16 day New Zealand Vista coach tour with Kirra Holidays

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Kirra Holidays' 16 day Vista tour incorporates the must see New Zealand locations from Auckland heading south and finishing in Christchurch.The tour visits Rotorua and the thermal region of New Zealand, Hawkes Bay for the Art Deco buildings, Wellington, Marlborough, Christchurch, Lake Tekapo, Dunedin, Milford Sound, Queenstown and the West Coast Glaciers. The tour also includes an option to travel on the Tranz Alpine train to Christchurch.

16 day tour from $3,435*pp

16 day tour from $3,435*pp

Inclusions

Return airport transfers
15 nights quality, twin share or double accommodation
Travel in luxurious, well appointed and fully air conditioned tour coaches
Escorted by a professional Coach Captain
Sightseeing included with entry to Skytower, Agrodome, Skyline Skyrides & Luge Ride, Rainbow Springs Park, Olverston House and Te Puia Thermal reserve
Cook Strait ferry
Maori Hangi & Concert Rotorua
Cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm & Dinner, Queenstown
Milford Sound Cruise
Travel Kit including travel bag, ticket wallet, maps and detailed itinerary

Itinerary

Day 1 Auckland
Meet and transfer from the airport to your hotel. As you travel into the city you will see the main sights of Auckland. Stay: Rydges Hotel

Day 2 Auckland – Rotorua
Enjoy a tour of Auckland, to the summit of Sky Tower with views across the city and it’s two harbours, Domain, downtown city area and Waterfront Drive with numerous yacht marinas. Travel across the Bombay Hills to the lush farmlands of Waikata. Cross the Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua. Stay: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (2 nights)

Day 3 Rotorua
First a visit to Agrodome, for an exciting and informative insight into the world of New Zealand agriculture. Next stop is at Rainbow Springs Park where you will see pools of brown and rainbow trout and native birds including the Kiwi. Last activity is the spectacular Skyline Gondola, offering superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our compliments. This evening you are in for a cultural treat. Watching a Haka (war dance), and see the talented Poi dances.

Day 4 Rotorua – Napier – Masterton
View the Huka Falls where the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm and pauses at Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Continue across the Central Plateau to the Hawkes Bay region and Napier, claimed to be the world's art deco capital. Orchards and vineyards give way to lush farmland as you pass through Hastings then to Dannervirke and Woodville for an afternoon stop at Mangatainoka, home to Tui Brewery before continuing on to Masterton for the night. Stay: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Solway Park, Masterton

Day 5 Masterton – Wellington
A leisurely day as we travel south over the Rimutaka ranges into the capital city, Wellington. A city tour will incorporate the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and harbour, the Houses of Parliament and the distinctive "Beehive", Wellington Cathedral, city centre and Oriental Bay. There is ample time for you to explore the city yourself. Don't miss Te Papa, the "Museum of New Zealand" or take a ride on the famous Cable Car. Stay: Bay Plaza Hotel, Wellington

Day 6 Wellington – Picton – Blenheim
Today completes your North Island tour as you venture to the South Island onboard the Interislander Ferry a unique experience treasured by many. Enjoy the spectacular views of New Zealand's Capital from Wellington Harbour; continue through the heads crossing Cook Strait into the secluded waters of Queen Charlotte Sound. Disembark at Picton, a quaint village nestled on the shimmering shores of the Marlborough Sounds. Continue south from Picton then enter the Marlborough wine country and the town of Blenheim. A brief tour of the area includes a visit to Brancott Estate Winery. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery, learn about and taste a range of the famous local wines followed by afternoon tea. Stay: Scenic Hotel Marlborough

Day 7 Blenheim – Kaikoura – Christchurch
Leave the vineyards behind you and travel through the Awatere Valley to the Pacific Ocean Coast. Continue south through the fertile North Canterbury farmlands and onto the arable Canterbury Plains and Christchurch "the gateway to Antarctica". On arrival into Christchurch experience the International Antarctic Centre, before a brief tour of Christchurch and its surrounds. Stay: Pavilions Hotel

Day 8 Christchurch – Mt Cook – Omarama
As you leave the most English city outside of England, your coach captain will highlight the main attractions of the city of Christchurch. From the arable plains travel inland to the rolling green pastures of Geraldine and onto the semi barren land of MacKenzie Country. In the heart of the MacKenzie Basin Tekapo is nestled on shores of azure Lake Tekapo. You will visit The Church of the Good Shepherd, quite likely the most photographed church on your South Island Tour. Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel

Day 9 Omarama – Dunedin
Follow the beautiful braided Waitaki River east, passing Benmore and Avemore hydro lakes before reaching the Pacific Ocean at Historic Oamaru. En route visit Moeraki Boulders, marvelling at the huge spherical stones, found strewn along a stretch of Koekohe Beach near Moeraki. An early arrival into Dunedin, "The Edinburgh of the South" allows you plenty of time to explore this nature lover's playground. Stay: Cargills Hotel

Day 10 Dunedin – Lake Manapouri – Te Anau
This morning visit the historic Larnach Castle located on the Otago Peninsula looking back over Dunedin. Between Clinton and Gore journey on the aptly named Presidential Highway. Visit Lake Manapouri, (the Lake of many Islands), continue to Lake Te Anau the Gateway to Fiordland. Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (2 nights)

Day 11 Milford Sound Day Trip
Leave Te Anau and travel through Fiordland National Park, following the Eglington and Hollyford Valleys, passing through the Homer Tunnel to descend into the Cleddau Canyon to magnificent Milford Sound. Experience Milford Sound from the water, a launch cruise will take you to the Tasman Sea and back, stopping at the raging Bowen Falls and Stirling Falls.

Day 12: Te Anau – Queenstown
This morning travel by boat across Lake Te Anau to explore the fascinating Te Anau caves system on the western shore of the lake. From Te Anau travel onto Kingston before hugging the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach New Zealand's adventure capital Queenstown. This evening cruise across the lake aboard the steamship TSS Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak High Country Farm. Stay: Rydges Hotel (2 nights)

Day 13: Queenstown
A day to explore the many delights of this stunning alpine resort. Try the world renowned Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon in search of gold, Double Decker coach to quaint Arrowtown, or even a bungy jump. Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries.

Day 14 Queenstown – Haast Pass - Fox Glacier
Pass picturesque Lake Hayes to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast through the flourishing rainforests of the West Coast and onto the glorious Glacier region. Upon arrival into Fox Glacier there is opportunity to either take an optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face or an optional exhilarating helicopter flight over the glacier - both options are at your own expense and are very weather dependant. Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier

Day 15 Fox Glacier – Christchurch
Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory. From Greymouth travel over the Otira viaduct and into Arthurs Pass, traversing the main divide. As you leave Arthurs Pass follow the Waimakariri River, and the majestic Southern Alps. Head east through New Zealand's wheat belt and the Canterbury plains into Christchurch. Stay: Pavilions Hotel