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New Zealand Reflections from Auckland

Duration
7 Days
Prices From:
US$ 1,908

FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: If you want to explore the “best of New Zealand” on an independent basis but have limited time, try this classic 7 day tour that takes you to New Zealand’s vibrant cities and natural wonders including Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown and Milford Sound.


From top to bottom (or vice versa) this 7 day itinerary takes in the best of New Zealand’s vibrant cities and natural wonders including Auckland, Rotorua, Queenstown and Milford Sound.

New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland seduces visitors with its laid back pace, world class museums, galleries and gardens. Early arrivals can enjoy spectacular city views from Mt Eden, or visit historic Parnell Village.

Believed to be over two million years old, the Waitomo Caves are a major draw for visitors fascinated by their large population of glowworms and beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. You’ll have the chance to explore them on your way to Rotorua, where spouting geysers and boiling mudpools showcase geothermal New Zealand at its best. An included tour of this area includes Rainbow Springs, Te Whakarewarewa thermal reserve and Te Puia Rotorua. Also enjoy a traditional Maori concert and Hangi (feast) for a taste of New Zealand’s indigenous culture.

A Mecca for skiers, Queenstown puts you in the heart of the South Island’s mountain landscape. Less active travellers can enjoy an optional scenic helicopter flight, jetboat trip or Gondola ride to take in the sights. An included day trip takes you to Milford Sound, a breathtaking, 16km long fjord carved by glaciers out to the Tasman Sea. 


 

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At Goway we are experts at designing personalized itineraries to suit your special interests, tastes and budget. Let us arrange your ultimate travel experience today.
Duration
7 Days
Prices From:
US$ 1,908

Itinerary View Trip Map

Day 1

Arrive Auckland

On arrival at Auckland Airport transfer to your hotel.

The balance of the day is at leisure to explore the "City of Sails" at your own pace.

 

Duration1 Night
Accommodation

Heritage Auckland Hotel

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Location View map
  • starstarstarstar

    Heritage Auckland Hotel



    The Heritage Auckland is an ideal place to stay for both leisure and business travellers. The hotel is positioned overlooking Waitemata Harbour in the heart of Auckland's business district. The hotel is within walking distance of the city's many attractions, including the Sky Tower Casino, …

    The Heritage Auckland is an ideal place to stay for both leisure and business travellers. The hotel is positioned overlooking Waitemata Harbour in the heart of Auckland's business district. The hotel is within walking distance of the city's many attractions, including the Sky Tower Casino, the shops of Queen Street and Auckland city's finest cafes and restaurants. It includes two distinctive accommodation wings, The Hotel (reflects delightful ornate touches carefully preserved from the building's past) and The Tower (offers a more contemporary design). They are connected by a walkway enabling guests to access the range of facilities available. Both have their own entrance and reception areas.

    Facilities

    • Bar(s)
    • Concierge
    • Conference Facilities
    • Daycare/Babysitting Service
    • Gift Shop
    • Gym/Fitness Centre
    • Internet Access
    • Laundry/Dry Cleaning Service
    • Massage Treatments
    • Parking
    • Reception (24 hrs)
    • Restaurant(s)
    • Room Service
    • Sauna
    • Spa

    More Details

    Preferred Hotel
Day 2

Auckland to Rotorua via Hobbiton

Travel south from Auckland over the Bombay Hills to the rich farmland of the Waikato region. You travel through the heritage town of Cambridge where tree-lined streets add to the English-style atmosphere. From here your journey takes you through undulating green hills reminding you that you are approaching Hobbiton Shire.

On arrival at Shire's Rest you embark on your Hobbiton movie set tour. This location is the largest "green set" in the world and the only place where you get an emotional response to a movie set in a natural setting. You see 44 hobbit holes, the Mill and double arch bridge and the party tree. At this stunning location you can take a photo at the door of Bilbo's house, "Bag End", looking out over the whole set to the hills in the distance. The tour ends with a visit to the Green Dragon Inn for a drink. After the tour at Hobbiton board the shuttle at Shire's Rest Cafe for your journey to Rotorua.

Duration6 Hours

Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel

Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel offers sophisticated, luxury lodge style accommodation right on the edge of Lake Rotorua with a backdrop of mature gardens. The Black Swan fuses classic sophistication and contemporary chic to create a thoroughly modern and uniquely luxurious Rotorua lakefront Boutique Hotel with personalised lodge style service. Whether for business or pleasure, experience exceptional lakefront living, luxury accommodations, exquisite dining and the finest amenities.The Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel is a beautifully appointed 5 star property that offers the discerning visitor the opportunity to experience the comforts and hospitality of personalised luxury hotel accommodation, whilst enjoying an exclusive and intimate environment. The expansive grounds include rose gardens, sweeping lawns, swimming pool, secret grotto, sandy beach, private jetty, heli-pad and eight suites. Luxury accommodation comprises 8 beautifully appointed king/twin guest suites with stunning views over the lake or gardens.

Meal Plan - S4P3
Duration2 Nights
Accommodation

Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel

More Info

Location View map
  • starstarstarstarstar

    Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel



    Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel offers sophisticated, luxury lodge style accommodation right on the edge of Lake Rotorua with a backdrop of mature gardens. The Black Swan fuses classic sophistication and contemporary chic to create a thoroughly modern and uniquely luxurious Rotorua lakefront Boutique Hotel …

    Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel offers sophisticated, luxury lodge style accommodation right on the edge of Lake Rotorua with a backdrop of mature gardens. The Black Swan fuses classic sophistication and contemporary chic to create a thoroughly modern and uniquely luxurious Rotorua lakefront Boutique Hotel with personalised lodge style service. Whether for business or pleasure, experience exceptional lakefront living, luxury accommodations, exquisite dining and the finest amenities.The Black Swan Lakeside Boutique Hotel is a beautifully appointed 5 star property that offers the discerning visitor the opportunity to experience the comforts and hospitality of personalised luxury hotel accommodation, whilst enjoying an exclusive and intimate environment. The expansive grounds include rose gardens, sweeping lawns, swimming pool, secret grotto, sandy beach, private jetty, heli-pad and eight suites. Luxury accommodation comprises 8 beautifully appointed king/twin guest suites with stunning views over the lake or gardens.

    Facilities

    • Bar
    • Business Centre
    • Disabled Facilities
    • Fireplace
    • Golf
    • Internet Access
    • Laundry facilities
    • Lounge(s)
    • Non Smoking Property
    • Parking
    • Restaurant
    • Sauna
    • Swimming Pool

    More Details

Evening Experience - Winter Matakiri at Tamaki Maori Village

This evening, you will engage in an immersive experience blending the best in Maori culture and cuisine. Tonight, participate in a heart-warming ritual and the mystical ceremony of the umu kohukohu while feasting on delicious and nourishing seasonal kai (cuisine). Crackling bonfires in the native tawa forest and cozy whare (houses) are the intimate backdrop to Tu Te Ihi.

Upon arrival at the village, a torch-lined path leads you to a candle-lit wharekai for a sumptuous four-course hakari (feast). Feel amazed as the mementos of Aotearoa history and eras, as well as the warm whanau (family) vibe intensify the spirit of hakari. Your winter forest kai morsels have been designed by award-winning Maori chefs, and they may include local delicacies like spit-roasted tuna (native eel), mugs of steaming hot pork and watercress boil up, creamed paua on rewena crostini, foraged greens, chunks of smoked kahawai with lashings of basil sauce and corn husk wrapped kumara kept warm in ashes.

Duration4 Hours
Day 3

Elite Rotorua Full Day Tour

Our local naturalist guide will explain the volcanic processes of Rotorua and New Zealand. You clients will see volcanoes, geysers, New Zealand's largest boiling mud pool, and hot springs on a scenic drive around volcanic landscapes of farmland, native and exotic forests.

The two heritage parks offer a variety of thermal activity; at Wai-o-tapu the amazingly colourful hot springs and moon-like landscapes are the key features along with the famous Lady Know geyser. At Waimangu Volcanic valley the guide will explain the Mt Tarawera eruption, native flora and fauna and the geothermal features which were blown open in 1886.

Then spend an afternoon gaining an appreciation of New Zealand's Maori culture with visits to settlement sites and living villages. You will learn about Maori customs, traditions, history and protocols new and old, with a guided visit to Te Puia, Rotorua's premier cultural centre.

The guided tour through Te Puia includes a visit to the wood carving school, art and craft gallery, Rotowhio Marae, weaving display, kiwi house, boiling mud pools and NZ's largest geyser Pohutu.

Next we visit Rainbow Springs Rotorua's premier nature park. Here you can learn more about New Zealand's native flora and fauna including the Kiwi bird. Rainbow springs is home to the worlds largest Kiwi breeding program (Operation nest egg). See natural cold-water springs teeming with wild trout, native forest and more. At the conclusion of the tour we will drive around the Government Gardens before returning to your accommodation.

Duration8 Hours
Day 4

Rotorua Hotel to Airport

Duration30 Minutes

Queenstown Airport to Queenstown City Hotel

Duration30 Minutes

Heritage Queenstown

The Heritage Queenstown offers enchanting views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkable Mountain Range. A short distance from the town centre, this unique European style lodge is surrounded by native forest in the heart of New Zealand's alpine wonderland. Crafted from centuries old schist and cedar, The Heritage Queenstown is the perfect place to relax in comfortable yet sophisticated surroundings. The Heritage offers a choice of 178 luxury rooms, including traditional deluxe hotel accommodation and spacious 1 or 2 bedroom Suites. Each room is thoughtfully decorated, featuring individual touches which reflect unique high country origins.

Meal Plan Room Only - Best available room only rate
Duration3 Nights
Accommodation

Heritage Queenstown

More Info

Location View map
  • starstarstarstar

    Heritage Queenstown



    The Heritage Queenstown offers enchanting views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkable Mountain Range. A short distance from the town centre, this unique European style lodge is surrounded by native forest in the heart of New Zealand's alpine wonderland. Crafted from centuries old schist and …

    The Heritage Queenstown offers enchanting views of Lake Wakatipu and The Remarkable Mountain Range. A short distance from the town centre, this unique European style lodge is surrounded by native forest in the heart of New Zealand's alpine wonderland. Crafted from centuries old schist and cedar, The Heritage Queenstown is the perfect place to relax in comfortable yet sophisticated surroundings. The Heritage offers a choice of 178 luxury rooms, including traditional deluxe hotel accommodation and spacious 1 or 2 bedroom Suites. Each room is thoughtfully decorated, featuring individual touches which reflect unique high country origins.

    Facilities

    • Bar(s)
    • Concierge
    • Conference Facilities
    • Gym/Fitness Centre
    • Internet Access
    • Parking
    • Pool (s)
    • Restaurant(s)
    • Room Service
    • Sauna
    • Spa
    • Wheelchair Accessible Rooms

    More Details

    Preferred Hotel
Day 5

Discover Milford Sound Coach Cruise Coach incl Lunch

Depart Queenstown and take a luxurious coach ride along the shores of Lake Wakatipu and Lake Te Anau. These tranquil lakes are crystal clear and reflect the surrounding mountains. The driver's compelling commentary will keep you informed and entertained throughout.

Enter Fiordland National Park and pass through Eglington Valley, one of the only road-accessible glacier valleys in New Zealand. Take the opportunity to capture some memorable shots of the Mirror Lakes or the ancient alpine forests as you get closer to Milford Sound. The glass-roof coach will give you sensational views of the peaks soaring above you while you cross the Main Divide of the Southern Alps. Make a stop at Monkey Creek and drink some of the freshest water in the world before venturing through the Homer Tunnel, a 1.2km tunnel drilled into solid rock. After the Homer Tunnel, then experience The Chasm, a short but impressive walk over footbridges spanning a series of powerful, swirling waterfalls and rapids, before arriving at the fiord.

Next, board the most luxurious catamaran in Milford Sound to explore the spectacular fiord. Venture out to the Tasman Sea while cruising past tumbling waterfalls, glacier-scarred rock walls and lush rainforests. Keep an eye out for wildlife species such as seals, penguins and dolphins and get a glimpse of Mitre Peak. A tasty picnic lunch will keep you filled on board.

Duration12 Hours
Day 6

Day at Leisure

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Day 7

Queenstown City Hotel to Queenstown Airport

Duration30 Minutes

Other Information

DEPARTURES:

Daily.

PRICE INCLUDES:

  • Shared arrival and departure transfers in Auckland and Rotorua
  • Private arrival and departure transfers in Queenstown
  • 1 night first-class accommodation in Auckland
  • 2 nights first-class accommodation in Rotorua
  • 3 nights first-class accommodation in Queenstown
  • Shared Auckland to Rotorua via Waitomo Caves excursion
  • Shared Maori concert and dinner
  • Shared half day Rotorua tour
  • Shared full day Milford Sound cruise including transportation from Queenstown
  • 2 lunches, 1 dinner

PRICE EXCLUDES:

  • Travel insurance
  • International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
  • Visa fees if applicable
  • Meals and beverages not specifically indicated
  • Optional excursions
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Gratuities

TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please enquire.

DP AUCTPK8DCHRNZ2
18 Jul 2023
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