18 Day Premium Touring - New Zealand Encounter

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New Zealand Encounter
Spectacular sightseeing experiences
– Dinner at Montana Winery
– The Christchurch Tram
– Larnach Castle Dunedin
– The TranzAlpine train
– See the Pancake Rocks and
Blowholes at Punakaiki

– View Franz Josef Glacier
– Spectacular Milford Sound
– View Mighty Mt. Cook
– Visit Te Papa
– Thermal Reserve Rotorua
– The Realm of Tane
– Maori Hangi and Concert
– The ‘Hole in the Rock’
– Waitangi Treaty Reserve
[IM] – INCLUDED Maori
Cultural Experience

[OM] – OPTIONAL Maori
Cultural Experience
Premium holiday inclusions
Transportation
– Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts, reclining seats, panoramic windows
Professionally Escorted
– Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver
Dining Inclusions
– Full Buffet Breakfasts (17) B
– Exciting Highlight Dinner (3) HD
– Hotel Dinners YOUR CHOICE (9) YCD
Accommodation
– Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels
Plus
– Welcome Drink
– All purpose travel wallet and map
– Airport transfers (Day 1 Christchurch Airport to hotel – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm; Day 18 to Auckland Airport – flights anytime)
– Hotel porterage included
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Christchurch
Transfer from airport to hotel, check-in, then see Christchurch your way. In the evening enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Hotel: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. YCD


Day 2: TranzAlpine – Franz Josef
We catch the TranzAlpine for a world class train journey from Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass. We’ll experience the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes and visit a New Zealand native jade factory for a jewellery demonstration at Hokitika, before heading to Franz Josef Glacier. See it from the air on an optional scenic flight!
Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef. B - YCD


Day 3: Punakaiki – F ranz Josef
Travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, to Hokitika to visit a New Zealand native jade factory for a jewellery demonstration. Continue to Franz Josef Glacier. You can see it from the air on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting) or take a glacier hike!
Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef. B - YCD


Day 4: Franz Josef – Queenstown
Today take in Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, a small rainforest bush walk, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan, the stone fruit capital of Cromwell, historic Arrowtown and finally Queenstown, for an orientation tour and group photo. Your dinner option, Skyline Restaurant at Bob’s Peak, is accessed via gondola. [OM] The Kiwi Haka Maori Show makes a top night – if you choose.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. B


Day 5: Queenstown ‘Free Time’
Explore action-packed, adventure-capital, Queenstown, for yourself. Wine and garden tours, jet boat rides, white water rafting – it’s up to you. Dinner and a sheep shearing demonstration are at Walter Peak. We’ll cruise Lake Wakatipu, onboard the TSS Earnslaw, to get there and back. B - HD


Day 6: Milford Sound
Over the Devils Stair Case, along Lake Wakatipu’s shores to Te Anau. World Heritage Fiordland National Park is next. We travel through rainforest, see glaciers and mountain ranges, pass through the hand built Homer Tunnel, to the abundant photo opportunities of the Mirror Lakes, Pop’s Lookout, Claudu Valley, The Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and Milford Sound. Tonight’s tour option - a visit to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Hotel: Village Inn, Te Anau. B - YCD
Day 7: Te Anau – Dunedin
Travel from Te Anau to Dunedin over farmland. A city tour, then Dunedin is yours to enjoy – take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Factory – it’s your call!
Hotel: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin. B - YCD


Day 8: Dunedin
A guided tour of Larnach Castle starts the day. Then enjoy some free time before heading to Twizel via Oamaru, famous forits limestone buildings, and the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam.
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn – Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. B - YCD


Day 9: Mt Cook – Christchurch
Mt Cook National Park is today’s highlight. Take a scenic flight over it, if you like. En route to Christchurch we’ll see Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the patchwork Canterbury Plains. We’ll have a Christchurch city tour, ride the Christchurch Tram then it’s your time.
Hotel: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. B


Day 10: Kaikoura – Blenheim
Making our way along the rugged East Coast we reach Kaikoura for some whale watching. If you wish take an optional Scenic Whale Watching flight. We’ll also see New Zealand Fur Seals up close at Ohau Point. Pass the Grassmere Salt Works and arrive at Blenheim for an orientation tour before a tour, tasting and dinner, at Montana Winery – one of New Zealand’s best.
Hotel: Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim. B - HD


Day 11: Wellington
A visit to Picton and a cruise of tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound get things going, before we head to Wellington. A view filled city sights tour then it’s free time – until we [IM] visit the New Zealand national museum – Te Papa – for some Maori Culture. See Parliament, then the evening is yours to explore the local cuisine.
Hotel: Novotel Capital, Wellington. B - YCD


Day 12: Wellington – Rotorua
Traversing the coast and the dairy farming land of Manawatu en route to Tongariro National Park we’ll sight Mt Ruapehu. Lake Taupo, Taupo, Huka Falls and Rotorua. An orientation tour takes in views of Lake Rotorua. [IM] The Realm of T–ane, Hangi and Concert is our evening cultural highlight.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. B - HD
Day 13: Rotorua
Sparkling wine and a breakfast cruise on Lake Rotorua starts our day, followed by the Agrodome Sheep Show. [IM] Te Puia gives us an insight into Maori Culture. We take a guided tour of the Geothermal Reserve then the afternoon is yours. B


FARM STAY OPTION
Experience farm life first hand. For an extra $25 per person enjoy genuine New Zealand hospitality this evening and spend the night with a local family on a nearby farm.


Day 14: Rotorua – Auckland
We tour the Glow Worm Grotto and limestone caves at Waitomo Caves. Then trace the gorgeous Waikato River into Auckland for a tour of Mt Eden, Bastian Point, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland Harbour Bridge and more.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland. B - YCD


Day 15: Auckland – Bay of Islands
Over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, we travel up the Hibiscus Coast. Walk amongst the Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. We have time to explore Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand then it’s off to Paihia and the beautiful Bay of Islands. We visit the Waitangi Treaty Reserve before returing includes the Maori War Canoe (waka).
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Bay of Islands, 2 nights. B - YCD


Day 16: Bay of Islands ‘Free Time’
The Bay of Islands is yours to explore. Dolphin watch, catch a ferry to Russell, walk the Ninety Mile Beach, whatever takes your fancy. Finish off with dinner in town – it’s all your choice. B


Day 17: Bay of Islands – Auckland
[IM] We visit the Waitangi Treaty Reserve which includes the Maori War Canoe (Waka) and Marae (Meeting House). We’ll then return to Auckland.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland. B


Day 18: Depart Auckland
Today we’ll transfer you to Auckland Airport for your return flight. B
New Zealand Encounter

18 days, Priced from $4755
Premium Escorted, Departs from Christchurch, finishes at Auckland
Tour code ZSBN

Tour Dates
Departs on
Returns on
2009
$5345
04 Oct
21 Oct
11 Oct
28 Oct
18 Oct
04 Nov
25 Oct
11 Nov
01 Nov
18 Nov
10 Nov
25 Nov
15 Nov
02 Dec
22 Nov
09 Dec
06 Dec
23 Dec
13 Dec
30 Dec
20 Dec
06 Jan
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Departs on
Returns on
2010
$5345
03 Jan
20 Jan
10 Jan
27 Jan
24 Jan
10 Feb
31 Mar
17 Feb
03 Feb
20 Feb
07 Feb
24 Feb
10 Feb
27 Feb
21 Feb
10 Mar
24 Feb
13 Mar
28 Feb
17 Mar
03 Mar
20 Mar
07 Mar
24 Mar
10 Mar
27 Mar
14 Mar
31 Mar
17 Mar
03 Apr
21 Mar
07 Apr
24 Mar
10 Apr
28 Mar
14 Apr
31 Mar
17 Apr
18 Apr
05 May
25 Apr
12 May
$4755
16 May
02 Jun
23 May
09 Jun
27 Jun
14 Aug
25 Jul
11 Aug
22 Aug
08 Sep
05 Sep
22 Sep
12 Sep
29 Sep
19 Sep
06 Oct
26 Sep
13 Oct
$5560
03 Oct
20 Oct
10 Oct
27 Oct
17 Oct
03 Nov
24 Oct
10 Nov
31 Oct
17 Nov
07 Nov
24 Nov
14 Nov
01 Dec
21 Nov
08 Dec
05 Dec
22 Dec
12 Dec
29 Dec
19 Dec
05 Jan
Red shaded dates are Guaranteed Departures
Prices AUD Land Content Only
Single Supplement (May - Sep) $1260
Single Supplement (Oct - Apr) $1495
Child 15 years and under Save $1070
King Club Save $265
Triple Share Save $265
Friendly Fours Save $265
Concession Card Holders Save $75
 
Note: Itinerary & departure dates may change from 01/10/10. Price is guaranteed upon payment of deposit.
 
YOUR CHOICE
YCD - Without Hotel Dinners - Save $315.

Hotel Dinners –YOUR CHOICE.
Its YOUR CHOICE whether you have hotel dinners included in your holiday or, if you prefer arranging your own evening meals, then just deduct the saving amount shown in the price box of your holiday itinerary.
Included meals are indicated on each itinerary.

B
D
HD
YCD
Breakfast
Dinner
Highlight Dinner
Hotel Dinners your choice

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