Doubtful Sound from the air

                  

Itinerary for Mr and Mrs Fleming

Thank you for your interest in New Zealand In Depth.

Further to our discussion, we have prepared a personalised itinerary for you which is designed to illustrate some of the fabulous experiences that you could enjoy during your holiday.

If you have any comments about the itinerary, or require any additional information or suggestions, then please do not hesitate to contact us.

Day 1: Auckland

Today you will arrive in Auckland, the City of Sails. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city and has a great waterfront location on the Hauraki Gulf. It is the ideal place to acclimatise to NZ time before you continue your travels.

Auckland is a cosmopolitan city with a wide range of dining and wining options and it is also home of Sky Tower, the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere. A trip to the viewing platform provides superb views of the city and Hauraki Gulf.

Accommodation in Auckland for 2 nights.

Day 2: Auckland

At leisure in Auckland.

Day 3: Auckland - Napier

After collecting your hire car this morning, your drive will take you across the North Island to Hawke’s Bay and Napier on the east coast. On the way you will pass through the Maori and geothermal centre of Rotorua and then touch the shore of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake and the flooded caldera of a volcano that last erupted in AD181 in the most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history.

Following its devastation by a huge earthquake in 1931, Napier was rebuilt in the architectural style of the time and it is now considered to be the Art Deco capital of the world.

Hawke’s Bay has the distinction of being New Zealand’s sunniest region and also it’s second largest wine growing region. Chardonnay predominates with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah also being grown.

A spectacular wildlife experience is at nearby Cape Kidnappers. The gannet reserve there is home to the largest and most accessible mainland gannet colony in the world.

Accommodation in Napier for 3 nights.

Day 4: Napier

Today you may wish to take a private guided tour of some of the top class wineries in the area which is a great way to sample their excellent products without worrying about who is driving!

Day 5: Napier

At leisure in Napier.

Day 6: Napier - Martinborough

Today you will drive south alongside the Ruahine Range and then through the Wairarapa to Martinborough.

Martinborough is a “wine village” with more than 20 boutique vineyards, many of which are within walking distance of the village centre. It is famed in particular for its Pinot Noir.

The village is also only an hour away from Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand and home to Te Papa, the superb national museum of New Zealand.

Accommodation in Martinborough for 2 nights.

Day 7: Martinborough

At leisure in Martinborough.

Day 8: Martinborough - Abel Tasman National Park

This morning you will return your car at the Wellington ferry terminal and take the ferry journey across the Cook Strait and then through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to Picton on the South Island. On arrival you will collect a new car and drive via Nelson to Marahau and Abel Tasman National Park.

With its great climate, beautiful beaches and clear waters, Abel Tasman and nearby Golden Bay are perfect for coastal walks and sea kayaking or a combination of the two.

We would also highly recommend that you make the hour long trip over Takaka Hill to Collingwood for a guided safari along the stunning Farewell Spit, the longest natural sandbar in the world and home to a wide variety of bird life.

Accommodation in Marahau for 3 nights.

Day 9: Abel Tasman National Park

At leisure in Abel Tasman National Park.

Day 10: Abel Tasman National Park

At leisure in Abel Tasman National Park.

Day 11: Abel Tasman National Park - Fox Glacier

Your journey today will take you down the mighty Buller Gorge to Westport on the west coast. You will then follow the wild Tasman Sea coast south to Glacier Country and Fox Glacier which is overlooked by Mt Cook and Mt Tasman, New Zealand’s highest peaks.

Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are unique in that they terminate amongst temperate rainforest almost at sea level. The area has some great walking including half and full day guided walks on the glaciers themselves. Helicopter flights into the mountains are a particularly spectacular attraction.

Accommodation in Fox Glacier for 2 nights.

Day 12: Fox Glacier

At leisure in Fox Glacier.

Day 13: Fox Glacier - Te Anau

Today will take you through the Haast Pass to Wanaka and then to Queenstown over the challenging and spectacular drive that is the Crown Range Road, the highest main road in New Zealand. From Queenstown you will continue south to Te Anau.

Te Anau is the access point for Fiordland National Park and some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world. This evening you will join a cruise across Lake Te Anau to the fascinating Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

Accommodation in Te Anau for 3 nights.

Day 14: Te Anau - Milford Sound

Today you will drive to Milford Sound for a 2½ hour Nature Cruise on the fiord. If the weather is fine then the sight of the mountains rising vertically from the fiord is awe inspiring. If it is raining then so are the waterfalls! You will return to Te Anau after your cruise. Alternatively you may wish to join a flightseeing trip for stunning views of this World Heritage Area from the air.

Day 15: Te Anau

At leisure in Te Anau.

Day 16: Te Anau - Doubtful Sound

This morning you will take a short drive to Manapouri to join an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound. Doubtful Sound is bigger, less accessible and more peaceful than Milford. It is perfect for nature lovers as seals, penguins and dolphins are frequently seen. This is true wilderness and to spend the night here really is a magical experience.

Accommodation aboard Fiordland Navigator for 1 night.

Day 17: Doubtful Sound - Stewart Island

You will return to Manapouri by lunchtime and then drive to Bluff in the far south of the South Island to take the hour long passenger ferry service over Foveaux Straight to Stewart Island.

Stewart Island is New Zealand’s third largest island and 85% of it forms Rakiura National Park. It has a permanent population of less than 500 people and only 17 miles of roads. As it is too far off the beaten track for the majority of visitors to New Zealand, it is a true hidden gem of the country.

There are miles of walking tracks, crystal clear waters for diving and snorkelling, friendly locals and rare wildlife abounds – this is one of the few parts of New Zealand where it is possible to see kiwi in the wild.

Accommodation on Stewart Island for 3 nights.

Day 18: Stewart Island - Ulva Island

Today you will join a full day guided tour to Ulva Island which is situated within Paterson Inlet and is an Open Island Sanctuary. Introduced rats have been eradicated from the island and as a result it is one of the few places in New Zealand where you can view near pristine podocarp forest that is full of rare native birds.

Day 19: Stewart Island

At leisure on Stewart Island.

Day 20: Stewart Island - The Catlins

This morning you will take the ferry back to Bluff and then drive to Papatowai in the Catlins.

The Catlins is on the south coast of the south island and is an area of rolling hills, native forest and deserted surf pounded beaches. It is one of the quietest parts of New Zealand, well off the normal tourist trail.

You will join a 4 day guided and fully hosted tour with a fantastic local ecotourism company. They take groups of no more than 8 people to remote places to experience the flora and fauna, geology, history and conservation of the Catlins. Their knowledge of the natural and human history of this area is second to none. Rare wildlife seen includes Hooker's sea lions and yellow eyed penguins and at times yellow head, fernbird, Hector's dolphins and elephant seals. This will be one of the highlights of your holiday.

Accommodation in the Catlins for 4 nights.

Day 21: The Catlins

Exploring the Catlins.

Day 22: The Catlins

Exploring the Catlins.

Day 23: The Catlins

Exploring the Catlins.

Day 24: The Catlins - Oamaru

After breakfast you will head east around the Catlins coast and then north to Oamaru. As you pass Dunedin you may want to take a diversion out to Taiaroa Head on the Otago Peninsula to visit the only mainland colony of albatross in the world.

Oamaru is a great place to stop for the night as a colony of Blue penguins, the smallest of the world’s 17 species of penguin, is situated in the disused Oamaru harbour quarry. The penguins return to their burrows just after dark each evening and a visitor centre and viewing area with special lighting enables you to watch them come ashore.

Accommodation in Oamaru for 1 night.

Day 25: Oamaru - Akaroa

Today you will drive north across the Canterbury Plains and then over Banks Peninsula to Akaroa.

Akaroa was once a French colony and whaling settlement and still has a French feel to it. It is a beautiful and peaceful place to finish your stay in New Zealand with cafés, restaurants, small wineries, craft shops and numerous coastal walks. The natural harbour is also home to a population of Hector’s dolphins, the smallest and rarest dolphin in the world, and daily dolphin watching and swimming trips operate from the jetty.

Accommodation in Akaroa for 3 nights.

Day 26: Akaroa

At leisure in Akaroa.

Day 27: Akaroa

At leisure in Akaroa.

Day 28: Akaroa - Christchurch

Today you will drive to Christchurch Airport and return your hire car before flying to Auckland to join your flight home.

 

t: 01298 74040  e: info@nzid.co.uk

 

 

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