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Naturally New Zealand tour
20 nights
Small, remote and sparsely populated, the islands of New Zealand are blessed with outstanding scenery, excellent food and wine and stunning outdoor experiences. With views that photographs struggle to do justice to, the diverse landscape includes mountainous and volcanic peaks, age-old forests, rich green plains and glistening lakes, before reaching golden sandy beaches along the coastline. And with vibrant, celebrated Maori culture and heritage entwined through the land, you can expect a unique experience. The North and South islands share many common features, but also differ in many ways. The North Island is rich and fertile, cloaked in dense forest and edged with spectacular coastlines. The South Island is less developed and more extreme, with the jagged Alps dotted with placid lakes cutting through it. Finally, the tiny Stewart Island, a national park in its own right, is home to some of the country’s most treasured and protected wildlife.
Holiday idea
| Day 1 | Arrive Dunedin Airport. On arrival in Dunedin you will be met and transferred to your hotel where you will spend two nights. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. |
| Day 2 | Begin the day with a Sunrise penguin walk. This tour requires a reasonable level of fitness you will descend down sweeping sand dunes to a deserted beach and watch the sun rise over the horizon. Early morning on the beach is the best opportunity for viewing penguins. Return to Nisbett Cottage for breakfast and then enjoy a day tour of Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula with spectacular scenic views, deserted beaches and coastal inlets. Picnic lunch is provided. Spend the afternoon bird watching. The cliffs and rocky outcrops of Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula are home to the only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross. |
| Day 3 | After breakfast at Nisbet Cottage, depart Dunedin on your tour through the Catlins to Invercargill. Drive through some of the most picturesque farmland of South Otago, including wetlands rich in wildlife. Heading further south you can enjoy walks to lakes and waterfalls and enjoy the native trees, plants and flowers of this vast coastal region. A picnic lunch is included. On arrival in Invercargill you will be dropped off at the Airport for your late afternoon flight to Stewart Island. On arrival on Stewart Island you will be met and transferred to your lodge where you will stay for three nights. |
| Day 4 | Take a half day guided Ulva Island Tour before joining the overnight Kiwi Journey. Take a water taxi from Golden Bay Wharf to the head of Paterson Inlet, then northwest along Freshwater River into the interior of Stewart Island. You will then have a flat hike of 14 kms along Freshwater Flats to Mason Bay, about 4 - 6 hours (please note that the track can be muddy at times). En route take time to enjoy birdlife including, the Stewart Island robin and fernbirds. Stay at Mason Bay Hut or camp nearby and enjoy the beach, 15 minutes walk away. After dusk set out in search of kiwis. Kiwi are shy, wild birds and sightings are not guaranteed. Dinner is included this evening. |
| Day 5 | After breakfast, time permitting, you may explore the surrounding dunes, before departing for Freshwater Landing for your water taxi transfer to Golden Bay Wharf. The hike back to Freshwater Landing usually takes 4 hours. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure. Lunch is included today. |
| Day 6 | Early this morning you will be transferred to Stewart Island Airport for your flight back to Invercargill. On arrival in Invercargill collect your rental car and drive to Manapouri (approximately 170 kms). This evening you will enjoy a Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise. Dinner is included this evening onboard your cruise. |
| Day 7 | On return to Manapouri make your way to Queenstown (approximately 185 kms) where you will stay for two nights. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Queenstown.. |
| Day 8 | Spend a full day at leisure in Queenstown. |
| Day 9 | Depart Queenstown this morning and make your way to Mount Cook (approximately 263 kms). Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Mount Cook. Dinner is included this evening at your hotel. |
| Day 10 | Depart Mount Cook and drive to Christchurch today (approximately 331 kms). Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Christchurch. |
| Day 11 | Depart Christchurch today and travel up the East Coast to Kaikoura (approximately 183 kms) where you will stay for one nught. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Kaikoura. |
| Day 12 | This morning enjoy a whale watching boat tour. Enter a world of one of nature's most magnificent mammals - the Giant Sperm Whale. Please note that this tour operates subject to weather and sea conditions. After the tour return to Kaikoura and make your way north to Picton (approximately 157 kms). Spend the remainder of the day at leisure in Picton. |
| Day 13 | This morning enjoy a 3 hour cruise of the Marlborough Sounds. Enjoy the comfort of a luxury catamaran as you cover up to 120 kilometres of sheltered waterways and bays. You may see seals, shags and gannets as well as a working salmon farm. On return from your cruise, return your rental car to the Picton Ferry Depot and depart on the afternoon Interislander Ferry to Wellington. On arrival in Wellington collect your second rental car and make your way to your hotel. |
| Day 14 | Spend the morning at leisure in Wellington before making your way to Napier (approximately 314 kms) where you will stay for two nights. |
| Day 15 | This morning you will be collected from your hotel for a Cape Kidnappers Gannet Safari, which takes you to Hawke's Bay Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony - the world's largest, most accessible Gannet nesting place. Return to Napier in the early afternoon and spend the remainder of the day at leisure. |
| Day 16 | Depart Napier today and make your way to Rotorua via Lake Taupo (approximately 223 kms) where you will stay for two nights. Spend the afternoon at leisure in Rotorua. Later this evening enjoy a traditional Hangi Dinner & Concert. Journey back in time through the Maori Village of "Te Tawa Ngahere Pa" and experience the pre-European lifestyle and customs of the Maori's ancestors as the village comes alive with tribal songs, dances and activities. Feast on a selection of foods cooked the traditional Maori way on hot stones in an authentic earthen oven. Following the evenings entertainment you will be transferred back to your hotel. |
| Day 17 | Today entrance to Rainbow Springs and the Kiwi Encounter are included. Kiwi Encounter is unlike any other "attraction" you may have visited. It provides visitors the opportunity to see kiwi "conservation in action" for the first time in New Zealand. The remainder of the day is free to spend at leisure in Rotorua. |
| Day 18 | Depart Rotorua this morning and make your way to Auckland via the Seabird Coast (approximately 250 kms). Stay for two nights in Auckalnd. |
| Day 19 | Enjoy a cruise to Tiri Tiri Matangi Island (operates Wed-Sun only). A guided tour on the Island is included. On return to Auckland late afternoon make your own way back to your hotel. . |
| Day 20 | Return your rental before departing Auckland. |
More information
| Dates | Contact us for further information. |
| Prices | Contact us for further information. |
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