Romantic New Zealand Tour Package

Enroute to Rotorua the highlight is a visit to the Waitomo Glow Worm Caves. This experience is climaxed by drifting silently in a boat on the underground river under the milky way of millions of glow worms on the cavern roof above you. This evening, enjoy a night of truly authentic, traditional culture and entertainment. Join in a time sharing and feasting to a selection of foods cooked the traditional Maori way on hot stones in an authentic earthen oven.

Today’s tour includes Te Puia and its Thermal Valley of roaring geysers, steaming rivers and boiling mud pools. Following this, you will travel to Rainbow Springs to view trout and other wildlife and to the famous Agrodome Sheep Show. A ride on the Gondola up to Mt Ngongataha for the buffet lunch and for the more courageous ones, a ride on the “Luge” is included.

Departing Rotorua, we head south via Lake Taupo and the Tongariro National Park to Levin and on to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital.

This morning we board the Interislander Ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton to connect with The Coastal Pacific train to Kaikoura. (Self drive passengers return their vehicle prior to boarding the Interislander Ferry. On arrival at Picton, collect your South Island vehicle and resume your exciting journey).

In the morning do the Whale Watching tour by boat. Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm whales are the stars of the show and year round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endagered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Pilot Whales, Humpback Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura often hosts the largest dolphin, the Orca, and it is home to the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin – the Hector’s dolphin. The area also attracts the largest concentration and variety of sea birds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrels and seven types of Shearwater. In the afternoon, travel south to Christchurch.

One of the world’s best scenic train journeys, the Tranz Alpine, winds across spectacular gorges and river valleys, over the massive Southern Alps in Arthur’s Pass National Park and through lush beech forest to Greymouth on the West Coast. Continue southwards by coach along the coast to reach Westland National Park and the glacier region. (Self drive passengers travel over the Canterbury Plains to Arthur’s Pass en route to Westland National Park).

Travel through the South Westland Heritage Park and across the rugged Haast Pass. Follow the shores of Lakes Hawea and Wanaka to Queenstown.

This is a free day for you to pursue your own activities. Queenstown offers jet boating, lake cruises, bungy jumping, rafting, horse riding, gondola rides and may be a visit to the Sky Alpine Casino.

Travel to Pukerangi where you will join the spectacular Taieri Gorge Train to Dunedin. (seat-n-coach passengers only, self drive passenger are free to participate in optional activities before driving to Queenstown)

Depart in the morning for Oamaru and Timaru before crossing the Canterbury Plains to arrive in Christchurch.

Transfer to the airport for your departure flight. (Self-drive passengers return your car directly at the airport).