12 Days in New Zealand

Departures daily.

Ideal for two persons, or..
Gather some friend and HAVE YOUR OWN PRIVATE TOUR!

This journey is for the traveler who wants to see some of the best of New Zealand while enjoying some unique accommodation. Most tours are small group tours with local guides. This itinerary can be extended to include other parts of New Zealand  - just let us know your interests. 

Featuring...

   Auckland    Waitomo Caves   Rotorua and hangi   
        Wellington   Christchurch    Dunedin    
Sheep station     Milford Sound          Queenstown

Arrive any day into Auckland. This itinerary can be reversed to start in Christchurch and end in Auckland.

DAY 1 WELCOME TO NEW ZEALAND!

Arrive Auckland this morning where you are transferred to your hotel where you are pre-registered for your early arrival. Breakfast can be enjoyed in the sunny breakfast room.

Nestled at the foot of the Mount Hobson reserve, in the affluent suburb of Remuera, is a restored Edwardian gentleman's residence, originally built in 1910. Sympathetically renovated to provide modern facilities yet retaining the Edwardian style, with antique fittings and period pieces, this beautiful small, private hotel features many original details including ornate plaster ceilings, fireplace mantels, timber wall panels and staircase. Five of the nine guestrooms (all with ensuites) have direct access to private balconies or verandahs. Breakfast is served in the conservatory with its marble floor and antiques, and an outlook over the private garden.

This morning, you have a tour of Auckland city. After a leisurely lunch, you are collected from the hotel for a drive out to the beautiful black sand beaches and subtropical rainforests of the Waitakere Ranges - an excellent way to enjoy some fresh air and exercise after your journey.

DAY 2 AUCKLAND/ROTORUA, via Waitomo (B/L/D) Hangi Feast

Note that this journey can be done in a self-drive rental car or by a touring coach.

You are picked up at the hotel and commence a drive south out of the city, into rich farmlands and through cottage vineyards, arriving into Waitomo mid morning. You take a ranger-guided tour into the famous caves to see the glowworm grotto, millions

of tiny glowworms lighting up a deep cavern. Return "topside" for lunch before continuing on to Rotorua, heart of Maori culture and thermal region.

Nestled in central Rotorua, your bed and breakfast will make your stay special with its wonderful warm hospitality. Breakfast is served in the sunny Breakfast Room.

This evening at between 5-5.15pm you are collected from your accommodation by your Maori driver/guide and travel out to a Marae (Maori meeting house) for this evening's Hangi Dinner and Concert. Enjoy a truly authentic evening including a formal welcome onto the Marae by a tribal leader. Hear about the customs of their ancestors as the village comes alive with tribal songs, dances and activities. The food this evening is cooked in an underground "oven" on hot stones which was the way of the Maori people. Transportation is provided back to your accommodation.

DAY 3 ROTORUA, Town and Country Excursion (B/L)

You travel by coach into the Waimangu volcanic valley with photo stops along the rugged volcanic terrain. You'll be guided through huge craters of the Rift Valley created in 1886 when Mt Tarawera erupted and devastated the area, burying an entire village. You will "cruise" across a cratered lake and see awesome Steaming Cliffs and the former site of the Pink and White Terraces. After lunch, you will begin your Mt. Tarawra 4WD afternoon tour. Drive through native and plantation forests to the top of the mountain, right to the edge of the 700 foot crater. Enjoy the incredible panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the Bay of Plenty.

For the adventurer, we also suggest the Whirinaki Trek - a moderate day trek that concentrates on Maori culture, flora and fauna.

DAY 4 ROTORUA/WELLINGTON (B)

You are transferred to the airport for a morning flight to Wellington, and then transferred to your hotel with a short tour of the city enroute.

Wellington is a cultural city with a good variety of live Theatre and boutique restaurants. You are collected from the hotel for a morning tour of Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.  FAST FACT: Wellington was voted Top Town in 2000 by North and South Magazine as the best town in which to work, live and raise a family in New Zealand! 

The afternoon is at leisure to explore the capital city on your own. Enjoy your time at leisure to explore the interiors of the new Art Gallery, Maritime Museum, Parliament House, and a Cable Car ride to the Carter Observatory.

A major attraction in Wellington is the new Te Papa Museum - "The Museum of New Zealand" . This museum uses the most advanced technology to combine the features of museums and entertainment centres. Stunning displays are brought to life through interactive computer technology, simulated film rides, live theatre and events relating to New Zealand's people, culture, land and natural environment. As well as the new is also the old, depicting early New Zealand history, the Maori culture, immigrants, plus some of the countries finest art works.

DAY 5 TO CHRISTCHURCH (B/D)

You are transferred to the airport for a morning flight to Christchurch where you are transferred to your hotel.

This lovely small hotel (bed and breakfast) was the original Rangiruru School, built in 1891. It has been transformed into luxury accommodation recently with colonial antiques, four-poster beds and claw-foot baths that complement the ornate arched windows, fireplaces and beautiful rose gardens. In this, the most English city out of England, you will be comfortably "at home". An excellent restaurant is located on the property and recommended is dinner reservations tonight.

You are collected from the hotel this afternoon for a tour of Christchurch with a local guide. This "Garden City" is very famous for its home gardens and you can visit the Botanical or Mona Vale Gardens to see some extraordinary flowers. Early February, there is the judging of the finest home garden and all must be maintained by the owners - no outside help. The city is literally blooming!

Christchurch is also described as the most English City outside England as it is a city of Parks, gardens, gothic architecture and art galleries. It is also a modern city with a variety of sophisticated cafes and restaurants. Festivals, theatre, live music and great shopping.

This evening, you dine in the home of local hosts, a favorite pastime of visitors to Christchurch and a sampling of the wonderful hospitality of the South Islander.

DAY 6 CHRISTCHURCH, High country excursion (B/L)

A very special day in some of New Zealand's most extraordinary countryside.

You are picked up from the hotel for an hour's scenic drive across the Canterbury Plains. Morning tea is at a riverside lodge, followed by jetboating on the river itself.

Your guide will then commence the drive up into the Southern Alps by 4-wheel drive. Lunch is amidst this beautiful scenery, and there will be time for some short forest walks and photography. You will arrive at a very small rail station to meet the Tranz Alpine for a lovely train journey back to Christchurch, where you are transferred back to your accommodation. A very beautiful day (this is a small group tour with local guide).

DAY 7 CHRISTCHURCH/DUNEDIN (B)

You are transferred to the airport for your short morning flight to Dunedin, where you are greeted on arrival by our local guide for a short tour of the city's sights enroute to your hotel.

Arrive at your accommodation and settle in. Built in 1923 to serve as the residence of an affluent gentleman, this bed and breakfast is set in a secluded garden with mature trees. This Dutch colonial-style house features ornate plaster and antique paneling, and leadlight windows. Rich antique furnishings complement the style of the home. There is complementary port in the oak lounge's fireplace that overlooks the gardens. The four guest bedrooms are accessed by a carved staircase and feature private baths.

Early afternoon, you join a small group headed up by professional wildlife guides for an intimate 5.5 hours with nature, traveling onto the Otago Peninsula to see the Albatross Colony - a rare land experience anywhere in

the world - and the penguin colony of Rare Yellow-eyed Penguins. Also, seal and shag colonies, beautiful beaches and Otago Museum with an historic introduction to Dunedin by the guides.

Return to Dunedin is at about 7PM.

DAY 8 SHEEP STATION STAY (B/D) (wonderful hosts!)

Breakfast with your Dunedin hosts.

(A private transfer can be provided if self driving is undesirable).

Your rental car is delivered to your accommodation and you commence your drive westward, across goldfields and through rich pasturelands to your stay on a New Zealand sheep station.

A working sheep station of over 8,000 acres, this has been in the present family since 1913. Scenic drives around the station to view the Te Anau basin and to Lake Manapouri beyond have always been very popular, as well as the superb views of the Murchison mountains and Mt. Luxmore from the homestead and expansive gardens.

The guided activity program with working dogs, sheep and cattle will show you rural station life at its best. Pre-dinner drinks and dining with your hosts is the perfect end to each perfect day.

DAY 9 TO MILFORD SOUND (B/L) Queenstown

Breakfast with your hosts before departing at about 9am to Te Anau where you meet your driver/guide and commence a trip into the fiords for a 2-hour cruise.

On return to shore from your 'cruise', transfer back to your departure point, reclaim your rental car and commence the drive to Queenstown.

Accommodations are in a specially selected, centrally located bed and breakfast boutique hotel.

DAY 10 QUEENSTOWN, see options (B)

Options to enjoy Queenstown can include (and can be pre-arranged when booking your trip with us):

river rafting, canoeing, lake cruise on an historic steamer, horse riding, a day trip of jetboating and nature walk (recommended for the active and nature lover), 1-hour jetboat ride, golf, wine tasting.

DAY 11 QUEENSTOWN, see options (above) (B)

DAY 12 DEPART New Zealand (B)

Depart New Zealand today for home or an extension to Australia (please see recommended Australia itineraries

Inclusions:
All transfers throughout
One night Auckland bed and breakfast including pre-registration for early arrival
Half day tour of Auckland sights with local guide
Afternoon nature excursion from Auckland
Coach excursion Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves and including lunch
Two nights Rotorua bed and breakfast
Maori Hangi (feast) on marae and including transfers
Full day excursion into Waimangu Valley and volcanoes
One night Wellington hotel with breakfast
Short city tour of Wellington
Two nights Christchurch bed and breakfast
Half day tour of Christchurch
Evening home hosted dinner in Christchurch including transfers
Full day high alpine 4WD excursion including guide, transport, lunch, Tranz Alpine
One night Dunedin bed and breakfast
Short city tour of Dunedin sights
Afternoon nature excursion to Otago Peninsula to see rare marine birdlife
Rental car: Dunedin to Queenstown
One night farmstay including dinner and breakfast
Day excursion on Milford Sound including transportation from Te Anau, inclusive of lunch
Three nights Queenstown bed and breakfast
12.5% New Zealand Goods and Service tax

Get some friends and take them along!!

All accommodation includes private bathroom facilities and excellent hosts.

Price (click here)

Bookings through: or see our online reservation form
Destinations Downunder, Specialists in travel to Australia and New Zealand
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