Kiwi Country Style
Tour #TT9423F

New Zealand scenery and people - a full 12 days from Auckland to Queenstown with everything in between, including 4 nights homestay on country farms...

Reporting time 7.45 am.  Departs from Sky City Coach Terminal at 8.15 am EVERY DAY

 

Day 1: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua
The Bombay Hills signal the end of sprawling Auckland city as the lush Waikato pasture lands take you past Hamilton and on to Waitomo caves. Enjoy a subterranean boat ride under an eerie canopy of glow worm lights. On across the Waikato and Mamaku Hills to fiery Rotorua. We recommend you attend a delicious Maori hangi (feast) and concert tonight (optional). Overnight in Rotorua

Day 2: At Rotorua
The half day sightseeing tour is included - see roaring geysers, boiling mud and steaming pools at the thermal area, tame trout and Kiwi at the springs and performing sheep and dogs at the Agrodome. Your friendly hosts will pick you up from your accommodation and take you to their home for an overnight stay.  This is a great opportunity to meet 'Kiwis' (New Zealanders) in their own home, enjoy some traditional farm-style cooking and experience some New Zealand culture and hospitality.  Dinner and breakfast are included.

Day 3: Rotorua - Taupo - Manawatu
Drive south through exotic pine forests, past Wairakei's permanent cover of steam, to Lake Taupo. The  majestic snow covered peaks of Tongariro, Ngaruahoe and Ruapehu mountains line your journey over the Desert Road plateau. After Waiouru, drop down through the steep gorges then fertile plains of the Rangitikei river then the Manawatu plains. Here, you are met by your hosts who will take you to their home for another overnight farmstay experience. Includes dinner and breakfast.

Day 4: Manawatu - Wellington
Your morning coach takes you through Palmerston North and past Massey University before crossing the fertile agricultural plains to the Kapiti Coast. A short trip along the rocky coastline brings you into Wellington, the capital city, at 1.00 pm. In the afternoon, join a tour of some of Wellington's highlights includidng the unusual parliament buildings 'The Beehive', a cable car ride through the Botanic Gardens and some spectacular harbour and city views. Wellington has an exciting and varied nightlife with many restaurants, cafes, theatres and bars. Don't forget the National museum 'Te Papa'. Overnight in Wellington.

Day 5: Wellington - Picton - Christchurch
Catch one of the famous ferries across Cook Strait then down the long, narrow and beautiful Marlborough Sounds to Picton in the South Island.  Enjoy the sun decks, bars, cafes and lounges as you look out for dolphins and whales. The TranzCoastal train takes you on an exhilarating ride down the narrow coastal strip, with pounding surf on one side and the sheer Kaikoura ranges on the other. A brief mountain traverse brings you down to the checkerboard Canterbury Plains and then the 'Garden City' - Christchurch. Overnight in Christchurch

Day 6: Christchurch - Dunedin
Sit back and enjoy the scenery as you roll over the patchwork Canterbury plains to seaside Timaru.  Continuing south, plains meet the hills of Otago, the whitestone buildings of Oamaru, and the jagged coastline of Palmerston.  Finally, climb the cliffs around Mt Cargill and drop down into Dunedin - the 'Edinburgh of the South'.  Arrive early afternoon. Time for optional activities - perhaps a trip to see the albatross and other wildlife on the peninsula.  Overnight in Dunedin.

Day 7: Dunedin and Milton. 
The morning is free for shopping, or visits to galleries, museums and local attractions.  In the afternoon, travel the short distance to Milton where you are met by your hosts for tonights farmstay. Dinner, lunch and breakfast are included.

Day 8: Milton - Te Anau
The morning is free for enjoying the country lifestyle.  In the afternoon, join your coach and travel through the rich, rolling farmland of  Otago and Southland before entering remote Fiordland.  Stay at Lake Te Anau, surrounded by ancient forests and magnificent snowy mountains.

Day 9: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
The ice carved valleys of Fiordland National Park are the venue for today's journey. First, the silent beech forests of the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, then through the Homer tunnel and the awesome Cleddau Canyon. A boat cruise on Milford Sound taking you out to Mitre Peak, rising nearly a kilometre straight up out of the sea and the tumbling Bowen Falls is included.  Leaving Fiordland, head north along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to world famous Queenstown. Two nights stay in Queenstown.

Day 10: At Queenstown
A full day for you to enjoy this fabulous resort - we have included the Skyline Gondola and the Kiwi Magic Movie in your tour. There are dozens of optional activities as well - thrilling jet boating on the rivers - white water rafting - helicopters through the river chasms - A.J.Hackett's world famous bungy jumping - cruises on the lake on the vintage 'TSS Earnslaw' - high country sheep stations - gold panning - spectacular walking trails - the list is endless. . . Overnight Queenstown.

Day 11: Queenstown - Mt Cook - Fairlie
Leaving Queenstown head north via the rocky Kawarau gorge historic goldmining area to Lake Dunstan.  Climb the Lindis Pass for a stunning view of the eerie MacKenzie Basin, a dry grassy plain surrounded on all sides by huge mountains and spotted with milky blue lakes. Drive north to Mt Cook National Park to see New Zealand's highest mountain. Optional lunch at the Hermitage Hotel or perhaps a scenic ski-plane flight. Continue north past picturesque Lake Tekapo and over Burke Pass to Fairlie, where you are met by your hosts and taken to their home for tonight's farmstay. Includes dinner, breakfast and lunch.

Day 12: Fairlie - Christchurch
The morning is free to enjoy the farming lifestyle or explore Fairlie township. In the afternoon, join your coach for a short journey through the hills to Geraldine where you meet the Canterbury plains.  Travel across the plains, over wide stony rivers and through great open fields to Christchurch, arriving at 6.15 pm.