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Itinerary
for Highlights of New Zealand Tour - November 2011 |
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Included meals are indicated as B =
Breakfast, L =Lunch, D = Dinner |
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20.11.11
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New South Wales regional passengers are collected by bus from
the regional towns of Coffs Harbour, Nambucca Heads, Kempsey, Port
Macquarie, Taree & Tuncurry by a Gold Class Coach, which is a
purpose built five star vehicle offering luxury and comfort to get you
from your hometown to the airport.
You are transferred by the coach to Sydney airport, for your evening
flight with Air New Zealand to Christchurch.
Sydney passengers & NSW regional passengers depart Sydney at 6.20pm
on
NZ 888, arriving in Christchurch at 11.20pm.
Brisbane & Melbourne passengers will also have their flight to
Christchurch.
All passengers are met in
Christchurch and conveyed to your hotel. |
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21.11.11
(D) |
Christchurch
Today is at leisure.
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Cotswold or Elms Hotel
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22.11.11
(B/D) |
Christchurch - Omarama
After a city tour depart Christchurch and travel through
the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brillant
turquoise water, visit The Church of the Good Shepherd and view the
Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including
Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. The opportunity is available (time
and weather permitting) to enjoy an optional scenic flight over the
Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama.
Accommodation: Heritage Gateway Hotel |
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23.11.11
(B/D) |
Omarama - Denedin
Depart Omarama and
see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous
for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin, a well preserved
Victorian city. Enjoy an informative tour including a visit to Olveston
House, a prestigious historic home. Tonight a Scottish evening will be
presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony
and gift.
Accommodation: Mecure Leisure Hotel |
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24.11.11
(B/D) |
Dunedin - Te Anau
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to
Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a
guided tour. Visit Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens and view the superb
collection of flowers, followed by a delightful morning tea. Farewell
Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau gateway to
Fiordland and your overnight stay. Tonight you may like to visit the Te
Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Rooms) |
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25.11.11
(B/L) |
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound
where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See
the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a
picnic lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical
Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year round resort
which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening
is free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Accommodation: Hotel Mecure Queenstown Resort |
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26.11.11
(B/D) |
Queenstown
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at
leisure. Your guide/driver is available to assist with the many
sightseeing options available, whether it be the thrill of a jet boat
ride, a heritage tour to Skipper Canyon or the helicopter ride of a
lifetime. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and
cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back
and relax as you are treated to the best of New Zealand's high country
cuisine in the Colonel's Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm
tour, then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as
you cruise back to Queenstown.
Accommodation: Hotel Mecure Queenstown Resort |
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27.11.11
(B/D) |
Queenstown - Arrowtown - Fox Glacier
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit
the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty
West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of
the Southern Alps as you travel to Fox Glacier.
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Glacier Country |
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28.11.11
(B/D) |
Fox Glacier - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory.
Continue into Arthur's Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one
of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as
you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and
through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant
city of Christchurch. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer
you to your hotel.
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel Cotswold or The Elms Hotel |
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29.11.11
(B/D) |
Christchurch - Picton - Wellington
Travel along the East Coast to the fishing village of
Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel Marlborough
Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you
board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough
Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.
Accommodation: Hotel Ibis Wellington |
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30.11.11
(B) |
Wellington
Today explore this exciting region and enjoy an extensive
city tour which explains the history and culture on show in New
Zealand's capital, Wellington. A highlight will be a guided tour of Te
Papa, New Zealand's National Museum, with exhibits that embrace both
Maori and European views of the land, environment and people. Enjoy
some free time to explore at leisure this afternoon.
Accommodation: Hotel Ibis Wellington |
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01.12.11
(B/D) |
Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua
Depart Wellington and view the snow capped peaks of Mt
Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the
spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway
to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.
Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Kale Rotorua
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02.12.11
(B/D) |
Rotorua
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Cableway Restaurant
where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to
the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and a
sheepdog trial. Next visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife
park where you can hand feed rainbow trout. Some free time is available
before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome
Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an
entertaining Maori Hangi Concert.
Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Kale Rotorua |
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03.12.11
(B/D) |
Rotorua - Auckland - Bay of Islands
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland
to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree.
Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the
beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy an introduction to the Bay of Islands,
location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the
British.
Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge |
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04.12.11
(B/D) |
Bay of Islands
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape
Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for Bottlenose
and common dolphins before returning via Russell to Paihia for a free
afternoon. A range of optional activities are available or you may
choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront.
Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge |
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05.12.11
(B/D) |
Bay of Islands - Auckland
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via
Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative
talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city
sights tour. This evening you will be treated to a farewell dinner with
your new found friends.
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel Auckland City |
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06.12.11
(B) |
Auckland - Australia
Time to say goodbye to New Zealand. You'll be transferred
to the airport for your flight home to Australia with Air New Zealand.
Melbourne and Brisbane passengers will have a flight back to Australia
where your tour concludes.
Sydney passengers depart Auckland at 4.00pm on NZ 105, arriving in
Sydney at 5.30pm.
New South Wales regional passengers will receive a coach trip
back
to your home towns of Coffs Harbour,
Nambucca Heads, Kempsey, Port
Macquarie, Taree & Tuncurry. |