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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Christchurch“Haere Mai”.... Welcome to New Zealand. A Kirra Holidays representative will greet you at the airport with transport waiting to take you to your hotel.

Stay: Rendezvous Hotel

Day 2 Mt Cook, Omarama (B,D)After a brief tour of Christchurch, cross the Canterbury Plains into the MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog Memorial at Lake Tekapo. Visit Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site covering over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery before travelling on to Omarama. Optional ski-plane and helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions

Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel

Day 3 Moeraki Boulders, Dunedin (B,D) Travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru. Stop to view the mystical Moeraki Boulders, then continue on to Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South. Enjoy a brief city orientation tour on arrival. The afternoon is free for you to experience some of the many optional sightseeing activities available.

Stay: Scenic Dunedin City Hotel

Day 4 Central Otago, Te Anau (B,D) Enjoy spectacular views across the Otago Peninsula as you travel to Larnach Castle. On your guided tour, learn about its tragic and mysterious history. Depart Dunedin and head inland, crossing rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden, before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park

Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Day 5 Milford Sound, Queenstown (B,D)Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys before descending into the Cleddau Canyon. Drive through the Homer Tunnel into spectacular Milford Sound, the world renowned natural wonder dominated by Mitre Peak. Luxuriant rainforest clings to sheer rock walls and waterfalls tumble hundreds of metres to the sea below. Cruise the entire length of the fiord and enjoy the on-board commentary that gives you detailed information on the region’s history, flora and fauna as you view spectacular waterfalls, towering mountains and wildlife. This afternoon, travel on to New Zealand’s premier holiday destination, Queenstown. Tonight, ride the Skyline gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.

Stay: Copthorne Lakefront Hotel & Resort (2 nights)

Day 6 At leisure in Queenstown (B)Today is a free day to experience this magnificent resort. Queenstown boasts an incredible array of adventure and leisure activities and your Coach Captain can assist with any optional activities you would like to do. Take a ride on the world famous Shotover Jet Boat, cruise Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, take a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon or for the adventurous, try white water rafting. Alternatively, browse in the many shops and galleries.

CLASSIC EXPLORER15 DAY

INCLUSIONS

· 14 nights accommodation in superior hotels· 14 fully cooked breakfasts (B) & 12 dinners (D)· Travel by luxury touring coach· Services of a professional Coach Captain· Hotel porterage · Complimentary private airport transfers

HIGHLIGHTS

· World Heritage listed Mt Cook National Park· Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South· Fiordland National Park· Spectacular Southern Lakes District · West Coast Glaciers · Wellington, the nation’s capital · Thermal Wonderland of Rotorua· Stunning Coromandel Peninsula

FEATURED EXPERIENCES

· Milford Sound Scenic Cruise · Coast to Coast TranzAlpine train journey · Coastal Pacific Train· Authentic Maori Village, Hangi & Cultural Performance· Hobbiton Movie Set & Farm Tour· Driving Creek Railway, Coromandel

ICONIC SIGHTSEEING

· City tours of Christchurch, Wellington & Auckland· Guided tour of Larnach Castle · Skyline Gondola & Dinner, Queenstown · Yealands Estate Winery tour & tasting· Interislander Ferry Crossing· Agrodome Farm Show· Te Puia Thermal Reserve

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Day 7 Haast Pass, Franz Josef (B,D)Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on the way to Arrowtown, an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the gold mining era. Stop at Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. View the untouched wilderness and pristine lakes of the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks before arriving on the West Coast, home to the twin glaciers of Fox and Franz Josef.

Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Day 8 TranzAlpine Train, Christchurch (B,D) At Hokitika, stop to visit a Pounamu, (also known as Greenstone or Jade) factory. Pounamu is considered a treasure in Maori culture and is seen as a sign of status and power. At Greymouth, board the famous TranzAlpine Train. Renowned as one of the most scenic train journeys in the world, this coast to coast rail adventure will take you through the Southern Alps, over massive viaducts, river valleys and gorges.

Stay: Rendezvous Hotel

Day 9 Kaikoura, Blenheim (B,D)An early start this morning as we board the Coastal Pacific train for the journey to the small seaside village of Kaikoura located on a narrow strip of coastline with the Kaikoura Mountains to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. Time to explore before rejoining your coach and driving on to Blenheim. A short tour of the region includes a visit to Yealands Estate. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery where you will learn about and taste the range of famous Marlborough wines.

Stay: Scenic Marlborough Hotel

Day 10 Picton, Wellington (B,D) A short drive brings us to the picturesque fishing village of Picton. Board the Interislander ferry and cruise through the spectacular Queen Charlotte Sound into Cook Strait. Enjoy stunning views of New Zealand’s capital city as you arrive into Wellington Harbour. Enjoy a city tour taking in all the major sights and there is free time for exploring on your own. Situated on the Wellington waterfront, a visit to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, is highly recommended.

Stay: Ibis Wellington Hotel

Day 11 Taupo, Rotorua (B,D)Leaving the city behind, we travel through rolling farmland as we enter the Tongariro National Park, dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to the popular lakeside resort of Taupo, located on the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake. Stop to view the mighty Huka Falls and travel past massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture and famous for its geysers, boiling mud pools and steaming craters.

Stay: Sudima Lake Rotorua (2 nights)

2016/17 GUARANTEED DEPARTURE DATES

DEPARTS FINISHES

SUN 18 SEP 2016* SUN 02 OCT 2016

SUN 02 OCT 2016 SUN 16 OCT 2016

SUN 16 OCT 2016 SUN 30 OCT 2016

SUN 13 NOV 2016 SUN 27 NOV 2016

SUN 27 NOV 2016 SUN 11 DEC 2016

SUN 08 JAN 2017 SUN 22 JAN 2017

SUN 15 JAN 2017 SUN 29 JAN 2017

SUN 05 FEB 2017 SUN 19 FEB 2017

SUN 12 FEB 2017 SUN 26 FEB 2017

SUN 26 FEB 2017 SUN 12 MAR 2017

SUN 05 MAR 2017 SUN 19 MAR 2017

SUN 12 MAR 2017 SUN 26 MAR 2017

SUN 26 MAR 2017 SUN 09 APR 2017

SUN 09 APR 2017 SUN 23 APR 2017

SUN 30 APR 2017* SUN 14 MAY 2017

SUN 10 SEP 2017* SUN 24 SEP 2017

Day 12 Rotorua Sightseeing (B,D) Today begins with a visit to the Agrodome to see a unique New Zealand farm show. This is followed by a visit to Te Puia, home to Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Centre. Here you will witness all of nature’s thermal wonders including silica terraces and the famous Pohutu Geyser. Enjoy some free time this afternoon for optional activities before visiting Tamaki Village for an evening of fun and culture. You will experience a traditionally prepared Maori Hangi (feast) followed by a cultural performance featuring Maori songs, chants and dance including the stirring haka.

Day 13 Hobbiton, Pauanui (B,D)Cross the Mamaku Ranges into the Waikato region, well known for its dairy farming, world famous horse studs and champion Rugby team! At Matamata, a guide will escort your group on a Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tour. Enjoy a visit to the set used in The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. On to Pauanui, a favourite New Zealand holiday beach resort for our overnight stay.

Stay: Grand Mercure Puka Park Lodge

Day 14 Coromandel, Auckland (B,D)The Coromandel Peninsula is a beautiful, rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches and is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle and hype of city life. At the quaint township of Coromandel, ride the famous Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony. On to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’ and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight with your new found friends.

Stay: Rydges Auckland Hotel

Day 15 Depart Auckland (B)Sadly, your holiday ends today and you will be transferred to Auckland airport to connect with your onward flight.

Wellington

Christchurch

Milford Sound

Dunedin

Mt Cook

Queenstown

Wanaka

Blenheim

Kaikoura

Omarama

Te Anau

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Franz Josef

Greymouth

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Suggested arrival/departure point

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Picton

Auckland

Rotorua

Lake Taupo

Pauanui

Matamata

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Interislander Ferry

Train Journeyr

Overnights2

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