IDEAS FOR INDEPENDENT HOLIDAYS Highlights 14 DAYS NORTH & SOUTH ISLANDS FROM £1,989 NORTH ISLAND Matamata

Greymouth

Hokitika Fox Glacier

Wanaka Milford Sound SOUTH ISLAND Queenstown Te Anau

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If you’re short on time and want to ITINERARY Day 6 Queenstown Day 9 Wanaka Day 12 Hokitika to Greymouth to Christchurch ACCOMMODATION Today is free for you to pack in as many activities A free day and night to draw breath! Relax on a Drop your rental vehicle at Greymouth railway see as many of New Zealand’s Day 1 Haere Mai – Welcome! as you wish! Perhaps a white-knuckle jet-boat ride, lakeside stroll, linger in a café, then catch a film at station in time to board the famous TranzAlpine We arrange accommodation that balances highlights as possible, then our We greet you at the airport and whisk you to your parasailing, a bungee jump or white-water rafting? Cinema Paradiso where the quirky seats include train, which takes you up and over the Southern Alps quality with location and that we have seen suggestion is to take in Auckland central hotel with restaurants and city sights on the There are 4WD tours into the wild, guided bush sofas and an adapted Morris Minor. on a line carved through the mountains by railway for ourselves. We favour 4-star central hotels doorstep. Stretch your legs on a stroll down to walks, cycle trails, horse-riding and wine-tasting. Alternatively, take an eco boat trip to Mou Waho pioneers. The 4 ½ hour scenic journey features an in Auckland and Christchurch, with a mix and Rotorua on the North Island the harbour. Take a gondola to Bob’s Peak for panoramic views, island in search of the flightless Buff Weka, or a 8-mile tunnel, sweeping bends and viaducts. of independent hotels and charming B&Bs before flying to Queenstown, or a trip on a vintage steamship. Whatever your self-guided walk in the Matukituki Valley. A guided On arrival, transfer by private car and driver elsewhere. Should our preferred accommodation Day 2 Auckland South Island to see the wonders interest, we can arrange most activities in advance. ‘via ferrata’ climb, skydiving, canyoning, and – in from Christchurch Railway Station to your be unavailable, we reserve the right to book an Exciting Auckland is a melting pot of cultures from alternative and adjust the tour price up or down Day 7 Queenstown to Te Anau to Milford to Te Anau season – skiing and snowboarding are more accommodation. of Fiordland. Return via the West Polynesian and European to Asian. It is surrounded accordingly. Follow the eastern shore of Lake Wakatipu through active options. by sea, extinct volcanoes and bush-clad ranges. Day 13 Christchurch Coast to Christchurch. Southland countryside to Te Anau. Here, board a If you prefer to stay at boutique hotels and Top tips for sightseeing are a stroll in Aotea Square, Day 10 Wanaka to Fox Glacier coach for a great day trip to Milford Sound. The Discover the city once described as ‘the most unique lodges, please ask us to quote for a a trip up the Sky Tower and a ferry across the Leave via Lake Hawea and take the Haast Pass route through Fiordland National Park is winding so English outside England’ thanks to its gothic luxury version of this itinerary. harbour. For an overview of the country’s history and through the Southern Alps to the Tasman Sea. let someone else drive! On arrival, board a cruiser cathedral, colonial houses and punting on the Maori culture, the Auckland Museum is excellent. Your West Coast journey reveals rainforest, bush- OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPERIENCE to explore the steep-sided Sound, clad in dense River Avon. Now, after the earthquake, Christchurch fringed lakes and surf-pounded beaches. On arrival, Day 3 Auckland to Matamata to Rotorua rainforest, with cascading waterfalls. A picnic lunch is is re-inventing itself with exciting new buildings, take a walk to the viewing platform to see the A ferry trip across Auckland’s harbour to Collect your hire car and head over the Bombay included and an expert guide explains the Sound’s pop-up bars and ethnic restaurants. We recommend glacier’s terminus. Devonport Hills through rolling farmland to Matamata. This natural features. a guided walk with a local to understand the city’s rural community is now known by another name: past, present and future. Taking a bungee jump off the Sky Tower for a Day 11 Fox Glacier to Hokitika Hobbiton™. If you haven’t seen Peter Jackson’s Day 8 Te Anau – Wanaka unique view over Auckland! Return to Queenstown and choose your route to Weather permitting, there is time for a scenic Day 14 Depart New Zealand films, drive on to Rotorua, butLord of the Rings fans flight: a helicopter ride over the glaciers reveals Our driver and private vehicle transfers you to GUIDE PRICES have a treat in store on a guided visit to the original Wanaka. One option is through Cromwell’s fruit See the Victorian Bathhouse and stroll orchards. The more challenging drive is New Zealand’s amazing features and views of Aoraki/Mt Cook. for your homeward flight. film location, complete with Bag End and the LOW SEASON from £1,989 Rotorua’s lakeside gardens highest road over the Crown Range. Wanaka is where Longer flights can land on snow for an even more We hope you will return for a longer adventure Party Tree. (May-Sep) New Zealanders holiday in summer, at the gateway to memorable experience! one day! Climbing over the Southern Alps on one of Day 4 Rotorua Mt Aspiring National Park. There are several excellent Head north to Hokitika. This former gold-mining SHOULDER SEASON from £2,120 the world’s most scenic train rides Rotorua forms part of the ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’ and restaurants, from perennial favourite, Relishes, to the town is home to artists and craftspeople, and (Oct-mid Dec, Apr) tapas at Kika (we recommend advance booking). is a good place to buy authentic gifts, such as Riding an electric bike along Queenstown’s thermal activity is everywhere! Easily accessible to greenstone (called pounamu by the Maori). PEAK SEASON from £2,260 traffic-free cycle paths the town are the bubbling mud pools and geyser at Te Puia; close by are other fascinating sites like the (mid Dec-Mar) Discovering Lake Wanaka’s wildlife with an Buried Village, or the thermal spa at Hell’s Gate. These prices EXCLUDE flights and stopovers, eco-expert and planting a tree Rotorua is also home to Maori tribes and on a short which start at £1,100 (see page 21). trip like this, an evening of songs, legends and Single supplements apply: prices on request. Taking a helicopter flight onto a West dance – including the famous haka – is a must. Coast Glacier Enjoy a traditional Hangi feast cooked in the earth Prices are per person based on two by ‘free’ geothermal heat. A memorable evening! Learning about Hokitika’s rip-roaring past as a travelling/sharing including gold-rush town Day 5 Rotorua to Queenstown n Meet & greet at Drop off your vehicle at and board n Private transfer to your Auckland hotel Punting on the River Avon a flight to South Island. On arrival at Queenstown, n 13 nights’ accommodation in quality pick up another car and start exploring! Surrounded The amazing architecture of Christchurch’s hotels and B&Bs by mountains and set on the shores of Lake ‘cardboard’ Cathedral n Breakfast each day Wakatipu, the beauty and energy of Queenstown n Intermediate car hire with unlimited offers something for every traveller. The resort offers kilometres & daily insurance sophisticated bars, good restaurants and shops: n Domestic flight Rotorua/Queenstown it is very much a year-round destination. n TranzAlpine rail service

1. Hokitika Gorge 2. Hobbiton™ 3. Brown’s Boutique Hotel 4. Mou Waho Island 5. Heli-hike Mount Cook 3 4 5

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