Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road, Christchurch, at 8.00am. A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before travelling across the rich Canterbury Plains into the foothills of the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Here you will be given the opportunity to flyover the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing your journey into the Mt Cook National Park. Admire the scenic majesty of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama. Overnight accommodation is at Heritage Gateway Hotel.

Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin - the "Scottish" city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion, play 18 holes of golf at Chisholm Park Golf Course, or just explore the city only a few minutes walk away.. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Leviathan Hotel.

Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Te Anau Downs Motor Lodge

Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel.

A full day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. Try the world famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a relaxing steamer cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic Earnslaw. There are a multitude of optional activities available or alternatively explore Queenstown's many international boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise you. Overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel.

Pass Lake Hayes to reach Arrowtown, once a bustling gold mining township. Now many of its buildings are restored to their former glory. Travel on past lakes Wanaka and Hawea, cross the Haast Pass into Mt. Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Cap off the day with the magnificent Glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier’s terminal face (daylight hours permitting). Your overnight accommodation is at the Fox Glacier Hotel.

Time this morning for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. The snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass glades of dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery.

On to Greymouth to join the the Tranz Alpine train for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. Through rainforests to Otira, snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps, the rugged Gorges of the Waimakariri river and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Your overnight accommodation is at the Pavilions Hotel.

Join the Coastal Pacific train for a kaleidoscope of scenery, through Christchurch, across Canterbury farmland to the Hundalee Ranges. Follow the Pacific coastline, with the Kaikoura mountains forming a rugged backdrop to the west, passing tiny holiday settlements and Kaikoura, famous for whale-watching. Arrive in Blenheim early afternoon. A tour will highlight many attractions including a visit to the Prenzel Distillery, thought to be the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere and noted for liqueurs, schnapps, fruit brandies and wines. Tastings and afternoon tea is included. Your overnight accommodation is at the Blenheim Country Lodge Hotel.

Drive to Picton, nestled on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds, to board the Interislander ferry. Sail through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, sheltered waterways, remote bays and isolated holiday homes. Across Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Capital City. A city tour will incorporate the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and harbour, the Houses of Parliament and the distinctive "Beehive", Wellington Cathedral, city centre and Oriental Bay. Also explore the city yourself. Don’t miss Te Papa, the new "Museum of New Zealand" or take a ride on the famous Cable Car. Your overnight accommodation is at the Bay Plaza Hotel.

To the coast near Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and on a clear day, the South Island. Cross the Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin and Foxton to Bulls. Journey inland, across rolling farmland to the central North Island National Park region dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo New Zealand's largest lake and internationally famous for its trout fishing. Stop at Huka Falls where the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm then to the Wairakei Geothermal Valley where natural steam is harnessed to generate electricity. Skirt massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture for the region and a thermal wonderland. Overnight accommodation is at Lake Plaza Hotel.

A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. Whilst at the Agrodome, be sure to visit the Bliss Confectionery factory & shop for a complimentary treat and tempting sweet delights. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and native birds including the Kiwi. Visit Whakarewarewa, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka. Your overnight accommodation is at the Lake Plaza Hotel.

Cross the Mamaku Ranges to the Waikato region, noted for dairy farming and world famous horse studs. At Waitomo, a guide will escort your group underground to the limestone caverns and glow worm grotto. On through Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, centre for the region’s Maori people, then alongside the Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach New Zealand’s largest city - Auckland. A city tour will visit the summit of Skytower, at 328metres the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, for panoramic views across the city and its two harbours, the Domain, the city area, the Waterfront Drive with its numerous yacht marinas and nearby residential suburbs. Your tour concludes at approximately 5.30pm.

• For your departure tax, please do not forget to keep aside:-
• NZ$25 per person (12 years and above) from Christchurch.
• NZ$22 per person (12 years and above) from Auckland.

Departures: Mondays throughout most of the year.

It is recommended to arrive at least one day early in preparation for the morning tour departure. Additional accommodations can be arranged at the start and the end of the tour.

Prices and booking conditions.

NOTE: Choose either a guaranteed single at time of booking OR request a twin share in which case you will be matched with another traveler of the same gender or if another traveler is not available, you will receive a single room at no extra cost.

BOOKINGS AND INFORMATION: or book online!  click here
Destinations Downunder, Travel Specialists to Australia and New Zealand
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Ph:(773) 832-1699 Fax: (773)832-1699 Email: travel@koalakiwi.com