Standard Kiwi

Price Includes:

• International economy class flights with Qantas
• All flight and airport taxes
• 16 days Hertz Car Rental Group B
• 15 nights – 4-4.5* accommodation
• Tours as specified in itinerary 
• Ferry crossing between Wellington and Picton
• Meals as specified in itinerary (B:Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner)

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland
Arrive into Auckland airport and pick up your Hertz rental car. Spend the remainder of the day taking in the sights of Auckland.
Overnight: SkyCity Hotel, Auckland.

Day 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands
Depart early this morning for your scenic drive through to the northern tip of New Zealand to the Bay of Islands. Stop for lunch in a local bistro (own expense). Spend the rest of the day at leisure enjoying the seaside villages and shops.
2 Night Stay: Copthorne Hotel and Resort, Bay of Islands.

Day 3: Bay of Islands – Cape Brett ‘Hole in the Rock’ Cruise
This morning you will be picked up from your hotel, before journeying through to the Cape Brett Lighthouse. Next stop is Motukokako Island and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’. The vessel makes a passage through the Hole and on to the majestic Grand Cathedral Cave. On the outward journey view sandy beaches, bays and marine wildlife as your skipper gives an informative commentary. Enjoy one of the scenic walks, a swim or ride the Subsea adventure. Spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Day 4: Dolphin Adventure - Auckland
This morning travel by water-jet powered catamaran to see dolphins and other sea life. Watch their antics and, conditions permitting, you may have the opportunity to swim with the dolphins. After your dolphin adventure you will stop at beautiful Urupukapuka Island where you will have time for a dip. This afternoon, depart the Bay of Islands and return to Auckland.
Overnight: SkyCity Hotel, Auckland.

Day 5: Auckland – Rotorua Thermal Region
Today depart Auckland the ‘City of Sails’ and travel south to Rotorua. Why not stop off in Waitomo and take part in a guided tour through the Waitomo Caves and the Glow-worm Grotto (own expense). Arrive into Rotorua this evening.
2 Night Stay: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua.

Day 6: Rotorua Attraction Pass
Included during your stay is a Five Star Attraction Pass which allows you to visit the attractions of Rotorua at your own pace. Attractions include - Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, Skyline Skyrides Gondola, Polynesian Spa, Lion Park, Paradise valley trout springs and more.

Day 7: Rotorua – Napier Wine Country
This morning depart Rotorua and continue south onto Napier, home to one of the most famous wine regions in New Zealand, Hawkes Bay.
Overnight: County Hotel, Napier.

Day 8: Napier - Wellington
Spend the morning at leisure exploring the picturesque town of Napier. This afternoon continue your journey south to Wellington.
2 Night Stay: Citylife Hotel, Wellington.

Day 9: Charm of Wellington
Welcome to Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand. Wellington combines the stimulation and sophistication of a big city with the quirkiness of a charming village. With a wide range of attractions to choose from, you will be spoilt for choice. Why not visit Wellington Zoo, or take a ride on the Cable car to Lambton Quay. The Cable Car is one of Wellington’s oldest and most popular tourist attractions. The Cable Car journeys up to the top entrance of the city's Botanic Garden where various walks begin and where the Carter Observatory and Planetarium are located (own expense). B

Day 10: Wellington – Picton – Christchurch
No trip to Wellington is complete without a visit to Te Papa, Museum of New Zealand. Te Papa showcases New Zealand’s rich arts, culture and natural history which provides guests with a unique, interactive insight into New Zealand. This afternoon depart Wellington to set sail across the Cook Strait to Picton, where you continue your journey to Christchurch. Spend the rest of the evening at leisure exploring Christchurch.
2 Night Stay: Copthorne Hotel Christchurch Central.

Day 11: Christchurch – Discover Kaikoura and the Whales
This is a fantastic day trip for those that love the sea and large marine mammals. Your tour takes you from Christchurch City, through beautiful rural pastoral scenes, along the coast to Kaikoura where you will be transferred to a Whale Watch tour. Off the coast of Kaikoura is one of the few places in the world where you can whale-watch all year round. After your encounter with the giants of the sea, return to Kaikoura for lunch (own expense) and travel back to Christchurch via a fur seal colony and a Canterbury vineyard where wine tasting can be arranged. Return to Christchurch approx 6.30pm. 

Day 12: Christchurch - Mount Cook Glacier
Depart Christchurch this morning and travel through the lush farmlands of Ashburton and up into the mountains of Mount Cook.
Overnight: The Hermitage Hotel, Mount Cook. D

Day 13: Mount Cook Heli-Adventure - Queenstown
This morning experience the thrill of a premier helicopter flight over this amazing region, complete with vast snowfields, glaciers and a spectacular view of New Zealand's highest mountain. Fly towards the Tasman Glacier and step onto the snow at the top of the mountain. Take in the splendour of Aoraki/Mount Cook from your landing site, before taking off once more and traversing through the Southern Alps to view the mighty Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. You will marvel at the huge expanses of snow at the head of these crevasse-filled rivers of ice, as they journey slowly down towards the native rainforests of the rugged West Coast. This afternoon, depart from Mount Cook and head for Queenstown.
3 Night Stay: Copthorne Hotel Resort Lakefront, Queenstown. B

Day 14: Queenstown – Shotover Jet
Spend the morning at leisure, exploring the ‘Adventure Capital of New Zealand’. This afternoon enjoy a ride on the Shotover jet. Acknowledged as the World's most famous Jet Boat ride, many imitate the Shotover Jet - but for sheer excitement, no one comes close. Qualified drivers will blast you past rock walls at high speed and manoeuvre the specially designed craft through the fast flowing waters of the Shotover River.

Day 15: Queenstown – Milford Sound Cruise – Scenic Flight
Travel by luxury coach on an unforgettable journey from Queenstown into Milford Sound. Located within the World Heritage Fiordland National Park, this region is rich with dense rainforest, lakes and waterfalls cascading from rugged mountain peaks. Travel through the Southern Alps via the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled through a solid mountain of       
rock. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, board your Encounter Cruise vessel for a spectacular cruise in New Zealand's most famous waterway. Return by scenic flight to Queenstown arriving 4.30pm (weather permitting). The evening is at leisure. L                                                         

Day 16: Queenstown
Spend the morning at leisure. This afternoon return your Hertz rental car and depart Queenstown for your international flight home.