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New Zealand's Best |
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Day 1 Arrive Auckland Upon arrival in Auckland you will be welcomed by your driver / guide for the North Island section of your New Zealand experience. Alternatively our representative will meet your with your rental car. Transfer to your accommodation. The balance of the day will be free to explore Auckland's stunning waterfront, central business district and the eclectic shopping districts of Ponsonby and Parnel. Overnight Auckland Hilton Day 2 Auckland - Waitomo Caves - Rotorua This morning travel South over the Bombay Hills to the Waikato, one of New Zealand's richest farming districts. Pass through the City of Hamilton and continue south to the Waitomo Caves, famous for their glow worm displays and limestone formations. A one hour tour through the Glow Worm Cave is included. Leaving the Caves the route travels over the Kaimi Ranges to Rotorua the geo-thermal capital of New Zealand. Overnight Solitaire Lodge Day 3 Rotorua A full day to explore Rotorua's wide variety of attractions. Must sees include the Whakarewarewa thermal district and traditional Maori village, Rainbow Springs a park like surrounding with wild trout, a Kiwi House and beautiful bush walks. We strongly suggest visitors take a scenic flight over Mount Tarawera's awesome crater. Overnight Solitaire Lodge Day 4 Rotorua - Christchurch This morning fly South to Christchurch. On arrival you will be greeted by your driver/guide for the South Island section of your travel. Alternatively our representative will meet you with your replacement rental car. The balance of the day will be free. City attractions include, The Cathedral and The Square, The Arts Centre, Canterbury Provencial buildings to name a few options. Overnight The Weston House Day 5 Christchurch - Franz Josef Departing Christchurch the route travels West over the Southern Alps, the main divide of the South Island. Traverse Porters and Arthurs Pass both at an elevation of over a 1000 meters. The highway is surround by towering snow capped mountains with lower slopes covered with luxuriant native forest. Decend rapidly to Greymouth and the Tasman Sea. Travelling down the West Coast of the South Island, drive through stands of native forest and over swift flowing rivers to arrive at Franz Josef Glacier. Time should be allowed during the journey for numerous photo stops and small detours to view the many scenic lakes and walks. A scenic helicopter flight over the Glacier with on snow landing is one of the popular activities. For the more active the opportunity exists to take a guided Glacier walk. Overnight Westwood Lodge Day 6 Franz Josef - Queenstown Leaving Franz Josef the route travels south over Mount Hercules to Franz Josef 's sister town of Fox Glacier, before continuing on to Haast. Farewelling the coast the highway follows the Landsborough River before traversing Haast Pass. The route passes through some of New Zealand's finest scenery, with spectacular waterfalls, towering mountains and dense rain forests. Crossing the Pass the highway skirts Lakes Wanaka and Hawea before continuing past the new hydro lake, Lake Dunstan and travelling through the rugged Kawarau Gorge to the alpine resort of Queenstown. Overnight Mountvista Hotel Day 7 Queenstown Today is free to take in the sights around the Queenstown region. Recommended activities include a ride on the Shotover Jet billed as the World's most exciting jet boat ride, a trip on the Earnslaw a historic steam ship operating on lake Wakatipu and an excursion to the nearby historic minning community of Arrowtown. A ride up the Skyline Gondola for a panoramic view of Queenstown and the Remarkables is included. Overnight Mountvista Hotel Day 8 Milford Sound Excursion Depart Queenstown early this morning and round Lake Wakatipu before crossing northern Southland to reach Te Anau. Drive through the Eglinton Valley with its hanging glacier valleys, pristine temperate rainforest and towering peaks. Exiting the Homer Tunnel arrive at Milford Sound. Cruise on the Sound and inspect up close the cascading waterfalls, sea life and towering rock faces which rise over 5000 ft. The flight back to Queenstown provides views of hanging valleys, alpine lakes and cloud-piercing summits hidden from the road. The return flight is truly memorable. Note: rental car travellers will travel by luxuary coach to Milford before flying back. Overnight Mountvista Hotel Day 9 Queenstown - Christchurch Leaving Queenstown retrace the route through the Kawarau Gorge to Cromwell before traversing the Lindis Pass. Cross the Mackenzie Country with its expanses of tussock and snow capped Southern Alps. Arriving Mt. Cook time allows for an optional scenic flight. Pass Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo before travelling over the Canterbury Plains to reach Christchurch. Overnight The Weston House Day 10 Depart Christchurch A late check out, if required, has been arranged
with the hotel. Transfer to the Airport or alternatively your rental
car may be left at the airport.ort. |
Haast Beach
Weston House
Franz Josef Glacier
Queenstown from the Gondola |
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Prices are valid until 30 September 2008 |
Prices are valid until 30 September 2008 |
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