New
Zealand Grand Spectacular
18 Day Tour, Oct/Nov 2008
Day by Day Itinerary
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Click the map to have a larger version open in a new window |
You'll see most of New
Zealand's major tourist spots, plus some of its less well
known, but equally charming attractions, on this tour of
both the North and South Islands of New Zealand.
You'll travel by deluxe
motor coach, by plane, by train, and by ship as part of your
varied range of experiences. |
This is the itinerary for the 2008 New Zealand Grand
Spectacular Tour.
Click here for the main
details of this cruise and the booking form to confirm your
interest.
Itinerary
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Day 1 (Monday 27 October) :
Leave the US |
'Wunala Dreaming' - Qantas applied a ton of extra paint to
cover this plane in traditional Australian aboriginal
images.
Qantas offers the most flights to NZ and Australia of any
airline. |
You should make your
own arrangements to fly from the US to Auckland, departing on
Monday 24 October.
Most
flights leave from Los Angeles in the evening, making it
easy to connect from other places in the US.
Leave
earlier if you wish to spend extra time
in New Zealand
before the start of the main tour |
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Day 2 (Tuesday 28 October) :
Skip this day
as you cross the dateline |
Crossing the dateline means you skip a day |
As you fly down to New Zealand, your flight crosses the
international dateline, and suddenly you skip ahead a day.
Don't worry, though - the day you
'lose' on your flight to NZ will be regained on your return
to the US, when you'll find yourself arriving back into Los
Angeles earlier than when you left Auckland! |
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Day 3 (Wednesday 29 October) :
Auckland city sightseeing |
Auckland calls itself the 'City of Sails'. Until
recently the home of the Americas Cup, the city is very
water-centric with lots of beautiful bays and beaches all
around the city.
A clean modern downtown is encircled by inactive volcanoes
making for a distinctive skyline.
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Your flight will arrive into
Auckland early this morning.
The group will meet at our central
Auckland hotel at mid day and we'll then spend the afternoon
on a guided sightseeing tour of Auckland, New Zealand's
largest city.
The sightseeing will end in the
lovely town of Devonport on the other side of Auckland's
harbor, giving you the opportunity to then take a beautiful
short ferry ride back to the city side of the harbor after
strolling through Devonport's boutique shops.
We'll have a 'getting to know you'
welcome dinner this evening on Auckland's waterfront.
Included Meals: Dinner |
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Day 4 (Thursday 30 October) :
Touring to Rotorua via Waitomo |
Glow-worms light up the roofs of the Waitomo Caves |
Today we'll
travel by luxury coach from Auckland down to Waitomo, home
of the amazing glow-worm caves, and then on over to Rotorua,
in the center of the geo-thermal region.
As we travel, you'll be amazed at
the beauty of NZ's gentle rolling countryside, the abundant
greenery everywhere, and, of course, lots of sheep, too.
In Waitomo we'll be taken on an
underground boat tour of the lakes and river, above which
the glowing glow-worms hang suspended, creating an overhead
carpet of lights.
As we approach Rotorua you'll
notice a most distinctive side effect of the geothermal
area. A somewhat malodorous sulphur smell!
Don't worry - you'll quickly
forget about this, and the novelty of this extraordinary
area more than compensates.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 5 (Friday 31 October) : Rotorua |
Vents of sulphurous steam alternate with native bush at
Whakarewarewa
The Agrodome, complete with performing sheep and farm dogs
gives you a fun perspective on NZ farm life
An artist's impression of the 1886 eruption of Mt Tarawera
that engulfed the now Buried Village.
Our day ends with an evening visit to a Maori marae for
traditional entertainment and hangi feast (roasted/steamed
food) |
Rotorua is an amazing area, and you'll get four very
different experiences in a very full day of sightseeing.
We start with a visit to the Whakarewarewa Thermal area.
Geysers, boiling mudpools, mineral waters and hot streams
are everywhere, and in some places it looks more like the
surface of the moon than the earth, although look around a
bit and you'll find beautiful native bush close by.
Next is a visit to the Agrodome for a show that introduces
you to much of NZ's farming way of life. NZ still has
a largely agrarian based economy, and in an entertaining
show featuring performing sheep and sheep dogs, you'll get
an understanding of this essential part of New Zealand.
The Buried Village, our next stop, is exactly what its name
implies. A massive eruption of a nearby volcano buried
this village, and you'll walk around the partially excavated
ruins. After seeing this downside to the geothermal
activity, take the marvelous bush-walk down to where a
waterfall cascades through rocks down to its pool at the
bottom, in an almost subterranean setting. It is a bit
of a walk up the loop back to the Buried Village, but well
worth the effort, and is one of the most beautiful bush
walks in the entire country.
Lastly today we travel to a Maori
marae (meeting place) where NZ's native people treat us to a
traditional welcome, entertainment, and delicious hangi meal
(food cooked by hot rocks in a hole in the ground).
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Dinner |
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Day 6 (Saturday 1 November) :
Fly to Queenstown |
The lovely resort village of Queenstown, nestled on the
shores of Lake Wakatipu
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Free time in Rotorua this morning - perhaps go to a thermal
spa, or perhaps visit another thermal area (they all are
truly different to each other).
This afternoon we'll
fly from Rotorua down to Queenstown in NZ's South Island.
You should make your own arrangements to fly, and we suggest
the Qantas flight at 1.40pm is the best choice, but an
Air NZ flight would also be satisfactory if needed to fit
within your international ticket rules.
Be sure to ask for a window seat
and enjoy the beautiful views from the air. You'll be
able to see from NZ's west coast to NZ's east coast - it
truly is a narrow and small country!
Upon arrival in Queenstown we're
given a short tour around the Queenstown area and taken to
our hotel for the next three nights.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 7 (Sunday 2 November) :
Queenstown on your own |
Magical Milford Sound - for most visitors, this is a 'must
see'
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There is such a lot to see and do in the Queenstown area
that we decided to leave you free to make your own selection
of activities.
One of our suggested highlights
would be a tour to Te Anau and Milford Sound. This is
a full day tour, although it can be shortened by traveling
one way by light plane rather than by coach (weather
permitting). The drive through Fiordland to Milford
Sound is stunningly beautiful so we'd recommend coaching at
least one way, even if you choose to fly the other.
At Milford Sound you should take
one of the cruises of this beautiful wilderness area before
returning back to Queenstown.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 8 (Monday 3 November) :
Queenstown on your own |
The gondola ride up Bob's Peak in Queenstown gives majestic
views over Lake Wakatipu and to the Remarkable Moutain Range
in the background
A cruise across the lake on the vintage steamer Earnslaw,
and a visit to the sheep farm on the other side, is a
relaxing way to spend some of your day.
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You'll have already noticed some of Queenstown's obvious
attractions, and if you went to Milford Sound yesterday,
today would be your chance to experience such things
yourself.
The TSS Earnslaw is a vintage steam boat that travels across
Lake Wakatipu. A cruise on
the Earnslaw is a lovely experience to enjoy.
Up above Queenstown is a gondola ride to the top of Bob's
Peak, giving you lovely views across the town and lake to
the mountain range not far north, aptly named the
Remarkables.
And if you'd like to do more than just look at the
(probably) snow covered mountains, you can take a helicopter
flight up to the mountains.
Lower down, you might wish to experience a jet-boat ride on
one of the rivers. Jet-boats were invented in NZ, and
enable boats to travel very quickly in very shallow rivers.
This is a most exhilarating experience.
If this isn't enough excitement, then you could try bungy
jumping (also a NZ invention), or if you'd prefer not to be
taken along the river by a power driven craft, maybe go
river rafting.
Other experiences available include panning for gold, and
riding a vintage steam loco powered train.
Truly, there's a huge variety of experiences to enjoy in the
Queenstown area.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 9 (Tuesday 4 November) :
Touring to Christchurch
via Mt Cook |
A typical view as we travel up to Mt Cook and then on to
Christchurch today.
The Church of the Good Shepherd, on the shores of Lake
Tekapo, and adjacent to the Sheep Dog statue.
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Today we travel by luxury coach to Christchurch, following
along the base of the majestic Southern Alps, and then
driving a short way up into the mountains to the Hermitage
Resort in Mt Cook National Park. Mt Cook is New
Zealand's tallest mountain (12,316 ft) and you'll have views
to its summit and the other peaks in the Southern Alps from
the Mt Cook village.
We travel through MacKenzie
Country, named after a sheep rustler in the 19th century,
and stop at Lake Tekapo where we visit the Sheep Dog statue,
commemorating the amazing help given shepherds by their
dogs, and have a quick stop at the picturesque Church of the
Good Shepherd, with beautiful views through its special
altar picture windows.
As we continue on to Christchurch
the high hill country becomes replaced by the fertile
Canterbury Plains, and then we reach our destination of
Christchurch, the largest city in the South Island.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 10 (Wednesday 5 November) :
Christchurch
(Guy Fawkes Night this evening) |
Central Christchurch has a historical tram, and presents as
a very English type town.
The Avon River flows gently through the center of the city. |
Christchurch is described as the most English city outside
of England, and with a cathedral in its town square, and
punting on the river running through the city (named the
Avon) you'll quickly see why this is.
We'll be given a guided
sightseeing tour of the Christchurch area, and then can
enjoy a ride on their central city sightseeing tram, and
enjoy the rest of the day as we wish.
The more active of us might choose
to climb to the top of the Cathedral to look out over the
city, and if we're lucky, Christchurch's wizard may be
holding forth in The Square at lunchtime.
This evening notes the celebration
of Guy Fawkes. Mr Fawkes was an English revolutionary
who tried to blow up their Houses of Parliament, an event
which was unsuccessful, and which is celebrated in English
descended countries by the letting off of fireworks and
ceremonial bonfires, often with a stuffed dummy representing
Guy Fawkes himself this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 11 (Thursday 6 November) :
Train to Picton and ferry
to Wellington
END OF Introduction to New Zealand tour in Christchurch
START OF Advanced New Zealand tour in Wellington |
Our train is dwarfed by the majesty of its surroundings
Our ferry cruise to the North Island takes us through the
beautiful Marlborough Sounds |
If you chose the Introduction to NZ tour, today you'll say
goodbye to the other tour members and make your way to
Christchurch airport to fly back home.
If you chose the Advanced NZ tour,
you'll fly into Wellington today (you should leave the US on
or before Tuesday 1 November) and join up with the rest of
the tour when it arrives into Wellington this evening.
For those of us on the complete
tour, today promises to be a
varied day of wonderful travel experiences. We first
travel by wonderful train from Christchurch up the east
coast of the South Island and to Picton, at the base of the
Marlborough Sounds.
In Picton we'll transfer to a
passenger ferry for the three hour journey over to
Wellington. This is a beautiful journey, first through
the Marlborough Sounds, and then through Cook Strait before
entering Wellington's harbor, described as one of the finest
natural harbors in the world.
We'll be spending two nights in
Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 12 (Friday 7 November) :
Wellington |
A spectacularly beautiful setting for NZ's capital city of
Wellington |
Called 'windy Wellington' by the locals, but hopefully the
weather will be smiling on us today as we enjoy touring
around the lovely city that was my home for many years.
With only a little encouragement, I might point out the
sites of some of my youthful indiscretions!
We'll travel by cable car up one
of the many hills that encircle Wellington, and by coach up
another of the hills to a wonderful scenic lookout.
We'll also visit New Zealand's
Parliament Building, where the country's government meets.
A highlight of the day will be a
guided tour of New Zealand's National Museum, 'Te Papa'.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 13 (Saturday 8 November) :
Touring to Havelock North
via Martinborough |
The only remaining Fell Engine of its type in the world will
be seen at the Fell Engine Museum in Featherston this
morning.
The classic verandah style architecture of the old
Martinborough Hotel |
Today we'll travel by luxury coach to Havelock North.
We'll take the scenic rather than
the more common route, going up through the Wairarapa, and
detouring to visit the lovely little town of Martinborough.
On the way, we'll visit a fascinating museum
detailing some of New Zealand's rail history, and after a
stop for lunch in Martinborough, we'll go to one of New Zealand's major breweries for
a quick tour, and - yes - some sampling of their product.
We arrive into Havelock North late
afternoon, where you'll have a chance to spend the next
several days enjoying the Hawkes Bay lifestyle.
We'll be staying in high quality
motel units with kitchenettes, and in the past, group
members have often chosen to have 'pot luck' type dinners in
the evening, with various people bringing different items
and holding outdoor parties. A nearby supermarket
provides plenty of ready-to-eat food items for such pot luck
meets.
And in the mornings, you're free
to stroll the short distance in to the village of Havelock
North and use your cash breakfast allowance to eat at
whichever of the streetside cafes most takes your interest
each morning.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 14 (Sunday 9 November) : Hawkes Bay - the Countryside |
A view looking north across the Heretaunga Plains from Te
Mata Peak, one of the defining landmarks of the Hawkes Bay
region.
The beautiful Tuki Tuki River |
Hawkes Bay enjoys beautiful scenery and countryside.
With the sea on one side, and mountains ringing the
Heretaunga Plains on the other side, and some lovely rivers
flowing through the region, the geography is always
changing.
Sometimes referred to as 'the
fruitbowl of New Zealand' Hawkes Bay has an abundance of
orchards and market gardens - many people buy all their
fruit and vegetables direct from the growers, who have small
road-side stalls.
Whether you're looking for fruit
and vegetables, seafood and fish, or meat and dairy
products, the region produces high quality fresh food of all
types.
Today we'll travel around the
countryside in Hawkes Bay, getting a feeling for its natural
beauty and resources.
We'll also include a stop at my
favorite ice cream store towards the end of the afternoon.
Included Meals: Breakfast,
snack |
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Day 15 (Monday 10 November) : Hawkes Bay - the Twin Cities |
Napier, famous for its 1930s art deco architecture, is set
alongside a grand sweep of the bay.
A visit to a sheepskin tannery and factory is an interesting
addition to today's touring.
Hastings has a very different feel to it than Napier, and is
located inland. |
Yesterday we enjoyed the countryside. Today you'll
find that the area's two cities are also characterful and
distinctive.
My personal favorite is Napier.
Extensively rebuilt after a massive earthquake leveled
almost the entire city in 1931, the city now stands as a
monument to the Art Deco style.
A rejuvenated port is now becoming
up-market accommodation, and the gorgeous views from the
hill overlooking the city remains another prime residential
location.
One of the most popular stops on
our last NZ tour was a visit to a sheepskin factory.
Not only do we go through the actual factory that converts
raw skins, through a tanning process, to the pure lamb and
sheepskins we know, but we also then can buy product in
their factory outlet store. They have a huge range of
lamb and sheep skin items, ranging from footwear to rugs to
seat and bedcovers.
Hastings is more a large farming town,
bisected by the infrequently used rail line. It has an
attractive layout and many amenities for the visitor and
resident.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 16 (Tuesday 11 November) : Hawkes Bay
- at your own pace |
Perhaps get your day off to a flying start with a balloon
ride? Other airborne activities could include a glider
flight, or hang-gliding off the back of Te Mata Peak.
Or maybe you'd rather enjoy a round of golf at a local golf
course? |
Today you're free to do as much - or as little - as you wish.
Maybe stroll around 'the village' as the local people call
Havelock North. Maybe visit some possible property
purchases with us.
If you're an early riser, why not
start your day off with a balloon ride?
Perhaps hire a rental car for the
day and experience driving on the other side of the road (it
is easier than you think!). Or perhaps go on a Gannet
Safari, or enjoy some other form of sightseeing.
Another possibility could be a day
tour up to Gisborne, the first city in the world to see the
sun each morning and the place where NZ's English discoverer
(Captain Cook) first made landfall.
The day is yours to enjoy as you
wish.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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Day 17 (Wednesday 12 November) : Hawkes Bay - the Wineries |
A profusion of vineyards and wineries
There'll be plenty of opportunity to taste some of NZ's best
wines - wines that are only produced in limited quantities
so they're never seen up here in the US. Take some
home with you! |
Hawkes Bay has long been at the forefront of New Zealand's
winemaking regions, and these day it has a vast abundance of
boutique wineries making some extremely good wines.
We'll visit several of these
wineries this afternoon on a leisurely drive through the
beautiful countryside, and then we'll have a farewell dinner
at the Peak House restaurant, located up Te Mata Peak and
with gorgeous views over Hawkes Bay (to say nothing of
wonderful food and plenty of wine, too!).
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Dinner |
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Day 18 (Thursday 13 November) :
Touring to Auckland
via Lake Taupo and Huka Falls |
If enough of us want to, we can go jetboating at Huka Falls
on our way up to Auckland. |
Our time in New Zealand comes to a close today and we'll
travel by luxury coach back up to Auckland Airport.
Our route north from Hawkes Bay takes
us to Lake Taupo, NZ's largest lake and a very popular
summer holiday spot.
A short distance north of Taupo we'll
visit the spectacular Huka Falls near the start of the
Waikato River, NZ's largest river.
We'll be back at Auckland Airport
no later than 5pm, enabling you to take flights back to the
US from 7pm onwards.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
Click here for the main
details of this cruise and the booking form to confirm your
interest.
Originally published
25 Jan 2008, last update
30 May 2021
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