New Zealand's Best - 23 Days

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Explore the exquisite Bay of Islands in the far north, through the central North Island featuring Waikato, Waitomo, Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington. Take the Interislander Ferry south, across Cook Strait, to enjoy the breathtaking scenery bordering the magnificent Southern Alps including top tourist destinations - Marlborough, Kaikoura, Canterbury, Otago, Southland, Fiordland, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Westland, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers and not to mention Aoraki/Mount Cook.

Day 1 Arrive in Auckland

You are met at the airport by your driver guide and taken to your water front Luxury Hotel. Freshen up and we will take you on a tour of Auckland City attractively built around the shores of two harbours, dotted with extinct volcanoes. Dependant on your arrival time we visit Kelly Tarlton's Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World and the America's Cup village at the viaduct basin.

Day 2 Auckland - Bay of Islands

This morning you are taken on a leisurely drive north via the coastal highway to the Bay of Islands. Familiarize yourself with the rich history of Russell, which was New Zealand's first capital city in the 1800s, before boarding a luxury catamaran for a cruise of the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett Lighthouse, and the famous 'Hole in the Rock'. Join Nautilus, for a Subsea adventure that allows you to see the many species of marine life that abound these islands. On your return, stroll through the local craft shops or wander along the waterfront before sitting down to an evening meal of the best cuisine and fine selection of NZ (New Zealand) wine.

Day 3 Russell - Cape Reinga

Rising early so that you can meet your 'Waverider' coach whose driver must navigate unsealed roads, quicksand streams, and the rigors of Ninety-Mile beach. Marvel at the unforgettable view from Cape Reinga Lighthouse, of the Pacific Ocean and the Tasman Sea colliding with impressive turbulence. One of the numerous stops along the way includes the Puketi Kauri forest boardwalk, for a close inspection of these mighty trees.

Day 4 Russell - Waiheke Island

Taking the coastal highway south we stop off at Whangarei's town basin, check out the craft and gift shops. A small detour allows you to browse through Matakohe Museum, which features displays of the magnificent Kauri tree. One 2000year-kauri tree still lives in the 6250acre Waipoua Kauri forest near by. On arriving in Auckland, we catch the vehicular ferry to Waiheke Island; this magical island paradise is less than 1 hour from the rush and bustle of Auckland City. Freshen up before enjoying a 4 Course dinner with aperitifs.

Day 5 Waiheke Island

This is a rest day today, so feel free to explore as much of the island as you can. If sampling wine is not your choice, maybe you could take a picnic hamper and bathing suit on one of the many scenic bush walks that dot the coastline. This evening would be a good time to try out one of the Island's many Restaurants before retiring.

Day 6 Waiheke Island - Coromandel

Back on main land again we take a leisurely mornings drive along the ever-changing scenic coastal highway of Coromandel Peninsula, stopping frequently at various places of interest on the way. Experience a 1-hour train excursion on NZ's only narrow-gauge mountain railway that offers spectacular viaducts, spirals, zigzag, tunnels and great views. Arriving late in the afternoon at your overnight Lodge.

Day 7 Whangamata - Waitomo - Rotorua

Enjoy the scenic beauty around you as we follow the Pacific Coastal Highway through the quartz-mining town of Waihi. A century on and gold is still being extracted commercially from an open pit mine. Travel through the dairy farming plains of the Waikato to Waitomo, where you experience the star-studded sky underground (glow-worm caves). Waitomo Caves, with a history dating back 30 million years, offer a caving adventure to observe stalactites, stalagmites and glow worm activity. Arrive later this afternoon in Rotorua where this evening you will enjoy a traditional Hangi (feast) and concert at a local Maori Village.

Day 8 Rotorua - Taupo

There will be time to visit more of the major attractions in Rotorua. This includes boiling mud-pools, geysers, Rainbow Springs and its unique flora and fauna, the native Kiwi bird, trout springs and a farm show. This afternoon we visit New Zealand's most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing area, Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, before arriving at your Luxury lodge on the banks of the Waikato River, less than one kilometer from Lake Taupo. Freshen up before sitting down to a candlelit evening meal of the best New Zealand cuisine with a fine selection of wine.

Day 9 Taupo - Wellington

We enjoy Lake Taupo as we drive beside NZ's largest lake (616 square kilometres of surface area). Lake Taupo is the result of an immense volcanic eruption in AD186. We move on through the Volcanic Plateau to Tongariro National Park, which includes three active volcanoes. Stop off at Mount Bruce National Wildlife Centre where conservation staff breed NZ's most endangered birds. Arriving late afternoon in Wellington the Capital of New Zealand. Freshen up before enjoying your evening meal in this busy city.

Day 10 Wellington

This morning you embark on a scenic tour of this lovely city before visiting Te Papa, our National Museum, where the stories of a nation are revealed - past, present and future are exhibited in challenging and entertaining ways. No holiday is complete without a ride in Wellington's unique cable car, which finally stops after a 2002ft (610) - meter climb to the top of the Botanic Gardens where the views are stunning. Wellington is unmatched for offering such a quality range of shopping experiences.

Day 11 Wellington - Picton - Kaikorua

Board the Interislander ferry for a cruise across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Rejoining your coach we take a relaxed tour of Blenheim and its surrounding districts. This will include Wineries, Boutique Breweries, Liqueur Cellars, Garden & Craft shops, plus historic and scenic sites, before arriving in Kaikoura, for the night.

Day 12 Kaikoura - Methven

Join the Whale Watch charter boat for the Ultimate Marine Experience and enter the world of nature's most magnificent mammals - the Giant Sperm Whale and other migratory species. Later we travel south parallel to the East Coast until reaching our overnight accommodation on the out skirts of Christchurch.

Day 13 Methven - Oamaru

Action time! We rise early for one of those experiences of a life time - Hot Air Ballooning, so close to the Southern Alps in one direction and the plains of Canterbury stretching for hundreds of kilometer's in the other. Your safe return is followed by a Champaign breakfast. We travel on, stopping briefly at Lake Tekapo to appreciate the view of the lake as seen from the historic Church of the Good Shepherd. Arriving at Lake Pukaki for lunch, on a clear day you can view Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain. From here we head back to the coast, where you will visit the Yellow Eyed and Blue Penguin Colonies as they return ashore to there nest sites every evening.

Day 14 Oamaru - Alexander

A short tour of the spectacular architecture in Oamaru, which is now classified as a historic conservation area. As we follow the coast south, we pass Totara Estate where the worlds first frozen meat exports were processed and stop for a break at the Moeraki Boulders. Leaving the coast, we pass through dramatic landscape with picturesque appeal, to Alexandra, well known for its Apricot orchards and vineyards. You will arrive at your 360º view accommodation in time for a stroll around the unique lunar-type landscape of Central Otago

Day 15 Alexander - Te Anau

Following the magnificent Clutha River south, we pass through captivating farmland and have a break in Gore, the main business centre for the Southland farming community. Arriving at the your 3000 hectare sheep and cattle farm stay, you will experience its day-to-day running and take in the exhilarating view from 1000 metres up Mt Prospect

Day 16 Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown

After breakfast we tour from Te Anau to Milford Sound, through some of the most spectacular forest and alpine wilderness that New Zealand has to offer. Transfer to the vessel 'Mitre Peak' for a nature-oriented cruise, the full length of the fiord to the Tasman Sea, stopping at various points to view waterfalls, rain forest, mountains and wildlife. Upon your return to the wharf, you will be taken by shuttle to the airport for a scenic flight to Queenstown where you will be reunited with your driver and then taken to your luxury hotel.

Day 17 Queenstown

Once again this is a rest day for you both. There are so many options to delight in, while in Queenstown - eg guided nature walks, 4 Wheel drive tours into historic gold mining settlements, and Bungy jumping. Maybe you could catch the Vintage Steamship TSS Earnslaw for a Lake Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Enjoy a farmyard tour and demonstrations with afternoon tea - Horse trekking is available. Wait until later on in the day and partake of the evening carvery buffet at the Colonel's Homestead Restaurant, returning late evening to Queenstown.

Day 18 Queenstown

Enjoy today by taking a 20mile jet boat ride deep into the wilderness of Mt Aspiring National Park, remove the sound of the V8 and listen to the birdsong and cascading waterfalls as you paddle your Fun Yak (Canadian style canoe) at leisure amongst glaciers, dense rainforest and rocky peaks. (This is quite easy to do).
Sample accommodation.

Day 19 Queenstown - South Westland

Today you experience some of the atmosphere of the early gold mining days as we travel via Arrowtown through the Cardrona valley to Wanaka, situated at the southern tip of Lake Wanaka. Stopping periodically for photos of Lake Hawea and surrounding countryside, we travel through Mount Aspiring National Park and the rain forests of South Westland to Haast and your premier Nature Lodge accommodation. This evening experience a guided historic and glow-worm/night skywalk before retiring.

Day 20 South Westland

This morning you will be taken on a daily naturalist-guided programme of two activities. Leaving this wonderful environment behind we travel up the coast to where you can walk onto one of the two glaciers that are close by. We travel on to spend one more night on the West Coast at a country stay to enjoy the rural environment. (Option) Short scenic flights can be arranged.

Day 21 South Westland - Christchurch

It's on the road again, following the West Coast to Greymouth where you board the famous Tranz Alpine Express, known for being one of the best train journeys in the world. Enjoy the unique surroundings of this scenic region from the comfort of your train, arriving in Christchurch late afternoon.

Day 22 Christchurch - Akaroa

You could be excused for believing that you had arrived in Great Britain, as many beaches, street, parks, the university, and river are named after their British counterparts. Visit a number of historical buildings such as the neo-gothic Arts Centre and the Gothic Revival style Christchurch Cathedral. Spend the day at leisure while meandering around this delightful city.

Day 23 Christchurch Airport

Today's activities will be arranged around your departure time of your flight from Christchurch to Auckland. If there is time we can visit Canterbury's oldest town, Akaroa situated high up on Banks Peninsula. Relax over a cup of coffee at this charming early French settlement, before returning to Christchurch Airport and inevitable your return international flight home.