ARRIVE AUCKLAND |
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 | Auckland airport / hotel transfers
Free transfers from airport to hotel are provided for those requiring them. On arrival at Auckland International Airport look for the “Great Experiences Welcome Sign” and be transferred to your waterfront hotel. |
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AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA |
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 | Sightseeing tour of Auckland
Board your luxury coach for a sightseeing tour of Auckland, the world’s largest Polynesian city often referred to as the 'City of Sails'. Auckland's heart beats to a Polynesian rhythm, its people a melting pot of European, South Pacific and Asian cultures and a strong indigenous Maori heritage. This diversity brings with it an abundance of unique dining, cultural and shopping experiences. Auckland's temperate climate, easy access to the coast and variety of activities earn the city consistent top five rankings in international lifestyle surveys. |
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 | Waitomo Caves Tour & Boat Ride
The Waitomo glowworm is unique to New Zealand. Thousands of these tiny creatures radiate their unmistakable luminescent light as expert guides provide informative commentary on the Caves' historical and geological significance. During your 45 minute guided tour, you'll take in the spectacular Glowworm Cave with its majestic and ornate cave decorations, including the magnificent Cathedral cavern where New Zealands own opera diva Kiri Te Kanawa once performed. Your tour guide will deliver an informative and entertaining commentary, sharing stories, cultural legends and the natural wonders of this living masterpiece. Your visit concludes with a brief, yet remarkably moving, boat trip through the Glowworm Grotto. This tour is educational, fascinating and very memorable. |
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 | Sightseeing tour of Rotorua
On arrival in Rotorua, your coach captain will take you on an orientation tour of the "Sulphur City", with it's pungent aroma that serves as a reminder of the geothermal activity and beneficial minerals provided by Mother Nature. The hot pools here are renowned for their therapeutic benefits, particularly in the treatment of athritis and general aches and pains. Drive past the historic Bath House, the Government Gardens, the beautiful lakefront and Maori Villages, which you will visit during your stay in this unique city and centre of Maoridom. |
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ROTORUA |
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 | Agrodome Farm Show & Woollen Mill
The Agrodome Sheep Show is a one-hour, multi-award winning performance that is both exciting and informative, providing insight into agriculture in New Zealand. Presented in a specially designed auditorium, you will see nineteen sheep breeds introduced onto the stage, the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feed lambs and an exciting sheep auction. Audience participation is a major part of the show and is popular with all age groups. You will have a number of opportunities to walk around amongst the animals and feed sheep, cattle, deer, alpaca, ostrich, emus by hand. Included in the tour is a visit to the Woollen Mill and 100% pure organic orchard which produces kiwifruit, olives, feijoas and apples. This stop at the Organic Orchard includes a sample of kiwifruit wine and honey. |
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 | Whakarewarewa Maori Village Tour
Set amidst a landscape of erupting geothermal activity, hot thermal springs and hot bubbling mud pools is the Living Maori village of Whakarewarewa. Discover the unique lifestyle and traditions of the Maori and see the wonders of Mother Nature, learning how they have come to live in harmony within this unique environment.You will do some steam box cooking and enjoy delicous corn cobs and sausages coooked in boiling pools. The guided tour concludes with an entertaining cultural performance, thrilling your senses with their melodious voices accompanied by hand movements, telling the stories of the Maori heritage, past and present. |
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 | Tamaki Maori Village Cultural Show & Hangi Feast
Travel out on a special Maori Bus for dinner and show in the bush. This is New Zealand’s only 'Supreme Award' winning Cultural Show, a journey back in time to pre European lifestyles, customs and traditions. See the people of the village, working their crafts and honing their fighting skills. Enjoy the cultural activities, tribal songs, myths, legends, poi dances, traditional hangi feast and of course, the Haka! Enjoy the magic ‘Waka’ journey with the tribal crew and their after-show unique entertainment activity. It is a great fun night out and you will enjoy every minute of your time here. |
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ROTORUA / TAUPO / NAPIER / MASTERTON |
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 | Huka Falls
At the Huka Falls, the Waikato River which is normally 100m wide, is squeezed through a 20 metre wide gorge and over a 20m drop. Every second up to 220,000 litres of water gushes through the gorge and shoots out over 8 metres beyond to create a beautful blue/green pool. The name Huka is the Maori word for 'foam', which is appropriate as the falling water and rapids certainly resembles foam, especially under flooding conditions.This is one of the most visited natural tourist attractions in New Zealand! |
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 | Okawa Station Lunch
We will stop at Okawa Station for an included lunch, on a Hawkes Bay working sheep station. Relax and refresh as you enjoy the views and taste the fresh foods, fruits, cheeses, olives, oils and of course the wine, for which this region is known. |
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 | Sightseeing Tour of Napier
Upon arrival in Napier, the art deco capital of the world, we will take you on a sightseeing tour of the Marine Parade and city centre. Napier was rebuilt in the early 1930s following a massive earthquake and subsequent fires destroyed most of its commercial heart. By the end of the decade, Napier was the newest city on the globe. Nowhere else can you see such a variety of buildings in the styles of the 1930s - Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission, and above all Art Deco, the style of the 20th Century - in such a concentrated area. And Napier's Art Deco is unique, with Maori motifs and the buildings of Louis Hay, admirer of the great Frank Lloyd Wright. |
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MASTERTON / WELLINGTON |
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 | Paua World
At Paua World you can marvel at this magnificent New Zealand sea shell being turned into beautiful, low cost jewelry, a great place to buy souvenirs. |
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 | Tirohana Estate
Tirohana Estate is a boutique vineyard located on the "golden mile" with unique soil properties nourished by the alluvial terraces of the dry riverbed in Martinborough. With a unique Tasting Room full of antiques and artefacts, a shop area with locally made produce (including Tirohana Estate's famous wine jellies) and locally crafted jewellery, the Cellar Door Experience offers something for everyone.
Enjoy a traditional Devonshire Tea and wine lovers can enjoy optional wine tasting. |
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 | Sightseeing Tour of Wellington
Wellington is the capital of New Zealand and a city with so much to offer! Your sightseeing tour will give you a good overview of the city, including Parliament House, the Beehive and view to the South Island from Mt Victoria. With it's 1000 bars, clubs, cafes and restaurants, Wellington is the nightlife capital of New Zealand too and we recommend you experience the fine food and wine whilst here. |
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 | Te Papa Museum Guided Tour
Visit Te Papa Museum, a truly amazing place that will certainly be a highlight of your tour. General entry here is free but we have included a 90 minute guided tour that will take you on a journey full of New Zealand legends, stories, unexpected discoveries, modern day touch screens a multitude of historic art and treasures. You will love every minute spent here! |
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WELLINGTON / PICTON / HANMER SPRINGS |
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 | Interislander Ferry
The Interislander Ferry cruise across Cook Strait is a 3 hour, 92km voyage that has been described as "one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world". Watch for dolphins and other wildlife as you cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound before docking at the fishing village of Picton. Your vessel this morning will be the Kaitaki, a Maori word meaning "Challenger" with a capacity to carry up to 1600 passengers and the largest ship in the fleet. Kaitaki provides an array of options designed to enhance your journey, from the many observation decks and local cuisine, coffee and wines from the many food and beverage outlets. |
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 | Brancott Winery - Cellar Door Experience
At Montana’s Brancott Winery enjoy a Cellar Door experience, wine tasting and vineyard tour. This was the first winery in Marlborough when it opened in 1976 and today, its visitor facility has become a must on tourist itineraries. It features a tasteful restaurant, retail store, tasting rooms, wine education facility and even a small theatre. |
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 | Brancott Winery Lunch
After your tour and wine tasting at Brancott Winery - sit down and enjoy a delicious lunch at this beautiful estate. Indulge and enjoy! |
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 | Kaikoura seal spotting
You will stop at Kaikoura, a quaint fishing town that boasts some of the world’s finest whale watching. Time to stretch your legs and do a bit of seal spotting at the local seal colony from the main street. |
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HANMER SPRINGS / CHRISTCHURCH |
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 | International Antarctic Centre
Upon arrival at the International Antarctic Centre you will be taken on a tour exclusive to Great Experiences. Cook and taste Antarctic food, visit an ice & snow cave and experience the chill factor to 25 degrees below. Enjoy the Penguin Encounter and ride the Hägglund all-terrain vehicles. You will also have the opportunity to talk to our special guide who has lived on the Antarctic base and enjoy the maxi-screen presentation "Beyond the Frozen Sunset". You will love this place! |
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 | Sightseeing Tour of Christchurch
Relax and enjoy a sightseeing tour of the amazing garden city of Christchurch with it's historic buildings and cathedrals, the art gallery, Hagley Park and Botanic Gardens and of course, the beautiful Avon River. Observe the benefits of living in a city built on a huge river plain. |
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CHRISTCHURCH / LAKE TEKAPO / AORAKI MT COOK |
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 | Lake Tekapo
At Lake Tekapo you will have the opportunity to take a stroll around this beautiful alpine village. The views of the Southern Alps and turquoise lake are breathtaking and stopping here provides wonderful photo opportunities. |
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 | Church of Good Shepherd
You will stop at the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, built on the shores of Lake Tekapo in 1935 as a memorial to the pioneers of the Mackenzie Country. Congregations of the three main faiths worship regularly in the Church, arguably one of the most photographed in New Zealand, and features an altar window that frames stunning views of the lake and mountains. Nearby is the statue of the famous sheep dog, which was commissioned to honour the work of the dogs of the high country sheep stations.
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 | Department of Conservation Centre
Visit the outstanding Department of Conservation Centre based at Mt Cook and enjoy the loads of information and displays available. You will learn and discover so much about the region and the importance of conservation. |
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 | Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Located at The Hermitage Mt Cook is the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre. You will be provided with an unlimited pass, including entry to the Theatre and Planetarium, the Sir Edmund Gallery and the 3D movie, “Mt Cook Magic” taking you on a thrilling journey to the top of the mountain. Open from 7.30am to 9.30pm and offering something different every day, you could spend many hours here and still not see it all! |
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MT COOK / DUNEDIN |
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 | Oamaru Sights
You will stop in Oamaru for lunch (own cost and arrangement), a town well known for the conservation of the blue eye penguins whose colony lies close to the town’s historical Victorian precinct and harbor. The town’s original architecture still remains and has been restored over the years. The old buildings built from local limestone form part of New Zealand’s protected heritage. The Victorian harbour that lies close to the town centre houses traditional craftsman that still practices the skills of their forefathers. |
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 | Moeraki Boulders
The Moeraki Boulders are a number of huge spherical stones, found strewn along a stretch of beach on the east coast. These boulders are grey-coloured septarian concretions, which have been exposed through shoreline erosion from black mudstone coastal cliffs that back the beach. They originally formed in ancient sea floor sediments during the early Paleocene some 60 million years ago. The boulders weigh several tonnes and are up to three metres in diametre and Maori legend tells that the boulders are remains of calabashes, kumaras and eel baskets that washed ashore after a legendary canoe wreck. |
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 | Sightseeing Tour of Dunedin
Dunedin is known as the 'Edinburgh of the South' and is New Zealand's oldest city, a university city of Scottish heritage, possessing a unique combination of cultural riches, fine architecture and world-famous wildlife reserves. Dunedin's art gallery and museums contain some of the best collections in New Zealand and "Baldwin Street" the steepest street in the world is here also. Your coach captain will provide a brief orientation tour of the city before taking you to your hotel, where you'll receive a Scottish welcome. |
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 | Speights Heritage Brewery
Speights is the brew of the "Southern Man" and Speights Brewery have thirteen alehouses in New Zealand, with Dunedin's being the first and original! The tour includes tasting of the brew (pour your own) plus the chocolates and ice cream that contain by-products of this famous Southern brew. A beer lovers paradise! |
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 | Speights Ale House Dinner
After your tour of the Speights Heritage Brewery you will follow the skirl of the bagpipes as you walk to the Speights Ale House. Tonight you will enjoy a uniquely different venue with a wonderful atmosphere and Specialty Dinner. |
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DUNEDIN / TE ANAU |
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 | Otago Peninsula
Today you will visit the Otago Peninsula headland - arguably the most precious wildlife habitat in New Zealand. |
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 | Nature's Wonders tour
(Choice between Nature's Wonders and Larnach Castle) Nature lovers will prefer to visit Nature's Wonders, a working farm where you will view wildlife up close. Board the Argo 8 Wheel Transport, an exciting but smooth ride that will take you to seals, penguins, nesting seabirds and spectacular views. |
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 | Larnach Castle tour
(Choice between Natures Wonders and Larnach Castle) Larnach Castle is New Zealand’s only castle and is renowned for it’s gardens of international significance. Stroll through the magnificent gardens and take a guided tour of the castle’s interior. With it's exciting, sometimes scandalous and tragic history, magnificent carved ceilings, New Zealand antiques and breathtaking views, Larnach Castle offers you a vision of the past and present. |
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 | Fiordland Theatre Movie
Assemble at the Fiordland Theatre a short walk from your hotel, where you will watch the movie “Ata Whenua…The Shadowlands”, a very special short film and one which will set the scene for tomorrow. |
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TE ANAU / MILFORD / QUEENSTOWN |
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 | The Chasm
In the heart of the Cledau Valley, stop at "the chasm" to see nature's sculptor at work. Take a few minutes round trip walk and enjoy the opportunity to explore New Zealand's rain forests close-up at it's natural best. |
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 | Milford Sound Cruise
Board the Milford Sovereign and embark on a 1hr 40min spectacular cruise of the Milford Sound. View Mitre Peak and search for wildlife and waterfalls, cruising out to the Tasman Sea to a rocky seal colony before returning. If the day is wet the display of falling, tumbling waterfalls abound. The Stirling Falls and the Bowen Falls when full are magnificent. |
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 | Milford Sovereign lunch
Whilst on board the Milford Sovereign viewing the stunning scenery of Milford Sound - you will be treated to an international buffet lunch (included). |
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 | Sightseeing tour of Queenstown
Upon arrival in Queenstown you will enjoy a brief orientation tour of this beautiful tourist village. Your coach captain will point out the sights and scenes to enhance your time here. |
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 | The Station - Queenstown
During your Queenstown orientation you will visit “The Station”, a company that will assist you with tomorrow’s leisure options. You may like to book a Shotover Jetboat ride or maybe a wine trail tour or guided walk. For the more adventurous, a scenic flight or glacier landing might be available but must be pre-booked. |
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QUEENSTOWN |
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QUEENSTOWN / WANAKA / FOX GLACIER |
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 | Arrowtown
There will be a stop at picture perfect Arrowtown with time to wander amongst the historic buildings and boutique shops. Arrowtown in Autumn provides an artist's palette view of leafy Buckingham Street. |
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 | Wanaka
Wanaka is a popular holiday destination. We will take a stop at the lakefront which provides an opportunity to stretch your legs, have a look around and buy morning tea. |
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FOX GLACIER / HOKITIKA / ALPINE EXPRESS / CHRISTCHURCH |
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 | Tranz Alpine Express
Board the Trans Alpine Express at Arthurs Pass, regarded as one of the great rail journeys of the world. You will be exposed to excellent viewing as you cross over giant viaducts, dark tunnels and valleys backed by stunning mountain scenery. Follow the Waimakariri River and travel through the eastern foothills to the Canterbury Plains. |
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 | Celebration Dinner
Tonight you will enjoy a special dinner at the Copthorne Central Hotel in Christhurch. Enjoy the opportunity to celebrate the tour together. |
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DEPART CHRISTCHURCH |
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| Hotel / Airport Transfer
For those requiring them transfers will be provided to the airport for your flight home. |
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