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New Zealand Classic - 22 day Tour Itinerary

Day 1: Christchurch to Picton / Wellington:  Accommodation 


You leave Christchurch this morning for an express trip to Picton and Wellington. Enjoy the beautiful Marlborough Sounds and some great harbour shots of our capital city Wellington from the ferry. (B)

Day 2: Wellington to Auckland: Accommodation 


Today is an express journey from Wellington to Auckland. We will stop on the way to have lunch in Taupo for a short walk and for you to see New Zealand’s largest lake. (B)

Day 3: Auckland:  Accommodation 


Today is free to explore New Zealand’s biggest city. Enjoy one of the many harbour sailing trips, head up the Sky Tower for panoramic views or just relax. (Meals at own expense)

Day 4: Auckland to Hahei:  Accommodation 


You head south east to the Coromandel Peninsula via views of Waikato farmland.  Head to your remote beach area to hike to the stunning Cathedral Cove, and have a chance to bathe in the natural hot pools of Hot Water Beach (tide dependent).  You stay in an exclusive campsite at the beach and enjoy a BBQ. Quad share cabins only (D).  ** See Note at bottom of Itinerary. 

Day 5: Hahei to Rotorua:  Accommodation 


Travelling along the stunning Coromandel Coast you stop for some great walks then head to your uniquely developed Maori cultural stop at Whakarewarewa.  Set amidst a landscape of erupting geothermal activity, hot thermal springs and bubbling mud pools is the living Maori village. This is an experience to gain an insight into the Maori culture and history, which includes a down-to-earth cultural show and a hangi lunch traditionally cooked in the steam from the natural hot pools. You have the afternoon to explore Rotorua with optional activities for everyone from free walks to white water rafting. (B,L).

Day 6: Rotorua to Whakahoro:  Accommodation  motel_icon


You leave early this morning, stopping for a swim in a natural hot river, then onto the impressive Huka Falls. Drive around Lake Taupo towards the Central Plateau. Go deep into the wilderness to your exclusive environmental award-winning stop at Blue Duck Lodge.  You can kayak the last 8kms, take a historical walk, or if you want you can take part in a hunt for dinner. The lodge is an old homestead nestled right on the edge of Whanganui National Park surrounded by breath-taking views, amazing walks, and natural beauty.  Cook a traditional bush dinner over an outdoor wood-fire using local produce, while learning about the rich early-settlement history and the owner's huge efforts to restore the local plants and birdlife to their former glory (D) 

Day 7: Whakahoro to National Park:  Accommodation  


This morning you head back towards the volcanoes of Tongariro National Park with the chance to hike the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, rated as New Zealand's best one-day walk.  For those less active there will be shorter walks and a visit to the Volcanic Centre Museum.  Tonight you stay at our exclusive alpine lodge 'The Park' (B, D).

Note. In winter there is an additional charge of NZD$95 for the Crossing to cover guiding and equipment hire.

Day 8: National Park to Wellington: Accommodation  


Following the day you had in National Park you head to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.  You have the afternoon to explore 'Te Papa', New Zealand's National Museum and strongly recommend the walk along Oriental Parade and/or up Mt Victoria to get the best view of the city. You stay in central Wellington accommodation tonight (B).

Day 9: Wellington to Picton to Abel Tasman :  Accommodation  motel_icon


From Wellington you catch the inter-island ferry to the South Island port of Picton for the trip through to Marahau.  You stop for a wine tasting in New Zealand's premier wine region,  world-famous for its Sauvignon Blanc. You then head across to Nelson and out to the Tasman region for the picturesque beaches and bays of the Abel Tasman National Park.   Stay in your exclusive campsite located adjacent to the National Park where your group gets the chance to plant a native tree or seedling to leave a legacy of your stay.  Dinner tonight includes a taste of local seafood (B,D).

Day 10: Full day in Abel Tasman: Accommodation 


An entire day to explore the Abel Tasman National Park.  You have an  included boat transfer out of the park so you can walk the famous coastal track, incorporating some of the New Zealand's best beaches. You can upgrade to one of the other great options including sea kayaking or sailing. You self-cater tonight with BBQ facilities available and stay again at your campsite right beside the National Park(B).

Day 11: Abel Tasman to Hanmer Springs:  Accommodation  motel_icon


Today you set off early passing through two more National Parks en route to the tranquility of Hanmer Springs. The Kahurangi and Nelson National Parks boast fabulous scenery and some great small hikes with craggy mountain ranges draped with forest to the lake's edge. You will have a picnic on the lake edge today. Arrive at Hanmer Springs in the afternoon and have a relaxing soak in the hot pools. You go out for a group meal tonight (B,D).

Day 12: Hanmer Springs to Christchurch: Accommodation   motel_icon    


The day begins with a small drive to the coast heading to Kaikoura, a stop that offers a sanctuary of marine life. Regardless of what you choose to do you will encounter marine life in many forms. There are seals, dolphins, whales or the king of the skies, the Royal Albatross. There is a fantastic walk starting from the seal colony around the cliff tops where you will get amazing views.  You have plenty of time to do even the longest of options here then you express south to the South Island's largest city, Christchurch (B).

Day 13: Christchurch to Franz Josef: Accommodation   motel_icon


You start early for a stunning journey across the Canterbury Plains, over Arthur's Pass and down to the West Coast.  Along the way the scenery changes constantly so you stop often for walks and photo opportunities. Stop in Hokitika, famous for pounamu (jade) and at the Bushman's Centre to learn about the local history, before heading down to Franz Josef for its majestic glacier.  Stay in a lodge in the rainforest at Franz Josef  (D).

Day 14: Franz Josef: Accommodation 


Today is free for exploring this World Heritage area. There are many great walks but we highly recommend that you pay to go on one of the guided trips (where they provide you with specialised equipment) so that you can get further onto the glacier.  Self-cater tonight - there are great local cafes and a kitchen at the lodge (B).

N.B. in winter a half day guided glacier hike is included.

Day 15: Franz Josef to Makarora:  Accommodation 


You follow the coast further south today for even more amazing scenery (including New Zealand's most photographed lake), some great walks, waterfalls and a breathtaking alpine pass. Arrive at your wilderness accommodation at the foot of Mount Aspiring National Park by mid-afternoon. The locals provide some of the most spectacular activities from scenic flights to wilderness jet boating. Your accommodation tonight is in chalets
(B, D)..

Day 16: Makarora to Queenstown:  Accommodation  motel_icon


You journey on to the adventure capital of the world; Queenstown, the spiritual home of bungy jumping.  On the way you stop in the scenic town of Wanaka for a walk and lunch before heading to the bungy bridge. Everyone has the option of observing or jumping themselves. Arrive at your accommodation in the afternoon ready for two days of whatever activities you choose to do from the relaxing to full-on adrenaline. Your guide will take you on an orientation of the resort when you arrive and a tour of the town's night spots in the evening. (B).

Days 17 and 18: Queenstown:  Accommodation  motel_icon


Enjoy Queenstown.... Optional activities and meals at your own expense.You have two days to explore this adventure town or just relax in the array of coffee shops on and around the lakes edge; the surrounding view will see your day pass very easily.Queenstown is one of the top, and most scenic adventure venues in the world. Within the stunning setting of mountains and lake, you can do almost anything here. There are a number of wineraries here that offer very good wines - especially Pinot Noir - and claim to be the most southerly wineraries in the world. So instead of jetboating on the Shotover, perhaps a relaxing wine trail is more to your liking.

Day 19: Queenstown to Doubtful Sound:  Accommodation  motel_icon


This morning you head into the awe-inspiring Fiordland National Park.  Doubtful Sound is truly an amazing place; one of the most remote and untouched places on earth where you will see fur seals, Fiordland Crested Penguins and dolphins. You spend the day and night on a purpose-built boat, which includes a dedicated nature guide and sea kayaks.  Overnight in a secluded bay in the fiord (D). ** See Note at bottom of Itinerary.

N.B. In winter we do the Doubtful Sound day cruise and stay overnight in Te Anau.

Day 20: Doubtful Sound to Central Otago:  Accommodation 


The morning is spent departing Doubtful Sound. You board your own mini-coach at midday and head through the beautiful Otago region.  You explore relics of the gold rush, which was responsible for the European settlement of this area.  Stay in your own exclusive accommodation in the middle of Otago gold country. You have the option of curling tonight (like bowling but with big stones on an ice rink). We challenge you to try and beat your guide (B, D).

Day 21: Central Otago to Rangitata: 


In the morning you grab your mountain bikes and head out to sample part of the old Otago Gold Mining Rail Trail.  It is an ideal activity for riders of all abilities and a great way to soak up the incredible scenery and history of the area. You then express your way along the Canterbury Plains flanked by the Southern Alps to Rangitata, one of the region's original sheep stations surrounded by the Southern Alps. Tonight we build a campfire and exchange stories from the trip. (B).

Day 22: Rangitata to Christchurch: 


This morning you express directly to Christchurch where this tour will end.

 


NOTE:

The night in the Coromandel has multi-share accommodation only. Most cabins on the Doubtful Sound are multi-share and therefore private accommodation is limited. We will confirm at time of booking if twin/double/ single is available.

Overland NZ - New Zealand Overland Adventure Tours and Holidays.