14 Day - Decidedly Different Islands

Your driver/guide meets you at your city hotel. Drive south in to the lush dairy farmlands of Waikato. Visit Waitomo’s breathtaking glowworm cave and explore this dramatic region studded with limestone outcrops. Later we drive through rolling farmlands to Rotorua and the Park Heritage, your home for two nights. In the evening you will be touched by the warmth of a Maori concert – the traditional welcome to visitors – and a dinner that includes hangi food steamed in an earth oven.

Two Nights Accommodation at the Heritage Hotel Rotorua. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and village. It has a wide range of services and facilities including a thermally heated outdoor pool.

Geysers, mud pools and thermal springs have been attracting visitors to Rotorua since the 1800s and the living, breathing landscape never fails to amaze. Perched on the edge of a large lake, in the crater of an ancient volcano, this picturesque city is also the heartland of New Zealand's Maori culture. With 16 sparkling lakes within 20 minutes drive of the city, as well as magnificent forests surrounding, Rotorua has earned the reputation as the North Islands outdoors adventure centre offering an exciting array of experiences.

Relax and enjoy leisurely touring in this lakeside town at the heart of Maori culture, geothermal activity and tranquil lakes. We visit Rotorua Museum before a special lunch at Pounamu Lodge. In the afternoon we choose from a host of optional geothermal attractions and activities exclusive to this region. Recommended options include a thermal region scenic flight, a visit to Polynesian Spa or for the more adventurous a skydive.

Sightseeing and activity options include:

We depart for Orakei Korako thermal region on our way to Huka Falls, where the Waikato River thunders through a narrow chasm, it is an irresistible photo stop. From Taupo there are great views across New Zealand’s largest lake to the mountains of the Central Plateau. Crossing rugged ranges we reach the seaside town of Napier. Renowned for its Art Deco architecture, Napier was rebuilt in this style after a disastrous earthquake in 1931. Your guide will introduce you to the region’s premier vineyards and artisan food with a lunch at Elephant Hill winery. Your hotel is right on the waterfront. Perhaps relax with an ocean spa in the evening.

One Nights Accommodation at the Te Pania Hotel in Napier. Hawkes Bay is one of the first places in the world to see the light each day, and the Hotel Te Pania in Napier enjoys a premium waterfront location on Marine Parade. The hotel’s slender curved form echoes the shape of the bay, and guests enjoy sweeping views out over the water.

Hawkes Bay is New Zealand’s food basket - orchards, vineyards and market gardens abound. After a guided art deco tour we drive south through Havelock North and Hawkes Bay’s pastoral landscape of orchards, farms and vineyards to Martinborough in the Wairarapa region. We stop at Mt Bruce National Wildlife Centre, a sanctuary for rare and endangered species including kiwis and tuatara. We finish the day in Martinborough, a pretty village in the heart of the Wairarapa vineyard region.

One Night Accommodation at Margrain Villas in Martinborough. Designed by renowned architect Roger Walker, the Villas are close to Margrain's terraced vineyard. Each villa includes a lounge area with French doors opening to a balcony overlooking the rural pastureland to the Tararua Ranges.

We drive over the Rimutaka ranges to Wellington, the capital city. We visit Te Papa, the national museum and tour the city sights. Tour around the waterfront to Oriental Bay and up Mt Victoria for stunning views of the city and harbour before a cable car ride. Your inner city boutique hotel is at the heart of Wellington's eclectic cafe scene.

This city offers visitors a vibrant and sophisticated city experience, set within a natural amphitheatre of a harbour and lush green hills. Stylish cocktail bars, funky designer shopping, contemporary art galleries, award winning restaurants and cafes. Wellington really is New Zealand’s 'Capital of Cool'.

Sightseeing and activity options include:

One Nights Accommodation at the Bolton Hotel in Wellington. Located at the junction of Wellington's central business district and political heart, Bolton Hotel offers stylish accommodation. This five star hotel is the newest in the inner city. Fully equipped gym and heated swimming pool.

This morning we catch the InterIslander ferry from Wellington to cruise for three hours across Cook Strait into Tory Channel and up beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. We tour this premier wine and food region including tasting at Cloudy Bay, the vineyard that put Marlborough sauvignon blanc on the map before visiting Omaka Aviation Centre. Dine in this evening at Hotel d'Urville's highly regarded Wine Bar and Brasserie.

One Nights Accommodation at the Hotel d'Urville. The d’Urville is a luxury 11 room boutique hotel in the heart of Blenheim. It offers a unique blend of originality, classic charm and European quality. The hotel’s Wine Bar and Brasserie is highly regarded.

Leave behind the dry, golden hills of Marlborough for the spectacular scenery of the Kaikoura Coast. There's the opportunity to take a whale watching cruise or flight. Kaikoura is also the place for close encounters with seals and seabirds as well as whales. In the afternoon there is time to visit historic Fyffe House and the Maori Leap Cave. We stay right on the waterfront at White Morph. Seafood, especially crayfish, is a specialty in this ocean side town.

Kaikoura, world-renowned as the whale-watching center of New Zealand. Later, we continue south to the “Garden City” of Christchurch, regarded as the most English of New Zealand cities.

Marine Mammal encounters available:

One Nights Accommodation at the White Morph Inn in Kaikoura. A quality complex situated on the quiet beachfront of Kaikoura. It is ideally located for visitors staying in the area to go whale watching and dolphin swimming. The White Morph has on site parking and on-site restaurant and bar.

The highway continues along the coastline before winding inland over the Hunderlee Hills and dropping down to the Canterbury Plains. The wine district of Waipara set on terraces above the river is an ideal coffee stop. After a special lunch at Akaunui Farm we drive over to the foothills of the Southern Alps and the small village of Mt Somers. We dine in Stronechrubie's acclaimed restaurant tonight.

One Nights Accommodation at Stronechrubie Chalets. Stronechrubie High Country Cuisine & Chalets. Nestled in the township of Mt Somers, one hour's drive from Christchurch, we are located near Mt Hutt ski field and Mt Sunday, the location of Edoras in 'Lord of the Rings'.

After Burkes Pass the landscape changes to the turquoise lakes and dramatic sweeping vistas of tussock grasses and mountains of the Mackenzie Basin. At Lake Tekapo the picturesque church and sheepdog statue are favourite photo stops. At the head of Lake Pukaki is Mt Cook at 3754 metres, New Zealand's highest mountain, known in Maori as Aoraki "the cloud piercer". The Lindis Pass leads to the rugged Kawarau Gorge and into Queenstown where we ride the Skyline Gondola. Your boutique hotel is just a few minutes walk above the town with views to the lake and Remarkables Range. There’s a wide range of restaurants and cafes in this famous tourist resort –and your driver/guide will let you know his favourites.

Two Nights Accommodation at Browns Boutique Hotel. This stylish European inspired Queenstown hotel is Superbly situated in central Queenstown, Browns Boutique Hotel is like a “best kept secret”, tucked away on a quiet street, over looking the town and by using our own private path it is an easy 2 minute walk to the Queenstown shops and restaurants.

This morning you are picked up from your hotel to fly to Milford Sound deep in the heart of Fiordland National Park.

Grand, brooding, serene and wild, Milford Sound draws visitors from all over the globe to cruise its length – and wonder. Luxuriant rain forest clings to sheer rock walls washed with waterfalls. In the foreground stands Mitre Peak, a majestic presence dominating the skyline.

The Milford Sound Nature Cruise takes you out  to the Tasman Sea. It’s a stunning fiord landscape of waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife.  You Return to Queenstown by plane.

The morning is free to further explore Queenstown. Perhaps cruise on the Tss Earnslaw or take an early morning jet boat ride on the spectacular Dart River in The Lord of the Rings country or a helicopter scenic flight before driving to Arrowtown, a picturesque goldmining village.

Here is a selection of the many options available:

Heading into tussock country, the road climbs up the Crown Range then down into the Cardrona Valley. We stop at quaint Cardrona Hotel, its history stretches back to the goldmining era then continue on to Wanaka amid a panorama of mountain peaks.

One Nights Accommodation at Te Wanaka Lodge. This contemporary lodge is situated in the picturesc village of Wanaka. All the lodge rooms have private balcony's. A convenient short stroll will  get you to the lakefront cafes, restaurants and boutique shops

Drive beside Lake Hawea and Lake Wanaka before heading into superb mountain and river scenery of the Haast Pass in Mt Aspiring National Park. There are several great short walks on well-maintained tracks through native beech forests to waterfalls and blue pools where trout lurk. Leaving the mountains, the road winds along the edge of the river to Haast where the Department of Conservation Centre documents the region’s colourful history, flora and fauna. Continue north through the lush, primeval rainforest of Westland World Heritage Park, stopping at Ship Creek for a stroll on the beach to the dune lake and through swampland rainforest. At Franz Josef Glacier short walks take you to vantage points to view the advancing glacier.

One Nights Accommodation at Punga Grove in Franz Josef. These luxury studios are in the heart of Franz Josef Glacier village in a beautiful rainforest setting feature, tucked away in native fernery at the rear of the property.

Early this morning you may choose to take an optional flight over the glaciers and Mt Cook and enjoy the thrill of landing on a glacier.

Some  alternative sightseeing and activity options available:

We visit Okarito’s lovely lagoon where there is an opportunity to kayak.It is also possible to take a jet boat ride to the home of the rare kotuku, white heron. Travel on up the coast passing mirror lakes, boulder-laden rivers and catching glimpses of the Southern Alps. At Hokitika there are a host of craft galleries – Pounamu (greenstone) carving, glass blowing, wood and copper artisans. A beautiful coastal road following part of the ancient Greenstone Trails used by Maori for centuries in search of Pounamu leads to your hotel on the coast at Punakaiki. A little further up the road is the leading local attraction – the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, sculpted sea stacks and towering cliffs. If the tide is right, blowholes spread clouds of spray. Dine this evening in your hotel’s Waterline restaurant.

One Nights Accommodation at Punakaiki Resort in Punakaiki. Flanked by the Tasman Sea and the rainforests, your four star accommodation is almost on the wild Punakaiki Beach just 50m from the high tide mark and 300m south of the Pancake Rocks & Blowholes.

Sit back and enjoy the magnificent alpine scenery of rugged Otira Gorge and Arthur’s Pass National Park. Crossing the Canterbury Plains to reach Christchurch in the late afternoon. You are delivered to your accommodation in this English style city of stone buildings, large parks and stunning gardens.

Please take the time to view our “Virtual Tour” for the 14 Day Decidedly Different Islands  tour or download or print the detailed “Tour Dossier”. Both can be found on the right hand column of this page. Alternatively you can simply contact us. For a comprehensive  list of  all activities available in each location featured in this tour, please refer to the "Destination Guide" found at the top of this page.