New Zealand Discoverer

New Zealand Discoverer

With a perfect blend of breathtaking natural beauty, fascinating culture and wonderful cuisine, New Zealand is a country perfectly suited to escorted coach touring.

This comprehensive escorted tour allows you to see the best of both the North and South Islands whilst you sit back, relax and let someone else do the driving. Alive with vibrant Maori culture and home to the natural wonders of geothermal activity, the North Island commands your attention. It’s also where you’ll enjoy the warm hospitality of the locals and revel in the delights of harbour cities, such as Auckland and the nation’s capital, Wellington.

Spectacular glaciers, magical fiords and some of the most scenic drives in the world await as you travel through the South Island, steeped in natural beauty. Be spellbound by a land of breathtaking scenery, filled with picturesque lakeside towns surrounded by mountainous peaks and an exciting array of nature experiences.

Our New Zealand holidays are completely flexible – so if you decide you would like to spend a little longer in New Zealand at the start or ned of your tour, we can easily adapt the itinerary to suit your needs. Just pop into your local shop and one of our Kiwi specialists will be able to tailor-make your perfect holiday.

What's Included:

• Return flights
• 11 nights in hotels (accommodation as specified or similar).
• Arrival and departure airport transfers in New Zealand.
• Travel aboard a spacious, luxurious coach.
• Dedicated Travelmarvel Tour Director and professional Driver.
• The additional services of expert local guides in select locations.
• All sightseeing, excursions and entrance fees as outlined in the itinerary.

Day 1 - 3: London - Auckland

Be met on arrival into Auckland and transferred to your hotel, which is centrally located in the beautiful harbourside city of Auckland, ’The City of Sails’.
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel Auckland City Meals - Dinner

Day 4: Auckland - Rotorua

Leaving Auckland after breakfast this morning, travel to Waitomo, home to the famous glowworm caves where thousands of tiny luminescent creatures radiate an unmistakable glow. Like a Local - discover the magical natural spectacle of Waitomo Caves with a local guide before continuing to the geothermal capital of New Zealand, Rotorua. Visit Te Puia - New Zealand’s premier cultural centre - and enjoy a guided tour of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Then head over to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley and witness the phenomenal natural spectacle of erupting geysers and bubbling mud pools. A Taste of Rotorua - later, at Te Puia, enjoy a Maori Hangi Feast with performances of song and dance. Delight in the opportunity to dine and interact with locals who will enchant you with their local customs and cheerful hospitality.
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel Rotorua Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Rotorua

Rotorua captures the essence of New Zealand with its geothermal geysers, fascinating Maori culture and rich heritage. The city is positioned on The Pacific Rim of Fire, and is therefore one of the world’s most active geothermal areas. A Taste of Rotorua - for an extraordinary start to your day, begin with a buffet breakfast aboard the Lakeland Queen as you cruise over the still blue waters of Lake Rotorua. Your sightseeing continues with a visit to one of New Zealand’s best-loved attractions, the Agrodome, with its entertaining sheep shearing demonstration, dog trials and animal nursery. Later, perhaps enjoy an optional helicopter flight for views over the active White Island volcano (own expense). Alternatively, experience life on the land with a special Country Homestay, where you’ll enjoy warm hospitality, home-cooked meals and gain a real insight into rural New Zealand life (own expense - must be pre-booked).
Overnight: Copthorne Hotel Rotorua Meals - Breakfast

Day 6: Rotorua - Wellington

Departing Rotorua, travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway through a region abundant with geothermal activity, crystal-clear lakes, natural spas and rich Maori culture. Visit Lake Taupo - the largest freshwater lake in Australasia - and thundering Huka Falls with its striking blue water. You may recognise the surrounding mountains as they appeared in the Lord of The Rings trilogy. Later, travel south across the vast volcanic plateau of World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park en route to Wellington, the national capital.
Overnight: Ibis Wellington Hotel Meals - Breakfast

Day 7: Wellington - Ashburton

The Cook Strait separates the North and South Islands and was named after Captain James Cook, the first European to sail across in 1770. Like a Local - this morning, enjoy one of the world’s most scenic voyages as the Interislander ferry traverses Cook Strait through the breathtaking Marlborough and Queen Charlotte Sounds. Here, you’ll weave through unspoilt islands and admire coastlines defined by tiny coves on the way to the seaside port of Picton. Once in Picton, enjoy a spectacular scenic drive as you continue to Kaikoura, famed for whale watching and nestled at the foot of majestic mountains. Later, arrive in Ashburton and settle in to your hotel before dinner this evening.
Overnight: Hotel Ashburton Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 8: Ashburton - Fox Glacier

Today perhaps take one of the world’s most scenic rail journeys aboard the TranzAlpine Train (own expense) - crossing the Canterbury Plains and travelling up into the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass. Or, absorb the picturesque rural scenery before beginning the ascent into the Main Divide. Then, sit back and enjoy the vistas as you journey through the towering, captivating Southern Alps. Continue along the coast and through rainforest to Westland National Park. You’ll then enjoy the scenery, including the twin glaciers of Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glacier, as you travel along the west coast. Over thousands of years, these remarkable natural wonders have created immense glacial valleys. Today, their magnificent rivers of ice can be seen cascading down through the lush rainforests.
Overnight - Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9: Fox Glacier - Queenstown

Travel across the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps this morning, through spectacular Haast Pass, skirting the tranquil shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the alpine resort of Queenstown on Lake Wakatipu. Special Stay - settle in for a two-night stay admiring the dramatic backdrop of towering mountains capped in snow overseeing the calming blue waters of Lake Wakatipu. Delicious food is always on the menu in Queenstown as it is renowned for its world-class culinary scene. This evening, during time at leisure, you may like to dine at one of the many local restaurants located within the heart of the city.
Overnight - Copthorne Hotel and Apartments Queenstown Lakeview Meals - Breakfast

Day 10: Queenstown

Queenstown is perfect for adventurers and leisure-seekers alike with endless activities on offer within the city and its surrounds. Today, during time at leisure, you have the freedom to simply relax or choose one of Travelmarvel’s exciting optional activities. You may wish to join the TSS Earnslaw for a relaxing cruise to Walter Peak Station or perhaps take a gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for spectacular panoramic views over Queenstown (both at own expense). Or if you’re more of a gourmand, perhaps choose to set off into the Central Otago region independently - one of New Zealand’s world-renowned wine producing areas. Alternatively, your Travelmarvel Tour Director will be able to suggest a range of activities and experiences that will help you make the most of your time here in Queenstown.
Overnight - Copthorne Hotel and Apartments Queenstown Lakeview Meals - Breakfast

Day 11: Queenstown - Te Anau

Today, follow The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. Journey along the Milford Road, thought to be one of the world’s best alpine drives, to Milford Sound. Like a Local - cruise the full length of Milford Sound, a magnificent fiord with views of cascading waterfalls, dense rainforest, sheer cliffs and the surrounding mountains of this World Heritage-listed area. Afterwards, make your way to your hotel and enjoy dinner with your fellow travellers.
Overnight - Kingsgate Hotel Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 12: Te Anau - Dunedin

Leaving the Fiordland region, today, you’ll journey through rolling Southland countryside before arriving in Dunedin. Enjoy a tour taking in the city’s most significant landmarks and learn of its rich history. Later, head to the nearby hills to take an intriguing tour of Lanarch Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. Steeped in scandal and tragedy, filled with magnificent antiques and offering breathtaking views, Lanarch Castle provides a memorable holiday highlight. Enjoy some time at leisure before dining with your fellow travellers this evening.
Overnight - Dunedin Leisure Lodge Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 13: Dunedin - Lake Tekapo

Journey along the east coast to see the Moeraki Boulders. These large spherical stones were formed over 60 million years ago and can be found along a stretch of Koekohe Beach. Continue to Oamaru to see some of New Zealand’s finest 19th-century architecture. Like a Local - later, en route to Lake Tekapo, journey into Mt Cook National Park to view Australasia’s highest mountain, Aoraki (Mt Cook), and admire the sublime alpine scenery. Special Stay - arrive at your wonderful hotel, situated on the shores of Lake Tekapo. A Taste of Lake Tekapo - this evening, dine on fresh local produce at your hotel’s restaurant during a memorable Farewell Dinner.
Overnight - Peppers Bluewater Resort Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 14: Lake Tekapo - Christchurch - London

Visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd, which was built as a tribute to the region’s early pioneers. Your tour concludes on arrival at Christchurch airport.
Meals - Breakfast