New Zealand Escorted Tours

17 Days: Discover New Zealand on this comprehensive and popular 17 Day tour. Travel to the subtropical Bay of Islands, visit the geothermal Rotorua and across the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to the South Island. See natural wonders as Franz Josef Glacier, Milford Sound and World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park.

Highlights

• Cultural Touring Experiences
• Freedom of Choice Touring
• Enjoy Freedom of Choice Touring in Auckland, the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Wellington, Queenstown, Dunedin, Mt Cook and Christchurch
• Take a catamaran cruise to Cape Brett
• Enjoy a tour of the Waitomo caves
• See Lake Taupo and Huka Falls
• Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds
• Ride on the famous TranzAlpine train
• View the dramatic Franz Josef Glacier
• Take the thrilling Haast River Safari
• Cruise the length of Milford Sound
• Discover the beauty of World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park
• Stay two nights in the Bay of Islands
• Overnight cruise option in the subtropical Bay of Islands
• Country Homestay available in Rotorua
• Enjoy two nights at the Novotel Queenstown Lakeside
• Stay overnight at The Hermitage, Mt Cook, with views of Mt Cook
• 16 Breakfasts, 13 Dinners including
• Maori Hangi feast in Rotorua
• Queenstown Dine Around Dinner
• 9 Day Southern Tourer, refer to tour code NCC09
• 14 Day New Zealand Highlighter Auckland to Christchurch, refer to tour code NCA14
• 21 Day Great New Zealand Experience Auckland to Auckland, refer to tour code NAA21
• Contact us for more details
• Surcharge applies for overnight cruise option on Day 3. Contact Us for details
• Land content only
• At the time of making your booking, let APT's experts secure you the best airfares available
• Contact Us for more details

Day 1. Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring

Be met on arrival in Auckland, then join your selected touring activity. Options include a cruise on Waitemata Harbour, a sightseeing tour of Auckland, a trip to the Auckland Museum, and, for the adventurous, a climb across Auckland's Harbour Bridge.

Day 2. Auckland, Bay of Islands

Cross Auckland's busy harbour bridge and travel along the Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe's Kauri Museum. Then journey to the Bay of Islands and visit the Waitangi Treaty House, Maori Meeting House and War Canoe.

Day 3. Bay of Islands, Freedom of Choice Touring

Today in the beautiful Bay of Islands, you choose your own sightseeing activity from our Freedom of Choice Touring options.

Day 4. Bay of Islands, Auckland

Explore the Bay of Islands on a cruise to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock. Returning to Paihia, your coach will then take you to Auckland. Tonight enjoy a special dinner at our hotel.

Day 5. Auckland, Waitomo, Rotorua, Hangi Feast

Leaving the City of Sails, travel to Waitomo and experience a guided tour of the underground limestone and glow-worm caverns. Continue to Rotorua and immerse yourself in traditional Maori culture as you enjoy a Maori hangi feast and performance of song and dance.

Day 6. Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring

Today, choose the activity that interests you from our Freedom of Choice options.

Day 7. Rotorua, Wellington

Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway to the heart of the North Island and view the Wairakei Steam Valley. Visit Huka Falls and Lake Taupo before travelling south across the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park on the way to Wellington, the national capital.

Day 8. Wellington, Freedom of Choice Touring

Today choose from our selection of Freedom of Choice activities. Perhaps choose from a Wellington highlights tour, Zealandia: Karori Eco Sanctuary, a ‘Lord of the Rings' tour or visit the Carter Observatory and Planetarium. Dinner tonight is at your leisure to try some of the local restaurants.

Day 9. Wellington, Kaikoura, Christchurch

Step aboard the Interislander ferry to cruise across Cook Strait and through the stunning Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Visit the fishing town of Kaikoura, famous for its whale watching.

Day 10. TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef

Board the TranzAlpine train for New Zealand's greatest rail adventure. Journey through gorges, river valleys and across the magnificent Southern Alps. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and journey to Hokitika, then continue to Franz Josef.

Day 11. Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner

Enjoy a day of incredible scenery as you travel along the Haast River, capturing views of the massive glacier-formed Haast River Valley, towering peaks, waterfalls and rainforest. Arrive in Queenstown, where this evening you'll choose from four different eateries in which to dine in.

Day 12. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring

Today in Queenstown, you have a selection of activities to choose from. Tonight, dinner has been left at your leisure to check out some of Queenstown's restaurants.

Day 13. Milford Sound, Te Anau

Journey along the Milford Road. Wind down the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys, then through the Homer Tunnel to be met by the sight of Mitre Peak. Cruise the full length of pristine Milford Sound, then enjoy a relaxing drive to the tranquil lakeside settlement of Te Anau.

Day 14. Te Anau, Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring

Leaving the Fiordland region, journey through rolling Southland countryside. Travel via Lumsden and Gore to the east coast and Dunedin. This afternoon, choose your Freedom of Choice Touring activity.

Day 15. Dunedin, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring

Journey north along the coast and stop to view the Moeraki Boulders. Continue to World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, where you choose your activity.

Day 16. Mt Cook, Christchurch

Leaving the snow-capped mountains of Mt Cook National Park behind, travel by coach to picturesque Lake Tekapo. Here, you'll pay a visit to the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, built of locally gathered stone and oak and erected as tribute to the early pioneers of the region. Travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch.

Day 17. Depart Christchurch, Freedom of Choice Touring

Choose from our range of touring activities in Christchurch. Perhaps take a garden tour, go punting on the Avon, take a bike tour around the city or visit Christchurch's ‘must see four', before the tour ends and you transfer to the airport in the afternoon.