14 Day In-Depth New Zealand Tour
A bobby-dazzler! Let us show you New Zealand’s natural splendour on this unhurried 14 day tour. From tiny glow worms, roaring geysers, barren volcanic plains and a massive Beehive in the north to the surreal south where stunning Mt Cook, rippled blue glacier ice, a splash of friendly wildlife and enchanting forests and fiords await. As the old saying goes, variety is the spice of life and this tour has it all.
Tour Type: |
Independent Tours |
From: |
Auckland to Christchurch |
Departs: |
Daily |
Duration: |
14 Days |
Tour Code: |
14D |
Regions Visited
Click on the region name to view more information about the region
| Auckland | Hobbiton | Waitomo | Rotorua | Napier | Wellington | Christchurch | Mt Cook | Fox Glacier | Greymouth | Queenstown | Milford Sound |
Tour Inclusions
- All transport & transfers
- 13 nights accommodation
- Superior accommodation includes breakfast
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves
- A picnic style lunch en-route to Rotorua
- Rotorua Sightseeing Tour
- Mt Cook Village & lunch at Hermitage Hotel
- Milford Sound Cruise & picnic lunch
- Franz Josef Glacier transfer
NOT INCLUDED IN PRICE
Expenses of a personal nature such as meals (except where stated in the itinerary), beverages, travel insurance, laundry and optional sightseeing are not included in the tour cost.
TOUR TYPE - INDEPENDENT TOUR
Independent Tours are not escorted group tours - they are for independent travellers. What this means is that it is not the same group of people travelling on their own coach with a tour leader/escort looking after you. You are travelling independently. However, you are picked up and dropped off at your accommodation each morning and evening and interesting commentary is provided on many sectors.
Day By Day Itinerary
DAY 1 - AUCKLAND / WAITOMO CAVES / ROTORUA
Depart Auckland and travel through the Waikato region known for its dairy farms. Passing through the small settlements of Whatawhata and Pirongia before reaching Waitomo. Enjoy a guided tour through this world famous cave formation, climaxed by drifting silently in a boat through a glow worm cavern lit up with thousands of tiny glow worm lights. Departing Waitomo, relax on board the coach as a light lunch is served en-route to Rotorua. After arriving at the Agrodome, join a 60 minute tour of this authentic working farm in all weather, all terrain vehicles. Watch a sheep shearing demonstration and hand feed the animals. This is followed by a sheep dog demonstration. Travel along Rotorua’s lakeside area to the beautiful Government Gardens, past Rotorua’s Tudor Towers alongside the geothermal steam pools – famous for their therapeutic qualities. Visit Te Puia, New Zealand’s Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Enjoy 45 minutes of song and dance inside the sacred meeting house. Visitors are treated to perfect harmonies, the rhythms of the Poi dance, the ferocity of the Haka and the complexity of the Tititorea (stick games). View Maori carving, flax garment making and a life size replica of a traditional Maori village. Continue through the geothermal area, past boiling mud pools and the famous Pohutu Geyser, which spurts boiling water and steam high into the air on a regular basis. There is also the opportunity to wander through the nocturnal Kiwi House (time allowing). This evening you may like to take part in a traditional Maori Hangi & Concert - a wonderful evening out! Please ask us if you would like this activity included in your package.
Stay: Rotorua
DAY 2 - ROTORUA AT LEISURE
You have today at leisure to explore this fascinating area. Rotorua has it all – the forest canopy, hiking trails, geothermal wonderlands, Maori culture along with spas and natural hot pools for you to relax and unwind. We are happy to including optional activities into your itinerary.
Stay: Rotorua
DAY 3 - ROTORUA / WELLINGTON
Depart Rotorua and travel south to Wellington past Lake Taupo and on through the Desert Road where on a clear day you get wonderful views of the towering peaks of Mt Ngaruahoe, Tongariro and Ruapehu.
Stay: Wellington
DAY 4 - WELLINGTON AT LEISURE
Today you have a full day at leisure to explore New Zealand’s capital city and the birth place of Sir Peter Jackson. We are happy to suggest sightseeing options. Perhaps a visit to Weta Cave, Te Papa Museum, take a ride up the Cable Car or head to Cuba Street for a slice of Bohemia and boutique shopping.
Stay: Wellington
DAY 5 - WELLINGTON / CHRISTCHURCH
Board the Interislander Ferry for your scenic cruise across Cook Strait. The 92 km, three hour journey between Wellington and Picton is one of New Zealand’s most iconic tourist experiences, and acknowledged as one of the most spectacular cruises in the world as you pass through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. On arrival into Picton, connect with the Coastal Pacific train*. Sit back and enjoy the scenery as you travel through Blenheim and the rugged Kaikoura coastline before arriving into Christchurch this evening.
Stay: Christchurch
* Travel may be by coach if the Coastal Pacific train is not operating
DAY 6 - CHRISTCHURCH / MT COOK / QUEENSTOWN
Travel south following the foothills of the Southern Alps to Mount Cook Village via Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki. Enjoy a delicious lunch at Hermitage Hotel along with some free time to enjoy the spectacular surroundings before continuing on to Queenstown travelling via the Lindis Pass and the Kawarau Gorge.
Stay: Queenstown
DAY 7 - QUEENSTOWN AT LEISURE
A free day for you to enjoy this fabulous resort. There are dozens of activities available. Something for everyone. We are happy to include additional activities / sightseeing into your tour package.
Stay: Queenstown
DAY 8 - QUEENSTOWN / DUNEDIN
High country tussock soon gives way to the lush pastures of Southland and Otago as you travel through Gore and Balclutha arriving in Dunedin. This afternoon there is time to enjoy an Otago Peninsula Tour to watch as fur seals swim and play, view ocean birds including albatross and enjoy a guided tour of Penguin Place. Please ask us about this optional extra.
Stay: Dunedin
DAY 9 - DUNEDIN / TE ANAU
Free time this morning in Dunedin which boasts some beautiful architecture – a quiet stroll around the city can be most rewarding. In the afternoon journey through the lush pastures of Otago and Southland to the lakeside resort of Te Anau.
Stay: Te Anau
DAY 10 - TE ANAU / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN
A full day tour to the World Heritage listed, Fiordland National Park. Enjoy cruising Milford Sound and viewing the spectacular waterfalls and towering Mitre Peak.
Stay: Queenstown
DAY 11 - QUEENSTOWN AT LEISURE
A second free day in this beautiful resort. Time for more activities, a spot of shopping or simply time to relax in one of the many cafes.
Stay: Queenstown
DAY 12 - QUEENSTOWN / FRANZ JOSEF
Leaving Queenstown, travel to the West Coast passing through Cromwell, Wanaka and Hawea before climbing over the Haast Pass into the Westland National Park.
Stay: Franz Josef
DAY 13 - FRANZ JOSEF AT LEISURE
Today enjoy an outing where after a short stroll you can view the glacier from the look out point. Or up-grade to a Glacier Heli Hike - a fantastic way to walk on ice and enjoy the spectacle of a moving glacier. Please ask at time of booking. The remainder of the day is at leisure.
Stay: Franz Josef
DAY 14 - FRANZ JOSEF / GREYMOUTH / CHRISTCHURCH
Travel north through lush rainforest to Greymouth where you will transfer to the TranzAlpine Train. Enjoy a remarkable train journey across the Southern Alps and across the Canterbury Plains to the “Garden City” of Christchurch.