17 Day Wonders of New Zealand - Cost Saver
AAT Kings' Cost saver Wonders of New Zealand, see the north and south island including Bay of Islands, Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Queenstown, Milford Sound and more.
- Spectacular Fox Glacier
- Full day in Queenstown
- Cruise on Milford Sound
- Sightseeing in Dunedin
- Church of the Good Shepherd
- Visit Te Papa
- Maori Hangi feast and concert
- Agrodome Sheep Show
- Tour the Glow Worm Grotto
- Cape Brett 'Hole in the Rock'
- Beautiful Bay of Islands
- TranzCoastal Train Option
- TranzAlpine Train Option
- INCLUDED Maori Cultural Experience
- OPTIONAL Maori Cultural Experience
PREMIUM HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS
Quality Touring
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Professional Team
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» Tour also available in reverse: Auckland to Christchurch » Click here to view the tour
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DATES & PRICES |
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| Tour Dates | |
| Departs on | Returns on |
| 2011 | |
| $3619 | |
| 21 Nov | 07 Dec |
| 19 Dec | 04 Jan |
| 2012 | |
| $3619 | |
| 02 Jan | 18 Jan |
| 09 Jan | 25 Jan |
| 16 Jan | 01 Feb |
| 23 Jan | 08 Feb |
| 06 Feb | 22 Feb |
| 09 Feb | 25 Feb |
| 13 Feb | 29 Feb |
| 16 Feb | 03 Mar |
| 20 Feb | 07 Mar |
| 23 Feb | 10 Mar |
| 27 Feb | 14 Mar |
| 01 Mar | 17 Mar |
| 05 Mar | 21 Mar |
| 08 Mar | 24 Mar |
| 12 Mar | 28 Mar |
| 15 Mar | 31 Mar |
| 19 Mar | 04 Apr |
| 22 Mar | 07 Apr |
| 26 Mar | 11 Apr |
| 29 Mar | 14 Apr |
| 16 Apr | 02 May |
| 23 Apr | 09 May |
| $3535 | |
| 14 May | 30 May |
| 21 May | 06 Jun |
| 25 Jun | 11 Jun |
| 23 Jul | 08 Aug |
| 20 Aug | 05 Sep |
| 03 Sep | 19 Sep |
| 10 Sep | 26 Sep |
| 17 Sep | 03 Oct |
| Red shaded dates are Guaranteed Departures | |
| Prices AUD | Land Content Only | |
| Single Supplement | $1120 | |
| Child 15 years and under | Save | $725 |
| Triple Share | Save | $180 |
| Concession Card Holders | Save | $75 |
| Note: Itinerary & departure dates may change from 01/10/12. Price is guaranteed upon payment of deposit. | ||
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
After your airport transfer and hotel check-in it is time to relax. Tonight meet your Tour Director for a welcome drink and dinner.
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Cotswold, Christchurch. D
Day 2: Fox Glacier
Travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, en route to Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Next stop is Fox Glacier – a rare, still advancing glacier (optional scenic Fox Glacier flight).
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier, Fox Glacier. B D
Day 3: Queenstown
Travel through the Haast Pass, view Thunder Creek Falls, take a rainforest walk.Then it's a trio of lakes - Wanaka, Hawea, Dunstan. Next up sumptuous stone fruit at Cromwell, the stone fruit capital. Later, you’ll visit historic gold mining Arrowtown on the Arrow River, previously one of the world’s richest rivers. Enjoy a Queenstown orientation tour followed by dinner with views over Lake Wakatipu and the Remarkables.
Hotel: Mercure Queenstown Resort, Queenstown, 2 nights.B D
Day 4: Queenstown 'Free Time'
Explore exciting Queenstown your way. From wine and garden tours to jet boat rides and white water rafting, Queenstown will keep you occupied and exhilarated. For dinner you have the option to dine at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak. Access is via the steepest Gondola in the Southern Hemisphere. Dinner options include the Kiwi Haka Maori Show. B
Day 5: Milford Sound
Travel along the Devil’s Staircase and the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Te Anau. You’ll be awe-struck by great sights from Fiordland National Park – New Zealand’s largest – to Milford Sound, one of the world’s most amazing places, where you will cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. En route you’ll drive through the hand made Homer Tunnel to the abundant photo opportunities afforded by the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Then return to Te Anau. Tonight you have the option to see the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel, Te Anau. B D
Day 6: Dunedin
Cross sheep-filled farming land to Dunedin for a city tour. ‘Free Time’ this afternoon – take a wildlife cruise to see the Penguins and Royal Albatross, visit the Cadbury Factory or ride the Taieri Gorge Railway.
Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin. B D
Day 7: Mt. Cook
'Free Time' this morning – visit Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. Travel through Oamaru, famous for its limestone buildings, passing the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and the Benmore Dam.
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama. B D
Day 8: Christchurch
Soak up the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park (optional scenic flight). SeeLake Pukaki and Lake Tekapo, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and travelacross the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Enjoy some 'Free Time' to explore or just relax.
Hotel: Heartland Hotel Cotswold, Christchurch. B
Day 9: Christchurch - Picton
Travel along the rugged Pacific Ocean coast to Kaikoura, famous for its whales (optional Whale Watching flight). Get up close and personal with some New Zealand fur seals at Ohau Point. Pass the Grassmere Salt Works then travel to the pretty seaside fishing village of Picton for an orientation tour.
Hotel: Beachcomber, Picton. B D
Day 10: Wellington
Cruise on Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington fora city tour. 'Free Time' then you visitTe Papa, the Museum of New Zealand.
Hotel: Mercure Wellington, Wellington. B D
Day 11: Rotorua
Travel along the Kapiti Coast, through the dairy farms of Manawatu and Tongariro National Park, discover the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu. Visit Taupo and drive along the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake. View Huka Falls and pass the Wairakei Geothermal Power Station.Tonight enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi feast and concert and gain an insight into Maori culture.
Hotel: Ibis, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD
Day 12: Rotorua
Visit the Agrodome Sheep Show for a sample of farm life. See the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feeding lambs and an exciting sheep auction. Then enjoy an afternoon of 'Free Time' – visit Rainbow Springs, abundant with Rainbow Trout and native fauna including the kiwi or Te Puia, where a local Maori will guide you through the Geothermal Valley with its mud pools and geysers. B
Day 13: Waitomo Caves - Auckland
This morning travel through lush Waikato farmland to Waitomo Caves. See the amazing underground Glow Worm Grotto by boat and walk the limestone caves. Later you follow the Waikato River, New Zealand’s longest river, into Auckland. Enjoy views from Mt. Eden before continuing to your hotel.
Hotel: Mercure, Auckland. B D
Day 14: Bay of Islands
Over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, through Orewa and the scenic Hibiscus Coast. Walk amongst Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. Have time to explore Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand then it’s off to the beautiful Bay of Islands. Take a scenic cruise through game fishing waters to Cape Brett and, weather permitting, through the famous 'Hole in the Rock' formation. The return cruise to Paihia meanders through picturesque islands – see deserted sandy beaches and secluded bays and keep your eyes peeled for the marine life.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort (Garden View), Bay of Islands, 2 nights. B D
Day 15: Bay of Islands 'Free Time'
Explore the Bay of Islands your way. Dolphin watch, catch a ferry to Russell, or drive along 90 Mile Beach. B
Day 16: Auckland
Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve, where New Zealand's founding document was signed. You'll have time on your own to take in highlights such as the magnificent Maori War Canoe (Waka) and Marae (Meeting House). This afternoon enjoy the lush farmland scenery as you return to Auckland.
Hotel: Mercure, Auckland. B
Day 17: Depart Auckland
Explore Auckland at your leisure until your transfer to Auckland Airport. B
TranzAlpine Train Option
Experience one of the world's top 6 train trips aboard the TranzAlpine from Christchurch.
TranzCoastal Train Option
For a scenic feast journey on the TranzCoastal between Christchurch & Picton, with the Kaikoura Mountain Range on one side and the rugged Pacific Ocean on the other.
