Here's your chance to see this wonderful part of New Zealand with everything pre arranged for you. You get to see the wild Kaikoura coastline, the quaint village of Akaroa, the magnificent towering southern alps that rise above the coach, the beautiful blue of the hydro lakes, the natural beauty of the famous West Coast and the quiet undisturbed valleys that we pass through. Your extra day in Invercargill allowing time for a visit to Stewart Island (optional extra).

So phone today for an itinerary,
cancel the paper,
get a neighbour to mind your house
and join us for a great 18 days.

Includes: Coach travel, sightseeing as per the itinerary, accommodation on a share twin basis, breakfasts, dinners and GREAT company

DAY 1 New Plymouth - Picton
We depart New Plymouth this morning and travel South through the Taranaki farmlands to the River City of Wanganui.Travelling on we pass through the rich farm lands of the lower North Island and follow the Kapiti Coast for some distance before arriving in Wellington.We board the Inter Islander Ferry to cross Cook Strait and Cruise the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound before arriving in Picton.

Travelling South we enjoy a visit to the Omaka Aviation Heritahe Centre (one of the best private collections in the world - Peter Jackson's) at Blenheim before continuing on down the Kaikoura Coast with the Majestic Kaikoura Ranges on our right and the open sea on our left. We visit the Seal Colonys before arriving in Kaikoura for lunch. We then travel inland through the North Canterbury area to the Garden City of Christchurch where we stay for three nights.

A delightful tour today which takes us over Banks Peninsula to the settlement of Akaroa with its distinct French Heritage. We enjoy a wonderful cruise on Akaroa Harbour before returning to Christchurch enroute taking in some more very interesting sights.

Today is a free day to do as you wish, you may like to do one of the many half or full day City sightseeing tours, or spend a few hours exploring the many shops that are only a short distance from our hotel. Your Coach Captain will be able to advise on some of the many exciting things to do in this lovely City.

This morning we cross the vast Canterbury Plains to Ashburton enroute crossing the countrys longest bridge (1.75km) over the Rakaia River. After a pause in Ashburton we continue on to Rangitata and a visit to the "Tin Shed" where you can talk to the animals or check out the top quality woollen goods that they have on display and for sale. Leaving the Tin Shed we return to State Highway 1 and on to the gently sloping hills of Timaru. We then travel on to Pleasant Point, Fairlie and cross Burke Pass to arrive at Lake Tekapo in the high McKenzie Country. Optional flights may be available along the alps (weather & time permitting) your coach crew will advise. We then continue on to Lake Pukaki and the Mount Cook Hermitage for a short stop before returning along the shores of Lake Pukaki and arriving at Twizel for the night.

Leaving Twizel we continue on to Omarama and down the Waitaki Valley to and view some of the many Hydro Electric dam sights including the Aviemore and Waitaki Dams before reaching Oamaru which is famous for its white limestone buildings. The limestone is quarried locally and has not been used successfully anywhere else in the world, we have some time in Oamaru before continuing on to view the Moeraki Boulders. We then continue south to turn inland at Palmerston and follow the Pigroot for a short time before heading to Macraes Flat where we take a tour of the Gold Mine, we then continue through some interesting countryside to Middlemarch and on to Dunedin, Zealands most Scottish City, Dunedin.

This morning we enjoy a short sightseeing tour of Dunedin which includes a visit to Larnachs Castle the rest of the afternoon is free to wander as you wish. There is the chance of boarding the Taieri Gorge Train to Pukerangi and return in the afternoon (own expense).

This morning we leave Dunedin and depart for Invercargill, via the scenic Catlins Coast Road. (Weather permitting) This is a relaxed easy day with some beautiful scenery and off the beaten track.

This morning we travel to Stirling Point at Bluff which is commonly known as the bottom of the South Island (Bluff is famous for the delicacy, the Bluff oyster) we travel up Bluff Hill for some fantastic views before returning to Invercargill for some sightseeing and relaxing time. Those wishing to fly to Stewart Island may do so today (own expense).

This morning we enjoy free time in Invercargill, you may like to explore the shops or visit the lovely gardens. We then make our way to Lake Manapouri via the Southern Scenic Route where we take a short break before completing the short drive into Te Anau

Today we travel through the lush Beech forests, driving alongside rugged canyons and towering mountain peaks, pausing to take photographs at many locations including the fabulous MIRROR LAKES and many others. We pass through the famous Homer Tunnel to pause at the Chasm before finally descending to Milford Sound. We cruise beneath the towering Mitre Peak and watch the cascading waters of the Bowen Falls. Lunch is included today. After our cruise we return to Te Anau.

An easy morning as we travel Northwards, passing through Five Rivers and on to Kingston at the South end of beautiful Lake Whakatipu. We follow the Lake shore beneath the towering Remarkable Mountain Range to Arrowtown where we have lunch and time to explore this wonderful old town and all its inherent beauty before returning to Queenstown.

Today is free to relax and do as you wish, wander the streets of Queenstown, take a ride up the spectacular Gondolas, take a trip on the steam ship "Earnslaw", or maybe a Jet Boat ride on the Shot Over River. Your Coach Captain will be able to assist with the things to see and do in this fantastic town.

DAY 14 Queenstown - Fox Glacier
Today we leave Queenstown and travel north to cross the Shotover River after which we pass a number of vineyards before entering the Kawarau Gorge where we view the historic Kawarau Bridge and may even see a bungy jumper (any takers for a bungy jump?). We get a passing view of the Roaring Meg creek and its hydro electric power station. After which we pass some old gold diggings which are still being worked as a tourist attraction. We make a stop at Mrs Jones orchard for a comfort break and time to purchase some fresh fruit if you wish. Next we take a drive through Cromwell on Lake Dunstan before continuing on to Wanaka, we follow the shores of first Lake Hawea and then Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea before we cross the Haast Pass with views of Fantail Falls and Thunder Falls before travelling on up the West Coast to Fox Glacier for the night.
FOX GLACIER

This morning there is time for scenic flights over the Glaciers for those who may desire to do so (optional extra) before we travel on up the West Coast to the Greenstone town of Hokitika. After lunch we visit Shanty Town and relive the past until it is time to continue on to our accommodation in Greymouth.

We leave Greymouth and travel North this morning to view the unique Pancake Rocks at Punakaikie, after which we travel on to Westport where we turn inland to travel through the Buller gorge to Murchison and on over the beautiful hills to the Sun Province of New Zealand, Nelson.

This morning we enjoy sightseeing time in Nelson including the Famous Cathedral before travelling onto the beauty spot of Pelorus and on to Havelock where we turn to follow the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound Drive to Picton before boarding our ferry for our return journey to Wellington.