Very Best of New Zealand Tour

Depart from the UK airport most convenient for you with Qantas & Emirates. Choose from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle or Glasgow. Alternatively, fly direct to Singapore with Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow or Manchester. No matter which airline or airport you choose, there will be no additional cost.

Arrive into the wonderful city of Singapore and transfer to the four-star M Hotel City Centre, situated in an enviable position close to the banks of the Singapore River.

Alternative stopover
We have based days 2-4 of this itinerary on a stopover in Singapore. If you are flying with Qantas  & Emirates, you may choose to stop in Bangkok or Dubai for the same price. Your stopover includes transfers, accommodation, daily breakfast and a city sightseeing tour. Flight timings will vary and will be advised at the time of booking.

Known as ‘the crossroads of Asia’, Singapore is a city where east meets west; a cosmopolitan melting pot with an inspirational identity. This morning, enjoy a tour of this wonderful city. Included is a stop at Merlion Park with impressive views of Marina Bay. See the historic Civic District, Thian Hock Keng Temple and the fabulous orchid gardens set within Singapore’s botanical gardens. Return to the hotel where the rest of our day is free to spend as we please. Perhaps explore the impressive Gardens by the Bay or enjoy high tea at Raffles Hotel.

A day at leisure in Singapore until it’s time to leave for our evening flight to Christchurch.

If flying with Qantas & Emirates your flight will transfer via Australia before arriving into Christchurch. We transfer to the centrally located Distinction Hotel Christchurch, where we spend our first two nights in New Zealand. On arrival we meet our local Coach Captain, who will be our driver and guide during our time in New Zealand.

Considered the most English of New Zealand’s cities, today in the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake, Christchurch is in the midst of an epic rebuild that has completely reconstructed the city centre. This morning we take a tour to see what this exciting developing city has to offer. We start our day with a visit to the Sign of the Takahe, an historical building on the edge of the city and continue to view the key landmarks of the city centre.  From here we take a visit to the Botanic Gardens. Founded in 1863 with the planting of an English oak tree, the Christchurch Botanic Gardens contain an impressive array of flora and fauna. Our afternoon is at leisure to continue exploring this delightful city.

Today we embark on one of the most stunning drives in New Zealand. Travel through the Canterbury Plains, heading towards the imposing Southern Alps. We climb the mighty Southern Alps, where at every turn, spectacular views of the chiselled alpine landscape take our breath away. There is also an opportunity to take an optional journey on the TranzAlpine, arguably one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world. On board, you will enjoy thrilling vistas over deep gorges as we travel alongside the ice-fed Waimakariri River. From Arthur’s Pass, we make the spectacular descent down the western side of the Southern Alps by coach, through thick native beech forest. Our travels continue southbound taking us alongside striking wild scree-scarred terrain with forests of Crimson Rata and Kahikatea. Just a few miles further south we pass Lakes Ianthe and Mapourika before entering the Westland National Park and reaching the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier for our next two nights.

Today is left completely free to absorb the beauty of Franz Josef. For those that so wish, we shall drive to the Franz Josef Glacier terminal where we will have the opportunity to walk through the rainforest to view the glacier valley. Weather permitting, we may also take an optional scenic flight, which is at an additional cost, over the glacier and the awe-inspiring Alpine region.

Enjoy incredible scenery today as we travel across the Haast River Bridge and via Clark Bluff, along one of the most exciting scenic roads ever built. Travel along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea as we enter New Zealand’s Central Otago region. We continue via Lake Dunstan, created by the mighty Clyde hydro dam in 1994. Later in the afternoon we reach beautiful, cosmopolitan Queenstown, and our home for the next three nights, the four-star Millennium Hotel.

This morning we take a tour to visit the nearby historic mining town of Arrowtown. The heart of its history is Buckingham Street, a procession of small-town heritage buildings that stretch into a tree-lined avenue of tiny miners’ cottages. Be sure to try a cream tea in one of the quaint tea rooms. In the afternoon, you are free to enjoy this wonderful alpine setting. The thrill seekers amongst us may wish to try the Shotover Jet – an exhilarating boat ride amongst the crags and boulders of the Shotover River canyon. For a more serene experience maybe stroll by the lakeside or take a gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for a magnificent panoramic view of Queenstown.

Queenstown smiles south across Lake Wakatipu into an incomparable alpine scene. Today has been left free to take advantage of the incredible variety of activities available in and around New Zealand’s most glamorous alpine resort. For a relaxing experience, follow Queenstown’s wine trail for an enjoyable day of wine tasting and sightseeing, or take leisurely cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamboat TSS Earnslaw. For something a little more adventurous, a four-wheel drive adventure along the famous Skippers Road may be appealing.

Tour Highlight

Today we travel to the magnificent Fiordland National Park and to Milford Sound, which will undoubtedly prove to be one of our tour’s many highlights. The scenic drive takes us through a variety of landscapes –
farmland, native tussock grasslands, lush beech forests and impressive glacial valleys – before arriving at Milford Sound to begin our cruise. Only when out cruising on Milford Sound can the sheer scale of the dramatic scenery be fully appreciated: towering peaks rise all around and spectacular waterfalls cascade into the calm waters below. Our cruise takes in the impressive Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Remember to keep a look out for dolphins as well as seals and penguins. We spend tonight at the Distinction Hotel and Villas.

This morning we say goodbye to Fiordland. A morning drive takes us via Mossburn and Lumsden to Gore. Fresh, green farm scenery will accompany us to Balclutha, which has a distinctive arched concrete bridge. Known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin is South Island’s second largest city and is considered New Zealand’s architectural heritage capital, with its lovingly restored Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Enjoy two nights at the Distinction Hotel.

This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour taking in the city’s neo-Gothic churches, town hall, opulent theatres and other 19th century buildings. In the afternoon, why not join an optional wildlife cruise to the Otago Peninsula? Enjoy uninterrupted views of the world’s only mainland colony of royal albatross. You may also encounter sea lions, blue penguins and Hector’s dolphins.

Our journey takes us north as we return to Christchurch. A stop is made in Moeraki to view a collection of huge spherical boulders which are scattered along a beautiful stretch of beach. Maori legend says that the boulders are gourds washed ashore from a voyaging canoe called Araiteuri that was wrecked when it made landfall a long time ago. Scientists have discovered the boulders are actually calcite concretions, created about 65 million years ago, which have been raised from the seabed and uncovered one by one by the elements. Our next stop is Oamaru, where we stroll through New Zealand’s best preserved Victorian streets. We arrive at the Distinction Hotel in Christchurch, where we stay overnight.

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Christchurch and head towards the coastal town of Kaikoura, admiring the picturesque valley of Waipara, one of the country’s most notable wine regions, as we make our way north. Kaikoura means ‘crayfish’ in Maori, and the town is known as the crayfish capital of New Zealand. Kaikoura’s coast is also home to a variety of whale species, most prominently sperm whales, which can be seen year-round. This afternoon you will have the option to take a whale-watching cruise, weather permitting, with the chance to see these magnificent creatures, as well as orcas, dolphins and other marine life. After checking in to our hotel for the evening, the ideally located Sudima Hotel, the rest of the day is yours to enjoy as you please. Explore the cafes and shops of the charming Kaikoura township, a great place for fish & chips, and of course the local crayfish. We also recommend a walk along the coast towards Point Kean, where you may see New Zealand Fur Seals basking in the sun.

This morning we journey from Kaikoura to
Picton, and in the afternoon we leave South Island in our wake as we board the ferry for our inter-island cruise to New Zealand’s North Island. During the cruise, enjoy spectacular views as we depart Queen Charlotte Sound. With the possibility of birds and dolphins following, we make our way across the Cook Strait to Wellington. Upon arrival we re-join our coach and make our way to the Copthorne Hotel Oriental Bay, where we spend the next two nights.

A Freedom Day to spend as we please. Wellington is compact, cultured and full of character.  There are a whole host of excellent activities in and around Wellington. A visit to Te Papa museum is highly recommended, as it offers a fascinating insight into New Zealand’s rich history and cultural heritage. Alternatively, ride a cable car to Wellington’s beautiful botanical gardens or take a relaxing stroll through the city’s streets and waterfront.

This morning our journey continues north via the Kapiti coast and Hastings as we make our way to the Art Deco city of Napier, located in an area dominated by orchards and vineyards. Napier’s city centre has the feeling of a time capsule – the seamless line of 1930s architecture is quite extraordinary. One of the ways to enjoy the streetscape is on a self-guided tour. Our evening is spent at the delightful Scenic Hotel Te Pania, superbly situated on Napier’s seafront.

Today we make our way along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. We visit the impressive Huka Falls where the Waikato River suddenly narrows to a chasm less than 15 metres across and heaves its vast bulk over an 11-metre ledge to boil furiously in a deep semi-circular basin below. We continue to Rotorua, which is at the heart of New Zealand’s rich Maori culture. This evening we attend a concert featuring traditional song and dance, including the world famous war dance – The Haka. Also included is a buffet dinner. The next two nights are spent at the four-star Distinction Hotel for a two night stay.

This morning, we explore some of Rotorua’s most famous sights, including its tudor-inspired bath house. We continue to Te Puia, home to Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, to view its spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools and hissing fumaroles. We enjoy a lunch inspired by traditional Maori methods and attend a concert featuring traditional song and dance, including the world famous war dance – The Haka. During our free afternoon you may wish to take a scenic flight over Mount Tarawera or visit the Polynesian Thermal Pools.

We travel north this morning, via Auckland, as we make our way to the pale sands and turquoise waters of the Bay of Islands. In the pretty seaside town of Paihia, the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands or the Copthorne Hotel & Resort will be our home for the next three nights.

Tour Highlight

Undoubtedly one of the highlights of this tour is a cruise around the Bay of Islands, as in our opinion, there’s no better way to see this picturesque area of New Zealand. You’ll cruise via Red Head Passage to Cape Brett and Piercy Island and on to the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’. In these world-famous deep-sea fishing waters, it’s not uncommon to see schools of fish and dolphins. The return trip travels via historic Russell. It’s hard to believe that this quaint township was once known as the ‘Hell Hole of the Pacific’. As the afternoon has been left free, you have an excellent opportunity to take an optional visit to the grounds of the Waitangi National Reserve. It was here in 1840 that the British and Maori chiefs signed the Waitangi Treaty.

Today you’ll have a full day at leisure, allowing you to do the things that really interest you. For example, there is the opportunity to join a fantastic optional trip to Cape Reinga. It’s a full-day excursion which visits the northern tip of New Zealand. Not only is this where the Tasman Sea meets the Pacific Ocean, but it holds a special significance in Maori tradition as the place where Maori spirits return to their traditional homeland, Hawaiiki-A-Nui, via the roots of a lone – and still standing – 800-year-old pohutukawa tree. Other standout locations during the tour include the Te Paki sand dunes and a drive along Ninety Mile Beach, passing some magnificent scenery along the coast.

After breakfast this morning, we leave the Bay of Islands. On the drive to the Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve, we pass rolling hills dotted with dairy farms which give way to lush forest the closer we get to the reserve. There’s chance to marvel at the gigantic kauri tree Tane Mahuta, or ‘Lord of the Forest.’ From here, we cross the impressive Waitemata Harbour Bridge and head into Auckland and the Grand Millennium Hotel for our final two nights in New Zealand.

Start the morning with an orientation tour of the city. Auckland has a beautiful waterside setting, with a modern skyline standing out against a backdrop of volcanic hills. As part of the tour, we’ll drive along the famous Waitemata Harbour. You’ll be able to see Rangitoto Island, an extinct volcano, which although it’s in the distance, dominates the horizon. Stop at the stylish Viaduct Harbour, which has played host to many America’s Cup celebrations. As the afternoon has been left free for you to enjoy however you would like, why not take in the panoramic views from the top of the Sky Tower? As you would expect from the tallest building in the southern hemisphere, the views truly are breathtaking.

All good things must come to an end, and this morning we transfer to Auckland Airport. Our flights to our chosen UK airport operate via Australia and Dubai if travelling with Qantas & Emirates, or via Singapore if travelling with Singapore Airlines.

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If you would like to stopover on your way home we have a sensational stopover offer available from £49 per person for a stay in Singapore, Bangkok or Dubai. Alternatively, we have a relaxing Bali stopover available from £129 per person, or if you prefer stay on Sentosa Island, from £149 per person. All you need to do to take advantage of this huge saving is book any departure after September 2024 by 29th February 2024.

This morning we arrive at our chosen airport, bringing to an end our incredible adventure.