Coastal Charmer - SIC

DAY 1

Arrive Auckland

On arrival you will be met and privately transferred to your accommodation. Overnight: Auckland

DAY 2

Auckland

Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast.  This afternoon’s guided tour visits Auckland’s rugged west coast for some spectacular views and a walk among the giant tree ferns in the scenic rainforest.  Overnight:  Auckland 

DAY 3

Auckland - Rotorua - Auckland

Enjoy a full day tour to the fascinating geothermal landscape at Rotorua with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pools.  Your Rotorua Highlights tour also includes a guided tour through the geothermal valley at Te Puia for, a cultural performance and buffet lunch before returning to Auckland.  Overnight: Auckland

DAY 4

Auckland - Nelson

Today you will be transferred to Auckland Domestic Airport for your flight to Nelson.  (Airfare is NOT included).   Overnight:  Nelson

Flight Time Auckland to Nelson is approximately 90 minutes.

DAY 5

Nelson - Abel Tasman - Nelson

Today’s adventure takes you to the beginning of Abel Tasman National Park for a cruise on the crystal-clear waters, past golden beaches and lush forests.  View seals and seabirds in their natural habitat before taking a short walk on Bark Vay Waterfall Trail with its picturesque suspension bridge before the return cruise and shuttle back to Nelson.  Overnight:  Nelson

DAY 6

Nelson - Punakaiki

Travel through the wild and picturesque Buller Gorge valley and along the Great Coast Road to Punakaiki.  This afternoon, make your own way to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes for some dramatic views of the rock systems and most spectacular when the tide is high and the sea is rough.  Enjoy a self-guided tour at the Paparoa Experience exhibition centre for a cultural and geological history of the fascinating rock formations.  Overnight: Punakaiki

DAY 7

Punakaiki - Franz Josef

Half-way through the journey, the landscape changes from wild seascapes and subtropical palms to a forested interior where tumbling glaciers provide unique relics of the last ice age.  Overnight:  Franz Josef

DAY 8

Franz Josef

Tucked into the forested foothills of the Southern Alps, small but lively Franz Josef Glacier Village is a popular base for glacier hikes and scenic flights.  The area is full of wild, natural beauty, filled with rainforest, waterfalls, and mirror lakes.  Today has been left available to add an optional tour or two of your choosing (extra cost applies).  Overnight:  Franz Josef

DAY 9

Franz Josef - Queenstown

It’s a spectacular drive today through the Haast World Heritage Area with its rugged coastline, glacier fed blue pools, rushing rivers and towering waterfalls.  Overnight: Queenstown  

DAY 10

Queenstown

Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town. Enjoy a morning highlights tour of Queenstown’s “must see” locations including Kawarau Gorge, Gibbston Valley and Arrowtown.  The afternoon is free to add an optional tour of your choosing (extra cost applies).  Overnight: Queenstown

DAY 11

Queenstown

With such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.  Today has been left available to add some of the endless optional activities on offer (extra cost applies). Overnight Queenstown

DAY 12

Queenstown - Mt Cook Region

It’s a pleasant scenic drive past lakes and rivers through the rugged and beautiful landscape of the Central Otago Region.  Continue through the dramatic Lindis Pass to a region dotted with lakes too blue to be true and framed by snow-capped mountains.  Overnight:  Mt Cook, Twizel or Tekapo

DAY 13

Mt Cook Region - Christchurch

Enjoy another day of lovely road-side scenery on the drive over the golden tussock lands and wide braided rivers until the impressive green patchwork of the Canterbury Plains leads you into Christchurch.  Overnight:  Christchurch

DAY 14

Depart Christchurch

Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer to Christchurch Airport..