If you're seeking a vacation that offers a wide variety of activities, Australia, New Zealand and the islands of the South Pacific are the perfect destinations for you.
Let our Certified Aussie Specialist, Judith Kitzes, help plan that next great vacation.
RAIL SPECTACULAR
ESCORTED
14 Days Auckland/Christchurch
from $3780 land only
ITINERARY
Day 1, Sun. ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND.
Check in at your hotel, then the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Christchurch on your own. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions.
Day 2, Mon. CHRISTCHURCH / MT. COOK.
Discover the sights of Christchurch this morning on the Christchurch Tram. Then enjoy views of the colorful patchwork plains of Canterbury, beautiful Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Take in the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest mountain. Here, you have the chance to take a spectacular optional scenic flight (weather permitting, own expense). (B,D)
Day 3, Tue. MT. COOK / DUNEDIN.
See the pretty Oamaru region today, before journeying on to Dunedin. The afternoon is free for you to explore this charming town founded by Scottish settlers over 150 years ago. Perhaps visit Cadbury World or take an optional Albatross & Yellow Eyed Penguin cruise (both own expense). (B,D)
Day 4, Wed. DUNEDIN / TE ANAU.
This morning enjoy a guided tour of Larnach Castle, followed by a sightseeing tour showing off the highlights of Dunedin. This afternoon, travel over the rolling grass plains of Southland, famous for sheep and deer farming. This evening stay in pretty Te Anau, located on the shores of Lake Te Anau. Tonight there is an opportunity to view the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (own expense). (B,D)
Day 5, Thu. TE ANAU / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN.
Experience the magnificent alpine scenery of Fiordland National Park today. Drive through the mile-long, hand-hewn Homer Tunnel and see The Chasm. Then take a highlight cruise on spectacular Milford Sound, viewing Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. This afternoon continue to Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. Why not experience the Kiwi Haka and Dinner tonight (own expense)? (B)
Day 6, Fri. QUEENSTOWN.
Explore Queenstown at your leisure today. You might enjoy an exhilarating jet boat ride, white water rafting or a relaxing garden or wine tour (all own expense). Tonight board the historic steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu. Watch the engineers maintain the vessel, enjoy a relaxing drink on the deck or join in the sing-a-long on board. At Walter Peak Station, savor a mouth-watering carvery dinner in the Colonel's Homestead followed by an entertaining sheep dog demonstration. Later re-board the T.S.S. Earnslaw for the return cruise. (B,D)
Day 7, Sat. QUEENSTOWN / FRANZ JOSEF.
In historic Arrowtown, discover the rich gold mining heritage and browse through the delightful shops. Travel on, and see the Kawarau Gorge, Cromwell and Lake Dunstan, New Zealand’s largest manmade lake. Continue past Lakes Hawea and Wanaka and over Haast Pass to the West Coast. View mighty Thunder Creek Falls and take a short bush walk. Enjoy the scenery of the towering mountains and the sparkling Tasman Sea along the coastal road to Franz Josef. (B,D)
Day 8, Sun. FRANZ JOSEF / PUNAKAIKI / TRANZALPINE / CHRISTCHURCH.
Discover magnificent Franz Josef Glacier this morning. You have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight (weather permitting, own expense) over Franz Josef and Mt. Cook. Next, visit Hokitika where you can see beautiful native greenstone (jade) jewelery and artifacts. At Punakaiki, see the fascinating Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Later, board the TranzAlpine train for a spectacular journey over the Southern Alps. Enjoy views of lush rainforest, dramatic gorges and the valleys of the Waimakariri River. Travel over the Canterbury Plains into the South Island’s largest city, Christchurch. (B,D)
Day 9, Mon. DEPART CHRISTCHURCH.
You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. (B)
RATES AND DATES
| Departs On | Returns On | Land Price($) | Guaranteed Departure | Availability |
| Jan 01, 2008 | Jan 15, 2008 | $3,780.00 | --- | Open |
| Jan 15, 2008 | Jan 28, 2008 | $3,780.00 | GD | Open |
| Jan 22, 2008 | Feb 04, 2008 | $3,780.00 | --- | Open |
| Jan 29, 2008 | Feb 11, 2008 | $3,780.00 | GD | Open |
| Feb 12, 2008 | Feb 25, 2008 | $3,780.00 | GD | Open |
| Feb 19, 2008 | Mar 03, 2008 | $3,780.00 | GD | Open |
| Mar 04, 2008 | Mar 17, 2008 | $3,780.00 | GD | Open |
| Mar 11, 2008 | Mar 24, 2008 | $3,780.00 | --- | Open |
| Mar 18, 2008 | Mar 31, 2008 | $3,780.00 | --- | Open |
| Apr 08, 2008 | Apr 21, 2008 | $4,760.00 | --- | Open |
| Apr 15, 2008 | Apr 28, 2008 | $4,760.00 | --- | Open |
| Dec 16, 2008 | Dec 29, 2008 | $4,995.00 | --- | Open |
| Dec 23, 2008 | Jan 05, 2009 | $4,995.00 | GD | Open |
| Dec 30, 2008 | Jan 12, 2009 | $4,995.00 | --- | Open |
| Jan 13, 2009 | Jan 26, 2009 | $4,995.00 | GD | Open |
| Jan 20, 2009 | Feb 02, 2009 | $4,995.00 | --- | Open |
| Jan 27, 2009 | Feb 09, 2009 | $4,995.00 | GD | Open |
| Feb 10, 2009 | Feb 23, 2009 | $4,995.00 | GD | Open |
| Feb 17, 2009 | Mar 02, 2009 | $4,995.00 | GD | Open |
| Mar 03, 2009 | Mar 16, 2009 | $4,995.00 | GD | Open |
| Mar 10, 2009 | Mar 23, 2009 | $4,995.00 | --- | Open |
| Mar 17, 2009 | Mar 30, 2009 | $4,995.00 | GD | Open |
YOUR TRAVEL VALUE INCLUDES
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Accommodation in hotels listed or similar, in twin-bedded rooms
- 13 breakfasts (B) and 10 dinners (D) including a Maori Hangi feast and concert
- Services of a professional Tour Director
- Luxury motorcoach featuring panoramic windows
- Sightseeing program as detailed in the itinerary including admission charges where applicable
- All local taxes
- Portfolio of travel documents
BRENDAN HOTELS
AUCKLAND - Stamford Plaza (DLX)
ROTORUA - Millennium Hotel (F)
WELLINGTON - Novotel Capital (F)
BLENHEIM - Chateau Marlborough (SF)
CHRISTCHURCH - The Heritage Hotel (F)
MT. COOK - MacKenzie Country Inn at Twizel – Deluxe Rooms (ST)
DUNEDIN - Southern Cross Hotel (F)
TE ANAU - Village Inn (ST)
QUEENSTOWN - Millennium Hotel (F)
FRANZ JOSEF - Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (F)
CHRISTCHURCH - The Heritage Hotel (F)
Judith Kitzes:
Judith Kitzes is a four-time Opal Award winner; Premier Aussie Specialist and active since 1993 . In addition to that, she is also a New Zealand Specialist, Tahiti Tiare Specialist, Fiji Matai Specialist, and Cook Islands Specialist. She's travelled all over the South Pacific, and knows all kinds of little secret places to stay and things to do. She's passionate as ever about Australia and New Zealand, and wants to help you plan your vacation of a lifetime. So sharpen your spirit of adventure and grab your hat. Give Judith a call to book your trip now.
Explore a new itinerary from this Opal Award Winning Aussie specialist.
