10 Day Essential New Zealand

Auckland to Rotorua including Waitomo Caves with GreatSights Enjoy a tour from Auckland to Rotorua including a guided tour of the fascinating Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Leaving Auckland in the morning, your experienced local driver guide will provide a commentary as you travel to Waitomo and point out sites of interest in the Waikato and King Country regions. On arrival in the small town of Waitomo enjoy a guided tour through the world famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves, with a silent boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto - a subterranean cavern lit up by the lights of thousands of tiny glowworms. Continue your tour this afternoon by driving to Rotorua, passing through the beautiful Fitzgerald Glade where the roadside trees arch overhead to form a tunnel of natural greenery.

Tamaki Maori Village Cultural Tour and Hangi Dinner Journey back in time to a Pre-European lifestyle experience of customs and traditions. Enjoy the night's festivities with the people of Tamaki Maori Village as you are treated to a banquet of succulent foods cooked the traditional Maori way. Rediscover the Maori village as it comes alive to the sound and activities of tribal songs, dances, myths and legends and browse throughout the largest after hour's tribal marketplace in Rotorua. Includes dinner.

Rotorua Sights: Te Puia, Rainbow Springs and Agrodome with GreatSights Discover three of Rotorua's best visitor attractions on this morning Rotorua sightseeing tour. Gain an insight into New Zealand's Māori culture at Te Puia. You'll see Te Puia's woodcarving and weaving schools and see how these ancient Māori art forms are being passed on to a new generation of master artists. Experience Rotorua's famous geothermal activity with a tour of Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley, then onto the Agrodome, a working organic farm where you can learn about farming life in New Zealand. Finally, visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park, where you can get up close to all kinds of native flora and fauna including the famous kiwi, a flightless native bird.

Rotorua Accommodation to Rotorua Intercity Depot You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to Rotorua Intercity Coach Depot.

Rotorua to Wellington by InterCity Coach Your coach journey from Rotorua to Wellington takes you via the township of Taupō and New Zealand's largest lake. The lake itself is actually a gigantic volcanic caldera formed during one of the worlds largest ever eruptions. Skirting Tongariro National Park, one of New Zealand's three world heritage sites and clouds permitting you can see the 2,500 metre peak of the still volcanically active Mt. Ruapehu. Heading south you pass through the rural towns of Taihape, Mangaweka and Bulls before arriving on the Kapiti Coast, which leads into Wellington, New Zealand's capital.

Private transfer Wellington airport to your accommodation You will be met on arrival at Wellington airport and transferred to your accommodation.

Wellington City Wellington, home to New Zealand’s centre of government has a largely cosmopolitan feel. Often referred to as ‘mini-Melbourne’, this (self described) windy city is a melting pot of art, culture, food and fashion. Quirky laneway bars, underground art shows, and hipster eateries make up its inner city vibe, while a host of sandy beaches outside the urban bustle bring a cheerful holiday feel.

Private transfer Wellington hotel to Airport You will be collected from your Wellington hotel and transferred to the airport.

Air New Zealand flight Wellington to Christchurch Fly from Wellington Airport to Christchurch Airport.

Private transfer Christchurch Airport to your accommodation On arrival, you will be met by a private driver and transferred to your Christchurch accommodation.

Private transfer accommodation to Intercity stop Lichfield St A private transfer will collect you from your accommodation and transfer you to the coach stop.

Christchurch to Dunedin by InterCity Coach Leaving Christchurch early, you will cross the vast Canterbury Plains as you head South, crossing many braided rivers that start their life as glacial melt water high in the Southern Alps. New Zealand's longest bridge at Rakaia crosses such an example. Pass through the towns of Timaru followed by Oamaru, most famous for its buildings constructed with the unique locally quarried white stone. Continue along the coast and into the city of Dunedin.

Dunedin Coach Stop to Accommodation Transfer with Iconic On arrival into Dunedin you will be met from your coach and transferred to your accommodation.

Dunedin Accommodation to Coach Stop Transfer with Iconic You will be collected from your accommodation and transferred to the coach stop in time for your departure.

Dunedin to Te Anau by InterCity Coach Enjoy this scenic coach trip across the magnificent Southland Countryside from the Edinburgh of the South, Dunedin, to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Milford Sound Nature Cruise with return luxury coach transfers from Te Anau, and onto Queenstown From Te Anau, you travel by coach along the spectacular Milford Road. Photo stops are made on the way into Milford, with additional photo stops and a short walk on the return journey. Real Journeys experienced drivers enjoy sharing their knowledge of the area. On reaching Milford Sound, you join a Nature Cruise for a leisurely cruise the full-length of Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea. The cruise provides excellent viewing opportunities and plenty of time is available to enjoy waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. A nature guide provides fascinating interpretation throughout the cruise. Includes picnic boxed lunch.

Explore Queenstown and surrounds Although celebrated as New Zealand's ‘adventure capital’ Queenstown offers far more than a fast paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders.

Queenstown Skyline Gondola Ride Hop aboard the Skyline Gondola - the steepest cable car lift in the Southern hemisphere! From which you can take in the awe-inspiring views of this spectacular landscape. Sit back and relax as you enjoy panoramic views of The Remarkables, Walter Peak, Cecil Peak, Coronet Peak and the magnificent Lake Wakatipu.

Enjoy a second day in Queenstown With such an abundance of activities on offer, one day in Queenstown is never enough! Today you’ll have some spare time for those things you didn’t get to do yesterday.

Queenstown to Christchurch with GreatSights (Includes Lunch) Travel to the foothills of New Zealand's highest mountain, Aoraki / Mount Cook, on a full-day sightseeing tour from Queenstown to Christchurch. Travel through ruggedly beautiful landscape and over the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country. Enter the amazing Aoraki / Mt Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain and stop at Mount Cook Village, where you will enjoy a delicious lunch at the famous Hermitage Hotel. In the afternoon, travel past Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd. Then continue through the diverse farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, where your tour concludes.