Summary

The New Zealand Insight tour is a great introduction to the South Island, and the TranzAlpine train journey from Christchurch across the dramatic Southern Alps to Greymouth, one of the world's best train experiences.

Itinerary

• Day 1 Arrive Auckland

  You will be met and transferred to your centrally-located hotel. Enjoy the rest of today at leisure.

  Accommodation - Hotel Ibis.

• Day 2 Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi Feast

  This morning travel south through the rich dairy land of the Waikato Province to Waitomo Caves. Take a guided tour of the limestone caverns and view thousands of glow-worms. This afternoon arrive in Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance.

  Accommodation - Ibis Rotorua, 2 night stay. Breakfast, Feature Dinner.

• Day 3 Explore Rotorua

  Today experience the attractions of Rotorua. Visit Te Puia Thermal Reserve, New Zealand's major geyser field. The area has over 500 hot springs and most forms of geothermal activity, including steaming ground, boiling mud pools, hot springs and impressive geysers. Enjoy a guided tour through the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where your guide will explain the history and origins of the Maori. Continue to the Agrodome to enjoy an entertaining sheep show and learn about New Zealand's important sheep industry. The remainder of today is at leisure for you to explore geothermal Rotorua.

  Accommodation - Ibis Rotorua or Country Homestay option available tonight. Breakfast.

• Day 4 Rotorua, Taupo, Napier

  Depart Rotorua this morning and travel via Wairakei Park and mighty Huka Falls then on to New Zealand?s largest lake, Lake Taupo. Enjoy a tour and wine tasting at Church Road Winery then continue to Napier for a city sights tour and a guided Art Deco walk around Napier city.

  Accommodation - The Nautilus Hotel. Breakfast, Dinner.

• Day 5 Napier, Wellington

  Today depart Napier and travel south via Hastings. Here, you'll turn inland and travel across to the West Coast of the North Island. Follow the Kapiti Coast before arriving in Wellington, the nation's capital city. On arrival enjoy a city highlights tour. View Parliament Buildings and enjoy spectacular panoramic views of this amazing cosmopolitan city from the summit of Mt Victoria.

  Accommodation - Kingsgate Hotel. Breakfast, Dinner.

• Day 6 Wellington, Picton

  Today, visit New Zealand's national museum, Te Papa. This afternoon, join the Interislander cruise for the journey across Cook Strait to the South Island. Sail from scenic Wellington Harbour, across Cook Strait and through Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to Picton.

  Accommodation - Beachcomber Inn. Breakfast, Dinner.

• Day 7 Picton, Christchurch

  This morning arrive in the thriving seaside settlement of Kaikoura, an area offering unique whale, seal and dolphin watching experiences. Journey between the Pacific Ocean and rugged Kaikoura Ranges, through North Canterbury to Christchurch. On arrival, enjoy a city sightseeing tour before the afternoon is at your leisure to explore this Garden City.
  

  Accommodation - Holiday Inn on Avon. Breakfast, Dinner.

• Day 8 TranzAlpine Train, Greymouth

  This morning board the award-winning TranzAlpine train. Cross the vast patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury plains before climbing up into the Main Divide. Journey through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the country's greatest mountain range, the magnificent Southern Alps. On arrival in Greymouth, rejoin your coach and travel north along the dramatic coastline to Punakaiki to view its Pancake rock formations and blowholes.

  Accommodation - Kingsgate Greymouth. Breakfast, Dinner.

• Day 9 Greymouth, Franz Josef, Haast

  This morning after breakfast, journey to Hokitika, where you will have the opportunity to see Pounamu (jade) being carved into jewellery and other artefacts. Continue along the coast through dense rainforest to World Heritage Westland National Park. Travel along the West Coast, through a world of mountains and glaciers, limestone landscapes, tranquil lakes, raging rivers and rare bird and plant life.

  Accommodation - Heartland World Heritage Hotel. Breakfast, Dinner.

• Day 10 Haast, Queenstown, Walter Peak Dinner

  Today your journey takes you through the snow-capped Southern Alps and Haast Pass, previously an ancient Maori greenstone trail. Trace the beautiful shorelines of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the action-packed alpine resort of Queenstown. This evening, experience a relaxed cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamship the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy a candlelit dinner at the Colonel's Homestead.

  Accommodation - Kingsgate Hotel Terraces. 2 night stay. Breakfast, Feature Dinner.

• Day 11 Queenstown at Leisure

  Queenstown is perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike. Nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, this beautiful town is overlooked by the majestic Remarkables Range. Today is free for you to explore the endless scenic attractions available (own expense).

  Accommodation - Kingsgate Hotel Terraces. Breakfast.

• Day 12 Queenstown, Milford Sound

  Today follow the Remarkables mountain range and trace the shores of Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. Journey along the Milford Road, renowned as one of the world's finest alpine drives, to Milford Sound. Here, board the Milford Mariner and cruise the full length of this beautiful fiord. View the cascading waterfalls, sheer cliffs, dense rainforest and towering mountains of this World Heritage-listed area. After reaching the open sea, return and anchor for the night in sheltered Harrison's Cove. Explore further on the Mariner's kayaks.

  Accommodation - EXCLUSIVE! Milford Sound, Milford Mariner. Breakfast, Feature Dinner.

• Day 13 Milford Sound, Dunedin, Scottish Evening

  Departing Milford Sound, travel through Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin. A Scottish influence is still apparent today in the architecture of the many buildings including the University of Otago. Tonight enjoy dinner along with a Scottish-themed evening at your hotel.

  Accommodation - Mercure Leisure Lodge, 2 night stay. Feature Breakfast, Feature Dinner.

• Day 14 Dunedin City Sightseeing Tour

  This morning enjoy a guided tour of Dunedin before touring Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only castle. The remainder of today is yours to spend at leisure in Dunedin, known as the Edinburgh of the South.

  Accommodation - Mercure Leisure Lodge. Breakfast.

• Day 15 Dunedin, Lake Ohau, High Country Dinner

  This morning visit Olveston house with its extensive collection of antiques, then travel along the coast to view the unique Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. Stop at Oamaru, a town known for its limestone architecture, then continue to the settlement of Lake Ohau. Tonight enjoy a High Country Hospitality Dinner.

  Accommodation - Lake Ohau Lodge. Breakfast, Feature Dinner.

• Day 16 Lake Ohau, Mt Cook, Depart Christchurch

  This morning travel to beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the picturesque tiny stone Church of the Good Shepherd. Travel through the vast Canterbury plains to Christchurch, the Garden City. On arrival here, your tour concludes upon arrival and a departure transfer to the airport is included.
  

  Breakfast.