NEW ZEALAND ESCORTED COACH TOUR
Franz Josef and Fox Glacier View Picton
Rotorua
13 night escorted coach tour from £ 5499pp
Lake Wakatipu
NEW ZEALAND MARVEL
13 NIGHT ESCORTED COACH TOUR
one country , two islands , two weeks • atmospheric towns & cities • World Heritage listed destinations
DAYS 1-2 Fly to Christchurch
DAY 3 Christchurch
On arrival transfer to your hotel where you are free to relax or explore at leisure . Perhaps take the Christchurch Tram to glimpse the mind-bending Transitional Cathedral .
DAY 4 Christchurch / Franz Josef
Jump aboard the TranzAlpine train for an amazing journey through tunnels and over viaducts , with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks , icy rivers , forests , gorges and river valleys . Arrive in Hokitika and around the corner is Franz Josef Glacier / Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere , whose snow and ice shimmers like a gem . An optional flight tour ( extra expense ).
DAY 5 Franz Josef / Queenstown
As you travel the Haast Pass see lovely Lake Wanaka , Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan , where you ’ ll stop briefly . As tempting as it is to linger in Arrowtown ’ s movie-set-like streets , Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkables await in Queenstown .
DAY 6 Queenstown
Choose your own adventure today . Maybe take a thrilling ride on the high-octane Shotover Jet , visit a wildlife centre or , sip your way through the nearby vineyards ( all extra expense ). Later , glide across Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner .
DAY 7 Queenstown / Te Anau
Your route from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley is the entrée to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi , a cavernous wonderland of waterfalls thundering into inky water where dolphins play which you may spot during a cruise . It ’ s all part of World Heritage listed Fiordland National Park , an intoxicating union of beech forests , alluvial flats , meadows and gin-clear rivers . In Te Anau the magic continues as glowworm-filled grottoes make an appearance . A visit is recommended ( extra expense ).
DAY 8 Te Anau / Dunedin
Enjoy a morning stroll before heading to Dunedin , a beguiling union of both Māori and Scottish heritage . While away the afternoon in atmospheric art-lined alleys or sipping a lager or two in Speights Brewery . Or venture further afield to discover the thriving wildlife including fur seals and penguins ( extra expense ).
DAY 9 Dunedin / Omarama
Explore grand Larnach Castle at your leisure , then wander the manicured grounds of Otago University or the city ’ s main George Street . Continue to Oamaru , known for its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings .
DAY 10 Omarama / Christchurch
Take an optional scenic flight over the Southern Alps and on to Franz Josef Glacier / Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere ( extra expense ). Later , enjoy a guided Christchurch tour .
DAY 11 Christchurch / Picton
See the dramatic black Kaikoura cove , keeping watch for sea lion or sperm whales frolicking offshore . Your onward route skirts the pink-tinged crystallisation ponds of the lake Grassmere Salt Works , before your reach pretty Picton .
DAY 12 Picton / Wellington
Cruising through Queen Charlotte Sound , up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait is a journey as scenic as it is serene . The Interislander , transports you from the South Island to the North , navigating a maze of arms and inlets into Wellington . During a city tour explore the awardwinning Te Papa , the Museum of New Zealand .
DAY 13 Wellington / Rotorua
The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo , the largest of its kind in the country . It ’ s a landscape almost as otherworldly as Rotorua , where mud pops and jettisons from bubbling geysers , and steam rushes skywards from cracks in the Earth . Tonight , delve deep into Maori culture and traditions at Te Puia for a hangi dinner and Maori cultural performance .
DAY 14 Rotorua
At leisure . Perhaps visit Rotorua ’ s Polynesian Spa for a soak in steamy thermal springs or , discover endangered birds at a working kiwi nursery and hatchery , while Hobbit fans should tour the sights from the movies ( all extra expense ).
DAY 15 Rotorua / Auckland
Get set to glow on a tour through Waikato River ’ s Waitomo Caves , which is quite literally radiant , as the cavernous limestone waterways are cast in a magical light from thousands of glowworms . You ’ ll also be dazzled by Auckland ’ s two harbours and later enjoy a farewell dinner .
DAY 16 Auckland Transfer to the airport for your onward journey .
Tasman Sea
Franz Josef
Queenstown Te Anau
SOUTH ISLAND
Omarama
Christchurch
Christchurch 1 night ~ Franz Josef 1 night Queenstown 2 nights ~ Te Anau 1 night Dunedin 1 night ~ Omarama 1 night Christchurch 1 night ~ Picton 1 night Wellington 1 night ~ Rotorua 2 nights Auckland 1 night
www . premierholidays . co . uk NEW ZEALAND 109
Dunedin
NORTH ISLAND
Picton
Auckland
Wellington
Rotorua
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Departures : On specific dates . Please ask for details . Accommodation : In 3-4H hotels throughout .
Meals : Breakfast . Lunch is also included on day 13 . Dinner is also included on days 4 , 6-7 , 9-11 , 13 & 15 .
Tour price : The price shown includes international flights , accommodation , sightseeing as outlined and services of a Travel Director .
The itinerary is based on departures between Apr 23- Mar 24 and may vary for other dates .