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7 Day Decidedly
Northern |
| Day 1: Auckland – Wairakei
(D) We pick you up from your city hotel at 8.30am. Further south in the
Waikato farmlands, we stop for coffee in a woodland garden. We visit
Waitomo’s breathtaking glow worm cave and enjoy the beauty of the Waitomo
region before driving across to Wairakei. There’s time to relax with a soak
in a thermal pool before dinner. |
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| Day 2:
Wairakei – Rotorua (B, D) We stop at thundering Huka Falls and visit Orakei
Korako where we cross the lake to a thermal wonderland of silica terraces
and bubbling mud pools. Later we arrive in Rotorua to take in the many
sights. In the evening we enjoy the warmth of a Maori concert and a
traditional hangi dinner. |
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| Day 3:
Rotorua – Napier (B) We head to Taupo and skirt the lake before travelling
over the ranges to Napier where Art Deco lives. We taste fine wine at local
vineyards or walk the Art Deco trail. In the breeding season visiting the
gannet colony at Cape Kidnappers is a must for birdlovers. |
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| Day 4: Napier
– Martinborough (B) Hawkes Bay is known as the food basket and you’ll see
why as we drive by orchards, vineyards and market gardens. We call at Mt
Bruce, a renowned bird sanctuary. Martinborough is a pretty village in the
centre of a wine region. |
| Day 5: Martinborough -
Queen Charlotte Sound (B, D) Over the ranges to Wellington, the capital
city, where we visit Te Papa our controversial national museum. We take the
ferry across Cook Strait and up the sound to Picton. Our hideaway lodge is
just a launch ride away. |
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| Day 6: Queen Charlotte
Sound (B, L, D) Lie back in a hammock or perhaps walk a nearby track. We've
arranged a packed lunch so the day is yours to explore the sound by charter
launch, join a nature cruise or take a walk along Queen Charlotte Track with
spectacular views of the sounds at your feet. We dine at the lodge tonight. |
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| Day 7: Picton - Kaikoura
(B) Bound for Picton and a bubbling breakfast at Cellier Le Brun vineyard in
the heart of Marlborough wine country. Blenheim vineyards, gardens and art
galleries lead to the coast's powerful seascapes. Famed for whale watching,
Kaikoura offers close-up encounters of the marine kind. |
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7 Days Decidedly Southern |
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Starts in Christchurch at 11:30am on Day 8. |
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| Day 8:
Kaikoura - Mt Somers (B, L) We drive down the plains to Christchurch where
at 11.30am our Decidedly Southern travellers join us. Further south Ian and
Di Mackenzie host us for lunch in their historic farm homestead. Country
hospitality at its best. We head west into the landscape to Mt Somers where
the Canterbury Plains meet the mountains. |
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| Day 9:
Mt Somers - Clyde (B) Your eyes will feast on mountain ranges and the milky
turquoise lakes of Tekapo and Pukaki. Driving through the Lindis Pass, we
arrive at Clyde. We check into our hotel, restored to its Victorian glory,
and café crawl the streets of this quaint goldmining town tonight. |
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| Day 10:
Clyde - Queenstown (B) We explore Central Otago's craggy moonscape and
wander Bannockburn's gold and wine trails. Later we wind through the Kawarau
Gorge where we can try our luck at goldpanning. But you can't fight the lure
of Queenstown. Stroll out from your boutique hotel to shops and restaurants. |
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| Day 11:
Queenstown (B) Sightsee at your leisure in this picturesque resort. Among
your many choices are a day's excursion to Milford Sound or Doubtful Sound,
cruising Lake Wakatipu, jet boating or bungy jumping where it all started.
Or you can simply wander the town and breathe in the view. |
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| Day 12:
Queenstown - Waiorau (B, D) Goldmining history comes alive in leafy
Arrowtown at the Cardrona Hotel, a treasure. We climb the mountainside to
Snow Farm Lodge to join our hosts John and Mary Lee, among alpine meadows
and mountain vistas. We dine on top of the world in a starkly beautiful
landscape. |
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| Day 13:
Waiorau - Franz Josef (B) We pass by Wanaka and Lake Hawea then stop for
short walks through Haast Pass' dramatic mountain beech forests, waterfalls
and rivers. Later we reach the lush, primeval rainforest of the West Coast.
At Fox Glacier scenic flight is an option. At Franz Josef your rainforest
retreat will delight. |
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| Day 14:
Franz Josef - Christchurch (B) The
scenery is stunning - mirror lakes, dramatic rivers and glimpses of the
Southern Alps. Hokitika's greenstone and glass
factories offer great shopping. Turning east, the towering mountainscapes of
Arthur's Pass lead back down to the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch where
your tour ends. |
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(B) Breakfast
(L) Lunch (D) Dinner
All breakfasts are included. On the evenings where dinner is not included
we'll recommend our favourite local restaurants and cafes. MOT |
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