New Zealand Treasures

Description

1nt Auckland
2Nts Paihia (Bay of Islands)
1nt Auckland
2nts Rotorua (via Waitomo Caves)
2nts Wellington (via Taupo)
1nt Nelson
1nt Greymouth
1nt Fox Glacier (via Hokitika)
2nts Queenstown
1nt Night Milford Sound

3nt extension:
1nt Dunedin
1nt Mt Cook
2nts Christchurch

If you want to visit New Zealand’s great cities as well as its incredible natural wonders in just 2 weeks then this is the itinerary for you. With geysers, glaciers and fiords there’s also the option to extend your trip to include Mount Cook, Dunedin and Christchurch.

Itinerary

UK - Auckland (1 Nights): First you will fly from your chosen UK Airport to Auckland where you can discover New Zealand’s largest city with its shops, museums and harbours.

Auckland - Paihai (2 Nights): Then head north to the beautiful Bay of Islands and stay in Paihia for 2 nights. You can explore this idyllic subtropical region by taking excursions to the outer islands or simply relaxing on the golden sands.

Paihai - Auckland (1 Night): Drive back to Auckland and why not visit Waiheke Island, a short ferry journey from the city. With its beautiful vineyards and white sandy beaches it makes a fantastic day trip.

Auckland - Rotorua (2 Nights): The next day head towards Rotorua, stopping en route to see the magical Waitomo Caves with its labyrinth of caves and underground rivers. Spend 2 nights in the geothermal city of Rotorua, home to bubbling hot pools, natural hot springs, exploding geysers and vibrant green lakes! You will also be able to experience the rich heritage of the Te Arawa people with a visit to their Maori village.

Rotorua - Wellington (2 Nights): Then head south towards the country’s capital Wellington for 2 nights, stopping en route at beautiful Lake Taupo. In Wellington enjoy the scenic harbour setting, thriving arts scene and gourmet cuisine. The capital is also an ideal location to take a day’s wine tour to the picturesque vineyards of Martinborough with its award winning wineries.

Wellington - Nelson (1 Night): From Wellington cross over to the South Island and stay in the buzzy town of Nelson, close to the Abel Tasman National Park. The park, which can be explored by foot along its coastal track or by boat along the coast line, has endless golden sandy coves and incredible sea-life.

Nelson - Greymouth (1 Night): Travel down the west coast to Greymouth and visit the replica gold mine at Shantytown to appreciate the area’s history. The next day stop at the historic town of Hokitika to learn more about the ship wrecks, gold mines and jade hunters of the past before making your way to Fox Glacier.

Greymouth - Fox Glaciers (1 Night): Fox Glacier comes down from the Southern Alps to 300m above sea level making it one of the world’s most accessible glaciers. From the village of Fox Glacier you can walk to the terminal face, visit the ice-blue caves or take a helicopter for a sightseeing trip.

Fox Glaciers - Queenstown (2 Nights): Drive onto the alpine city of Queenstown renowned for its adventure sports. If you’ve ever harboured any desire to bungee jump, white water raft or paraglide then this is the place to do it! If you prefer slightly less extreme activities, then hiking or simply relaxing and admiring the stunning scenery that was used for the Tolkien trilogies will be bliss!

Queenstown - Milford Sounds (1 Night):From Queenstown make your way to the stunning Fiordlands and take a cruise on Milford Sound. The dramatic steep sided fiords were carved by glaciers during the ice ages and are now home to abundant wildlife including fur seals, dolphins and penguins. Waterfalls tumble down from the cliffs above and the surrounding mountains are perfectly reflected in the water below. Stay in the picturesque lake side town of Te Anau which is a scenic 2-hour drive away.

Te Anau is also en route back to Queenstown from where you will catch your flight home. However, you can also extend your trip to include Dunedin and Mount Cook and Christchurch:

Milford Sounds - Dunedin (1 Night): With a night in Dunedin you can explore one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere. Surrounded by hills, Dunedin is known as the ‘Edinburgh of New Zealand’ and has more than a few similarities with the Scottish city.

Dunedin - Mount Cook (1 Night):Then head on to the country’s tallest mountain, Mount Cook, where you can stay in Mt Cook Village for a night. Situated beside Lake Pukaki there are walks available for all levels from the novice to the experienced mountaineer.

Mount Cook - Christchurch (2 Nights):Finally head to Christchurch where the wonderfully laid back city with its beautiful parks and gardens will be your base for 2 nights before you fly home after your wonderful trip.