POS-23 South Island Self-Drive Motorhome Queenstown, the Southern Alps and Beyond Kia ora and welcome to New Zealand the youngest country on earth. New Zealand’s diverse and dramatic landscape draws many visitors to our shores. From fiords to rainforests, ocean beaches to volcanic cones, the relatively untouched landscape is breathtaking, but what makes the visit so special for many is the people they meet. Maori people believe in the concept of ‘Manaakitanga’ this loosely translates as ‘hospitality’ – a concept that Kiwi people have embraced as part of the New Zealand experience. Kiwis are a friendly bunch and the care, engagement and hospitality we show our guests is based on pride and a genuine belief that this country offers something of everything. New Zealand is regularly rated as one of the world’s preferred destinations not just because of its dramatic scenery, wide open spaces, extreme adventure, clean air, enticing food and wine, creativity and flair but also because of the ‘can do’ attitude. Haere Mai. Welcome and enjoy your stay. Customs and MAF requirements On arrival you will need to complete both customs and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) requirements before you can officially enter New Zealand. MAF is responsible for agriculture, horticulture and forestry, safe food, a protected environment, the wise use of the land and the creation of clean, green product. MAF protect farms and wildlife from imported pests and diseases by minimising the number of foreign pests and diseases entering New Zealand. You will be required by law to declare any food or organic material you are carrying. It is important not to ignore this as significant fines can be given to those who do. IMPORTANT: Please use the final itinerary provided in your media pack on arrival in New Zealand. This will include any adjustments and additional contact details crucial to your itinerary The arrangements shown in this itinerary have been made especially for you with the generous support and co-operation of Regional Tourism Organisations (RTOs), Air New Zealand, accommodation and product suppliers as detailed. Tourism New Zealand will cover the costs of your accommodation, transport and sightseeing activities and meals as outlined in the itinerary. Please pay all minibar, telephone expenses and laundry yourselves, prior to check out from your accommodation. NOTE: check in for a domestic flight is 40 minutes before departure and requires photo identification. Baggage allowance is 20 kilograms. Excess baggage for film equipment only, will be charged back to Tourism New Zealand with prior arrangements. Regional Tourism Operators Contact Details Conference Innovators Contact: Wendy Boyce Unit 2., 11 Tussock Lane, Ferrymead Christchurch Phone: 03 379 0390 Email: [email protected] Web : www.conference.co.nz POST - 6 nights/7 days: Saturday 12 Nov to Friday 18 Nov, 2011 Christchurch to Christchurch South Island Self-Drive Motorhome: Queenstown, the Southern Alps and Beyond The self-drive holiday is a staple of the New Zealand culture. Getting out on New Zealand’s roads offers you the freedom to meander and discover off the beaten track places. It also offers the chance to meet locals and park up at well-serviced and often incredibly scenic camping grounds. Traffic is generally light, roads are well maintained and the passing scenery makes every kilometre worthwhile. Itinerary Depart and return to Christchurch in a self-drive motorhome. Discover the South Island under your own steam, choosing holiday parks to stop at overnight. The routing is at your discretion, allowing you to plan an itinerary according to your particular interests. The post-tour pricing will include your flight from Wellington to Christchurch on the 12th, and your flight from Christchurch to Auckland on the 18th. The post-tour pricing will not cover your fuel charges, meals and incidentals. Sample distances (one-way) from Christchurch: Queenstown 480 kms (298 miles); Te Anau 640 kms (397 miles); Dunedin 360 kms (224 miles); Aoraki/Mt. Cook 330 kms (205 miles); Arthur’s Pass 150 kms (93 miles); Blenheim-Marlborough 310 kms (193 miles). Difficulty Rating: EASY Self-drive Motorhome (CHC – CHC) Saturday 12 – Friday 18 November Saturday 12 November 0600 Enjoy breakfast and check out of your hotel to meet you hotel pick up as listed below 0640 Pick up from InterContinental Hotel 0705 Pick up from Amora Hotel 0725 Pick up from Museum Hotel and transfer to Wellington Airport 0800 Arrive Wellington Airport for check in 0840 Wellington to Christchurch on NZ335 (45 minute flight time) 1000 Briefing and group check-in at Maui rental counter Getting out on New Zealand’s roads offers you the freedom to meander and discover off the beaten track places. It also offers you the chance to meet locals and park up at well-serviced and often incredibly scenic camping grounds. Traffic is generally light, roads are well maintained and the passing scenery makes every kilometre worthwhile. A home on the road gives you the freedom to take each day as it comes. Roam the country, finding beautiful and remote places to park and picnic. Overnight you’ll find it convenient to book a powered site in a holiday park or camping ground. The kitchen, laundry and bathroom facilities are handy and many sites have great positions at the edge of a lake or by the beach. Free camping may be possible, but it’s wise to check with the local information centre before you park for the night. Motorhome pick up and drop off: Arrive at the Christchurch airport and pick up Motorhome from Maui Motorhomes Christchurch located near the airport (.5km from Airport) Drop off Motorhome at Maui Motorhomes Christchurch upon return to Christchurch airport before your flight to Auckland. Maui Motorhomes and Car Rentals – Christchurch Address: 530 – 544 Memorial Avenue, Christchurch Tel: +64 3 357 5610 Branch Hours: 0800 - 1630 hours Web: www.maui.co.nz/christchurch-motorhome-hire Explore New Zealand Tourism New Zealand is pleased to offer travel media undertaking this itinerary access to the Explore New Zealand discount programme. More than 600 national and local offers are available for accommodation, attractions and activities, tours and transport. Many offers are open to a cardholder's partner as well. You can preview the offers from the Explore New Zealand e book. Either scroll through the e book or search for a region or product that interests you top right. Tourism New Zealand Address: 147 Victoria Street West, Auckland Tel: +64 9 914 4795 Web: www.newzealand.com/travel/_tnz/view/site/templates/trade/ebook/ Places to Stay Holiday Parks Association of New Zealand Throughout the holiday parks in New Zealand you will find a whole range of different locations and experiences. Opportunities exist to stay in a wide range of accommodation ranging from sites through to park motels. On behalf of our members we wish you an enjoyable park experience, the opportunity to meet great people within our parks, both guests and owners and above all have a wonderful time. Web: www.holidayparks.co.nz Department of Conservation Mission and vision The Department of Conservation's challenge is to manage natural and historic heritage assets for the greatest benefit and enjoyment of all New Zealanders, by conserving, advocating and promoting natural and historic heritage so that its values are passed on undiminished to future generations. The Department’s mission is: To conserve New Zealand’s natural and historic heritage for all to enjoy now and in the future. “He āta whakaute, manaaki, me te tiaki ia Papatuanuku ki Aotearoa kia ū tonu ai tōna whakawaiūtanga hei oranga ngakau mō te tini te mano ināianei, āke tonu ake” The Department’s vision is: New Zealand is the greatest living space on Earth. “Kāore he wāhi i tua atu i a Aotearoa, hei wahi noho i te ao” DOC manages over 250 vehicle-accessible camping areas on conservation land. Discover their locations and facilities provided. Web: www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-stay/ Friday 18 November 1400 Drop off your vehicle at Maui rental counter, Christchurch Airport 1510 Christchurch – Auckland on NZ520 (1 hour 20 minute flight time) 1630 Arrive Auckland airport Suggested Driving Routes Drive along the dotted line where the Canterbury Plains meet the Southern Alps and find a rare kind of heaven. Inland Scenic Route 72 On one side, serene pastures and fields; on the other side, the rock solid beauty of New Zealand's longest, highest mountain range. Opportunities for outdoor fun can be found at every turn - bring your fly rod, hiking boots and sense of adventure. Inland Scenic Route 72 journeys from Rangiora, north of Christchurch, to the farming centre of Oxford. The route continues along the foot of the alps to Mount Hutt, Canterbury's premier ski field. Mount Somers is next, for a hike in the mountains. Then it's over the Rangitata River to Geraldine, where you can link to State Highway 1 or head inland to Mount Cook. Compact and highly scenic, the Alpine Pacific Triangle takes you to the Alpine Pacific Triangle wine and food experiences of Waipara, the spa delights of Hanmer Springs and the marine mammal encounters of Kaikoura. During winter, you can add skiing to your list of things to do. Between the three main destinations, you'll cruise through beautiful country landscapes and rural towns, where you can always count on friendly hospitality. This South Island road journey is 370 kilometres long and has three legs - Waipara to Hanmer Springs along State Highway 7, Hanmer Springs to Kaikoura along State Highway 70 and Kaikoura to Waipara on State Highway 1. You can connect with the route from the north, south or west.