Day 1 - Arrive Christchurch
Welcome to New Zealand! Kirra Tours will greet you at the airport, with transport waiting to take you to your hotel.
Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Day 2 - Christchurch / Mt Cook / Omarama
Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road at 8.00am.
A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before travelling across the Canterbury Plains into the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook National Park. Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before traveling on to Omarama.
Heritage Gateway Hotel (1 night)
Day 3 - Omarama / Dunedin
Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin – the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion or explore the city only a few minutes walk away. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Cargills Hotel (1 night)
Day 4 - Dunedin / Lake Manapouri / Te Anau
Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau.
Fiordland National Park Hotel (1 night)
Day 5 - Te Anau / Milford Sound / Queenstown
Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.
Rydges Hotel (2 nights)
Day 6 - Queenstown
A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise.
Day 7 - Queenstown / Haast Pass/ Fox Glacier
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the magnificent glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier’s terminal face.
Fox Glacier Hotel (1 night)
Day 8 - Fox Glacier / Greymouth
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Next is Shantytown, a restored gold mining town of the 1860’s where you pan for gold and ride on the steam train at no extra cost.
Hotel Ashley (1 night)
Day 9 - Greymouth/Wellington
View the unusual rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki and pass Charleston, a former goldmining township. Follow the Buller River through the Buller Gorge and on to Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. Follow the long Wairau Valley to Blenheim. A tour will highlight many attractions, including a visit to Montana Winery. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery, learn about and taste a range of the famous local wines (purchase if you wish) followed by afternoon tea. Board the Interislander Ferry. Sail through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, sheltered waterways, remote bays and isolated holiday homes. Across Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand's Capital City.
Overnight accommodation is at Bay Plaza Hotel (1 night)
Day 10 - Wellington / Taupo / Rotorua
Drive to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and on a clear day, the South Island. Cross the Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin and Foxton to Bulls. Across rolling farmland to the central North Island National Park, dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake and famous for trout fishing. Stop at Huka Falls skirting massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture.
Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua(2 nights)
Day 11 - Rotorua
A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and native birds including the Kiwi. Visit Te Puia, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka (entire group).
Day 12 - Rotorua/Bay of Islands
Cross the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to the lush farmlands of the Waikato region, noted for it's fertile farmlands, ideal for dairy farming and horse studs. The Bombay Hills signal your approach to Auckland, New Zealand's largest city. A tour will include it's waterfront drive, prestigious residential suburbs and numerous yacht marinas, the Domain and central city area with the highlight being a visit to the summit of the Skytower, at 328m the tallest building in the southern hemisphere which allow for incredible views of the city, it's harbour and surrounding volcanic cones. Continue north to Warkworth and other coastal communities to the city of Whangarei then Kawakawa to reach Paihia in the picturesque Bay of Islands.
Hotel Paihia (2 nights)
Day 13 - Bay of Islands
A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many optional activities available. Your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. A full day Tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s northern most point and Ninety Mile Beach is extremely popular or alternatively, visit historic Russell, New Zealand’s first settlement and visit its original Church, Mission House and Museum.
Day 14 - Bay of Islands/Auckland
A launch cruise will take you across the Bay and world acclaimed fishing grounds to Cape Brett and the famous "Hole in the Rock". Return to Paihia, where we meet our local Maori guide, a descendant of the original settlers to the region, who will provide a comprehensive insight and history of the Bay of Islands before a visit to New Zealand's birthplace Waitangi. A self guided tour through the famous Treaty House, the Maori Meeting House and giant war canoe. Board your Coach for the return journey south enjoying undulating landscapes with fine coastal scenery. Approaching Auckland the city's skyline comes into view then cross the Harbour Bridge to complete your journey.
Day 15 - Auckland / Home
It is farewell to your travelling companions. You will be transferred to Auckland International Airport to join your flight home. | 
