New Zealand Wine Trails

The Magnum tour - 16 spectacular days including everything with wine! For those who really want to have a holiday ...

Reporting time 7.45 am.  Departs from Christchurch Intercity depot at 8.00 am EVERY DAY.

DAY 1: 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. Perhaps time for an optional trip to see the alnbatross and other wildlife on the peninsula. Overnight in Dunedin.

DAY 2: Dunedin - Te Anau
This morning is free for optional tours around Dunedin, visiting art galleries and museums, or shopping.  Heading south, journey over the rich sheep country and green fields of South Otago.  Turn inland at Balclutha to Gore, then deeper, across the island to the great forests and deep lakes of Fiordland. Overnight at Lake Te Anau, surrounded by untouched natural forest.

DAY 3: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
The Fiordland National Park is the venue for today's thrilling experience - the beech forests of the beautiful Eglinton and Hollyford valleys, the Homer Tunnel and the awesome Cleddau Canyon.  A cruise on Milford Sound to see the majesty of Mitre Peak, rising nearly a kilometre straight up out of the sea and Bowen Falls is included.  Then climb out of Milford Sound to Te Anau, travel across country to Kingston and drive alongside Lake Wakatipu to world famous Queenstown. Stay three nights in Queenstown

DAYS 4 and 5: At Queenstown
Two full days for you to enjoy this fabulous resort and area. We have included a half day wine tour in addition to the Skyline Gondola and the Kiwi Magic Movie. There are dozens of optional activities as well - thrilling jetboating on the rivers - white water rafting - helicopters through the river chasms - A.J. Hackett's world famous bungy jumping - cruises on Lake Wakatipu on the vintage "TSS Eamslaw" - High Country sheep stations - gold panning - spectacular walking trails - the list is endless. . . Overnight in Queenstown

DAY 6: Queenstown - Glaciers
Leaving Queenstown, travel down the rugged and rocky Kawarau Gorge historic goldminig area to Lake Dunstan and Cromwell.  Then turn west to pass Lakes Hawea and Wanaka before climbing the forest lined valleys to Haast Pass.  Once over the pass, wind your way through towering snowy mountains and over rushing white water rivers to the coast. Travel north through dense rain forest, home of the graceful white heron (Kotuku) and past wild surf beaches to the Glaciers.  Two nights at the Glaciers.

DAY 7: At Fox or Franz Josef Glacier
We have included a morning tour to one of these spectacular ice rivers, with their cold blue pinnacles, caves and chasms.  The afternoon is free for bush walks, scenic flights or to simply soak up the beauty of snow-capped mountains contrasting with the deep greens of the native forest.  Overnight at the Glaciers.

DAY 8: Glaciers - Greymouth
Continue north up the West Coast past historic goldmining settlements, through spectacular forests and over deep, swift rivers to Hokitika and Greymouth. Visit a local greenstone (jade) factory, the precious stone of the Maori. Your tour also includes the Punakaiki 'pancake' rocks, an unusual layer formation of sandstone pillars jutting out into the sea. From there you are taken on an guided tour of the Paparoa National Park, featuring weird limestone formations among spectacular scenery.  You also hear about local Maori myths and legends. Overnight Greymouth.

DAY 9: Greymouth - Nelson
Travel north to the ghost town of Charleston where you turn inland. A spectacular drive up the steep rocky chasm and green waters of the Buller Gorge brings you to Inangahua junction.  From there, follow the river valleys north to Wakefield and then over the hills to sunny Nelson. Stay two nights in Nelson.

DAY 10: At Nelson - Abel Tasman National Park Tour
Your full day tour of this beautiful park includes pick up and drop off at your hotel. After a short coach journey, travel by launch (boat) from the golden sands of Kaiteriteri beach into the park. Cruise through the blue waters, next to lush native forests, marine life, and idyllic coves and inlets. There are many opportunities to walk in the park before returning to Nelson about 5 pm.

DAY 11: Nelson - Blenheim
Your coach takes you over the Whangamoa and Rai saddles to Blenheim. A comprehensive afternoon tour of vineyards producing world class white wines is included.

DAY 12: Blenheim - Picton - Wellington
The morning is free. Your midday coach takes you the short journey to Picton where you board one of the famous Interislander ferries and cruise up the long, narrow Marlborough Sounds and into Cook Strait. Enjoy the sun decks, bars, cafes and lounges as you look out for dolphins and whales before arriving in Wellington, the Capital. We have included an evening tour of some of Wellington's highlights includidng the unusual parliament buildings 'The Beehive' and some spectacular harbour and city views. Overnight in Wellington.

DAY 13: Wellington - Napier
You join the Bay Express and travel along the rocky Kapiti Coast to Palmerston North. The steep Manawatu Gorge takes you through the Tararua mountains to southern Hawkes Bay and onto Napier, the Art Deco capital of New Zealand.  You will be met and taken on a wine tour to 4 top vineyards, as well as a tour of the district.  Overnight in Napier

DAY 14: Napier - Rotorua
This morning is free - you can explore Napier, rebuilt in the Art Deco style after an earthquake in 1931. Your coach leaves after midday to take you across the Rangitaiki plains to deep blue Lake Taupo and then on through the thermal steam of Wairakei and vast pine forests to Rotorua where you stay 2 nights.

DAY 15: At Rotorua
The half day Grand Tour is included. You will see roaring geysers, boiling mud pools and steaming lakes at the thermal area, tame trout and kiwi at the springs and perfom1ing sheep and dogs at the Agrodome.  This afternoon is free - there are many activities to tempt you - such as bathing in the thermal waters.  For a small additional cost you could stay on a farm tonight.  Overnight in Rotorua

DAY 16: Rotorua - Waitomo - Auckland
After leaving Rotorua's volcanic charms, we travel to Waitomo Caves. A tour of the caves including the world famous glow worm grotto is included. Then on to Auckland via the Waikato Valley, Hamilton and the Bombay Hills. The coach arrives in Auckland at 5.10 pm.