auckland & the coromandel peninsula Tours New Zealand Wonderland

Itinerary:

Day 1  Auckland              
Arrive in Auckland and transfer to your hotel.              

Days 2-3  Auckland to Bay of Islands  
Leave Auckland behind and travel along the scenic Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe’s Kauri Museum. Continue to the Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi Treaty House where the original treaty between the British and Maori people was signed. On day three explore the captivating Bay of Islands on a catamaran cruise to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock.              

Day 4  Bay of Islands to Auckland
Return to Auckland for your Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Choose from attending the unique All Blacks Experience, meet the team at Weta Workshop, journey through lush rainforest and black sand beaches or take a harbour cruise across Waitemata Harbour.  

Day 5  Auckland to Rotorua          
Travel to Waitomo and enjoy a guided tour of  the underground limestone and glowworm  caves, home to thousands of these tiny luminescent creatures. Continue to Rotorua and immerse yourself in Maori culture as you experience a traditional hangi feast and song and dance performance.    

Day 6  Rotorua        
Enjoy one of your Freedom of Choice Touring activities. Options include visiting the Hobbiton Movie Set or encountering the bubbling mud pools and geysers at the Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Tonight you can choose an optional Country Homestay and truly experience warm, local hospitality.      

Day 7  Rotorua to Wellington      
Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway, known for its abundant geothermal activity and natural spas to the Wairakei Steam Valley. Visit the impressive Huka Falls and beautiful Lake Taupo before travelling south across the striking volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park to Wellington.          

Day 8  Wellington          
Explore the vibrant city of Wellington on a sightseeing tour, including the Parliament buildings, Oriental Bay and Marine Drive.  

Day 9  Wellington to Christchurch
Leave the North Island behind and board the Interislander ferry to cruise across the Cook Strait and through the spectacular Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Travel down the east coast stopping en route in the pretty fishing town of Kaikoura.  

Day 10  Christchurch to Franz Josef        
Board the TranzAlpine train for one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. Glide through magnificent gorges and valleys as you cross the spectacular Southern Alps. Disembark the train at Arthur’s Pass and travel along the beautiful west coast to Franz Josef where dramatic icy terrain meets temperate rainforest.

Day 11  Franz Josef to Queenstown
Another day of incredible scenery lies ahead as you travel alongside the Haast River and enjoy impressive views of the glacier-formed Haast River Valley. Arrive in Queenstown where this evening you can choose from four different restaurants for your Freedom of Choice Dining experience. Perhaps ride the gondola to the Skyline Restaurant or dine aboard a vintage steamer.              

Day 12  Queenstown              
Few towns can boast such a spectacular setting as Queenstown, situated on the shores of stunning Lake Wakatipu in the shadow of The Remarkables mountain range. Choose one of the Freedom of Choice Touring activities – you might opt to experience the thrills of the Shotover Jet boat ride or indulge in some of central Otago’s finest wines on a vineyard tour.

Day 13  Queenstown to Milford Sound & Te Anau          
A real highlight today as you visit Fiordland National Park. Cruise the full length of pristine Milford Sound and marvel at the breathtaking scenery. Travel to the lakeside town of Te Anau.          

Day 14  Te Anau to Dunedin    
Travel through Southland to the city of Dunedin and enjoy a Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Options include a visit to New Zealand’s only castle or a tour and tasting session at Speight’s Brewery.        

Day 15  Dunedin to Mount Cook        
Journey north along the coast and stop to view the unusual Moeraki Boulders. Continue to UNESCO World Heritage listed Mount Cook National Park and choose your Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Options include a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre or an opportunity to view striking Mount Cook on a guided nature walk.      

Day 16  Mount Cook to Christchurch            
As you head north, stop at picturesque Lake Tekapo and pay a visit to the famous Church of the Good Shepherd, one of the most photographed scenes in New Zealand. Travel onward to the Garden City of Christchurch.              

Day 17  Christchurch
Your tour concludes with a transfer to the airport.  

Departs:

2020 Departures:                      
3*, 17, 24*, 31 Oct
14*, 28* Nov  
12, 27* Dec  

2021 Departures:                      
9*, 16, 23*, 30 Jan
6*, 13, 20*, 27* Feb
6, 20* Mar
3*, 17 Apr
8 May    
17 Jul    
4, 18*, 25 Sep
2, 16, 30 Oct
6, 13, 20 Nov
11, 26 Dec

2022 Departures:
8, 15, 22, 29 Jan
3, 12, 19, 26 Feb
5, 19 Mar
2, 16 Apr
7 May

*Guaranteed departures.

Please contract our Trailfinders Consultants for 2022 guaranteed departures.