15 Day New Zealand Splendour Guided Tour

After a tour of Auckland, trace the Waikato River to the Waitomo Caves to explore the fascinating Glowworm Grotto. From Waitomo to Rotorua you’ll venture through the King Country. On arrival in Rotorua an orientation tour takes in views of Lake Rotorua.   Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast highlight dinner and concert for an insight into Maori culture at the Tamaki Maori Village.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel

Today choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. Perhaps unwind at the Polynesian Spa. Visit Te Puia and tour through the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve. Or you could take a fascinating tour of the Hobbiton movie set. Or explore Rotorua and its three lakes in an amphibious WWII era Duck. Tonight you have the option of staying at your hotel or on a nearby farm. A warm welcome awaits you on your New Zealand rural homestay and your hosts will provide you with the wonderful Kiwi hospitality that really makes you feel ‘at home’. Enjoy dinner and breakfast, a tour to introduce you to their way of life and comfortable accommodation in their home or cottages. You may choose to meet the animals, which may include sheep, cows, deer and many others, or simply relax and enjoy the company of your hosts and the scenic surroundings. (Additional cost).

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel

View the mighty Huka Falls and drive along the shores of Lake Taupo. Discover the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu, Tongariro National Park and the dairy farms of Manawatu.   This afternoon visit Shenandoah for a unique Be My Guest experience. The historic villa’s owners, Simon and Claudia, will show you around their property, which includes a unique private collection of Harley Davidson motorcycles. Enjoy afternoon tea in their garden then take a short tour to see the local wildlife including friendly Highland cows. Continue along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington.

Accommodation: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

Why not discover more of Wellington this morning. Perhaps visit the Parliament buildings and the Beehive, home to New Zealand’s politicians.   Later, visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Cruise the Cook Strait into Queen Charlotte Sound. The village of Picton is next, then it’s on to Blenheim for a city sightseeing tour. Tonight enjoy a 3-course highlight dinner prepared from local produce matched with wines of the Marlborough region, including selections from Villa Maria and Saint Clair wineries.

Accommodation: Chateau Marlborough

En route to the whale-watching haven of Kaikoura, you’ll pass the Grassmere Salt Works and see New Zealand fur seals up close at Ohau Point. Travel to Christchurch and see the extensive work carried out to rebuild the city after the earthquake of February 2011. Stop in and visit the Re:Start Mall, a project designed to breathe life back into the city centre.

Accommodation: Hotel Novotel

Visit Morelea Farm, a typical working sheep farm, where you’ll get a taste of traditional New Zealand country life. You’ll be welcomed into the home of Angie and Stan Taylor and their beautiful 240 hectare garden. You’ll have the chance to see sheep shearing and farming demonstrations before enjoying a Be My Guest barbecue lunch, and wait until you try Angie’s famous pavlova dessert! Listen to the family’s story of growing up in rural New Zealand and their challenges of farming in the foothills of New Zealand’s Southern Alps. Later, see spectacular Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki and visit the iconic Church of the Good Shepherd on your way to Twizel.

Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Hotel

View the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme and Benmore Dam located on the shores of New Zealand’s largest man-made lake, Lake Benmore. You’ll stop in at the gorgeous harbour town of Oamaru. Most well-known for its stunning 19th century white limestone architecture, Oamaru is also home to potters, painters, cheese-makers and many other artisans. And you may even spot an Oamaru Blue Penguin! On arrival in Dunedin, you may wish to take a wander around the beautiful grounds of New Zealand’s first university, Otago University. Dunedin, also known as the Edinburgh of the south, has strong connections to its northern hemisphere sister city, even down to sharing many of the street names. This evening enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross

This morning choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. You have the option to tour Larnach Castle, ride the historic Taieri Gorge Railway, take the Monarch Wildlife Cruise or experience an interactive of tour Speight’s Brewery. Later, travel across farming land to the village of Te Anau, on the shores of Lake Te Anau, the South Island’s largest lake.

Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas

Be awestruck by the magnificence of the World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park. Amazing photo opportunities await you today as you see rainforest, ancient glaciers, mountain ranges and the hand-made Homer Tunnel. Pass the Mirror Lake, Pop’s Lookout, Cleddau Valley and the Chasm. Your cruise on Milford Sound will take you past Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak. Afterwards, travel along the shores of Lake Wakatipu on your way to Queenstown, where an orientation tour finishes this highlight day.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel

Today choose one from a range of Included Choice sightseeing experiences. You have the option to ride the Shotover Jet, take a gondola to Bob’s Peak for thrilling luge rides, or visit the Skyline Restaurant for dinner. Or take a 4WD minibus tour through spectacular Skippers Canyon. Perhaps visit Kiwi Birdlife Park or journey deep into the mountains to Mt. Nicholas High Country Farm for lunch. This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue highlight dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead. An entertaining farm show provides a glimpse into high-country farm life. Why not join in a sing-a-long on your way back to Queenstown?

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel

Visit the historic gold mining village of Arrowtown then enjoy the tastes of delicious stone fruit at Cromwell. See lakes Dunstan, Hawea and Wanaka. Travel over the Haast Pass and view Thunder Creek Falls. Your final destination for today is the extraordinary Franz Josef Glacier. You may want to view the glacier on a helicopter flight (own expense). This evening enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

It’s time for an adventure amongst temperate rainforest giants on the West Coast Treetop Walkway. Explore Franz Josef Glacier – take a scenic flight or a glacier hike (both own expense). Then depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Later, travel to coastal Punakaiki to view the Pancake Rocks. You’ll spend the night in an eco-friendly resort, right on the waterfront. This evening enjoy dinner with wine at your hotel, while watching the surf thundering at your doorstep!

Accommodation: Punakaiki Resort

Travel to the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine. This spectacular train journey dates back to 1914, and is rated as one of the word’s most scenic train trips. The train forges through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. Join your Travel Director this evening for a farewell dinner with wine.

Accommodation: Hotel Novotel

Your holiday concludes this morning after breakfast. You’ll be transferred by private car to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight.