18 Day - Pacific Escapade

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand

Having cleared customs & immigration formalities, you will be met by our representative & transferred by limousine to your city hotel.

The 'City of Sails' is New Zealand's largest and most vibrant, offering an exciting array of cosmopolitan experiences. Imagine an urban environment where everyone lives within half an hour of beautiful beaches, hiking trails and a dozen enchanted holiday islands. Add a mild climate, a background rhythm of Polynesian culture and a passion for outstanding food, wine and shopping and you’re beginning to get the picture of Auckland. Also known as the City of Sails - a title gained from the view of yachts seen against the cityscape.

Sightseeing and activity options available:

One Nights Accommodation at the Heritage Hotel in Auckland. Perfectly positioned overlooking the sparkling Waitamata Harbour and the excitement of the America's Cup Village. Situated in the heart of Auckland's business district The Heritage is within walking distance of the city's many attractions, including the Sky Tower, Casino, the shops of Queen Street and Auckland city's finest cafés and restaurants.

Today, travel south to the Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches that separate the Pacific Ocean from the Hauraki Gulf. It is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle & hype of city life and is home to many arts & crafts people who seek an alternative lifestyle. At the quaint township of Coromandel, we ride the Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony before crossing the divide to the eastern side of the peninsula for our overnight stay.

One Nights Accommodation at Puka Park Resort in the coromandel. The stylish and private chalets are hidden amid 25 acres of lush, native bushland, each harmonising perfectly with the environment. . The resort’s signature restaurant, Miha, is renowned for superb dining, intimate ambience and stunning views, whilst the adjacent ti kouka bar offers the perfect environment to relax and unwind after a busy day exploring.

Journey along the Bay of Plenty coastline to Mt Maunganui & Tauranga. Then head inland across the volcanic plateau to the geothermal city of Rotorua.

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.

This evening, enjoy a twilight cruise across Lake Rotoiti to the natural themal springs of Manupirua Pools before enjoying a lakeside BBQ dinner at your resort.

Sightseeing and activity options available:

Two Nights Accommodation at the Duxton Hotel in Okawa Bay. Located on the shores of beautiful Lake Rotoiti, and just 15 minutes drive from central Rotorua the Duxton Hotel Okawa Bay is known for its idyllic setting, superb facilities and magnificent surroundings.

The days highlight is an exclusive cruise across the pristine, clear waters of Lake Tarawera at the base of a gigantic dormant volcano. You’ll experience spectacular scenery & some of the country’s best trout fishing & have the opportunity to soak in the thermal waters of Hot Water Beach before enjoying a gourmet picnic lunch. This afternoon, visit the Blue & Green Lakes and then wander around the famous buried village of Te Wairoa.

This morning, visit Wai-O-Tapu, a wonderland of geothermal activity. Walk at your own pace and marvel at the reserve's unique features that include the world famous Champagne Pool, geysers, bubbling mud, steaming ground, expansive vistas, huge volcanic craters & sinter terrace formations. An hour south of Rotorua is Lake Taupo, itself a gigantic volcanic crater following an enormous explosion in AD183. View Huka Falls & the Wairakei Geothermal project and take time to walk around this popular lakeside resort. Journey on to Napier, widely regarded as the 'Art Deco Capital of the World', the result of a thorough rebuilding after a massive earthquake in 1931. It boasts the largest collection of Art Deco buildings outside of Miami, Florida. Nowhere else can you see as wide a variety of 1930’s-style buildings in such a concentrated area, including Striped Classical, Spanish Mission and above all, Art Deco. Your local guide will bring this fascinating architecture to life on your walk around the town this afternoon.

Two 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.

Widely regarded as the ‘Tuscany of the South Pacific’, this region boasts some of New Zealand’s best and oldest wineries. You can enjoy a guided wine trail and taste some of the great wines produced locally, visit the world’s largest mainland Gannet Colony, play a challenging round of golf at Cape Kidnappers, take to the skies on an early morning balloon ride over vineyards, olive groves and orchards or simply relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Some alternative sightseeing and activity options:

Travel through the rural heartland of the Wairarapa region to Pukaha Mount Bruce, New Zealand's National Wildlife Centre. In this beautiful setting of native forest you will see the finest collection of New Zealand native birds to be found anywhere. See the mighty Takahe, the rarest & most colourful of all. The centre also houses tuatara, various lizards and bats in its nocturnal house. Watch out for the enormous eels and trout that loiter under the bridges, waiting for handouts. Later, we continue on to Wellington, the nations capital, and enjoy a brief sightseeing and orientation tour before checking into your accommodation.

Sightseeing and activity options:

One Nights Accommodation at the James Cook Hotel in Wellington. This luxurious hotel is situated in the heart of Wellington less than 500 metres from the harbour. Featuring modern, comfortable rooms, many of which boast breathtaking views of the harbour and city.

This morning is at leisure to explore what Wellington has to offer. Downtown Wellington on Lambton Quay is popular with shoppers. Perhaps a trip on the Cable Car, which takes you from Lambton Quay to Kelburn or a visit to the Botanic Gardens. A visit to Te Papa National Museum is highly recommended. This afternoon, travel across Cook Strait, the stretch of water that separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand. The journey across Cook Strait has a dramatic beauty all of its own. Both Islands can be viewed, including the magnificent Kaikoura ranges, and there is often the chance to see wildlife such as seabirds, dolphins, seals, whales and orca. On arrival in Picton, join your water taxi transfer to Torea Bay & transfer over the saddle by resort vehicle to your hotel.

Two Nights Accommodation at the Portage Resort in the Marlborough Sounds. The Portage Resort Hotel has been greeting guests to the Marlborough Sounds for over 100 years. Its has a rich history as a special holiday place for New Zealanders, sailing, fishing, sea kayaking and walking. It is nestled into a wide quiet bay. Rooms are spread throughout the gardens with a range of views, particularly of the spectacular Kenepuru Sound.

A free day to relax & marvel at the magic that is the Marlborough Sounds. Resort staff will share their love of the Sounds with you through the range of water and nature based experiences they put at your fingertips. The wide beach access is great for fishing, boating, sailing, swimming & sea-kayaking and there is a wealth of walks and meanderings in the immediate vicinity. There is also the opportunity to visit the vineyards & wineries that are located in the famous Marlborough wine region.

Return by water taxi to Picton. Rejoin your coach and travel through Blenheim to 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:

Two Nights Accommodation at the Heritage Hotel in Christchurch. Experience Christchurch in the finest tradition at The Heritage Christchurch. Located in the heart of New Zealand's most "English" of cities, The Heritage Christchurch offers you the opportunity to stay in a magnificent Italian Renaissance building the "OGB", as it is affectionately known, has been lovingly restored from the former turn-of-the-century Old Government Building into a luxury hotel.

The Tranz Alpine is described as "The Great New Zealand Rail Adventure" and is rated as one of the top six scenic train journeys in the world. After crossing the huge and fertile patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, the Tranz Alpine winds its way over massive viaducts, through spectacular river gorges and the stunning Waimakariri River valley. It tracks its way up and across the spectacular Southern Alps via the alpine village of Arthur’s Pass situated 737 metres above sea level. Your Tour Host will meet you on arrival at Arthur’s Pass where you will rejoin your coach and travel along the dramatic West Coast, steeped in history dating back to the gold rush era of the 1800's, to the township of Fox Glacier for our overnight stay.

Some  alternative sightseeing and activity options:

Two Nights Accommodation at Te Weheka Inn in Fox Glacier. Te Weheka offers luxury bed & breakfast accommodation nestled beneath the towering Southern Alps on the awesome West Coast of New Zealand.

There is the opportunity to experience an optional scenic flight over this remarkable region (subject to weather conditions) before our departure this morning. Today, view incredible scenery as you travel past the untouched native forests and pristine lakes of the World Heritage Westland National Park and Haast Pass. We then travel over the magnificent Southern Alps to the Southern Lakes District. Time to wander around the popular lakeside townships of Hawea and Wanaka before travelling to Queenstown, a beautiful alpine resort regarded as New Zealand's premier holiday destination.

Two Nights Accommodation at the Heritage Hotel in Queenstown. Brilliantly positioned overlooking the awe-inspiring vistas of Queenstown, The Heritage Queenstown is a sophisticated European-style resort hotel within easy walking distance of the Queenstown Township. Standing proud above the shores of the picturesque Lake Wakatipu, with magnificent views of the majestic Remarkables Mountain Range.

Enjoy three full days to experience this magnificent resort. Surrounded by majestic mountains, Queenstown boasts adventure activities in all forms, from extreme to relaxed exploration. Here you can take a thrilling jet boat ride, pan for gold, raft the white water rapids, take a wine trail, fish for trout, play golf or 4WD sheer canyons. It is also a great base from which to explore the Fiordland National Park, and optional day tours & overnight cruises to the awesome Milford & Doubtful Sounds are available. There are numerous activities from which to choose and your Tour Host will be pleased to offer advice and help you in your selection.

Here is a selection of the many options available:

Set beneath the rugged Crown Range is Arrowtown, a fascinating collection of mining cottages with an atmosphere straight out of last century. Enjoy some time to stroll through this historic village located beside the Arrow River, once a haven for the gold prospectors of the 1860’s. Later, we travel through the towns of Omarama & Twizel before driving up the western side of Lake Pukaki to the Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage listed site. Mt Cook is Australasia's highest mountain at 3764 metres. The park covers over 70,000 hectares of breathtaking alpine scenery and is also home to the Tasman Glacier, the longest in the Southern hemisphere (optional Ski-plane & helicopter flights are available subject to weather conditions).

Some sightseeing and activity options available:

Two Nights Accommodation at the Hermitage in Mt Cook Village. The Hermitage Hotel is a world renowned tourist destination and has been an icon of superior accommodation and dining since 1884. From an intrepid journey through glacial valleys to a mouthwatering culinary dining adventure, The Hermitage Hotel is the perfect ‘base camp’ to discover your Peak Experience.

Experience the Tasman Glacier, New Zealand’s largest, in the most unique way possible. An experienced guide will whisk you away in a stable MAC Boat to explore the melting ice-face of the Tasman Glacier where you will also get to touch & taste 400-year old icebergs that have been carved into the murky waters of the lake. Later we visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of local stone and oak in 1935. Leaving the High Country, cross the vast Canterbury Plains to the 'Garden City' of Christchurch.

One Nights Accommodation at the Heritage Hotel in Christchurch. Experience Christchurch in the finest tradition at The Heritage Christchurch. Located in the heart of New Zealand's most "English" of cities, The Heritage Christchurch offers you the opportunity to stay in a magnificent Italian Renaissance building the "OGB", as it is affectionately known, has been lovingly restored from the former turn-of-the-century Old Government Building into a luxury hotel.

Christchurch is a city of contrasts, a place where its residents continue to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle amidst a natural environment world-renowned for. It really is the 'city that shines'.

Some sightseeing and activity options available:

Sadly, your holiday is at an end and you will be transferred to Christchurch airport today for your onward flight. Here, we bid you ‘Haere Ra’, a fond farewell and hope you leave with many happy memories of your stay in Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Please take the time to view our “Virtual Tour” for the 18 Day Pacific Escapade tour or download/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.