| Day 1: Auckland - Whitianga or Tairua |
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- volcanic hills fringed by flowering red pohutukawa trees (in season)
- sandy white beaches, crystal blue ocean
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| Day 2: Whitianga - free day |
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- time to enjoy the beaches, ocean and native bush
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| Day 3: Whitianga - Rotorua |
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- sparkling Lake Rotorua, fringed by native bush
- vibrant Maori culture & active thermal region
- suggest evening Maori hangi (traditional feast) and cultural performance
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| Day 4: Rotorua - Taupo |
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- soak in the hot springs at Polynesian Spa (included)
- plumes of geothermal steam at Wairakei
- beautiful Lake Taupo, famous for trout fishing
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| Day 5: Taupo - Napier |
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- vast Kaingaroa Forest to art deco city of Napier by the sea
- renowned wine growing region of Hawke’s Bay
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| Day 6: Napier - Wellington |
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- rolling hills, valleys & farmland
- capital city of Wellington, fresh, cosmopolitan & stylish
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| Day 7: Wellington - Christchurch |
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- ferry across Cook Strait to bush-clad Marlborough Sounds
- winegrowing district of Blenheim
- craggy coastline at Kaikoura – watch for fur seals
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| Day 8: In Christchurch |
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- gardens, parks and cafes by the River Avon
- enjoy your day
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| Day 9: Christchurch - Mount Cook |
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- patchwork Canterbury Plains & rural towns
- historic Church of the Good Shepherd
- turquoise glacial Lakes Tekapo & Pukaki
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| Day 10: Mount Cook - Queenstown |
optional
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- Aoraki Mount Cook National Park – NZ’s highest peak (3754m)
- vast moonscape of the Mackenzie basin
- lively Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu
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| Day 11: In Queenstown |
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- lake cruise to Walter Peak Station on historic steamer Earnslaw (included)
- remainder of day at leisure for optional activities
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| Day 12: Queenstown - Fox Glacier |
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- gold mining relics on the cliffs of the Kawarau Gorge
- tranquil Lakes Wanaka and Hawea
- heart of Mt Aspiring National Park
- Westland National Park & Haast Pass
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| Day 13: Fox Glacier - Greymouth |
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- optional guided walk on Fox Glacier
- lush native forests and mirror lakes
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| Day 14: Greymouth - Christchurch |
optional
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- cross the Southern Alps at Arthur’s Pass to the Canterbury Plains
- coach option - famous TranzAlpine train Greymouth/Christchurch (optional extra for self drive travellers)
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Extra days available on request. Can be travelled in reverse.
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