Auckland to Queenstown New Zealand Tour

The Land of the Long White Cloud is probably one of the most stunningly beautiful countries in the world. Little wonder it has been used as a film set for many big budget movies. From thermal geysers to mighty glaciers, from snow-capped mountains to deep fiords, from rolling green hills to picturesque lakes and secluded beaches, there is a myriad of landscapes matched by few other places on earth. Add to this the vibrant Maori culture and it s little wonder New Zealand is such a popular destination. Our journey from Auckland to Queenstown encompasses the best of both the North and South Islands, showcasing the wonderful diversity of this magical land.

About the Program:
Length: 16 days

Tour type:

Cultural adventure
With a focus on local cultures and historic sites, these trips are not physically demanding and have the perfect mix of discovery, exploration, comfort and relaxation. Some trips include a little walking or a night or two 'roughing it' - check the itinerary for details.

Easy Walk
These walking holidays can be enjoyed by just about anyone. Walks are along well-defined trails and we rarely exceed five walking hours in a day.

Price: Starting from CAD 5190.00 Land Only Twin Share.

Single Supplement: On Request.

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DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1: Auckland

Your trip starts in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand. Today is just an arrival day, so no activities are planned. Please make your own way to our centrally-located joining hotel (details are in your travel documents). In the evening we meet our tour leader and our fellow travelling companions at a Welcome Meeting (this is usually at 6pm, but you will be advised as to the exact time and place on message on a noticeboard located near the reception of our hotel), where our leader will give us a briefing on what lies ahead on our tour and introduce the members of the tour, as well as answer any questions. Nearby in Parnell, there are a variety of restaurants and our tour will start with dinner at one of them.
Meals included: 1 dinner

Day 2: Rotorua

After breakfast we drive from Auckland and head south on a busy motorway. Before long we turn west and head out to the coast via quiet rural roads. Eventually we arrive at a private farm with an amazing natural cave system. Our underground tour here is a true caving experience, as we admire the awesome stalactites and limestone formations. After lunch we then head east towards Rotorua, home of the thermal heartland of New Zealand. After checking in to our hotel, we drive out to a lakeside marae and get welcomed on to the meeting ground for a local cultural concert, which is followed by dining out on a 'hangi' (traditional Maori feast involving food cooked underground).
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch, 1 dinner

Day 3: Tongariro National Park

We start the day with a visit to the Rotorua Bathhouse Museum, where a short video presentation enables us to understand the awesome forces that make up this famous thermal wonderland and Maori cultural centre. We then walk through a spectacular thermal valley and view emerging pink and white terraces, boiling mud pools and much more. En route to Lake Taupo we visit the Wairaki geothermal area before travelling on to Huka Falls, where the mighty Waikato River thunders through a narrow chasm. After a short walk along the banks of the river we drive along the eastern shores of Lake Taupo and on to Tongariro National Park, the first in New Zealand and now a UNESCO World Heritage site. We stay for two nights at the Ruapehu Skotel.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 4: Tongariro National Park

The volcanic plateau here has been shaped by eruptions from bygone days. Mount Ruapehu, Mount Tongariro and Mount Ngauruhoe tower above the surrounding landscape, with secret 'gems' hidden within their rugged terrain. Tama Lakes are accessed by a good walking track and the hike gives us an appreciation of the area's volcanic past. By mid afternoon we return to our hotel with the chance then to explore the alpine village or just relax and take in the breathtaking views. For the active there is the option joining a guided ascent of Mount Ruapehu (2797 m). You can request additional information at the time of booking.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 5: River Valley Lodge

In the morning we load our coach and travel around the outer edge of the park before travelling through to Taihape and then inland to River Valley Lodge. Nestled on the banks of the Rangitikei River, this is the site of our optional whitewater rafting excursion. The Rangitikei River is home to some high-class river rafting as well as being a location used to film some spectacular footage for the film, 'Lord of the Rings'. Dependant on the degree of challenge sought, there are three options available. Firstly, the spectacular gorges and cliffs can be viewed from the raft as part of a sedate drift trip, i.e. minimum yelling and screaming required and minimum wet clothing. With the second option, you get up close and personal with the river amongst the whitewater of the upper section. The third option is for those who don’t like the water – a relaxing horse trek through the scenic countryside. You choose whatever you would like to do; no pressure!
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 6: Wellington

River Valley is such a peaceful and isolated location that it inevitably takes us until mid morning before we are on the road to Wellington. The drive takes us across the rural plains and then along the rugged west coast before dropping us into the capital city of New Zealand. Near our hotel is Te Papa, the national museum of New Zealand. Once we have checked in we spend the balance of the afternoon exploring this amazing interactive playground or taking in the wide variety of café’s and bars in the area.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 7: Wellington

Today is a free day for you to explore Wellington on your own and there is much to do in New Zealand's beautiful capital. It is a city built on steep hills and distinguished by a spectacular harbour and quaint wooden Victorian buildings. A cable car takes visitors up a steep hill to Kelburn, when there are magnificent views all round. Walk around town and view the unusual modernist Beehive building and the Parliament House next to it. The best view of the city and harbour is from the lookout on top of Mount Victoria. This evening we have another tour briefing back at hotel at 6pm. In this meeting we may also be joined by other travellers who are booked on for the South Island sector only. This is followed by an included group dinner.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 dinner

Day 8: Picton - Marlborough Sounds

After an early breakfast we drive to the nearby Inter Islander ferry terminal and join our boat for the magnificent 3.5 hour crossing of Cook Strait. This is an awesome trip with the highlight being once we get inside Marlborough Sounds and sail down between the ridgelines towards to Picton. Once we arrive here we take some time to explore the town and have some lunch before a short water taxi ride takes us across to our accommodation for the next two nights at Lochmara Lodge. This lodge is located in a magnificent settling. In the afternoon we are briefed on the lodge's work in the kakariki (yellow-crowned parakeet) recovery program.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 9: Marlborough Sounds

Our lodge is set on the shore of Marlborough Sounds and surrounded by a network of tracks. Today we have the choice to accompany our tour leader on a full trek up to the crest of the ridge before joining Queen Charlotte Track and enjoying a beautiful hike to the trail's end at Anakiwa. From here it’s a short water taxi ride back to the lodge and the chance to absorb the beautiful surroundings. For those seeking less activity, the lodge and its walkways make for a great option, with even the chance for a swim.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 10: Marlborough Sounds - Blenheim - Kaikoura

Today it's about sea kayaking and then the chance to enjoy wine tasting in nearby Blenheim, home of New Zealand's sauvignon blancs. By water taxi we rejoin our coach and then drive around to Anakiwa to meet our kayak guides and our stable double kayaks. After on-shore instructions we power on broad and with our new-found skills and explore the bottom end of the sound. After a great picnic lunch we travel by coach across to a nearby winery for a wine tasting before turning south and driving down to Kaikoura, the base for the famous whale watching and dolphin swimming excursions. Dinner can be taken at one of the many restaurants along the waterfront.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 11: Kaikoura - Hanmer Springs

In the morning we can choose from one of the many optional activities from whale watching to dolphin swimming or joining a pelagic boat trip that offers the chance to see a vast array of sea birds up close. Depending upon our chosen option, our tour leader will transport us to the start of that trip – usually early in the morning. Sunrise or early morning is a magnificent time to be on the water with the nearby Seaward Kaikoura Range towering above us. Back on shore, we take a late breakfast before boarding our coach and heading inland towards the alps and the small thermal township of Hanmer Springs for a well- deserved soak in the early evening.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 12: Hanmar Springs - Blackball

Hanmer Springs has a number of great hiking trails through the surrounding forests, along with the option of a jet-boat ride, horse trek and even golf. The decision is yours for the morning. Those seeking relaxation may head back to the hot pools or indulge themselves with a spa. After lunch we head westward into the mountains of the Lewis Pass and through to Reefton, with its coal mining history which we take time to learn about during our time here. We then head out towards the coast and finally arrive at the Formerly the Blackball Hilton Hotel, a historic hotel with doubtless ghosts of miners past still walking the corridors. Tonight we can head to the bar downstairs and enjoy a chance to mingle with locals before retiring to bed.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 13: Lake Kaniere - Okarito Lagoon - Fox Glacier

The next drive is a short one down to the coast and then along to Hokitika. This is home of greenstone (jade) carving and gifts of this precious stone have great significance to recipients. We then drive inland to beautiful Lake Kaniere and enjoy a two-hour walk along its waterfront. At the other end we are met and driven back to the main road and then deep into glacier country, before turning back towards the coast again. Here we visit Okarito Lagoon, home to the New Zealand white heron. On the lagoon we take up our kayaking skills once more and paddle on the beautiful waterways. We are then met again by our vehicle and are soon back on the highway for the short drive across to Fox Glacier - our base for the night.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 14: Fox Glacier - Haast - Waiatoto River - Wanaka

Nearby Lake Matheson has a reputation as one of the wonders of the country at sunrise! If the weather is right, it is worthwhile going for an early morning hike which will get the appetite going. Then we head nearby Fox Glacier, where we hike to snout of the glacier - an impressive sight indeed. Returning to the coach, we head south to the township of Haast. Here we leave the main road and travel towards Jackson Bay to join the awesome Waiatoto jet-boat experience. We are driven by a skilled, professional driver up the Waiatoto River, taking us deep into Mount Aspiring National Park. Marvel at the impossibly shallow water that our boat skims over at speeds made possible by its unique drive system that was invented in the 1950s by New Zealand farmer, Bill Hamilton. A walking option provides the chance to enjoy the solitude of the surroundings before returning to our craft for the return journey to the coast. The spectacular scenery continues as we travel across Haast Pass, then skirt Lake Hawea before arriving at Wanaka on Lake Wanaka, where we stay the night.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 15: Diamond Lake - Queenstown

After a healthy breakfast we walk to the foreshore and join our water taxi for a ride across the lake to the mouth of Minaret Burn. Here we enjoy a lakeside track walk that gives us spectacular views back towards Wanaka, as well as nearby Mount Aspiring and other surrounding peaks. Eventually we arrive back at the road end and, after a short hike to nearby Diamond Lake we drive over Crown Range and explore Arrowtown before continuing to our final stop, Queenstown, with the The Remarkables mountain range forming a spectacular backdrop.
Meals included: 1 breakfast, 1 lunch

Day 16: Queenstown

Our trip ends in the morning after breakfast in Queenstown, allowing ample time to explore further or travel on to alternative destinations. If you wish to stay on in Queenstown, it is possible to book additional post-tour accommodation. Please book this with GoWalkabout Travel before you commence your travels. A departure transfer is not included; however, the hotel reception can arrange taxis, if required.
Meals included: 1 breakfast

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