Your tour departs from the Rydges Auckland Hotel, Corner Kingston & Federal Streets, Auckland at11.30 am (please be ready in the foyer at 1115) with a city tour visiting the summit of Skytower, at 328metres the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere, for panoramic views across the city and its two harbours, the Domain, the city area, the Waterfront Drive with its numerous yacht marinas and nearby residential suburbs. Follow the motorway across the Bombay Hills to the lush farmlands of the Waikato Region noted particularly for its dairy farming and internationally recognised horse studs. Cross the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua, centre of Maori culture for the region and a thermal wonderland. Overnight accommodation is at Lake Plaza Hotel.

Day 2
SAT: ROTORUA

A sightseeing tour encompasses the cultural and scenic highlights of the area. Visit the Agrodome to see a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds and a sheep shearing demonstration. Whilst at the Agrodome, be sure to visit the Bliss Confectionery factory & shop for a complimentary treat and tempting sweet delights. Stroll through Rainbow Springs Park and see pools of rainbow and brown trout and native birds including the Kiwi. Take the spectacular Skyline Skyride for superb views over city, lake and mountains and for those wanting just a little excitement try a Luge ride with our compliments - enjoy the thrill. At the completion of the tour (mid afternoon) there will be time for optional activities:-shopping, trout fishing or a dip in a thermal pool. This evening you will enjoy a Maori hangi (meal) which will include a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus more conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka. Your overnight accommodation is at Lake Plaza Hotel.

Day 3 
SUN: ROTORUA/CHRISTCHURCH

This morning visit Whakarewarewa, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve with its boiling mud, silica terraces and famous Pohutu Geyser. You will be taken back to the Lake Plaza Hotel, from where you will be transferred to Rotorua Airport for your flight to Christchurch. You will be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon is free to enjoy at your leisure and the "Garden City" has lots to offer. A stroll in picturesque Worcester Boulevard and a circuit of the city centre on the Tram will highlight much of interest - Victoria Square, the Cathedral, and Christs College. Overnight accommodation is at Pavilions Hotel.

A brief city sights tour will show you the main highlights of Christchurch before travelling across the rich Canterbury Plains into the foothills of the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. Here you will be given the opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing your journey into the Mt Cook National Park. Admire the scenic majesty of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama. Overnight accommodation is at Heritage Gateway Hotel.

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, play 18 holes of golf at Chisholm Park Golf Course, or just explore the city only a few minutes walk away.. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Leviathan Hotel.

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. Your overnight accommodation will be at the Te Anau Downs Motor Lodge.

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. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel.

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 Earnslaw. Alternatively, explore Queenstown’s many boutiques and galleries - your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise. Your overnight accommodation is at the Rydges Hotel.

Pass Lake Hayes to reach Arrowtown, once a bustling gold mining township. Now many of its buildings are restored to their former glory. Travel on past lakes Wanaka and Hawea, cross the Haast Pass into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Cap off the day with the magnificent Glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier’s terminal face (daylight hours permitting). Your overnight accommodation is at the Fox Glacier Hotel.

Time this morning for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. The snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass glades of 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. On to Greymouth to join the the Tranz Alpine train for one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. Through rainforests and past Lake Brunner to Otira, beneath the high snowcapped peaks of the Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass, follow the rugged Gorges of the Waimakariri river and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

Your tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch, which is scheduled at approximately 6.35 pm.

 ***************

For your departure tax, please do not forget to keep aside:- NZ$25 per person

It is recommended to arrive at least one day early in preparation for the morning tour departure. Additional accommodations can be arranged at the start and the end of the tour.

Prices and booking conditions.

NOTE: Choose either a guaranteed single at time of booking OR request a twin share in which case you will be matched with another traveler of the same gender or if another traveler is not available, you will receive a single room at no extra cost.

Destinations Downunder, Travel Specialists to Australia and New Zealand
3712 N. Broadway, PMB #251, Chicago, Il. 60618 USA
Ph:(773) 832-1699 Fax: (773)832-1699 Email: travel@koalakiwi.com
Web: koalakiwi.com