New Zealand Bus Tour: Scenic Spectacular

DAY 1 - Arrive Auckland
Arrive in the sparkling city of Auckland—New Zealand's City of Sails. You are met on arrival and transferred to your accommodation. If time permits we suggest a sailing cruise on the Waitemata Harbour or a visit to the Auckland Museum to see the world's finest display of Māori artefacts.
Stay: Auckland (1 night)

DAY 2 - Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua
Leave the big city behind and journey by sightseeing coach alongside the Waikato River - lifeblood to the fertile farmlands on the plain. At Waitomo follow your guide past amazing limestone formations before taking your place on the small boat and gliding silently into the glow worm grotto. Cross the Waikato River and continue to Rotorua - New Zealand's thermal wonderland and centre of Māori culture.
Stay: Rotorua (2 nights)

DAY 3 - Rotorua
This morning enjoy a 'Hop on, Hop off' Sightseeing tour where we have included visits to a nature reserve. You will have the opportunity to view many native species of flora and fauna including living examples of New Zealand's national emblem - the Kiwi bird. Visit Te Puia and see a range of geothermal features from sputtering mud pools, mysterious hot springs, remarkable silica formations and spouting geysers at one of the thermal reserves. And lastly enjoy the amusing and informative show at the Agrodome. This afternoon you may wish to fish for trophy trout or just relax and soak in a thermal spa. Tonight your tour includes a journey to a local Marae for a Māori Hangi (feast, food cooked in the ground) and cultural concert.

DAY 4 - Rotorua – Wellington
Travel by coach today to the city of Wellington. Your journey travels the varying countryside of the North Island from the snowy peaks of Tongariro National Park to the wild, rocky Kapiti Coast. Wellington - capital of New Zealand - is a cosmopolitan city with the most spectacular skyline of all major cities in New Zealand. The city has a strong Victorian influence which is testimony to Wellington's early establishment as the country's centre of political life. Of particular note is the "Government Building" built in 1876 which is the second largest timber building in the world. On arrival in Wellington a transfer is provided to your accommodation.
Stay: Wellington (1 night)

DAY 5 - Wellington – Picton
Transfer to the ferry terminal and board the interisland ferry. Leave the hustle and bustle of the big city and cruise across Cook Strait to the South Island.
Stay: Picton (1 night)

DAY 6 - Picton – Nelson
Depart Picton and travel by coach to Nelson. Nelson has something for everyone and is situated close to Abel Tasman National Park.
Stay: Nelson (2 nights)

DAY 7 - Abel Tasman Excursion
A visit is included to Abel Tasman National Park today, we walk some of the track and take in the spectacular beach and bush scenery.

DAY 8 - Nelson – Punakaiki
Today we travel to Punakaiki, famous for its unique rock formations and blow holes carved by the wind and sea over centuries.
Stay: Punakaiki (1 night)

DAY 9 - Punakaiki – Franz Josef Glacier
Depart Punakaiki and travel to Greymouth. From Greymouth the route continues through farming districts and large areas which have been worked over for alluvial gold by panning, sluicing and dredging. From Hokitika travel through open country into areas of bush and note the particularly beautiful stretches of countryside. Travel through dense bush for many miles, with scattered milling and farming settlements, to the township of Franz Josef Glacier.
Stay: Franz Josef (2 nights)

DAY 10 - At Glacier Region
Today is a free day to relax and enjoy the scenery or participate in the many activities available in this glacial wonderland.

DAY 11 - Franz Josef – Queenstown
Depart Franz Josef and travel through a former sawmilling area to Fox Glacier. On through the forests of red and white pine to Bruce Bay, an old goldmining settlement. Pass through attractive bush scenery and see tranquil Lakes Paringa and Moeraki, to the township of Haast. Drive through the Haast Pass Highway viewing en route Mt Brewster Glacier. There is a long descent of 82 kilometres to Wanaka, passing Lake Hawea Dam, water storage for the Roxburgh Hydro-Electric Station. You arrive in Queenstown after passing through the spectacular Kawarau Gorge.
Stay: Queenstown (3 nights)

DAY 12 - Queenstown
A free day to enjoy the many activities available in this region which include jet-boating excursions, golf, bungy jumping, paragliding, gold panning in old gold-mines, cruises on Lake Wakatipu, or simply relaxing beside the lakeside or shopping.

DAY 13 - Milford Sound Day Excursion
Skirt Lake Wakatipu by coach in the shadow of the rugged Remarkables. And on through rolling farmland to Te Anau, gateway of the Fiordland National Park. Pass through magnificent beech forests and the Homer Tunnel. Remote, mysterious and uniquely New Zealand, Milford Sound is a spectacular reminder of the forces of nature that shaped this land. Formed thousands of years ago during the ice ages, Milford Sound is the most dramatic in Fiordland National Park. Here you will find cascading waterfalls, luxuriant forests and the towering pinnacle of Mitre Peak. No matter what the fiord's mood, shrouded in mist or with sun glistening on deep waters, it will inspire you. Enjoy a scenic cruise on Milford Sound before returning to Queenstown by coach - or scenic flight at your own expense.

DAY 14 - Queenstown – Mount Cook – Christchurch
Journey north through tussock country and past alpine lakes to Mount Cook national Park. Continue over the patch worked Canterbury Plains to Christchurch - the Garden City.
Stay: Christchurch (1 night)

DAY 15 - Depart Christchurch
A departure transfer is provided to Christchurch International Airport.

Scenic Spectacular Holiday Package Prices

01 May 2015 - 30 September 2015 - Tour prices start from NZ$2,926.00 per person share twin
01 October 2015 - 30 April 2016 - Tour prices start from NZ$3,133.00 per person share twin

• Prices based on budget accommodation and two persons travelling together
• Prices based on seat on coach transport
• Costs do not include international or domestic airfares
• First class or superior accommodation prices available on request

Popular (mid range) and superior accommodation options available on request.

Tour Highlights:

• Waitomo Glowworm Caves Guided Tour
• Rotorua Sightseeing including three attractions
• Hangi feast and Māori Cultural Evening
• Interislander Ferry between North and South Islands
• Abel Tasman Park—Half Day Seals and Beach Tour
• Milford Sound Day Tour including cruise on Fiord
• Fox & Franz Josef Glaciers & Westland National Park
• Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park

Booking Code: NZ15

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Other New Zealand Bus Tour Packages

[Snapshot of New Zealand] [North Island Highlights] [Scenic Spectacular] [Classic New Zealand] [Fiords and Whales] [Nature Encounter]