Name: New Zealand Magic
Brand: AAT Kings
SKU: LCBA24
Price: 5776 USD
Availability: LimitedAvailability
Rating: 5 (2 reviews)

Overview

What's this trip about?

From bubbling geysers to yawning gorges; gem-like glaciers to mirrored lakes; snow-tipped mountains to subtropical islands; it’s hard to believe that such a small country packs so much natural punch into its two islands. And then there are New Zealand’s cosmopolitan cities and towns, and celebration of Māori culture wherever you turn. Make no mistake – this journey from south to north is the ultimate New Zealand tour. Magic is an understatement.

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights

Group sizeStandard Group - 25 + people

Age range65+, 50 - 64, 36 - 49, 18 - 35, 12 - 17, 6 - 11

Flights and transportAll internal transport included (including local flights)

Start CityChristchurch (Nz)

End CityAuckland

Travel Themes

Activities

Culture

Trip includes

Specialist team of two both highly experienced Travel Director and Driver Guide 1 UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Fiordland National Park Comfortable accommodation with easy access to city centres National Park entrance fees

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Christchurch

Explore the ‘Garden City’ at your leisure. We recommend jumping aboard the tram for a Christchurch tour – the conductors are a hoot – to discover how the city has rebuilt itself since the devastating 2010/11 earthquakes. It’s changing the way architects think about de...

Day 2: Christchurch - Franz Josef/Waiau

Your New Zealand tour starts on a high as you jump aboard the TranzAlpine train bound for Arthur's Pass, through tunnels and over viaducts with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, icy rivers, beech forests, gorges and river valleys. From Arthur’s Pass, visit the sma...

Day 3: Franz Josef/Waiau - Queenstown

Over the Haast Pass, the alpine scenery of the Southern Lakes spreads before you. First up there’s lovely Lake Wanaka, with its Instagrammable shoreline of poplars and willows. Followed by oh-so-blue Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan, where you’ll pause to refuel on flavour...

Day 4: Queenstown Free Time

Take today at your own pace. Like things fast and furious? Feel the wind in your hair on high-octane jet boat ride, perhaps. There’s a reason why Queenstown is known as the adventure capital of the country. Nature lover? Discover some of New Zealand’s feathered friend...

Day 5: Queenstown - Te Anau

From the moment you step outside today, nature rules. Your route from the Mirror Lakes through the Cleddau Valley is the entrée to your Milford Sound/Piopiotahi tour. Cruising this World Heritage listed expanse will give you goosebumps, a string of waterfalls creating...

Day 6: Te Anau - Dunedin

Soak up the serenity of the South Island’s biggest lake on an early morning walk, perhaps, before leaving the forested slopes of Fiordland behind. Rolling green hills dotted with doe-eyed sheep are your new backdrop as you ease into the Edinburgh of the South: Dunedin...

Day 7: Dunedin - Omarama

Time is on your side this morning. Sleep in or take a stroll around the manicured grounds of Otago University to the city’s main George Street. If you’ve ever wanted to see New Zealand’s oldest public gardens, today you’re in luck with a visit to Oamaru, known for its stately tree-lined streets and limestone buildings.

Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel

Full Breakfast, Dinner

Day 8: Omarama - Christchurch

Your outlook this morning is the Canterbury Plains: the turquoise waters of Lake Tekapo, snow-capped mountains and atmospheric towns. Your Indoor Dark Sky Astronomy Experience at Tekapo, hosted by passionate guides, will forever change the way you see the night sky. Y...

Day 9: Christchurch - Picton

There aren’t many beaches more dramatic than the sands of Kaikoura. Bonus points if you spot a sea lion or sperm whale frolicking offshore, Kaikoura is the marine wildlife centre of New Zealand. Your onward route skirts the pink tinged crystallisation ponds of the Lak...

Day 10: Picton - Wellington

Swap wheels for water aboard the Interislander for a cruise through Queen Charlotte Sound, up the Tory Channel and across Cook Strait, from the South Island to the North, navigating a maze of arms and inlets into New Zealand’s cool little capital of Wellington.

Travelodge Wellington

Full Breakfast

Day 11: Wellington - Rotorua

Follow the lead of locals along the Kapiti Coast, the traditional summer playground of Wellingtonians. You’ll understand why. The road ahead unfolds in a broad panorama of Lake Taupo, the largest (and perhaps bluest) of its kind in the country. It’s a landscape almost...

Day 12: Rotorua Free Time

Explore at your own pace today, but with plenty of tips from your Travel Director. Want a bit of down time? We wouldn’t blame you for simply blissing out at Wai Araki Hot Springs & Spa. Hobbit fans will want to take advantage of the opportunity to tour the sights ...

Day 13: Rotorua - Auckland

Set your internal GPS to cross the Waikato River and head towards the Waitomo Caves. This place is radiant – quite literally. While cruising cavernous limestone waterways, your route is cast in a magical light by thousands of glowworms. The next thing that glows on yo...

Day 14: Auckland - Bay of Islands

Say goodbye to the ‘City of Sails’ as you journey north to New Zealand’s dramatic Bay of Islands – 140 islands ringed by turquoise sea. It’s undeniably beautiful, but it also holds a special historical significance: this is where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1...

Day 15: Bay of Islands Free Time

If there’s a travel destination that inspires wanderlust, the Bay of Islands is it. Today, trip the light fantastic and head off in whatever direction you please. Perhaps travel up to Cape Reinga/Te Rerenga Wairua, the very top of New Zealand, via idyllic Ninety Mile ...

Day 16: Bay of Islands - Auckland

Today, New Zealand’s most northerly city is well and truly on your radar. Whangarei is like the country in a tantalizing snapshot – a union of nature and forward-thinking culture. Explore at your leisure before sinking back into your seat for the mesmerizing commute back to Auckland.

Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre

Full Breakfast

Day 17: Farewell from Auckland

It’s hard to say goodbye to Auckland – this city is hypnotic. But you have a camera full of New Zealand tour photos to categorise before you get home.

Full Breakfast

Dates & Availability

Price from

$5,776

Price per day

$340

New Zealand Magic Reviews & Ratings

5/5 Excellent

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Trusted Customer

Nov 2024

New Zealand Magicby AAT Kings

New Zealand Magic

Well organised and Guide Marty was superb and his exceptional knowledge ma...

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Associations

Details

Accommodation:

Ibis Hotel Christchurch
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Copthorne Hotel and Resort Queenstown
Distinction Luxmore Hotel
Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel
Picton Yacht Club
Travelodge Wellington
Ibis Rotorua Hotel
Holiday Inn Express Auckland City Centre
Copthorne Hotel and Resort

Group size:

Standard Group - 25 + people

Maximum number of people in group:

40

Trip Excludes:

Meals included:

16 Full Breakfast (B)
7 Dinner (D)
2 Highlight Dinner (HD)

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New Zealand Magic

AAT Kings

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