Holidays to New Zealand - New Zealand Showcase Rail and Drive Tour. Ref: N15

Day 1
Depart UK
Your New Zealand holiday departs from the UK o­n a scheduled Air New Zealand flight to Auckland, via the Hong Kong or Los Angeles.

Day 2
In flight.

Day 3
Arrive Auckland
Arrive Auckland in the late morning. There is a private transfer to your hotel and your driver will hand over your full tour documentation. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore the "city of sails".
Overnight(1): Auckland.

Day 4
Auckland - Bay of Islands (260 kms/163 miles)
Your Budget Intermediate (Toyota Camry, or similar) car will be delivered to your hotel at 9am. Make your way north to the beautiful Bay of Islands area.
Overnights(2): Bay of Islands

Day 5
Cruise the Bay of Islands
The famous "Cream Trip" supercruise is included today. A full day exploring the many islands, meandering in and out of the picturesque bays delivering the mail and supplies to the locals. You'll have plenty of time to go ashore, see the wildlife and also be taken to the amazing "Hole in the Rock".

Day 6
Bay of Islands - Coromandel Peninsula (440 kms/275 miles)
Head south today to Tairua and Whitianga, o­n the east coast of the Coromandel Peninsula.
Overnights(2): Coromandel Peninsula

Day 7
Coromandel Peninsula, at leisure
Explore this beautful coastline with its many secluded bays and beaches.

Day 8
Coromandel Peninsula - Rotorua (193 kms/121 miles)
Continue south via Tauranga o­n the Bay of Plenty to Rotorua.
Overnights(2): Rotorua

Day 9
Rotorua, at leisure
Visit the hot springs and mud pools at this famous geothermal location. A Maori Concert evening and Hangi is included.

Day 10
Rotorua - Ohakune, Tongariro National Park (181 kms/114 miles) or
Rotorua - Napier, Hawke's Bay (229 kms/143 miles)
A choice of routes. Either head south west, past Lake Taupo to the volcanic Tongariro National Park or drive south east to the art-deco township of Napier in the Hawke's Bay wine producing area.
Overnight(1): Ohakune, or Napier

Day 11
Ohakune - Wellington (278 kms/174 miles) or
Napier - Wellington (323 kms/202 miles)
Drive to the southern tip of North Island and New Zealand's capital city, Wellington.
Overnights(2): Wellington

Day 12
Wellington, at leisure
The capital's National Museum ("Te Papa") is well worth a visit or take a ride o­n the cable car to its summit and then stroll back down the hill through the Botanic Gardens.

Day 13
Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura [by Interislander ferry and TransCoastal train]
Drop your rental car at Budget's ferry terminal depot before crossing the Cook Strait o­n the Interislander ferry. Arriving at Picton, o­n the South Island, take the courtesy shuttle-bus to the railway station and board the TransCoastal train to Kaikoura. o­n arrival, take the included 'shuttle' to your hotel.
Overnights(2): Kaikoura

Day 14
Kaikoura, at leisure
A whale-watching cruse is included today. Return transfers from your hotel to the cruise departure point are also included.

Day 15
Kaikoura - Christchurch [onboard the TransCoastal train]
A leisurely morning in Kaikoura before taking the 'shuttle' to the station in time to catch the mid-afternoon train to Christchurch. Arrival is in the early evening and you will have a private transfer to your hotel.
Overnights(2): Christchurch

Day 16
Christchurch, at leisure
A day to explore the "garden city". Renowned for its many gardens and parks, Christchurch has graceful architecture and riverside walks. Perhaps take a ride o­n the historic tram through the centre of the city and Cathedral Square.

Day 17
Christchurch - Greymouth [onboard the TranzAlpine train] - Franz Josef (205 kms/128 miles)
Take the private transfer to the railway station and board the TranzAlpine train. This four hour journey takes you across South Island, over the Southern Alps and through Arthurs Pass to the west coast and Greymouth. Collect your second Budget Intermediate car from the railway station depot and drive down the west coast to Franz Josef. Perhaps break your drive at Hokitika where craftsmen can be seen turning jade into delicate pieces of jewellery.
Overnights(2): Franz Josef

Day 18
Franz Josef, at leisure
Time to view the spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. Take a guided walk to the glacier's foot or o­nto the glacier itself. Alternatively, see the icefields from the air o­n a helicopter sightseeing flight.

Day 19
Franz Josef - Queenstown (404 kms/253 miles)
A full day's drive through temperate rainforests, along the west coast, over the Haast Pass and past Lake Wanaka to Queenstown.
Overnights(2): Queenstown

Day 20
Queenstown, at leisure
Stroll beside the lake and take a vintage steam-ship cruise. Experience a jet boat ride o­n the Dart or Shotover Rivers, explore the mountains o­n a 4WD safari to discover the area's gold mining heritage or Lord of the Rings and Narnia locations. Take the gondola to a nearby peak for spectacular views. There are plenty of activities and sights to see in and around this remarkable town.

Day 21
Queenstown -Te Anau (170 kms/106 miles)
A leisurely drive during the morning to Te Anau. During the afternoon cruise across the lake and visit the caverns that are lit by a myriad of glow-worms (included).
Overnights(2): Te Anau

Day 22
Milford Sound
Today enjoy the Real Journeys scheduled seat-in-coach tour to Milford Sound. o­n arrival in Milford enjoy a cruise o­n the Sound o­n board Real Journey's Nature Cruise (only operates 01 Oct-30 Apr, during May-Sep the Nature Cruise will be substituted with the Scenic Cruise). Picnic lunch is available o­n board at an extra cost. After your cruise return with Real Journeys to Te Anau.

[As an alternative to the above Days 22 and 23, drive to Manapouri (150 kms/94 miles) o­n Day 22 and then embark o­n a cruise in the serene Doubtful Sound. Spend the night o­nboard your moored vessel, the Fiordland Navigator, before returning to Manapouri o­n Day 23. Drive to Te Anau (20 kms/13 miles) to stay overnight at this idyllic lakeside township. Please click here for more details].

Day 23
Te Anau - Invercargill (220 kms/100 miles)
Depart Te Anau and make your way to Invercargill.
Overnight(1): Invercargill.

Day 24
Invercargill - Dunedin (220 kms/138 miles)
Depart Invercargill and drive to Dunedin via the Southern Scenic route along a wild coastline and through the magnificent landscape of the Catlins (one of New Zealand's best kept secrets) to the university town of Dunedin.
Overnights(2): Dunedin

Day 25
Dunedin, at leisure
Perhaps visit historic Olveston House or Larnach Castle. Explore Otago Peninsula to view Royal Albatross and Yellow-eyed Penguin colonies in their natural environment. Take a tour of Speights Brewery or experience dramatic scenery o­n the Taieri Gorge Railway.

Day 26
Dunedin - Mt Cook (330 kms/207 miles)
Travel north along the coast to Oamaru, a town renowned for its distinctive limestone architecture. Pass massive hydro-electric dams and glacier-fed lakes of incredible colour o­n our journey to Mt Cook National Park, a World Heritage-listed area and home to Australasia’s highest mountain, Mt Cook at 3754 metres.
Overnight(1): Mt Cook

Day 27
Mt Cook - Christchurch (321 kms/201 miles)
This morning we journey to the beautiful glacier-fed lake of Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. We leave the High Country, continue through Burkes Pass and cross the vast Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Overnight(1): Christchurch

Day 28
Depart Christchurch
Time this morning for final sightseeing or last minute souvenir shopping before you make your way to Christchurch Airport to return your rental car. Check in for your flight to the UK via Hong Kong or Los Angeles.

Day 29
Arrive UK

Accommodation
We are pleased to be able to offer three levels of accommodation for this tour:
3*
Mid range, comfortable hotel accommodation usually within convenient distance to town/city centre.
4*
Upper range of hotel accommodation, usually with a central town or city location. Excellent hotel facilities offering a high level of service and convenience, easy access to sightseeing, shopping and activities.
Unique & Boutique
These properties include country estates, lodges and boutique hotels. They are interesting in design, historic background or just have a unique character and all provide genuine New Zealand hospitality.

FREE QUOTATION SERVICE - FREEPHONE 0800-988-4612 - open at weekends
Why not extend your holiday with a stopover in Hong Kong, the Pacific Islands or Los Angeles? These can be included as part of your outward or return journey (or both) and for many the journey thus becomes part of the holiday. Please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss accommodation options, as well as transfers and sightseeing possibilities - we are very happy to tailor make your holiday to your own requirements.

Air New Zealand operates three classes of travel, and you will find wonderful Pacific Rim styled cuisine and fine wines plus outstanding comfort in all.

PACIFIC ECONOMY CLASS offers o­ne of the largest seat pitches o­n long-haul flights for added comfort and relaxation – a roomy 32-34 inches. Enjoy video and audio o­n-demand o­n a seat back 8.4" screen.

UPGRADE YOUR FLIGHT TO PACIFIC PREMIUM CLASS start from £475 each way
Pacific Premium Class customers enjoy a premium check-in. The seat as 50% more recline than in Pacific Economy Class and an increased seat pitch – a roomy 38-40 inches. Enjoy video and audio o­n-demand o­n a seat back 8.4" screen.

UPGRADE YOUR FLIGHT TO BUSINESS PREMIER CLASS start from £1105 each way
Business Premier Class customers enjoy a dedicated check-in and lounge access at London Heathrow and if travelling within a 55 mile radius of the Heathrow Airport, Air New Zealand will organize a limousine to transfer you to and from your home.
Not o­nly can you sleep soundly in a completely lie-flat bed, but the unique design allows passengers to dine with a companion. Luxurious leather armchair that converts to a fully lie-flat 6’7.5” bed. Video and audio o­n-demand with a 10.4” high resolution screen and active noise cancellation headsets. Every seat has direct aisle access. Access to Air New Zealand International Lounges



BRITISH MIDLAND ECONOMY CLASS DOMESTIC ADD-ONS -One way fares from £80.
Available in conjunction with your Air New Zealand flights between London and to/from Aberdeen, Belfast,Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester. Details o­n request.