Adventures in New Zealand 2012 

Departing from London we fly to Auckland via Hong Kong arriving mid-morning on Day 3. We stay at the Rendezvous Hotel for the next two nights and en route to the hotel we take an orientation tour of Auckland including views of the Manukau and Waitemata Harbours. We enjoy a welcome dinner together at the hotel.

Today we take a sightseeing tour of the city including the Viaduct Basin and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. This afternoon you are free to explore Auckland at leisure. For panoramic views of the city ascend the iconic Sky Tower (payable locally), the tallest structure in New Zealand.

This morning we take a trip on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, owned and operated by steam enthusiasts. We then travel across the Bombay Hills, through Waikato Valley to Rotorua, the spiritual home of the Maori. We visit the Rotorua Museum, which gives an insight into the region's history and culture, as it weaves Maori legend with stories about the volcanic landscape. We spend two nights at the Novotel Lakeside in Rotorua.

We visit Wai-O-Tapu (Sacred Waters) to see the Lady Knox Geyser and marvel at the rainbow-coloured pools and amazing boiling mud. You have an afternoon at leisure before we travel to the Tamaki Maori Village for a cultural evening of songs and poi dances, along with a traditional hangi dinner (earth-baked on hot stones).

Transferring to Hamilton, we take the Overlander train* for a journey through King Country. We view spectacular scenery from large panoramic windows including mountains of Tongariro National Park, Mount Ruapehu and stunning river gorges. We spend two nights at the James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel.

*Please note that at time of going to press the operation of The Overlander is yet to be confirmed for 2012.

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington. We drive along pretty Oriental Bay to Mount Victoria for stunning views and visit the Parliament Buildings. In the afternoon you are free to continue exploring at leisure.

Today we take the Interislander ferry and cruise across Cook Strait to Picton on the South Island. On arrival in Picton we board the TranzCoastal train for a scenic journey to Christchurch via Blenheim, the Marlborough wine region and down the Pacific Coast through Kaikoura. We spend tonight at the Château on the Park Hotel in Christchurch.

This morning we visit the International Antarctic Centre before we leave for Dunedin. Travelling by coach, we cross Canterbury Plains through Timaru and Oamaru, stopping at Moeraki to see the mysterious spherical boulders scattered on the beach. We check in at the Scenic Hotel Dunedin City for two nights. On Day 11 you have a morning at leisure to explore Dunedin. In the afternoon we follow the trail of 19th century gold miners to the gold fields of Central Otago on the Taieri Gorge Railway in carriages dating back to the 1920s.

Today we travel to Te Anau, nestled by the serene waters of Lake Te Anau, the second longest lake in New Zealand. We cruise across the lake for a guided tour of the Te Anau Caves, with their subterranean limestone caverns and magical glow worm grotto. We overnight at the Distinction Te Anau Hotel for two nights.

We travel into the Fiordland National Park, for a cruise on stunning Milford Sound. Lush rainforests cling precariously to the fiord's cliffs and the cruise takes us past magnificent waterfalls and out to the Tasman Sea. We enjoy a buffet lunch on board before returning to Te Anau.

We drive across the beautiful Southland countryside and along the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Queenstown. On arrival we take the aerial gondola to the Skyline complex at Bob's Peak where we enjoy the view overlooking Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu. We stay for three nights in the Copthorne Resort Queenstown.

On Day 15 we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Queenstown and the surrounding area. We drive across Shotover River to historic Arrowtown, the site of a major goldrush in the 1860s and a 'Lord of the Rings' film location. We continue to Gibbston Valley Winery for a tour of the cellars and wine tasting. On Day 16 we take a cruise on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu, a return trip across the lake. Your afternoon is free to explore Queenstown at your own pace.

Travelling past lovely Lake Wanaka, we descend to the Haast River. Continuing through the native rainforest by coach, we pass Fox Glacier before reaching the Franz Josef Glacier. An overnight stay at the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier allows us to view the glacier or to take a helicopter flight to the snowfield (optional at extra cost). 

We visit Hokitika, the centre for New Zealand jade, before boarding the TranzAlpine train for Christchurch at the township of Arthur's Pass. On our last night we stay at the Château on the Park Hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner together in the hotel restaurant.

Our flight departs early-evening from Christchurch on Day 19, landing in London mid-morning on Day 20. 

Combine holidays to Australia and New Zealand. Depart on Feb 1 to Australia then join the New Zealand Feb 21 departure. Price on application.