• Enjoy a guided tour of Waitomo Caves
• Cruise across Cook Strait and picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound
• Visit historic Arrowtown and the 'Alpine Resort' of Queenstown
• Cruise the length of Milford Sound aboard the Milford Mariner
• Visit breathtaking Mt Cook National Park
• Visit Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd
• Adventure Options

Finest Dining - Includes 22 Meals
• 11 hot breakfasts (B), 8 Superb Freedom of Choice Dinners
• with full a la carte menus (D) and 3 Special Dinner Events

Outstanding Places to Stay
• Two nights in thermal Rotorua
•  EXCLUSIVE! Edgewater Resort, Wanaka, a tranquil lakeside haven
• Two nights in the 'Alpine Resort' of Queenstown

Freedom of Choice Touring
• Rotorua - 6 choices: 'Must See Three' attractions, Rotorua Museum and Realm of Tane cultural show, a Country Homestay, play a round of golf, an Eco-Thermal tour, spa treatment at the Polynesian Spa or a 4WD Bush Safari
• Queenstown - 9 choices: Guided tour of local gardens or wineries, an exhilarating jetboat, a fun Double-Decker bus tour, enjoy a lakeshore and forest walk, 4WD 'Lord of the Rings' safari, venture to Skippers Canyon, Full Day Ski Pass (seasonal) or a guided walk in Mt Aspiring National Park
• Dunedin - 7 choices: Tour Larnach Castle, discover Otago Peninsula, visit Speights Brewery, view Olveston House or enjoy the Taieri Gorge Railway

Freedom to Dine Around - Choose from a selection of restaurants at no extra cost:
• Enjoy our Dine Around Dinner in Nelson, choose from two fine restaurants located within your hotel. In Queenstown, you can choose from a selection of 15 different restaurants

Day 1. Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua.
This morning journey to the crest of Mt Eden for panoramic views of the city and its beautiful harbours. Travel south to Waitomo Caves and take a guided tour of the underground limestone caverns lit by millions of tiny glow worms. Emerge into daylight and continue to Rotorua, a geo-thermal wonderland. Enjoy friendly entertainment tonight in Rotorua. Immerse yourself in a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance, including the fierce Haka.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Millennium Rotorua. D
 

Day 2. Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today you choose the activity and we will include it. Perhaps visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve and see bubbling mud pools and exploding geysers and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, or enjoy the flora and fauna at Rainbow Springs Nature Park. Or enjoy a Maori Cultural show, a journey of discovery through ancient cultures, ancestors and dramatic stories. Visit Rotorua's award-winning Museum or relax in natural thermal springs at the Polynesian Spa. The choice is yours! Adventure Options also available. You may decide to partake in a Volcanic Air Safari (own expense). BD

 

Day 3. Rotorua, Taupo, Wellington.
Today journey south and view Wairakei Steam Valley, a unique geo-thermal power project. View Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, and the thunderous Huka Falls. Cross the vast volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city and home to New Zealand's parliament buildings.
Stay: Wellington, Hotel Inter-Continental. BD
 

Day 4. Wellington, Nelson, Dine Around Dinner.
Today our Interislander cruise takes us through Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait and into the breathtaking natural beauty of the Marlborough Sounds. View magnificent scenery before arriving in the picturesque seaside port of Picton. This afternoon we journey through the world-renowned orchard and vineyard region of Marlborough to Nelson. Tonight you may choose from two fine restaurants. Miyazu, acclaimed as the best Japanese restaurant in New Zealand, or Oceano, specialising in superb seafood delicacies. Take your pick. The choice is yours!
Stay: Nelson, The Rutherford Hotel. BD
 

Day 5. Nelson, Franz Josef.
Journey along the dramatic West Coast and enter the World Heritage-listed area of Te Wahipounamu - South West New Zealand and view the magnificent glacier of Franz Josef (weather permitting). Nowhere in the world's temperate zones are glaciers as accessible as here. Perhaps enjoy a flight over this alpine region (own expense, weather permitting).
Stay: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel. BD
 

Day 6. Franz Josef, Wanaka.
View incredible scenery today as we leave this World Heritage-listed area, travelling through Haast Pass and over the stunning Southern Alps to Wanaka for our overnight stay.
Stay: APT EXCLUSIVE! Wanaka, Edgewater Resort. BD
 

Day 7. Wanaka, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner.
This morning we depart the lovely lakeside settlement of Wanaka and journey to the delightful village of Arrowtown, an old gold rush village. Continue to the 'Alpine Resort' town of Queenstown, situated on the banks of beautiful Lake Wakatipu. The wide range of activities available in and around Queenstown make it a popular holiday destination at any time of year. Tonight we explore Queenstown even further with our Dine Around Dinner. Perhaps cruise on the TSS Earnslaw steamboat, across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Sheep Station for a carvery dinner, or enjoy a meal at one of the many fifteen chosen local restaurants.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel. BD
 

Day 8. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Today you have the opportunity to personalise your sightseeing. You might like to enjoy a lakeshore and forest walk including morning tea on the lake. Adventure Options are also available, refer to page 61. Perhaps a Remarkables and Wine Combo might appeal. BD

 

Day 9. Milford Sound, Te Anau.
This morning we enter Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage-listed area, and travel along the Milford Road, renowned as one of the world's finest alpine drives. On arrival into Milford Sound we board our boat and cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord, travelling below famous mile-high Mitre Peak and beneath cascading waterfalls from hanging valleys. This afternoon we have a relaxing drive to the pretty lakeside settlement of Te Anau.
Stay: Te Anau, Te Anau Hotel and Villas. BD
 

Day 10. Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring.
Departing from Te Anau, we journey to the southern-most coast of New Zealand. Continue to Dunedin where you may choose an activity that best suits you and we will include it. The choice is yours!
Stay: Dunedin, Southern Cross Hotel. BD
 

Day 11. Dunedin, Mt Cook.
Travel north along the coast to view the unique and fascinating Moeraki Beach Boulders. Stop at Oamaru, a town renowned for its distinctive lime-stone architecture. Pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes of incredible colour on our journey to Mt Cook National Park.
Stay: APT EXCLUSIVE! Mt Cook, The Hermitage. BD
 

Day 12. Mt Cook, Christchurch.
This morning we journey to the beautiful glacier-fed lake of Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. We leave the high country, continuing through Burkes Pass and cross the vast Canterbury Plains to the charming 'Garden City' of Christchurch. Your tour concludes upon arrival and a departure transfer to the airport is included. B