Day 1 - Queenstown - Arrive

After clearing customs and immigration, you are transferred from Queenstown Airport to your Queenstown accommodation.

The rest of the day is free to explore Queenstown.

Click for further information, prices and book your Airport to City transfer.

Click for further information, rates and book your Queenstown accommodation.

Day 2 - Queenstown to Milford Sound to Queenstown Day Excursion

This morning you are picked by your luxury scenic coach from your accommodation Your journey from Queenstown takes you along the edge of Lake Wakatipu beneath the rugged Remarkables to Te Anau for a morning tea break (own expense). You'll then enter the Fiordland National Park, pausing at the Mirror Lakes before passing through the Hollyford Valley. The road then climbs to enter the Homer Tunnel, emerging above the Cleddau Valley before descending to Milford Sound for your scenic cruise.

Carved by a massive glacier in the last ice age, Milford Sound is one of the most treasured regions of the World Heritage Fiordland National Park. The best way to check out the heart-stopping, pristine scenery, towering peaks, waterfalls and marine and bird life is aboard this Milford Sound cruise. During your cruise, you'll enjoy a full commentary about the rich history and environment of Milford Sound.

Click for further information, prices and book your Queenstown/Milford Sound/Queenstown Day Excursion.

Day 3 - Queenstown

A free day to relax and explore Queenstown and the surrounding region. 

You might be interested in the following optional sightseeing attractions and/or half and full day sightseeing tours -

Click for further information, price and book your Shotover River Jet Boat Ride - Duration 1 Hour.

Click for further information, prices and book your Skippers Canyon Half Day 4WD Tour - Duration 4 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Glenorchy Lord of the Rings Locations Tour - Durations 4 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Walter Peak High Country Farm and Cruise - Duration 4 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Gourmet Central Otago Wine Tour - Duration 7 Hours.

Day 4 -  Queenstown to Franz Josef Glacier

After early morning pickup from your Queenstown hotel, travel by comfortable coach 200 miles (323km) to Franz Josef Glacier townships, with rest stops and photo ops along the way. Admire the scenic landscape as you pass through the interior of Central Otago, New Zealand’s most inland region, known for its rolling hills, snow capped mountains, clear rivers and deep gorges. Drive over Haast Pass, a forested section of highway that crosses through the mountain ranges of Mount Aspiring National Park. In the late morning, your coach stops at a visitors center bordering the national park where you can stretch your legs and purchase a bite to eat. Later, pop into a salmon farm where you can see the operations and have a snack at the cafe. Arrive at Franz Josef township in the late afternoon and check into your hotel for two nights. Have the rest of the day to explore the town at your leisure. Your hotel can suggest restaurants for dinner.

You might be interested in the following optional sightseeing attractions -

Click for further information, prices and book your Twin Glacier Helicopter Flight - Duration 30 Minutes.

Click for further information, prices and book your Franz Josef Mountain Scenic Helicopter Flight - Duration 40 Minutes.

Day 5 - Franz Josef

Experience the Fox Glacier on a 2-hour Glacier valley walk with an expert guide. After introductions, your guide provides a safety briefing and hiking gear that includes boots, socks and a rain coat if needed. Once you have put on your gear, take a short ride along the glacial valley to the start of the trail. Depending on the day’s conditions, you'll be taken as close to the ice as possible.

Snap photos of fantastic views of the valley and glacier. Throughout your walk, your knowledgeable guide shares fascinating stories and facts about the glacier. Afterward, have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure. You have several choices of places to purchase lunch in Franz Josef, including a cafe at the Fox Glacier guiding office.similar

Day 6 - Franz Josef to Christchurch

In the morning, travel by coach 125 miles (200km) north to Greymouth, with stops along the way where you can purchase a snack or take a short stroll. When you reach Greymouth, your coach delivers you to the famous TranzAlpine train. Board the train and enjoy amenities that include an open-air platform, a cafe car with food and drinks for purchase, recorded commentary that you can listen to on a provided headset, and comfortable seats with large panoramic windows and skylights for excellent viewing. Leaving Greymouth, the train passes the former coal-mining town of Dobson, then crosses a broad shallow river in a deep valley flanked by misty mountains and waterfalls. Enter the Otira Tunnel, one of the longest tunnels in New Zealand at 5.3 miles (8.6km) long. At Arthurs Pass station, take in Arthurs Pass National Park and the surrounding mist-shrouded mountains.

As you descend from the Southern Alps, get breathtaking views of the Waimakiriri River gorge. The train travels over a series of steel girder bridges and deep gorges; the highest viaduct rises 240 feet (73m) above the river. Pass through fields of sheep, cattle, and red deer, as you cross the Canterbury Plains before arriving in Christchurch. After your 4.5-hour train journey, your tour ends upon arrival in Christchurch - the garden city.

Click for further information, prices and book your Queenstown to Christchurch 3 Day travel package.

Click for further information, rates and book your Christchurch city accommodation.

Day 7 - Christchurch to Kaikoura

This morning, it’s all aboard the Coastal Pacific train to Kaikoura, for a scenic train journey that passing through stunning coastal scenery and rugged mountain ranges to Kaikoura, for a whale watching tour by boat or light aircraft. See the gentle giants of the sea and be thrilled as the giant sperm whales breach, and watch the dolphins and seals at play.

Day 8 - Kaikoura to Wellington via Picton

This morning, it’s all aboard the Coastal Pacific train to Kaikoura, for a scenic train journey that passing through stunning coastal scenery and rugged mountain ranges to the winery growing region of Blenheim and to Picton for travel on an Inter Islander ferry, crossing Cook Strait to Picton to Wellington - the harbour city and the coolest little capital in the world.

Day 9 - Wellington to Rotorua

There is more stunning scenery on offer today as you travel by coach to Wellington, passing the Kapiti coast ascending up the North Island's central plateau passing the the mighty volcanoes of Mt Ruapheu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe, desending down to Lake Taupo, to the geo-thermal region of Rotorua.

Day 10 - Rotorua

This morning explore Rotorua's geothermal wonderland and discover the unique culture of New Zealand's Maori people. Enjoy a guided tour of Te Puia, see Rainbow Springs and watch the Agrodome Sheep Show. The rest of the day is at leisure and in the evening you might like to experience a Maori hangi (a traditional barbecue) and concert (at own expense).

Click for further information, price and book your Traditional Maori Hangi Dinner and Performance - Duration 3.5 Hours.

You might be interested in this afternoon sightseeing tour -

Click for further information, price and book your 'Lord of the Rings' Hobbiton Movie Set Tour - Duration 4.5 Hours.

Day 11 - Rotorua to Waitomo Caves and Auckland

This morning you are picked up from your accommodation by luxury scenic coach for a scenic journey from Auckland and to the magical Waitomo Caves. Here you will have a guided tour of the caves, before taking a short boat ride along the river to the grotto. Be enchanted by the thousands of glow worms emitting tiny lights that twinkle in the darkness. 

Click on the link for further information, prices and book your Christchurch to Auckland 5 Day travel package.

Click for further information, rates and book your Auckland city accommodation.

Day 12 - Auckland

A free day to relax and explore Auckland and the surrounding region. 

You might be interested in the following optional sightseeing attractions and/or half and full day sightseeing tours -

Click for further information, price and book your Auckland City Highlights Morning Tour - Duration 3 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Auckland Hop-on Hop-off Tour - Duration Full Day.

Click for further information, prices and book your Sailing Coffee Cruise on Auckland Harbour - Duration 1.5 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Sailing Lunch Cruise on Auckland Harbour - Duration 1.5 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Sailing Dinner Cruise on Auckland Harbour - Duration 2.5 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your America's Cup Sailing on Auckland Harbour - Duration 3 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Waiheke Island Wine Tasting Tour - Duration 4.5 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Great Barrier Island Tour - Duration 5 Hours.

Click for further information, prices and book your Bay of Islands Tour - Cape Brett 'Hole in the Rock' - Duration 7 Hours.

Day 13 - Auckland - Leave

It is time to say goodbye as you are transferred from your central city accommodation to Auckland airport.

Click for further information, prices and book your Accommodation to Airport transfer.

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