with a barbecue lunch on a working farm (see page 13 for details). See Lakes Tekapo and 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).
Hotel: Mackenzie Country Inn, Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. B L D

Day 8: Dunedin

See the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme, Benmore Dam and the white limestone buildings of Oamaru. A Dunedin city tour, then your afternoon is at leisure – maybe take a Wildlife Cruise, a Cadbury Factory visit or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin. B D

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 you 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.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau. B D

Day 10: Milford Sound

Be awe-struck by the magnificence of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. Amazing photo opportunities await as you see rainforest, ancient glaciers, mountain ranges and the hand-made Homer Tunnel. The Mirror Lake, Pop's Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Cruise on Milford Sound. Travel over the Devil's Staircase along the shores of Lake Wakatipu back to Te Anau. On arrival in Queenstown you'll do an orientation tour. Your 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!
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights B

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. B HD

Day 12: Queenstown – Franz Josef

Today experience Arrowtown, the sensational stone fruit of Cromwell, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan, Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls and a small rainforest walk. Then the ‘pièce de résistance' – Franz Josef Glacier – the world's most accessible, and still advancing, glacier.
Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef. B D

Day 13: Franz Josef – Punakaiki

Explore Franz Josef Glacier – take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Then depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It's on to your waterfront hotel at Punakaiki, where you'll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B D

Day 14: TranzAlpine – Christchurch

Enjoy time at leisure before travelling via Greymouth to Arthur's Pass where you'll board the TranzAlpine, one of the top 6 train journeys in the world, to travel to Darfield, in the foothills of the Southern Alps.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. B D

Day 15: Depart Christchurch

After breakfast you will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. B

3 DAYS IN BAY OF ISLANDS

Add the spectacular Bay of Islands. Go dolphin watching, sea-kayaking or sailing. Ask one of our Travel Experts for more details.