PACIFIC ESCAPADE

18 days Auckland to Christchurch

PRICE INCLUDES:

» 17 nights accommodation in the style of your choice

» Breakfasts daily, 1 lunch and 3 dinners

» 15 days car rental including full insurance and unlimited kms

» Domestic flight Rotorua to Christchurch

» Private airport transfers on arrival and departure

» Cape Brett and Hole in the Rock cruise

» Te Puia Thermal Reserve

» Akaroa Wildlife cruise

» Lake Taupo and Church of the Good Shepherd

» Aoraki, Mt Cook National Park

» Tasman Glacier Explorer boat excursion

» Shotover Jet Boat ride

» Doubtful Sound Wilderness excursion

» World Heritage Westland National Park

» Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers

» Punakaiki Rocks and Blowhole

» Award-winning TranzAlpine train journey through the Southern Alps

Tour Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrive Auckland

Welcome to Auckland, the City of Sails. On completion of arrival formalities, you will be transferred to your chosen accommodation. The remainder of the day is at leisure to explore what the city has to offer.

Hotel: The Great Ponsonby Art Hotel Apartment: The Heritage Auckland

Day 2 – Hibiscus Coast, Paihia (B)

Collect your rental car this morning and travel north over the harbour bridge and through the northern suburbs of Auckland; the beachside homes of the Hibiscus Coast to the east and the bushclad Waitakere Ranges to the west. Enjoy spectacular scenery of native forests and sub-tropical bush as you make your way to Paihia in the Bay of Islands, a seaside town nestled on the foreshore of the national maritime park. This afternoon, enjoy a cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole-in-the-Rock’.

B&B: Allegra House (2 nights) Hotel: Scenic Hotel (2 nights)

Day 3 – At leisure in the Bay of Islands

A free day to enjoy all that this natural playground has to offer. Swim with dolphins, see whales up close, enjoy a day’s big game fishing, play a round of golf or take a trip to Cape Reinga, the northernmost point in New Zealand.

Day 4 – Matakana, Coromandel Peninsula (B)

Head south today and stop at the Matakana wine village with its

Bay of Islands. Photo Credit: Northland NZ markets and boutique shops. Join the Pacific Coast Highway that links Auckland with the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful, rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches and a place where many local kiwis go to escape the hustle and hype of city life. It is also home to many arts and crafts people who seek an alternative lifestyle.

All Categories: Pauanui Pines Motor Lodge

Day 5 – At leisure to explore Coromandel beaches (B)

There are many beautiful places in the world and the Coromandel Peninsulas an unspoilt heaven. Today you may choose to visit and enjoy the stunning beaches of Cathedral Cove and Hahei or dig your own spa pool using the thermal waters in the sand at Hot Water Beach.

Day 6 – Bay of Plenty, Rotorua (B)

Travel along the Bay of Plenty coastline to the popular beachside towns of Tauranga and Mt Maunganui. From here, travel inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua, an area that has enchanted visitors from around the world for more than 160 years.

B&B: Springs Luxury B&B (2 nights)

Hotel: Distinction Rotorua (2 nights)

Day 7 – Discover Rotorua (B, D)

Free time to explore Rotorua today. You may like to visit the Agrodome or take a gondola ride to the top of Mt Ngongotaha for spectacular views of Rotorua. Later this afternoon visit Te Puia geothermal area to view the boiling mud pools and cascading Pohutu geyser. Some of the night time activities to enjoy are a soak in the lakeside geothermal pools at the Polynesian Spa or experiencing the nightlights at the Redwoods Treewalk.

Day 8 – Fly Rotorua to Christchurch, Akaroa (B)

This morning, board your flight to Christchurch. On arrival, collect your rental car and drive to Akaroa, a quaint seaside village on Banks Peninsula, famous for its French heritage. Settled in the early 1860’s, it has retained its French flavour through its street names and architecture.

B&B: Beaufort House (2 nights)

Hotel: Akaroa Criterion (2 nights)

Day 9 – Wildlife Harbour Cruise (B)

Your harbour cruise today will be fully narrated by your skipper who has extensive knowledge of the nature, wildlife, and history of the harbour. The highlight of this trip is undoubtedly the sighting of one of the world’s smallest and rarest dolphins, the Hector’s, or New Zealand Dolphin. These friendly and inquisitive mammals meet the boat most days throughout the year and their calves can be seen between October and March. Also on the trip you many catch glimpses of the White Flippered Blue Penguin, the smallest penguin in the world. There are many different bird species in the Harbour, including five different cormorant species and there is the chance of sighting the endangered yellow-eyed penguin.

Day 10 – Lake Tekapo, Mt Cook National Park (B)

Travel through the MacKenzie Country to Lake Tekapo where you stop to view the tiny Church of the Good Shephard, built of local strong and oak in 1935. Then it’s on to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier; the longest in the Southern hemisphere. Optional ski-plane and helicopter flights are available here subject to weather conditions.

All categories: The Hermitage Mt Cook

Day 11 – Tasman Glacier, Queenstown* (B)

This morning, you get to experience the Tasman Glacier in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier where you will also get to touch and taste 400-year-old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. This afternoon, travel on to Queenstown, a spectacular alpine resort regarded as New Zealand’s premier destination.

B&B: Browns Boutique Hotel (3 nights)

Hotel: Heritage Queenstown (3 nights)

Day 12 – Explore Queenstown at leisure (B)

Nothing you will have experienced will have prepared you for the excitement of a Shotover Jet ride as you speed through the towering, rocky canyons of the South Island’s river of gold. The major highlight is the famous Shotover Turn where your boat spins through a full 360 degrees in its own length. The remainder of today is at leisure to relax or explore Queenstown. Optional activities available include bungy jumping, white water rafting, four-wheel driving, cruising on Lake Wakatipu, riding a gondola to the summit of Bob’s Peak for panoramic views or simply enjoying the excellent shopping and dining available.

Day 13 – Doubtful Sound Wilderness Excursion (B, L)

You will be collected from your hotel this morning and travel by coach to Manapouri. Cruise the crystal-clear waters of this stunning lake, renowned for its numerous islands and deserted beaches. Then it’s over Wilmot Pass on one of New Zealand’s remotest and prettiest sub-alpine roads, stopping along the way to experience some of Fiordland’s densest rainforest and to view Doubtful Sound glistening far below. On reaching Deep Cove, you will board your vessel for a cruise that takes in the most dramatic scenery of Doubtful Sound. Nature guides provide an engaging commentary and frequently swim alongside the vessel, fur seals bask on the rocks around the fiord and rare penguins can at times be observed. After your cruise reboard your coach and travel back to Queenstown.

Day 14 – Lake Wanaka, Lake Moeraki ^ (B, D)

Leave Queenstown this morning and stop at the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Wander around the beautiful town of Lake Wanaka before enjoying incredible scenery as you drive past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the Westland National Park and Haast Pass. Few places can match the unique natural setting of your accommodation for the next two nights, the Lake Moeraki Wilderness Lodge.

All categories: Wilderness Lodge, Lake Moeraki (2 nights)

Day 15 – A Day at leisure (B, D)

With pristine lakes and untouched ancient rainforest, spectacular beaches that are home to fur seals and crested penguins, Moeraki is a paradise for nature lovers. Radiating from the lodge is a network of guided and self-guided rainforest and Tasman seacoast walks. There is also a fleet of canoes for you to explore the Moeraki River and you can paddle the short distance up the river to the lake.

Day 16 – West Coast Glaciers, Punakaiki Rocks (B)

This morning, journey up the coast to Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Optional helicopter flightseeing or heli-hikes can be booked and are highly recommended (subject to weather conditions). Travel north along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush eta of the 1800’s, to the famous blowholes and limestone formations at Punakaiki Rocks.

All categories: Ocean View Retreat

Day 17 – TranzAlpine Train, Christchurch (B)

Return your rental car at Greymouth before checking in for your train journey to Christchurch. The TranzAlpine is described as “The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure” and is rated as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. Ascend through lush beech forests past the beautiful Lake Brunner via the alpine village of Arthurs Pass before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. The TranzAlpine then winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

B&B: The Classic Villa

Hotel: Sudima Christchurch City

Day 18 – Depart Christchurch (B)

Sadly, your holiday is at an end, and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport to connect with your onward flight.

*Glacier Explorer Boat trip does not operate during the winter months (late May – early Sep)

^ Please note Wilderness Lodge is closed over the winter months, please discuss alternatives with your ANZCRO Consultant.

Per person from Twin Share B&B - UKNZB2318DPEBB $7,177 Hotel - UKNZB2318DPEH $5,203

*Glacier Explorers Boat trip does not operate during the winter months (late May – early Sep)

^Please note Wilderness Lodge is closed over the winter months, please discuss alternatives with your ANZCRO consultant’