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Bus / Walk
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English
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Hometown / Auckland
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Christchurch / Departure
Overview
WEDNESDAY:Hobbiton + Wellington + Picton + Kaikoura Whale Watching + Hanmer Springs + Invercargill + Petrified Forest + Bluff + Wanaka + Milford Sound + Queenstown + Mount Cook + Lake tekapo
Description
At 0730am in the morning, board the coach at Sky City Main Entrance, travel south through the southern suburbs of Auckland, and head to Blue Spring, which is the largest source of pure water in New Zealand. Travel to Matamata, home to the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, the bucolic setting for The Shire that featured in the Peter Jackson-directed film, The Lord of the Rings. Enjoy a Hobbit Village special buffet lunch. Then head to the hot spring town - Rotorua. City tour: Government Gardens, Rotorua Lake, Redwood Forest...After dinner, you can enjoy a Polynesian sulfur hot spring bath at your own expense.*Stay: IBIS Hotel Rotorua or Same Class
In the morning enjoy a delicious buffet breakfast at the hotel, visit Agrodome Farm, watch the sheep-shearing performance of the farm, and participate in a series of interesting activities on the farm. Check-in Wai-O-Tapu's colorful geothermal wonderland, including the world-renowned champagne pool, naturally colored hot springs and bubbling mud pools. Then pass through Lake Taupo to Palmerston North, the sixth-largest city in New Zealand*Stay: Copthorne Hotel Palmerston north or same class
Welcome to Wellington - New Zealand's capital city! Take a visit to Parliament buildings, the National Museum, Te Papa, Cable Car, and Mt Victoria to explore quaint villages throughout the city.
*Stay: Ibis Wellington or CQ Hotel or same class
After enjoying breakfast at hotel, transfer to the airport for a domestic flight from Wellington to Blenheim. Upon arrival, take a city tour and visit the renowned Cloudy Bay Winery in Marlborough Town. In cherry season, there may also be a chance to experience the joy of cherry picking in local orchards.
*Stay: SCENIC HOTEL BLENHEIM or YACHT CLUB PICTON or same class
After breakfast, relax and enjoy the stunning coastal landscapes of Kaikoura. One of the must-do experiences in Kaikoura is observing marine wildlife. We will embark on a whale-watching tour, either by boat or helicopter. In addition to its abundant marine life, A walk along the famous Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway offers panoramic views of dramatic cliffs, crashing waves, seal colonies, and the magnificent meeting point of snow-capped mountains and the ocean.*Stay: HERITAGE COURT MOTOR LODGE KAIKOURA or same class
After breakfast, continue to explore the charms of Kaikoura. You may choose to join a whale-watching tour — Kaikoura is world-renowned as a premier destination for whale watching. it is possible to see a variety of marine wildlife in a single day, including whales, dolphins, fur seals, albatrosses, penguins, and other pelagic species. You can also to enjoy a local seafood meal (at your own expense). In the afternoon, travel to the Garden City – Christchurch.
*Stay: SUDIMA HOTEL CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT or same class
After breakfast, Take a scenic coach ride to the French-inspired town of Akaroa, overlooking the picturesque Akaroa Harbour. You may choose to join an optional Akaroa Harbour Cruise (On own expense), an unforgettable experience to explore the spectacular volcanic landscape of this ancient crater. In the evening, continue onward to Christchurch.
*Stay: SUDIMA HOTEL CHRISTCHURCH AIRPORT or same class
In the morning head out to get to know Christchurch. A brief stop in Avon River, Art Museum, Memorial Bridge, Church Square. After lunch, we will depart to Oamaru via Ashburton. Visit local shop for arts and crafts in Geraldine and discover Maori rock art in Timaru. Spend the afternoon wandering the streets of Oamaru where you will find New Zealand's best 19th-century architecture. Don't forget to check out the harbour and Oamaru Blue Penguin Colony – a must-see attraction.
*Stay: Brydone Hotel Oamaru or Heritage Court Motel or same class
In the morning, we will go to Dunedin via Moeraki. Visit spherical Moeraki Boulder which is 60 million years old. Visit Dunedin, New Zealand’s oldest city featuring its history, scenery and wildlife encounters. Otago University, Historical Railway Station, World’s steepest residential Street are must-stops. After lunch, travel to Invercargill, which is New Zealand’s southernmost city and the capital of the Southland region. Beyond the captivating scenery, there are also many activities for the visitor. Explore Curio Bay, along The Catlins Coastal Heritage Trail, you can see the petrified remains of a forest that’s over 160 million years old.
*Stay: Ascot Park Hotel or Ibis Hotel Invercargill or same class
As the oldest European settlement in New Zealand, Bluff has a rich and varied history. Check out the maritime museum for exhibits that focus on whaling, oystering, and shipwrecks. The oyster season runs from March to August, and in May the locals put on a lively festival to honor Ostrea Chinensis (that’s Latin for Bluff oyster). In the afternoon, head to the lovely lakeside town of Te Anau – the gateway to Fiordland National Park. there are plenty of opportunities for you to enjoy the spectacular surrounding nature. Perhaps heading out to see the glow worms is a great idea(optional)
*Stay: Distinction or Kingsgate or the Village Inn or same class
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your cruise on this magnificent fiord. Spoil yourself with crystal-clear lakes, rugged snowcapped mountains, spectacular waterfalls, glaciers, and forested national parks. Enjoy a delicious lunch buffet on the cruise. After the cruise, we will depart to the most beautiful town – Queenstown. Enjoy your free time in Queenstown, soaking up the beautiful Alpine Landscape.
*Stay: Copthorne or Holiday Inn or Village Apartment or same-class
This morning visit the lovely little gold-rush town of Arrowtown, best known for its spectacular autumn colours. Visit the Lakes District Museum a treasure trove of stories and exhibits about the exciting mining era of the late 1800s. then Arive into Wanaka, surrounded by stunning lakes, rivers, and mountains.
*Stay: Copthorne or Holiday Inn or Village Apartment or same-class
Today is a free day for optional sightseeing. You can board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel's Homestead.
*Stay: Copthorne or holiday inn or Village Apartment or same class
Travel north through the historic gold mining region of the rugged Kawarau River Gorge and past Cromwell, famed for fruit growing. Continue to Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, which has uncreditable snow-capped mountains and glacial lakes, with skyscraping peaks and permanent snowfields. Optional Tasman Glacier explorer experience for 3 hours. ($155 per person). Lunch at own arrangement. Now it’s time to get on the road and drive to Lake Tekapo via the Blue Mile Lake Pukaki, a truly stunning sight with its bright blue waters and surrounding mountains. Lake Tekapo is the largest International Dark Sky Reserve and it is a great spot for stargazing.
*Stay: The Godley hotel or class
In the morning, view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog Memorial overlooking Lake Tekapo before coming back to Christchurch. Depart to Christchurch, if you are lucky, you will see alpaca before finishing the tour. Take the flight back to Auckland from Christchurch Airport. Depart from Christchurch after 4 pm.