Scenic Highlighter

Day 1: Auckland / Longlands Homestead / Rotorua

This morning travel to the top of Mt Eden for spectacular views of the city and harbour, then journey south to Goldfields Railway. This vintage train will carry you through the upper reaches of the stunning Karangahake Gorge. Visit a working dairy farm for a guided tour, followed by a delicious roast lamb lunch. After lunch visit the Whakarewarewa Forest for a relaxing stroll through the towering Redwoods before continuing to Rotorua. Tonight get a taste of Maori life at the ‘Realm of Tane’ cultural performance and Hangi feast. Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 2 nights at Hamurana Country Estate or Treetops Lodge & Estate. Must be pre-booked, surcharge applies.
Accommodation: 2 nights in Rotorua

Day 2: Rotorua / Scenic Free Choice

This morning enjoy a guided tour of Te Puia Thermal Reserve and the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. See the bubbling mud pools, thermal valley and the Pohutu Geyser which explodes from the ground shooting boiling water up to 30 metres into the air. Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from the entertaining Agrodome sheep shearing and farm dog show; explore Rotorua’s city and lakes on an amphibious duck tour; relax in the geothermal mineral pools of the Polynesian Spa; take a thrilling 4WD Safari adventure; visit the Buried Village; enjoy trout fishing on one of Rotorua’s many lakes; visit Rotorua Museum.

Day 3: Napier / Winery Dinner

Visit Huka Falls, Wairakei Steam Valley and Lake Taupo. Continue on to the coastal township of Napier. This afternoon enjoy a guided walk around this unique city renowned for its Art Deco architecture. Your walk finishes at the Hawkes Bay Museum where you will learn about Napier’s history. Tonight enjoy wine tasting and dinner at Church Road Winery.
Accommodation: 1 night in Napier

Day 4: Napier / Wellington

This morning depart Napier and continue south to Wellington. On arrival enjoy a guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum.
Accommodation: 1 night in Wellington

Day 5: Marlborough Sounds / Christchurch

Board the InterIslander Ferry for a cruise through the breathtaking beauty of the Marlborough Sounds to Picton on New Zealand’s south island. Continue southward along the spectacular east coast to Christchurch, including a short stop at the Kaikoura seal colony.
Accommodation: 1 night in Christchurch

Day 6: TranzAlpine / Franz Josef Glacier

Today’s touring takes you on an unforgettable journey through the magnificent Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue on by coach to Hokitika to see skilled craftsmen carving Pounama (Jade) into jewellry and other artefacts. Stop and view the awesome Franz Josef Glacier, a stunning landscape hewn by ice and a living remnant of the last Ice Age.
Accommodation: 1 night at the Franz Josef Glacier

Day 7: Franz Josef / Queenstown / Scenic Free Choice Dining

Enjoy a day of beautiful scenery as you travel through the Haast Pass and on to picturesque Queenstown. Scenic FreeChoice Dining: choose from cruising Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw historic steamship then dine at Walter Peak Station; ride the gondola up to Skyline Restaurant and dine with views of Queenstown; enjoy a relaxing a-la-carte dinner at Lombardis Restaurant. Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 3 nights at Evergreen Lodge. Must be pre-booked.
Accommodation: 3 nights in Queenstown

Day 8: Dart Wilderness Adventure / Scenic Free Choice

This morning begins with a breathtaking drive to Glenorchy for your exclusive Stockman’s breakfast. After breakfast board your jet boat for an unforgettable trip on the Dart River. Weave through labyrinths of fast flowing water channels, dart up shingle river terraces, glide into tranquil deep rock chasms and see towering snow-capped peaks, glaciers and waterfalls. Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from indulging yourself with a therapeutic massage or foot revival; tour local country gardens including morning tea; take a guided walk through Mt Aspiring National Park and the Routeburn Valley; enjoy a guided tour of local wineries with lunch; take an exhilarating ride through Shotover Canyon in a jet boat; see the beautiful scenery of the Southern Lakes region on a 4WD tour; discover the secrets of bungy jumping followed by lunch or a bungy jump; enjoy a scenic guided tour to historic Skippers Canyon.

Day 9: Queenstown Free Day

Today is free to explore at your own pace

Day 10: Milford Sound / Te Anau

Enjoy the scenic splendour today as you travel through the breathtaking Fiordland National Park. Experience an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound, the most accessible of Fiordland’s magnificent glacier carved fiords. Grand, brooding, serene and wild, Milford Sound is simply stunning. Milford Sound Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade and overnight on spectacular Milford Sound. Must be pre-booked.
Accommodation: 1 night in Te Anau

Day 11: Te Anau / Dunedin

Enjoy a scenic cruise across Lake Te Anau to the Glowworm Caves. Continue on to Dunedin, New Zealand's oldest city. Home Stay: Opportunity to experience the warmth of the local people during an overnight ‘Home Stay’ (included in tour at no extra cost, must be pre-booked).
Accommodation: 1 night in Dunedin

Day 12: Dunedin / Twizel

This morning enjoy a city tour of Dunedin. Then head north to Twizel, stopping at the famous Moeraki Boulders en-route.
Accommodation: 1 night in Twizel

Day 13: Mt Cook / Lake Tekapo / Christchurch

This morning travel to the beautiful Mt Cook National Park to view Mt Cook (subject to weather). Continue to the picturesque glacier-fed lake of Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd and finally to Christchurch where you will bid farewell to new found friends. We trust that you enjoyed your Scenic experience! (Please book flights 6.00pm onwards. Own expense, pre-book with Travel Agent).

Christchurch Farewell Dinner Option Celebrate the end of your tour with drinks and canapés served on board the Christchurch Historic Tram as you trundle through the tree-lined streets of the City of Churches. The evening's dining then continues at the boutique 'Six Chairs Missing' restaurant. Farewell dinner can be added to day 14 of your tour for $75 per person.