New Zealand Panorama

Auckland
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Experience the contrasts of New Zealand's two distinct islands. From Queenstown's magnificent outdoors and Rotorua's geothermal wonderland to Auckland's sparkling harbour - yours to explore along a journey through this island nation.

Departure dates

From 18/10/2024 to 21/11/2024

What's included

Highlights.
6 Breakfast (B)2 Regional Dinner (RD)1 Farewell Dinner (FD)Queenstown: Come and meet your host a 'Southern Girl' local farmer in the South Island, for some good old fashioned southern hospitality.
Rotorua: Visit Te Puia for the Te Po experience, an evening of Māori culture and connection.
Dine on traditional Hangi-inspired cuisine, followed by a captivating cultural performance.
Rotorua: Visit Whakarewarewa Living Village for insights into the lives of the Maori community and their special bond they share with their country, Aotearoa.
Rotorua: Visit the National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa and learn about the work being done to save New Zealand's national bird.
Your visit contributes to saving the kiwi bird.
Explore Waitomo Caves, and the National Kiwi Hatchery in Rotorua with a Local SpecialistDiscover Queenstown, Auckland, and RotoruaVisit A sheep and deer farm in Southland and Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley in Rotorua.
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An expert Travel Director and professional DriverCherry-picked hotels, all tried and trustedPorterage where hotels provide this serviceBreakfast daily and up to half of your evening mealsMust-see sightseeing and surprise extrasAll land transport shown.
All transfers shownLuxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)Optional Experiences and free timeA Trafalgar bonus - Intra-Air Flight: Queenstown to Auckland.
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Itinerary / more information

  • Day 1 Your journey to the Islands of New Zealand kicks off in Queenstown (flights to arrive prior to 4pm). The the evening is free for you to enjoy one of its many lakefront restaurants and bars. Why not try some of the famous New Zealand lamb with a Pinot Noir from the local Otago wine region?
  • Day 2 Get a taste of country life combined with good old fashioned southern hospitality as you meet a 'Southern Girl' local farmer at Real Country on this Be My Guest experience. Have demonstrations of Horse communication and Working sheep dog mustering. Try your hand at a Stock whip cracking lesson, and feed and interact with the friendly farm animals. For every guest, we donate funds to The Fairlight Foundation, Advancing Women in Agriculture. After this fun insight into the real New Zealand, you'll be ready for a scenic afternoon. Jump right in travelling to the historic gold mining heritage of Arrowtown. Learn the town's history when in 1862 thousands flocked to Arrowtown to strike it rich in gold mining. Stroll through town admiring the dozens of buildings from the gold rush era and more recently restored historic cottages, churches, and new boutiques and shops. Don't miss the Chinese Settlement at the edge of the Arrow River made of restored shelters and buildings originally constructed in 1868. For the next part of your adventure, it's all aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw heading across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet barbecue dinner, piled high with local delicacies. After dinner at this historic homestead, learn about life on the farm watching the sheep dogs in action before the scenic cruise back to your Queenstown hotel.
  • Day 3 Say 'good morning' to Queenstown with a full day of ways to play in this adventure capital. How about an Optional Experience of a thrilling, adrenalin-rush jet boat ride with Skippers Jet on an excursion through Skippers Canyon? If you're looking for another type of adventure, consider a journey through the rainforest of World Heritage Fiordland National Park for an unforgettable cruise on heritage listed national park Milford Sound/Piopiotahi past sheer cliffs, white-capped peaks, and waterfalls. This stunning landscape showcases the beauty of New Zealand. Or tempt your taste buds on a wine tour of the Otago region renowned for Pinot Noir, and other local varieties. You'll visit and tour three premium boutique vineyards and enjoy a wine paired platter lunch. However you explore, there's plenty of adventure to be had and shared with your travel mates after a full day.
  • Day 4 With fond memories of your time in Queenstown and its surrounds, it's a change of scene today departing Queenstown and flying north to Auckland, the 'City of Sails.' As you fly in over the harbour, admire the city's namesake sailboats and get excited for Auckland's rich Maori history paired with its cosmopolitan vibe. Settle into your hotel in the heart of the city's Federal Street - a hotspot for food lovers offering plenty of options. The evening is yours to enjoy in Federal Street or to head downtown for waterfront dining. You could even choose to dine in the towering Skytower for rotating, 360-degree views across the city.
  • Day 5 Journey through King Country, which was at the centre of the New Zealand Wars in the 1860s. Join a Local Specialist in in a starry wonderland - a cavernous galaxy of twinkling glowworms, in shades of iridescent green and blue, lighting up the Waitomo Caves. This evening, embark on the Te Po experience at Te Puia. Learn about Maori history and culture on this guided experience, which includes a dinner of hangi-inspired cuisine and a spellbinding cultural performance in a finely carved meeting house, Te Aronui a Rua. It ends on a high at the powerful Pohutu Geyser, where, armed with hot chocolate, you'll view one of New Zealand's geothermal wonderlands - featuring dramatic geysers, bubbling mud, surrounded by beautiful native bush.
  • Day 6 It's you're final full day on your tour and it's a big one. Begin at the National Kiwi Hatchery to learn everything about the New Zealand's national bird, the kiwi, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER(R) Experience. Watch kiwi eggs being incubated, the hatching process, and newly hatched kiwi chicks. Your Local Specialist will tell you all about their kiwi bird breeding programme, 'Operation Nest Egg' and how your visit contributes to it. After a morning learning about the kiwi, you're off to Dive Into Culture at the Living M?ori Village Whakarewarewa, the world's only living M?ori village where people live on a daily basis, using natural geothermal resources to cook, bathe and heat their homes as they have for centuries. Soak in this beautiful land of geothermal fields and steaming lakes that the T?hourangi Ng?ti W?hiao people have been living on since 1886. Take the trails and gain an appreciation of the M?ori's connection to this land. You'll cap off your day joining your Travel Director and companions for a Farewell Dinner.
  • Day 7 Savour your last morning of your New Zealand tour over a final delicious breakfast with your travel mates. Then bid farewell as you are transferred from Rotorua to the Auckland Airport for your onward flight (flights to depart after 2pm).
  • Prices quoted valid for sale until 19 August 2024 unless otherwise stated or sold out prior.
  • Price is per person and subject to availability. Accommodation (if included) is based on twin share unless otherwise stated.
  • Airfare (including internal flights) is not included unless otherwise stated and, if included, is economy class unless otherwise stated.
  • Local payments, "trip kittys" or food funds may apply and may be payable direct to the supplier on arrival or to your travel agent prior to your departure. Where applicable, these payments are included in the total price quoted.
  • Gratuities are not included unless otherwise stated.
  • Additional conditions and travel restrictions may apply. Please enquire for further details.
  • Prices shown are fully inclusive of taxes, levies and government charges current at time of publication.
  • Additional levies, government charges and other applicable fees may apply and are beyond our control.
  • Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply depending on date of travel.
  • Payments made by credit card will incur a surcharge.
  • Prices shown are for payments made by cash in store or Bpay.
  • These prices are a guide to the best price. Prices are correct as at 14 August 2024 and are subject to change without notice, due to matters outside our control, such as adverse currency fluctuations, fuel surcharges, taxes and airfare increases. Please enquire for further details.

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