New Zealand Bus Tour: Classic New Zealand
DAY 1 - Arrive Auckland
Arrive in the sparkling city of Auckland—New Zealand's City of Sails. You are met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation. If time permits we suggest a sailing cruise on the Waitemata Harbour or a visit to the Auckland Museum to see the world's finest display of Māori artefacts.
Stay: Auckland (1 night)
DAY 2 - Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua
Leave the big city behind and journey by sightseeing coach alongside the Waikato River - lifeblood to the fertile farmlands on the plain. At Waitomo follow your guide past amazing limestone formations before taking your place on the small boat and gliding silently into the glow worm grotto. Cross the Waikato River and continue to Rotorua - New Zealand's thermal wonderland and centre of Māori culture.
Stay: Rotorua (2 nights)
DAY 3 - Rotorua
This morning enjoy a 'Hop on, Hop off' Sightseeing tour where we have included visits to a nature reserve. You will have the opportunity to view many native species of flora and fauna including living examples of New Zealand's national emblem - the Kiwi bird. Visit Te Puia and see a range of geothermal features from sputtering mud pools, mysterious hot springs, remarkable silica formations and spouting geysers at one of the thermal reserves. And lastly enjoy the amusing and informative show at the Agrodome. This afternoon you may wish to fish for trophy trout or just relax and soak in a thermal spa at the Polynesian spa. Tonight your tour includes a journey to a local Marae for a Māori Hangi (feast, food cooked in the ground) and cultural concert.
DAY 4 - Rotorua to Wellington
Travel by coach today to the city of Wellington. Your journey travels the varying countryside of the North Island from the snowy peaks of Tongariro National Park to the wild, rocky Kapiti Coast. Wellington - Capital of New Zealand, is a cosmopolitan city with the most spectacular skyline of all major cities in New Zealand. The city has a strong Victorian influence which is testimony to Wellington's early establishment as the country's centre of political life. Of particular note is the "Government Building" built in 1876 which is the second largest timber building in the world. On arrival in Wellington a transfer is provided to your accommodation.
Stay: Wellington (2 nights)
DAY 5 - Wellington
Today time is at leisure to explore. We recommend a visit to Te Papa - New Zealand's national museum, or a ride on the Kelburn Cable car - one of Wellington's earliest forms of transport. The city also boasts a vibrant nightlight and the bars, restaurants, and theatres are top class!
DAY 6 - Wellington – Picton – Kaikoura
A transfer is included to the ferry terminal where you board the interisland ferry. Leave the hustle and bustle of the big city and cruise across Cook Strait to the South Island. From the wharf at Picton board the Tranz Coastal train. Travel the short distance from Picton to Blenheim - a burgeoning grape growing area. Continue through grape country and over plains before heading south down the East Coast through salt mountains and river valleys. For over 100 kilometres the track runs along a thin ledge of land pinned between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Kaikoura Ranges. The township of Kaikoura received its name from an early Māori explorer and translates roughly as kai (to eat) and koura (crayfish).
Stay: Kaikoura (1 night)
DAY 7 - Kaikoura to Christchurch
Rejoin the Tranz Coastal train and as you travel along the coast keep a watch for whale spoutings on the horizon and the seal colonies that live on the rocky coastline. Finally you cross the rolling farmland of the Canterbury Plains before reaching Christchurch - the Garden City. You are met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation.
Stay: Christchurch (1 night)
DAY 8 - Christchurch – Mount Cook – Queenstown
Journey south over the patch worked Canterbury Plains to Mount Cook National Park. Pass alpine lakes and journey through tussock country to the resort of Queenstown. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu Queenstown is a year-round alpine resort that caters for all interests. It enjoys a magnificent setting amid steep mountain ranges and pockets of native bush with the jagged peaks of the Remarkables Range rising from the lake.
Stay: Queenstown (3 nights)
DAY 9 - Milford Sound Day Excursion
Skirt Lake Wakatipu in the shadow of the rugged Remarkables. And on through rolling farmland to Te Anau, gateway of the Fiordland National Park. Pass through magnificent beech forests and the Homer Tunnel. Remote, mysterious and uniquely New Zealand, Milford Sound is a spectacular reminder of the forces of nature that shaped this land. Formed thousands of years ago during the ice ages, Milford Sound is the most dramatic in Fiordland National Park. Here you will find cascading waterfalls, luxuriant forests and the towering pinnacle of Mitre Peak. No matter what the fiord's mood, shrouded in mist or with sun glistening on deep waters, it will inspire you. Enjoy a scenic cruise on Milford Sound before returning to Queenstown by coach - or scenic flight at your own expense.
DAY 10 - Queenstown
A free day to enjoy the many activities available in this region which include jet-boating excursions, golf, bungy jumping, paragliding, gold panning in old gold-mines, cruises on Lake Wakatipu, or simply relaxing beside the lakeside or shopping.
DAY 11 - Depart Queenstown
A departure transfer is provided to Queenstown Airport.
Classic New Zealand Holiday Package Prices
01 May 2015 - 30 September 2015 - Tour prices start from NZ$1,866.00 per person share twin
01 October 2015 - 30 April 2016 - Tour prices start from NZ$2,247.00 per person share twin
- Prices based on budget accommodation and two persons travelling together
- Prices based on seat on coach transport
- Costs do not include international or domestic airfares
- First class or superior accommodation prices available on request
Popular (mid range) and superior accommodation options available on request.
Tour Highlights:
- Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
- Rotorua Sightseeing including three attractions
- Interislander ferry between North and South Islands
- Tranz Coastal train journey
- Milford Sound Day Tour including cruise on Fiord
- Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park
Booking Code: AKL-C
Other New Zealand Bus Tour Packages
[Snapshot of New Zealand] [North Island Highlights] [Scenic Spectacular] [Classic New Zealand] [Fiords and Whales] [Nature Encounter]