18 Day New Zealand Encounter
AAT Kings' 18 day premium New Zealand Encounter, see the north and south island including Bay of Islands, Auckland, Rotorua, Christchurch, Milford Sound and more.
- Larnach Castle Dunedin
- Famous TranzAlpine Train
- See the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes at Punakaiki
- View Franz Josef Glacier
- Cruise on Milford Sound
- View mighty Mt. Cook
- Thermal Reserve Rotorua
- The Realm of Tãne
- Maori Hangi and concert
- The 'Hole in the Rock'
- Waitangi Treaty Reserve
- INCLUDED Maori Cultural Experience
- OPTIONAL Maori Cultural Experience
- 'You are invited' experience
PREMIUM HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS
Quality Touring
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Professional Team
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DATES & PRICES |
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| Tour Dates | |
| Departs on | Returns on |
| 2011 | |
| $6059 | |
| 04 Dec | 21 Dec |
| 18 Dec | 04 Jan |
| 2012 | |
| $6059 | |
| 01 Jan | 18 Jan |
| 22 Jan | 08 Feb |
| 05 Feb | 22 Feb |
| 26 Feb | 14 Mar |
| 29 Feb | 17 Mar |
| 04 Mar | 21 Mar |
| 11 Mar | 28 Mar |
| 18 Mar | 04 Apr |
| 25 Mar | 11 Apr |
| 15 Apr | 02 May |
| 22 Apr | 09 May |
| $5535 | |
| 13 May | 30 May |
| 24 Jun | 11 Jul |
| 22 Jul | 08 Aug |
| 19 Aug | 05 Sep |
| 02 Sep | 19 Sep |
| 15 Sep | 03 Oct |
| 30 Sep | 17 Oct |
| Red shaded dates are Guaranteed Departures | |
| Prices AUD | Land Content Only | |
| Single Supplement | $1655 | |
| Child 15 years and under | Save | $1210 |
| Triple Share | Save | $305 |
| 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
Transfer from airport to hotel, check-in, and relax. In theevening enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travellers.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. D
Day 2: TranzAlpine - Punakaiki
Catch the TranzAlpine for a world class journey to Arthur’s Pass. Experience the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes on arrival in Punakaiki, where you’ll spend the night at your exclusive resort right on the waterfront.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B D
Day 3: Punakaiki - Franz Josef
Travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, to Hokitika to visit a NewZealand native jade factory for a jewellery demonstration. Continue to Franz JosefGlacier. You can see it from the air on an optional scenic flight (weather permitting)or take a glacier hike!
Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef. B D
Day 4: Franz Josef - Queenstown
Today take in Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, a small rainforest bush walk, LakeWanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan, the stone fruit capital of Cromwell, historicArrowtown and finally Queenstown, for an orientation tour on arrival. Your dinneroption, Skyline Restaurant at Bob's Peak, is accessed via gondola.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 gardentours, jet boat rides, white water rafting - it's up to you. Dinner and a sheepshearing demonstration are at Walter Peak. We'll cruise Lake Wakatipu, on board the TSSEarnslaw, to get there and back. B HD
Day 6: Milford Sound
Over the Devil’s Staircase, along Lake Wakatipu’s shores to Te Anau. World Heritage Fiordland National Park is next. Travel through rainforest, see glaciers and mountain ranges, pass through the hand built Homer Tunnel, to the abundant photo opportunities of the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley, the Chasm, Mitre Peak, Bowen Falls and Milford Sound, where you’ll cruise on the waters of this natural wonder. Tonight’s option – a visit to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau. B D
Day 7: Te Anau - Dunedin
Travel from Te Anau to Dunedin over farmland. A city tour, then Dunedin is yours toenjoy - take a Wildlife Cruise, visit the Cadbury Factory - it's your call!
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin. B D
Day 8: Dunedin
A guided tour of Larnach Castle starts the day. Then some 'Free Time' beforeheading to Twizel via Oamaru, famous for its limestone buildings, and the WaitakiHydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam.
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn, Deluxe Rooms, Twizel.B D
Day 9: Mt. Cook - Christchurch
Mt. Cook National Park is today’s highlight. Take an optional scenic flight. See Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd.You are Invited to enjoy a taste of country life with a barbecue lunch on a working farm. Travel over the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Take some time to explore or just relax.
Hotel: Terrace Downs Resort, Darfield. B L
Day 10: Kaikoura - Blenheim
Travelling along the rugged East Coast you reach Kaikoura for some whale watching. Take an optional Scenic Whale Watching flight. 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 Georges Michel Wine Estate.
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 you head to Wellington. A view filled City Sights Tour then it’s ‘Free Time’ – until you visitTe Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, for some Maori culture.
Hotel: Novotel, Wellington. B D
Day 12: Wellington - Rotorua
Traversing the coast and the dairy farming land of Manawatu en route to TongariroNational Park we'll sight Mt. Ruapehu. Lake Taupo, Huka Falls and Rotorua.An orientation tour takes in views of Lake Rotorua.TheRealm of Tãne, Hangi and concert is our evening cultural highlight.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. B HD
Day 13: Rotorua
Start the day with a ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast with stunning views over Rotorua, followed by the Agrodome Sheep Show.Te Puia gives us an insight into Maori culture. Take a guided tour of the Geothermal Reserve then the afternoon is yours. B
Day 14: Rotorua - Auckland
Tour the Glow Worm Grotto at Waitomo Caves. Then trace the Waikato River into Auckland for a tour of Mt. Eden, Bastion Point, Viaduct Harbour and more.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland. B D
Day 15: Auckland - Bay of Islands
Over the Auckland Harbour Bridge, you travel up the Hibiscus Coast. Walk amongst the Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. Have time to explore Whangarei. Then it’s off to Paihia in Bay of Islands. Cruise to Cape Brett, through the ‘Hole in the Rock’ and stop at Urupukapuka Island before returning to Paihia.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel & Resort (Water View), Bay of Islands, 2 nights. B D
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
We visit theWaitangi Treaty Reserve which includes the Maori WarCanoe (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 onward flight. B
