Best Of Both Islands in New Zealand

Day 1 Arrive Auckland Car Hire and stay at President Hotel
ARRIVE AUCKLAND
“Haere Mai” Welcome to Auckland – the City of Sails. On arrival collect your rental car and make your way to your hotel.

Winter Driving: Vehicles driving in the Queenstown Lakes District and Milford Sound MUST have snow chains (provided by the rental company at additional cost) or large fines will be applied.
Accommodation
President Hotel Auckland or similar
Auckland Central
Stay: 2 Nights
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Family Suite
2 x Cooked Breakfast per person
Overnight: Auckland

Day 2 Auckland
INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING:
Kelly Tarltons General Admission
Visit Kelly Tarlton’s Antarctic Encounter and Underwater World. Discover secrets of the Southern Ocean and see the magic of an Antarctic fantasyland, complete with Penguins strutting in fresh snow and ice!
SKYCITY Auckland Sky Tower
At 328 metres the Sky Tower visit offers views in every direction.
Te Wao Nui at Auckland Zoo – Admission
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Auckland
Day 3 AUCKLAND, WAITOMO, ROTORUA
Approx travel time 3 hours
Travel south through the fertile Waikato region to the cave area of Waitomo.
INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING:
Footwhistle Glowworm Cave Tour
Escape the crowds and tour buses with a Footwhistle Glowworm Tour. Our tour includes some of the most beautiful natural scenery in Waitomo, and our intimate small-group cave tour, for many is the highlight of their time in New Zealand.
Enjoy a 3.5km courtesy scenic shuttle to our cave while your experienced guide reveals the rich history of Waitomo. Then, take a short walk through breath taking New Zealand native forest past waterfalls to our cave entrance.
There, you will walk down into the cave through a natural chasm. The scene is set for an intimate cave experience, the solar powered lights are kept low so you can appreciate the magnificent glowworm displays at their best, only inches away. Around a corner lie the bones of one of New Zealand’s lost treasures, the ancient Moa. The soothing sound of Footwhistle cave stream flows in the darkness below. Stunning formations are around every corner.
Be sure to bring your camera as you will be able to take
photos and your guide will also be able to help you out with the best camera settings to get your best holiday pic. Complete the tour by enjoying a complimentary Kawakawa tea whilst you relax in our ponga hut nestled in native forest and surrounds.
WAITOMO MATAMATA and HOBBITON Approx travel time 1 hour 15 min
INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING:
Hobbiton Movie Set Guided Tour
Discover Middle-earth on a picturesque private farmland. Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogy in a two-hour guided tour.
MATAMATA ROTORUA
Approx travel time 1 hour
It is only a short drive south to Rotorua and it is recommend to travel via the corrugated town of Tirau.
Accommodation
Regent of Rotorua or similar
Rotorua
Stay: 2 Nights
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Family Suite
2 x Cooked Breakfast per person
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Rotorua

Day 4 Rotorua
ROTORUA
INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING:
Agrodome Farm Show + Farm & Orchard Tour Combo Travel onto the Agrodome for a one-hour performance. See nineteen sheep breeds introduced onto the stage, the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feed lambs and an exciting sheep auction.
Following the stage show, join the one-hour Organic Farm Tour in an all-weather, all terrain vehicles. The Farm Tour is fantastic for children as well as Adults as it offers hands on experience with many exciting close encounters… including Romney sheep, beef cattle, red and fallow deer, llamas, alpacas, ostrich and emus.
Agrodome is open 365 days of the year from 8.30am to 5.00pm
Rainbow Springs Park Entry
Visit the Rainbow Springs Kiwi Wildlife Park where hundreds of brown and rainbow trout can be seen swimming in the crystal clear spring waters. Walk along a level bush walk with many varieties of native ferns and view the resident bird life in the natural surroundings. The Big Splash ride is included.
Skyline Gondola & 2 Luge rides
Te Ra (Day Pass) – Guided Tour 90mins

Day 5 

Today visit Te Puia Geothermal Reserve to view the boiling mudpools and cascading Pohutu geyser and see local Maori carvers in action.
Haka (Cultural Performance) is included Also, enjoy Maori
Cultural Performance. A traditional welcome marks the start of 45 minutes of song and dance inside the sacred meeting house – Marae.
Cultural Performance times are: 10.15 am, 12.15 pm, 3.15 p
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Rotorua
 Day 6 Rotorua NATIONAL PARK
ROTORUA NATIONAL PARK
Approx travel time 2½ hours
Leaving the Thermal City behind, drive to Taupo, home of New Zealand’s largest lake and the majestic Huka Falls. Take some time to explore Taupo and the lake before driving around the edge of Lake Taupo and into the Tongariro National Park.
Accommodation
Chateau Tongariro Hotel or similar
Mount Ruapehu
Stay: 2 Nights
Family Room
2 x Cooked Breakfast per person
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tongariro National Park
Tongariro National Park
Suggested SIGHTSEEING:
Tongariro Alpine Crossing Guided Walk Seat in Coach
The Tongariro Alpine Crossing spans the length of Mt
Tongariro (19.4Ks) and takes about 7-8 hours to complete.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Tongariro National Park

Day 7 TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK AUCKLAND CHRISTCHURCH
NATIONAL PARK AUCKLAND
Approx travel time 4½ hours
Depart National Park and continue north around Lake Taupo, through the lush Waikato farmland, arriving in Auckland.
Return your rental vehicle to Auckland Airport and check in for your departure flight.
Fly: Auckland/Christchurch – flight not included in the cost
Accommodation
Distinction Christchurch Hotel or similar
Christchurch
Stay: 1 Night
Classic Family Suite
1 x Cooked Breakfast per person
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Christchurch
Day 8 CHRISTCHURCH LAKE TEKAPO
Approx travel time 3½ hours
Travel over the braided Rakaia River into the MacKenzie Country. At Lake Tekapo visit the Church of the Good Shepherd. Lake Tekapo village is located at the southern end of Lake Tekapo
INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING:
Mt John Little Stars Tour 1.5hrs Seat in Coach
Accommodation
Peppers Bluewater Resort Hotel or similar
Lake Tekapo
Stay: 1 Night
2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Lake View Suite
1 x Cooked Breakfast per person
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Christchurch
Day 9 Lake Tekapo Queenstown

OPTIONAL SUGGESTION not included
The Helicopter Line Aoraki Mt Cook Encounter 45mins Includes seasonal snow landing Adult: NZD497.00 per person
Child: NZD348.00 per child
Fly to the heart of Mount Cook with this scenic adventure. This flight takes you past the Hochstetter Icefall on Aoraki/Mount Cook and the lower Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s longest glacier. Before heading home, you will experience a remote alpine landing in the Liebig range offering uninterrupted views of Aoraki / Mount Cook.
All flights require a minimum number of 3 passengers for departures
LAKE TEKAPO QUEENSTOWN
Approx travel time 3 hours
Depart Lake Tekapo and follow the edge of Lake Pukaki through the MacKenzie basin over the Lindis Pass to Lake Wakatipu and the “Alpine Resort” of Queenstown.
Accommodation
Scenic Suites Queenstown or similar
Queenstown
Stay: 3 Nights
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Lake View Suite
3 x Cooked Breakfast per person
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Queenstown
Day 10 Queenstown at Leisure
QUEENSTOWN AT LEISURE
Free time to explore the endless optional attractions available. Queenstown offers bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more. Optional activities not included in the tour price.
Meals included: Breakfast Overnight: Queenstown

Day 11 Queenstown AWD adventure
INCLUDED SIGHTSEEING:
4WD Safari of the Scenes Glenorchy Half Day Tour Seat in
Coach
This scenic tour offers a little off-road action in the 12 Mile Delta area, plus breathtaking mountain and forest views along the shores of Lake Wakatipu towards Glenorchy and on to
Paradise. The tour includes the film locations of Isengard and
Ithilien Camp, plus beech forests near those used for Lothlorien. You can also visit the area used to film the Seat of Seeing / the Battle of Amon Hen. Refreshments are provided.
Shotover Jetboat Ride
Shotover Jet have multiple departures during the day, so just choose a time that suits. Take the complimentary shuttle from “The Station” information centre at downtown Queenstown (departs every 15 minutes). To guarantee a seat on the shuttle at your desired time, it is recommended that you phone Shotover Jet at 0800 802 804 (toll free from NZ landline or mobile) to book the shuttle departure time.
Enjoy a raw and exciting ride in the famous Hamilton jet boat on the Shotover River. The area is steeped in history of early relics from the gold mining days and offers spectacular views. Your adrenaline hits the roof as you speed in mere centimetres of water along the famous Shotover River and deep into the Shotover River Canyons. Hold on tight and enjoy the thrill as the driver does the world famous full 360 degree spin and without losing momentum, keeps speeding along the river. It is an adrenaline rush you’ll never forget!
Return to Queenstown by complementary shuttle
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Overnight: Queenstown
Day 12 Queenstown to Glacier Region
QUEENSTOWN GLACIER REGION
Approx travel time 6 ½ hours
Departing Queenstown this morning, travel along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass, gateway to World Heritage Westland National Park. Continue up the West Coast past spectacular mountain ranges, native forests and lakes to the glacier region of Fox and Franz Josef.
Accommodation
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier or similar
Franz Josef, South Westland
Superior Room – Douglas Wing
1 x Cooked Breakfast per person
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight: Franz Josef Glacier
Day 13 Glacier Region Greymouth Christchurch
GLACIER REGION GREYMOUTH CHRISTCHURCH
GLACIER REGION GREYMOUTH
Approx travel time 3 hours
Leave the Glacier Region today travelling north towards the town of Hokitika. From Kumara Junction follow the signs north towards Greymouth and the Taramakau road rail bridge. En route is Shantytown – a replica 1880’s mining town set on one of the Coast’s former gold rush sites.
Return your rental vehicle to Greymouth Railway Station and check in for the TranzAlpine Train.
TranzAlpine Greymouth to Christchurch
Report to the Greymouth train station 1.45pm
Train departure time 2.05pm
Train arrival time is approximately 6.31 pm
Board the TranzAlpine train and ascend through lush beech forests past the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass before crossing the spectacular Southern Alps. Travel over the Canterbury Plains to reach ‘the garden city’ of Christchurch.
Kiwirail Scenic Baggage Allowance
Baggage allowance is one item of checked baggage no more than 32kg and charges may be applied for excess baggage.
Private Vehicle Transfer Railway Station to Hotel
Accommodation
Distinction Christchurch Hotel or similar
Christchurch
Stay: 1 Night
Classic Family Suite
1 x Cooked Breakfast per person
Meals included: Breakfast Overnight: Christchurch
Day 14 Depart Christchurch
DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
Return your rental vehicle to Christchurch Airport and check in for your departure flight.
Note the domestic flight Christchurch o Auckland is not included in this arrangement Meals included: Breakfast