14 Day New Zealand Highlighter
This tour is categorised as 3 out of 5
Balanced exploration with walking tours: Our most popular style, this tour offers a good mix of planned activities and free time. Expect moderate daily walking tours, so pack comfortable shoes.
As a general requirement across all of our trips, you may be required to walk up and down stairs, get on and off transportation, handle your own luggage, and participate in all scheduled sightseeing that may be conducted on uneven ground and terrain. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability and where required, supporting documentation may be requested to ensure that we are comfortable that you will enjoy your trip.
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your tour includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
✓ Travel with Australian Pacific Touring
✓ Experiences in 14 destinations
✓ The services of an expert APT tour director and driver
✓ Finest dining - a total of 23 meals
✓ 13 nights hand-picked accommodation
✓ Immerse yourself in Maori culture at a Hangi Feast in Rotorua
✓ Ride on the famous TranzAlpine train
✓ Take in idyllic surrounds of Franz Josef Glacier Region
✓ Cruise the full length of pristine Milford Sound
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Transfer to your hotel then set out on your selected Freedom of Choice activity. This evening, enjoy a special welcome dinner.
Freedom of Choice™: Perhaps cruise on Waitemata Harbour, enjoy a unique All Blacks experience, visit Auckland Zoo to discover the native flora and fauna of New Zealand, immerse yourself in a Make Believe Experience and journey behind the cinema curtain with the Academy Award-winning team at Weta Workshop, or escape the bustle of the city on a tour to Auckland’s wild, black sand beaches and lush rainforest.
Heading out of Auckland you’ll make a stop at Waitomo, home to the famous glow worm caves where thousands of tiny luminescent creatures radiate an eerie glow. Discover this natural wonder on a guided boat ride through a grotto lit by these magical creatures, before continuing to Rotorua.
Signature Experience: This evening, immerse yourself in Maori culture as you enjoy a traditional Hangi feast and a lively performance of song and dance.
Choose to explore Rotorua your way with a choice of included Freedom of Choice Sightseeing options.
Freedom of Choice™: Perhaps enjoy a sheep show at the Agrodome followed by a visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve. Alternatively, choose to visit Wai-O-Tapu or experience Middle-earth during a tour of the Hobbiton Movie Set.
In Rotorua, replace one night with an overnight stay (including dinner and breakfast) in the home of a friendly family. Experience trademark Kiwi hospitality.
Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway through the glorious landscapes of the North Island. Gaze out over the thunderous Huka Falls and the tranquil setting of Lake Taupo, before crossing the volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park on your way to the nation’s capital, Wellington.
Set off on a tour taking you to the city’s best-loved landmarks and sights, including New Zealand’s national museum - Te Papa Tongarewa. The afternoon and evening have been left free for you to enjoy Wellington at your own pace.
This morning, cruise to Picton at the tip of the South Island. Rejoin your coach and travel via the stunning landscapes of Marlborough and Kaikoura to Christchurch.
Signature Experience: Step aboard the Interislander ferry this morning and cruise Cook Strait to the tip of the South Island.
After a special Signature Experience, disembark at Arthur’s Pass and travel by coach to Hokitika. Here, you will see pounamu (jade) being expertly carved into pieces of jewellery. Continue to Franz Josef.
Signature Experience: Board the TranzAlpine train for one of the world’s greatest rail adventures. Take in the dramatic surrounds of the Franz Josef Glacier Region.
Enjoy a day of truly breathtaking scenery as you travel along the Haast River on your way to Queenstown. Tonight, choose between three restaurants for your dining experience.
Freedom of Choice™: This evening, perhaps take a scenic gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant where you can enjoy your meal with stunning panoramic views of the city. Alternatively, you may prefer a cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamboat, or dine amid the stylish surrounds of the Elements Restaurant.
Personalise your experience today with our range of Freedom of Choice activities.
Freedom of Choice™: Perhaps visit several local sites where The Lord of the Rings trilogy was filmed. Alternatively, set out on a Skippers Canyon adventure or a river safari along the beautiful Dart River. A tour of the country’s premier wine-producing region is a tempting option, or a leisurely cruise over the waters of Lake Wakatipu.
Embark on one of the most scenic drives today as you journey along the Milford Road and into the heart of Fiordland National Park. Wind down the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys, then drive through the Homer Tunnel to be met by the sight of Mitre Peak, the iconic backdrop to Milford Sound. Continue to Milford Sound. Afterwards, enjoy a picturesque drive to the lakeside settlement of Te Anau.
Signature Experience: Cruise the full length of Milford Sound. In Te Anau, sample authentic regional cuisine of the South Island during a Taste of Fiordland Dinner.
Journey through Southland countryside as you travel to Dunedin, a city known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. This afternoon, choose your Freedom of Choice activity.
Freedom of Choice™: You might like to visit Olveston Historic Home or discover the history behind New Zealand’s only castle, Larnach Castle. Alternatively, tour Speight’s Brewery and enjoy a tasting.
Drive north and stop to view the large spherical Moeraki Boulders on Koekohe Beach. Continue to World Heritage-listed Aoraki Mt Cook National Park, where you can choose your activity.
Signature Experience: Visit World Heritage-listed Aoraki Mt Cook National Park to see New Zealand’s highest mountain.
Freedom of Choice™: Perhaps visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, or enjoy a visit to the planetarium for a stargazing session with an astronomer. Alternatively, during the summer months, board a MAC boat and get up close to icebergs on the Tasman Glacier Terminal Lake.
Travel to Lake Tekapo to visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, erected as a tribute to the early pioneers of the region. Head to Christchurch for a Farewell Dinner tonight.
Transfer to the airport.
Designed Exclusively for APT guests
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCE
These once-in-a-lifetime moments allow you to experience an unforgettable world of exclusive moments, incredible cultures and charming surprises
FREEDOM OF CHOICE™
Give your holiday a personal touch with a choice of included sightseeing or dining options
Deposit & Payments
Booking Process
Booking On Request
COVID-19
Due to COVID there maybe disruptions to standard operating schedules of particular components of this itinerary. Should a component be effected a substitute will be confirmed prior to departure.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard.
Single Supplement
Please follow the 'book now' prompts and select 1 passenger to view the single supplement cost.
Triple Share
Not Available
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is required to protect yourself against the unexpected.
We have partnered with nib to offer our customers competitive rates for their travel insurance. You can book comprehensive or budget cover simply by clicking HERE to arrange your policy.
Tour Documentation
Final documentation including, e-tickets and hotel details, will be provided approximately 30 days prior to travel.
Group Size
Group size varies from package to package. Depending on the services provided, the group size might range from private 2 person experiences up to coaches of 50 people depending on your selected holiday.
Children
Children must share a room with parents at all times and are charged the same price as adults.
For all international voyages, it is the traveller's responsibility to ensure that they have a valid passport and they meet the visa requirement. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://smartraveller.gov.au or https://safetravel.govt.nz/ for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
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