DAILY DEPARTURES

15 days...for two persons...or
gather some friends and have your own private tour!

Travel by rail, coach and car through the world's two most beautiful islands!
Meet the people and see the remarkable wildlife, birds and marine animals.

HIGHLIGHTS:
* TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific rail trips
* Volcanic valleys, thermal areas
* Maori history
* Farmstay
* Black sand beaches and rainforest
* Whale watching
* Swimming with dolphins
* Wilderness lodge stay
* Glacier heli hike
* Milford Sound cruise
* Unique B&B accommodation

This itinerary operates daily for a minimum of 2 persons. It can be customized to suit your travel time, budget and interests. 

WELCOME TO NEW ZEALAND!                       

Day 1 ARRIVE AUCKLAND - any day...

Arrive Auckland early morning. You are transferred to your hotel, built in 1910 as a gentleman's residence and now restored as a beautiful Victorian bed and breakfast in a gracious leafy area of Auckland.

Early afternoon you set out in a small group with expert guide to the west coast black sand beaches and subtropical rainforests. Forest and beach walks, beautiful scenery!

Day 2 TO ROTORUA (B/D)

Collect your rental car and travel south from Auckland through lush farm and dairy lands to Waitomo. You join a ranger-guided tour of the famous glow-worm grotto that ends in a silent drift into the deep cavern lit by the lights of thousands of tiny glowworms.

Arrive in Rotorua for two nights in a beautiful bed and breakfast with excellent hosts who will make your stay very, very special.   

Tonight, you attend a hangi (Maori feast) on a traditional marae (village).

Day 3 ROTORUA, Waimangu Valley/volcanoes (B/L)

Travel by coach via forests and farms to a volcanic valley. Walk with guide to the world's largest hot spring and craters, formed in the massive 1886 Tarawera Eruption. Spectacular scenery and geothermal activity - paradise of wildlife and plants. Lunch on board a cruise across the largest crater while you hear the story of the eruption, passing awesome steaming cliffs, craters and geysers, then a walk through native bush across Te Ariki to Lake Tarawera where you cruise on the lake with views of the volcano, and see the ancient Maori paintings discovered beneath the lake. Stroll through Te Wairoa Buried Village and then on to the beautiful Blue and Green Lakes before returning to Rotorua via the hot mineral waters of the Polynesian Pools.

Day 4 FARMSTAY (B/D)

Drive south along the lake for a night on a farm. This is an excellent way to get to know these hospitable New Zealanders - and get to know this unique side of New Zealand life.

There is plenty of time to tour the sheep farm and get to know your hosts.

Day 5 WELLINGTON (B)

Depart your hosts at your leisure and continue your scenic journey south to Wellington.

Day 6 WELLINGTON/KAIKOURA

Return your rental car at the ferry terminal and travel across Cook Strait to Picton, where you board the Coastal Pacific train for a beautiful ride down the sea coast to Kaikoura, a tiny Maori fishing village. Overnight in a comfortable lodge.

Day 7 KAIKOURA/CHRISTCHURCH

Whales have lived in this bay for hundreds of years and you will see them this morning at fairly close proximity from a boat. On return to shore, you can elect to join the dolphin boat, swimming with these friendly creatures if you wish, or observing closely from the boat deck.

Time permitting, take a walk through the fur seal colony is a must - take PLENTY of film!

Later afternoon, continue by rail to Christchurch and a beautiful Victorian bed and breakfast.

Day 8 CHRISTCHURCH (B/D)

This morning, a sightseeing excursion of Christchurch. Afternoon is at leisure to explore this very English city - the galleries, Botanic Garden, cruise on the river!

This evening, you are guests in a local home for dinner.

Day 9 CHRISTCHURCH/FRANZ JOSEF (B/D)

You travel on one of the world's most scenic rail journeys today - the Tranz Alpine - across the Cantebury Plains to Greymouth. On arrival, you collect your rental car and drive south to Franz Josef Glacier for a night in a bed and breakfast lodge. Dinner is with your lodge hosts this evening.

Day 10 FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER/LODGE (B/D)

This morning, you take a helicopter to the top of the glacier an hike along the snowy surface with an expert guide, learning much about this unique glacial area. Note: this can be replaced with a walk on the glacier base if helicopter is not desirable.

Drive south for two nights at a lovely lodge.

This is a nature lover's paradise: spectacular beaches that are home to fur seals and crested penguins, untouched lowland rainforests spread between pristine lakes and rivers.

Rainforest discovery walks leave at dawn or mid-afternoon and explore the ferns, orchids, giant trees and birds of the rainforest. Handfeed tame eels! (Nature guides can be hired for walks throughout the area or you may go on your own).

Fish for brown trout, canoe the lake (a 3-hour excursion to the Tasman coast), or join a daily walk to explore the white beaches, blue sea, waterfalls, seals and penguins of the Knights Point coastline.

In the evening, see the glowworms and Southern Cross, relax in front of the log fire and converse with other guests, enjoy a drink or wine from the excellent cellar. Fresh fish from the river, seafood from the coast and game from the forest are specialties.

The warm hospitality of the lodge awaits you in the evening in front of a fireplace with newfound friends.

Day 11 LODGE (B/D)

Day 12 QUEENSTOWN (B)

Depart the lodge after breakfast for your drive to Queenstown. Arrive late afternoon for a 3-night stay in a historic bed and breakfast.

Day 13 QUEENSTOWN, LEISURE (B)

At leisure for sightseeing: jet boating, golfing, fishing, canoeing, bungy jumping! Wonderful shopping, or a tour to the old gold town of Arrowtown.

Tonight, enjoy the selection of fine restaurants, cafés or friendly pubs for dinner.

Day 14 QUEENSTOWN, MILFORD SOUND (B/L)

You travel by coach into Milford Sound for a cruise on this magnificent fiord, returning by air over the alpine forests to Queenstown late afternoon.

Day 15 QUEENSTOWN/USA (B)

The morning at leisure before you fly home, arriving in the U.S. this same day.

(Exciting itineraries to Australia are also available; please inquire).

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Price: see Pricing

For information and reservations:  or see our online reservation form
Destinations Downunder
3712 N. Broadway, PMB #251 Chicago, Il. 60618 PH:(773)832-1699 FAX:(773)832-1699
Email: travel@koalakiwi.com

Specializing in travel to New Zealand and Australia for over 23 years!

            ...Creating memories