New Zealand Family Explorer

Superior Private Tour in brief

Days 1-2: Auckland

Arrive into Auckland and transfer to Nesuto Celestion Apartment Hotel for 2 nights. Optional excursions include climbing Auckland Harbour Bridge for views over the city, a visit to the Sea Life Aquarium or sailing an authentic America’s Cup yacht in the harbour. (N)

Days 3-4: Paihia (Bay of Islands)

Collect your hire car and drive north to the subtropical Bay of Islands. Join a cruise through the sheltered waters and islands, looking out for dolphins and other marine life. Stop at ‘the hole in the wall’, a 60-foot opening in a rock formation, and discover the islands by sea kayak. Stay 2 nights at the Edgewater Palms Apartments (two-bedroom apartment). (N)

Day 5: Auckland

Return south for an overnight stay at Nesuto Celestion Apartments Hotel (two-bedroom apartment). Perhaps visit the sandy beach at Takapuna, with superb views out to the volcanic island of Rangitoto. (N)

Day 6: Waitomo caves • Rotorua

Travel south to the Waitomo caves region. Take a boat ride through the caves and see the thousands of glow worms that illuminate the grotto. Continue on past rolling hills and pastureland to Rotorua and stay at the Ramada Resort by Wyndham Rotorua Marama (two-bedroom townhouse) for 3 nights. (N)

Days 7-8: Rotorua

Days at leisure. Optional excursions include taking the gondola up Mount Ngongotaha for spectacular views over Rotorua, relaxing in the hot pools of Polynesian Spa, walking on high canopy trails through ancient forests or taking a day trip to the Hobbiton film set, where scenes from The Lord of the Rings were filmed. (N)

Day 9: Fly to Christchurch

Return your hire car and fly to Christchurch. On arrival, collect your new hire car. Stay overnight at the Rydges Latimer Square. (N)

Day 10: Lake Tekapo

Travel across the Canterbury Plains for a 1-night stay at Mantra Lake Tekapo (twobedroom apartment). Relax in the hot springs or take a hike or bicycle ride around the glacier-fed waters of Lake Tekapo. (N)

Day 11: Queenstown

Drive past braided river valleys, native beech forests and lush alpine meadows on your way to Queenstown, the adventure capital of the world. Stay 3 nights at Oaks Shores (two-bedroom apartment), set against The Remarkables mountain range and next to Lake Wakatipu. (N)

Days 12-13: Queenstown

Days at leisure. Optional excursions include a 4×4 tour through Skippers Canyon, rafting, kayaking or zip lining. (N)

Day 14: Wanaka

Drive through the Kawarau gorge and via Cromwell and Lake Dunstan to Wanaka for an overnight stay at the Distinction Wanaka Alpine Resort (two-bedroom apartment). This town provides access to Mount Aspiring National Park. (N)

Day 15: Franz Josef

Travel to the West Coast, a remote area full of rainforests, snow-capped mountains and thundering waterfalls. Leisurely walks can be taken to the foot of Fox and Franz Josef glaciers, with the chance to soak in the glacier hot pools. Overnight at Punga Grove (twobedroom unit). (N)

Day 16: TranzAlpine train • Christchurch

Return your hire car in Greymouth before boarding the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch. Traverse the Southern Alps passing stunning mountain scenery. Overnight at Rydges Latimer Square (two-bedroom suite). (N)

Day 17: Onward travel

Transfer to the airport and fly home, or continue your holiday in New Zealand. (N)

Meal basis

As per itinerary – B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals.

Important information Flights:

International and internal flights are not included with this itinerary. For flight options and prices, please contact your Cox & Kings travel consultant

Superior tour

This tour is based in 4- and 5-star accommodation.

Tailor-made travel

For a price quote based on alternative accommodation standards, to discuss flight options or to tailor this itinerary, please call to speak with a Cox & Kings consultant or enquire online.