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14 Days Natural North & South New Zealand Tour Package Taking you "off the beaten track", these adventures include guided walks, first class service, superb food and the finest lodges and luxurious accommodations.
Your local guide will help you experience the natural wonders and heritage of this diverse and magical land. Meet the local people; walk along deserted beaches and through ancient rain forests, over an advancing glacier, and experience the stillness in magnificent Milford Sound. Visit national parks, walk on pristine beaches that Captain Cook walked on, and visit the Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area in the shadow of the Southern Alps and their rugged snowcapped peaks.
Tour Itinerary Day 1. Auckland - Coromandel Peninsula "Arrival, greeting and orientation" Your nature-loving guide from the world famous company, Kiwi Dundee Adventures, meets you in Auckland. We escape from Auckland City in the air-conditioned luxury of Kiwi Dundee Adventures mini coach, travelling south through picturesque farmland and along the seabird coast to the beautiful, historic Coromandel Peninsula. You will enjoy a visit to the fascinating old gold mine town of Thames with its buildings and churches dating from the 1800's. After a delightful lunch we will travel up the Thames coast, lined with ancient Pohutukawa, New Zealand's Christmas tree, to visit a giant Kauri tree, over 30ft round, set amongst the world's largest ferns and semi tropical rainforest. We then travel over mountains, clad with dense rainforest, to the Pacific coast of the Peninsula with its many offshore islands. A short journey to a quiet coastal town takes you to your accommodation for the next two nights. Overnight: Puka Park Lodge or similar. L Day 2. On the Coromandel. "Glowworms, giant ferns, white sand beaches & fun!" Highlights of your day will be a leisurely walk through Lunch will be at a delightful cafe, or a delicious picnic with a chance to view your guide's spectacular collection of quartz, obsidian, minerals, old photos of the Coromandel and beautiful rocks full of gold. Visit Hotwater beach (tide permitting) where you can dabble your feet in the natural hot-springs on the beach. Walk up onto the old Maori fortification to enjoy the spectacular panorama. This day includes many of the "highlights" of the Coromandel Peninsula. Overnight: Puka Park Lodge or similar. BL Day 3. Coromandel - Bay of Plenty - Rotorua. "Coastline, orchards, craters & mud" This day is an ever-changing panorama of forests, mountains, beaches and islands until we leave the Coromandel behind and enter the Bay of Plenty, home to plantations of kiwi fruit, citrus, avocados, flowers and deer farms to name a few. Stop at New Zealand's "Mural town", Katikati, with its open-air art on the history of the area. Continue south to visit a private working orchard, growing Kiwi fruit, avocados and export flowers. After a delightful lunch we tour on to Rotorua, the thermal city built in the crater of a huge volcano. Your guide will give you an overview of this fascinating region before arriving at your accommodation. Overnight: Quality hotel or Bed & Breakfast. BL Day 4. Rotorua - Christchurch. A free morning to explore Rotorua before flying south to the garden city of Christchurch (Airfare not included). On arrival in Christchurch you will be transferred to your accommodation. Overnight: Quality hotel or Bed & Breakfast. B Day 5. Christchurch. "A day at leisure in the Garden City" Today is a day on your own to explore this city which is sometimes said to be "more English than England". Founded by English settlers in 1850, Christchurch became a city by Royal Charter in 1856 which makes it the oldest officially established city in New Zealand. Officially known as the "Garden City", Christchurch has over 3,000 hectares of parklands which include Hagley Park and the famous Botanic Gardens. Christchurch is perfect for exploring on foot because it is attractive, fascinating - and flat! You can hop aboard one of the beautifully restored vintage trams, hire a bicycle, enjoy a punt on the Avon river or simply stroll about on foot. Overnight: Quality hotel or Bed & Breakfast. B Day 6. Christchurch - Arthur's Pass. "Christchurch, plains & alps" Your personal guide will meet you and take you through the "Garden City" and up onto the Port Hills, the flanks of one of the ancient extinct volcanoes that form the Banks Peninsula. From the hills there are spectacular views of the city and the Kaikoura Range can be seen far to the north, while the Pacific Ocean sparkles to the east. To the south and west the vast Canterbury Plains stretch to the horizon and in the distance, the Southern Alps beckon you to discover them. This is an opportunity to talk about where we are going and what we will see on the tour. Having orientated ourselves in Christchurch, we then escape the city and start our journey west across the Canterbury Plains. Crossing Porter's Pass, a dramatic landscape change occurs as we enter the highcountry, a high tussock grass basin bounded by the Torlesse Mountains to the east and the Craigieburn Mountains to the west. Travelling through this region we pass glacial formed lakes, the limestone formations of Castle Hill which dominate the landscape and the wide expanse of the Waimakariri River. Overnight: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass. BD Day 7 A day in the mountains. "High country, sheep, valleys & keas" This is a day to discover the real high country - a day where Seek out and hopefully find a unique South Island personality who is mischievous, inquisitive, comical and rowdy; the cheeky kea - the world's only alpine parrot. You may have to defend your mini coach as they have been known to try and remove aerials and door trims with their beaks! Experience the workings of a high country sheep farm and help with day to day activities such as feeding out, mustering or working with dogs. Walking, canoeing and mountain bike riding are available or perhaps just relax in the lounge and gaze at the surrounding peaks. Overnight: Wilderness Lodge Arthur's Pass. BLD Day 8. Arthur's Pass - Hokitika - Franz Josef Glacier. "Mountains, pioneers, greenstone and ice" After breakfast we will travel through the Arthur's Pass National Park and depart Canterbury province for Westland ("The West Coast"). Originally used by the Maori to move greenstone from the west coast and later as a link to the gold rush fields, this route will reveal great mountain valleys and we will marvel at the road as it winds it's way down the spectacular Otira Gorge - a geographer' dream. Travel on a backcountry road, walk through old gold miners' tunnels and marvel at the tenacity of the miners in their quest for gold. Visit Hokitika, once the capitol of Westland, a roaring gold mining town and also a place where the Maori sought their treasured greenstone (jade). Greenstone is a feature in the town's bustling centre of art and craft shops. As we journey south we will be able to visit the Bushman's Centre where we can meet some "coasters" in a village with a population of 2! Heading further south see the West Coast bush and further evidence of the last Ice Age in the kettle lakes created by the melting ice sheets. We then arrive at Franz Josef for our overnight stay and view the Franz Josef Glacier pushing into rainforest - truly incredible! Overnight: Westwood Lodge or similar. BLD Day 9. Franz Josef Glacier - Fox Glacier - Lake Moeraki. "Geology, Ice Age and podocarps" Depart Franz Josef Glacier for a dramatic drive through the glaciated landscape to Fox Glacier. Walks are available to the terminal face of the Fox Glacier or to a glacier viewpoint to witness the glacier's descent down the mountain into the rainforest. Here you can also experience a guided hike on the Fox Glacier with an alpine guide or perhaps an exciting helicopter ride to view the Southern Alps with a snow landing on the upper reaches of the glacier. (Please note that the optional glacial hike and helicopter trips are not included in the tour cost and are subject to the weather). After lunch, a beautiful and tranquil walk can be taken around the edge of Lake Matheson. It is here that incredible reflections of Mount Cook and Mount Tasman towering on the horizon above the lake can often be seen. Alternatively, a drive through the lush rainforest to a remote beach on the Tasman Sea for views of the alps and where we can look for the rare Hectors Dolphins. From Fox Glacier, travel south to the Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki, set in the heart of Te Wahi Pounamu - the South West New Zealand World heritage area. This lodge is a Tourism Award Winner providing a first class wilderness experience. Overnight: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki. BD Day 10. Lake Moeraki. "Wilderness, wildlife and rain forests" Another opportunity to spend a day at a Wilderness Lodge with its own special attractions. Untouched lowland rain forests spread between pristine lakes and rivers which drain the snow capped Southern Alps. This special place is home to breeding colonies of the rare Fiordland Crested Penguin (seasonal), the world's smallest dolphin, the Hectors Dolphins and numerous native birds. Lake Moeraki is a nature lover's paradise. Visits can be made to wild and remote beaches and activities include guided walks to get close to the wildlife, learning about the forest and experiencing amazing scenery. If you prefer to have a restful day then you can take a canoe out on the tranquil lake or just relax in the lodge. Overnight: Wilderness Lodge Lake Moeraki. BLD Day 11. Lake Moeraki - Wanaka - Queenstown. "Estuaries, explorers, tussocks and gold" From Moeraki we travel to nearby Ship Creek. From a viewing tower on the beach there is a good chance of seeing the rare Hectors Dolphin playing beyond the surf. We walk through a primeval swamp forest to see ancient "dinosaur" trees, view a coastal lagoon and fossick for greenstone on the remote beach. After a little while the road turns east, following the Haast Highway. We can now observe how the landscape again changes dramatically as the road climbs over the Haast Pass from the dense rain forest of the West Coast to the drier tussock lands of Otago. On the way, there are short walks to see waterfalls and if there has been recent rainfall, the Haast River passing through the gorge known as the Gates of Haast can be truly spectacular, continue to Wanaka this is a quiet mountain resort on the southern shores of Lake Wanaka. From Wanaka, we head over the rugged and remote Crown Range, the site of gold diggings in the 1860's. We arrive in Arrowtown and visit the old Chinese gold miners' settlement and view this quaint old village tied into the history of gold. It is then a short drive to your Queenstown accommodation. Overnight: Millbrook Country Resort or quality lodge. BD Day 12. Queenstown. "Adventure and relaxing in the mountains" A "free" day for you to experience and enjoy some of the many activities that Queenstown has to offer. Your guide is available to transfer you to the venues and activities in the Queenstown area of your choice.
For some this is an ideal opportunity to do some shopping. A ride up the gondola offers spectacular views across to the mountains known as the Remarkables. For those who wish to hike, a climb up Queenstown Hill offers spectacular views or perhaps a walk around a remote and beautiful glacial lake. Your guide will be available to advise and assist with transfers as required. Overnight: Millbrook Country Resort or quality lodge. B Day 13. Queenstown - Milford Sound Excursion. "Milford Sound, glacial lakes, alps & fiords" The road to Milford through the Fiordland National Park is absolutely breathtaking with sheer U shaped glaciated valleys and waterfalls everywhere. The rain forests are Jurrasic Park and the Homer Tunnel, entry to the Cleddau valley and Milford Sound is tribute to the engineers' skills in the 1930's. Explore the fiord on a cruise before heading back to Queenstown. Catch a glimpse of the extremely rare Takahe, a flightless bird at a sanctuary at Te Anau and we can take short walks to see waterfalls, alpine views and lakes. Optionals (not included in tour cost) for to the day are a return flight from Milford back to Queenstown by plane or perhaps a private helicopter charter which can include a snow landing in the mountains. Overnight: Millbrook Country Resort or quality lodge BLD Day 14. Queenstown & Farewell. After breakfast, perhaps relax and indulge in the odd bit of pampering with some of the many health and beauty facilities. Time for that last minute shopping or to experience that last piece of adventure before it is time for your guide to bid you farewell. Your guide will transfer you to the airport, car rental office or coach depot, as required.
Save time, money and stress! For reservations: Fill out the vacation planner to be contacted by our New Zealand vacation specialist. Contact: Travelwizard.com 12/09 |
Explore the magnificent North and South Islands of New Zealand on our personally guided small group nature and scenic safari tour - Natural North & South New Zealand.
beautiful regenerating Kauri forest full of fern trees, along the old tracks of Puketui, the 1890's gold mining town. See glowworms in an historic old gold cave. Learn about the flora and fauna of this magic area. 
you can explore and learn about the alpine landscape and plants, the animals and take in the spectacular Southern Alps. A tour of the high country sheep farm which is part of the lodge will enable you to visit the woolshed and see a sheepdog demonstration. From the lodge we will head into the heart of the Southern Alps - Arthur's Pass National Park which has an incredible diversity of flora and landscape. From the lodge, we will again travel on New Zealand's trans-alpine highway and head into Arthur's Pass National Park where we will take walks to see waterfalls, learn about the forests and alpine plants of this area and experience the alpine landscape. 
You might like to enjoy a relaxing cruise on the old steamship Earnslaw, the lady of the lake. For those wanting more excitement, try an exhilarating jetboat trip through the Shotover Canyon. Another New Zealand experience is a bungee jump at the Kawarau Bridge, the first bungee jumping site in the world. There are wineries to visit and also an art and craft trail around the district to visit some of the many artists and craft studios. Golf and horse trekking are other possibilities available in Queenstown.|
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