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New Zealand Discoverer

21 DAY TOUR FROM £3425

A fascinating voyage around the "Land of the Long White Cloud" taking in harbourside cities, the stunning scenery of the Southern Alps, leisurely lake cruises and the Maori culture.

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Maori Dance

Tour Pace

Leisurely Lively

Tour experience

Scenic City

Highlights


  • TranzAlpine

  • Punakaiki

  • Franz Josef

  • Walter Peak Station

  • Milford Sound

  • Dunedin

  • Mount Cook

  • Lake Tekapo

  • Christchurch

  • Marlborough Region

  • Picton

  • Wellington

  • Rotorua

  • Waitomo

  • Auckland

Sightseeing Highlights


  • TranzAlpine Journey on the famous TranzAlpine train.

  • Punakaiki Experience the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.

  • Franz Josef See the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier.

  • Walter Peak Station Cruise on the T.S.S. Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu and explore this sheep station.

  • Milford Sound Cruise this spectacular wonder of nature.

  • Dunedin Tour this 'Scottish city' including a guided tour of Larnach Castle.

  • Mount Cook See the National Park and New Zealand's highest peak.

  • Lake Tekapo View the Church of the Good Shepherd.

  • Christchurch Discover the city sights on the Christchurch Tram.

  • Marlborough Region Dinner and wine-tasting at the Allan Scott winery.

  • Picton Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound and Cook Strait.

  • Wellington Visit Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand.

  • Rotorua Sightseeing including the Lakeland Queen cruise, Te Puia Thermal Reserve and the Agrodome's Sheep Show. Plus The Realm of Tane and a traditional Maori Hangi and concert.

  • Waitomo Guided boat tour visiting the Glow Worm Grotto.

  • Auckland Explore the 'City of Sails'.

Dining Highlights


  • Welcome drink with your Tour Director in Christchurch (WD)

  • 17 buffet breakfasts (BB)

  • 9 three-course dinners in hotels (D)

  • Carvery dinner in the Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak Station, 1 dinner with wine tastings in Blenheim and 1 traditional Maori Hangi in Rotorua (HD)

  • 29 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)

First Class Travel Highlights


  • Return scheduled flights.

  • The services of one of Trafalgar's professional Tour Directors on tour.

  • Complimentary transfers on Day 3 from Christchurch International Airport to your hotel in Christchurch and on Day 20 from your hotel to Auckland International Airport.

  • Travel on Trafalgar's luxury air-conditioned coaches with reclining seats and restroom facilities.

  • Christchurch to Arthur's Pass on board the TranzAlpine train.

  • Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.

  • All hotel service charges, baggage handling fees (one suitcase per person) and local taxes.

  • A stylish travel wallet.

Luxury Private Car UK Transfers


  • Exclusive door to door airport transfers

 

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Milford Sound

Day 1 (Door to Door)

In-flight

Enjoy your luxury private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Christchurch.

Day 2

In-flight

Continue with your scheduled flight to Christchurch.

Day 3

Arrive Christchurch

On arrival in Christchurch, you are transferred to your hotel and the rest of your day is free. Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with our Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. (WD, D)
Hotel: Novotel Christchurch (SFC)

Day 4

Christchurch - TranzAlpine - Punakaiki

This morning we board the TranzAlpine train and enjoy stunning scenery as we travel over the Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass. Experience the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes on arrival in Punakaiki, where we spend the night at our exclusive resort right on the waterfront. (BB, D)
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort (SFC)

Day 5

Punakaiki - Franz Josef

We travel via Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast, to Hokitika to visit a New Zealand native jade factory for a demonstration. We then continue on to Franz Josef Glacier. Join an optional scenic flight over the glacier or take a glacier hike. (BB, D)
Hotel: Franz Josef Hotel (FC)

Day 6

Franz Josef - Queenstown

Today we take in Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls, a small rainforest bush walk, Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Lake Dunstan, the stone fruit capital of Cromwell, historic Arrowtown and finally Queenstown, for our orientation tour on arrival. The optional dinner at Skyline Restaurant at Bob's Peak is accessed via gondola! (BB)
Hotel: Millennium Hotel (D)

Day 7

Queenstown at leisure

A full day at leisure to maybe take an optional jetboat trip. (BB, HD)
Hotel: Millennium Hotel (D)
Dining Highlights: This evening we join the vintage steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak sheep station. Here we enjoy some Kiwi hospitality and a carvery dinner.

Day 8

Queenstown - Milford Sound - Te Anau

An early start to Fiordland. We drive through the Homer Tunnel stopping at the Chasm, before arriving at Milford Sound where we cruise on this wonder of nature with Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls high above. Later, we head to Te Anau for the night. (BB, D)
Hotel: Distinction Hotel (FC)

Day 9

Te Anau - Dunedin

We cross South Otago country through the town of Gore to Balclutha. Then we make our way to the 'Scottish city' of Dunedin. Perhaps take an optional cruise this afternoon. (BB, D)
Hotel: Southern Cross Hotel (FC)

Day 10

Dunedin - Mount Cook

Enjoy a guided tour at Larnach Castle, New Zealand's only authentic castle, followed by a sightseeing tour of Dunedin. Next we continue on to Oamaru, famous for its white limestone buildings. Admire beautiful scenery as we follow the Waitaki River, past hydro-electric dams at Waitaki and Aviemore to Twizel for dinner and our overnight stay. (BB, D)
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn (MD)

Day 11

Mount Cook - Christchurch

After breakfast this morning we travel past Mount Cook National Park, a world heritage site and home to New Zealand's highest mountain. Later, we'll see Lake Pukaki, Lake Tekapo, the Church of the Good Shepherd an the patchwork Canterbury Plains. We then continue over the to Christchurch. Discover the sights of the city on our included city tour and a ride on the Christchurch tram. (BB)
Hotel: Novotel Christchurch (SFC)

Day 12

Christchurch - Blenheim

We travel along the rugged coast to Kaikoura where you have the opportunity to enjoy an optional whale watching flight. On to the Marlborough region, the largest wine producing region in New Zealand. (BB, HD)
Hotel: Chateau Marlborough (FC)
Dining Highlights: This evening we enjoy dinner and wine tastings at the Allan Scott Winery.

Day 13

Blenheim - Cook Strait Cruise - Wellington

This morning after breakfast, we're off to Picton to join our cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait to Wellington. Here there's a short sightseeing tour before a visit to Te Papa National Museum, with time to explore the many interactive displays depicting Maori and modern New Zealand culture. (BB, D)
Hotel: Novotel Capital (FC)

Day 14

Wellington - Rotorua

Today's journey takes us through the dairy farming lands of Manawatu to the volcanic plateau of Tongariro National Park. We will follow the shores of Lake Taupo, to the town of Taupo and visit mighty Huka Falls. We continue to Rotorua. (BB, HD)
Hotel: Millennium Hotel. (D)
Dining Highlights: The Realm of Tane, a Maori Hangi and Concert is our cultural highlight this evening.

Day 15

Rotorua sightseeing - Farm Stay*

Start the day with sparkling wine and a breakfast cruise on Lake Rotorua onboard the Lakeland Queen. Next are the Agrodome's Sheep Show and a visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve for a guided tour. This evening, there's a chance to stay with a local family on a nearby farm (additional cost, please see below). (BB)
Hotel: Millennium Hotel (D)

Day 16

Rotorua - Waitomo Caves - Auckland

Today we will visit the Waitomo Caves for our guided boat tour of the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. Then we continue through Waikato district to Hamilton. Later, we continue to Auckland, the 'City of Sails'. (BB, D)
Hotel: Stamford Plaza (D)

Day 17

Auckland - Bay of Islands

We cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge and travel north via the Hibiscus Coast to the beautiful Bay of Islands. We enjoy a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Reserve. (BB, D)
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort (FC)

Day 18

Bay of Islands at leisure

A full day at leisure. Why not take an excursion to ninety Mile Beach? (BB)
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort (FC)

Day 19

Bay of Islands - Auckland

This morning we visit the Waitangi Treaty Reserve, which includes the Maori War Canoe (Waka) and Marae (Meeting House). In the afternoon we return to Auckland with time at leisure. (BB)
Hotel: Hotel: Stamford Plaza (D)

Day 20

Depart Auckland

This morning, after breakfast, bid farewell to New Zealand before your complimentary transfer to Auckland International Airport for your return scheduled flight back to the UK. (BB)

Day 21 (Door to Door)

Arrive UK

On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home.

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* Farm Stay - Spend the night with a local family on a nearby farm in Rotorua. Enjoy some true New Zealand hospitality. Price per person £20

 

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Stamford Plaza Auckland

Stamford Plaza Auckland (D)

Stamford Plaza Auckland is just a stroll from the Viaduct harbour and the shopping and nightlife districts. The hotel boasts an award-winning restaurant, three bars and a heated roof-top swimming pool.

Millennium Hotel Rotorua (D)

Rotorua's largest deluxe hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Hotel facilities include a large heated swimming pool, private spas and three restaurants.

Franz Joseph Glacier Hotel (FC)

Situated on the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, the Scenic Circle, Franz Josef
Glacier Hotel features private spa pools, three restaurants and two bars.

Millennium Hotel Queenstown (D)

This luxury hotel is beautifully positioned at the heart of the town. It is near to the major places of interests in Queenstownand features a restaurant and gymnasium.

Southern Cross Hotel (FC)

This superbly appointed hotel is situated in the centre of Dunedin. Hotel amenities include three restaurants and two bars. It is also home to the city's premium entertainment venue, the boutique Dunedin casino.

MacKenzie Country Inn (MD)

The MacKenzie Country Inn in the heart of the Aoraki Mount Cook Mackenzie region is just over an hour's scenic drive along the shores of Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook National Park. The hotel offers a restaurant and bar.

Chateau Marlborough (FC)

A chateau-styled building set over two floors and located in the central area of Blenheim overlooking Seymour Square Gardens. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and offers well appointed studio rooms.

Novotel Capital Wellington (FC)

A modern ten-storey building overlooking the city of Wellington, this hotel's guestrooms feature spacious bathrooms as well as many other facilities. The hotels amenities include an onsite restaurant and fitness room.

Distinction Hotel (FC)

The Hotel is one of the most treasured hotels in Te Anau. Its amenities are both modern and extensive including a spa, swimming pool and a sauna.

Copthorne Hotel and Resort (FC)

Located next to the historic Treaty House, this hotel offers a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. The rooms offer expansive glass panels looking out to the charming surrounding gardens of the hotel.

Novotel Christchurch (SFC)

Located in the very heart of Cathedral Square, this hotel features a restaurant, bar, fitness centre and nightclub.

Punakaiki Resort (SFC)

All rooms are architecturally designed to maintain a sense of privacy and maximise the incredible ocean and rainforest views while ensuring harmony with the local environment.

 

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Rotorua Skyline

Franz Josef Glacier Scenic flight

Enjoy an optional scenic flight (weather permitting) over Franz Josef Glacier.

Ninety Mile Beach

Take an excursion to Ninety Mile Beach.

 

Dates and prices

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Preferred Departures Definite Departures

We are aware that you need to plan your travel arrangements early to take advantage of our early booking discounts. To assist you, we have designated a number of tours as “Preferred Departures” based on their reliable booking history. We have also highlighted our “Definite Departures” that are now guaranteed to operate.

Prices based on per person sharing a twin or double room. For single room supplements and triple room reductions please call for details.

 

Destination Info

Please note: Route displayed may not be an exact representation of the actual route taken.

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Tour pace:

For each itinerary we have created this simple guide to clearly illustrate the nature of your tour from a gentle, leisurely pace to a more lively experience.

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Tour experience:

For each itinerary we have created this simple guide to clearly illustrate your touring experience, from the scenic delights of the world's natural wonders to city chic with included excursions and entrances, or a comfortable blend of both.

Trafalgar Tours

Trafalgar Tours:

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Insight Vacations

Insight Vacations:

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AAT Kings

AAT Kings:

AAT Kings, one of Australia's most respected travel companies, provides a range of first-class escorted tours in Australia and New Zealand which include top-class hotels, comprehensive itineraries, luxury transportation, delicious meal plans and knowledgeable tour directors, often joined by experienced local guides.

Brendan Vacations

Brendan Vacations:

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