DAY 1 – ARRIVE AUCKLAND
On arrival in Auckland, ‘The City of Sails’, self drive clients will collect your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel.
DAY 2 – AUCKLAND – COROMANDEL
Depart Auckland, travelling along the Seabird Coast towards the Coromandel Penninsula. You might like to stop at the Miranda Shorebird Centre or Rapaura Watergardens en route (entry not included in the tour price) before continuing through Thames and Coromandel townships. Take some time to explore the area before continuing to your accommodation to check in. (B)
DAY 3 – COROMANDEL
Visit or view from the mainland the most famous beaches in the Coromandel area today including Hot Water Beach, Hahei, Cooks Beach and Cathedral Cove. There will be plenty of time to enjoy a swim if the weather permits! (B)
DAY 4 – COROMANDEL – TAURANGA
At leisure this morning. Book one of these optional activities – golf, fishing trip, horse riding, visit local museums or shops etc. Optional activities not included in the tour price. This afternoon depart for Tauranga. (B)
DAY 5 – TAURANGA – ROTORUA
This morning is free to explore Tauranga before heading along the coast to Te Puke. Enjoy a guided tour of a kiwifruit orchard at Kiwi 360 and visit the famous Comvita Visitor’s Centre, famous for the healing properties of Manuka honey. Continue through to Rotorua at leisure. (B)
DAY 6 – ROTORUA
Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and roaring geysers. Following this, visit Rainbow Springs to see New Zealand’s trout, birds and wildlife before continuing to the Agrodome for a New Zealand farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and an introduction to the stars of our sheep industry. The afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Hangi (feast) and Concert. (B,D)
DAY 7 – ROTORUA – CHRISTCHURCH
Today you will be transferred to the airport or drive down on your own to Rotorua airport and drop the vehicle. Fly to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch, ‘The Garden City’, seat in coach passengers will be met by our local representative and privately transferred to your hotel. Self drive clients will collect your rental car at the airport and drive to your hotel. (B)
DAY 8 – CHRISTCHURCH – QUEENSTOWN
Travel across the fertile Canterbury Plains before arriving at Lake Tekapo. Continue south to the small town of Twizel before travelling through the historic Central Otago region to Lake Wakatipu and the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown. (B)
DAY 9 – MILFORD SOUND
Follow the southern arm of Lake Wakatipu to Lumsden, and onward to Lake Te Anau. Enter the Eglinton Valley and travel through the breath taking man made Homer Tunnel to reach Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord, dominated by Mitre Peak and the cascading Bowen Falls. Return to Queenstown (B)
DAY 10 – QUEENSTOWN
A free day to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more. Optional activities not included in the tour price. (B)
DAY 11- QUEENSTOWN – MT COOK – CHRISTCHURCH
Travel through the Central Otago region and on to Twizel. Follow the shores of Lake Pukaki to ‘Aoraki’ Mt Cook, the cloud piercer. Visit the Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo before travelling across the Canterbury Plains to arrive in Christchurch. (B)
DAY 12 – DEPARTURE DAY
Your arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer or the return of your rental car. (B)
