15D Classic Explorer Tour

Arrive by flight and transfer to Hotel. Rest of the day is at leisure

Transferred to Auckland Airport for your onward flight

This morning proceed to visit Coromandel Peninsula, a beautiful, rugged area fringed with dozens of excellent beaches and is a place where many kiwis choose to escape the hustle and hype of city life. At the quaint township of Coromandel, ride the famous Driving Creek narrow gauge railway to a fascinating artist colony.

Later, proceed to Auckland, the ‘City of Sails’ and enjoy a farewell dinner tonight with your new found friends.

Cross the Mamaku Ranges into the Waikato region, well known for its dairy farming, world famous horse studs and champion Rugby team! At Matamata, a guide will escort your group on a Hobbiton Movie Set and Farm Tour.

Experience the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, the bucolic setting for The Shire that featured in the Peter Jackson directed films, The Lord of the Rings. Your guide will escort you through the ten acre site while recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created. The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can be seen and you will experience how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth.

Later, proceed to Pauanui, and stay in favorite New Zealand holiday beach resort for our overnight stay.

Today begins with a visit to the Agrodome to see a unique New Zealand farm show. Also, visit Te Puia, home to Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and the New Zealand Maori Arts & Crafts Centre. Witness all of nature’s thermal wonders including silica terraces and the famous Pohutu Geyser.

Afternoon is at leisure to explore the city at your own.

This evening visit Tamaki Village for of fun and culture. You will experience a traditionally prepared Maori Hangi (feast) followed by a cultural performance featuring Maori songs, chants and dance including the stirring haka.

Today leave the city behind and travel through rolling farmland as we enter the Tongariro National Park, dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to the popular lakeside resort of Taupo, Stop to view the mighty Huka Falls before reaching Rotorua, centre of Maori culture and famous for its geysers, boiling mud pools and steaming craters.

On arrival in Rotorua, you will be transferred to your Hotel.

A short drive brings us to the picturesque fishing village of Picton. Board the Interislander Ferry and cruise through the spectacular Queen Charlotte Sound into Cook Strait. Enjoy stunning views of New Zealand’s capital city as you arrive into Wellington Harbour.

Your city tour takes in all the major sights and there is free time for exploring on your own. Situated on the Wellington waterfront, a visit to Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand, is highly recommended.

An early start this morning as we board the Coastal Pacific train for the journey to the small seaside village of Kaikoura, located on a narrow strip of coastline with the Kaikoura Mountains to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east.

You will have some free time to explore before rejoining your coach and driving on to Blenheim. A short tour of the region includes a visit to Yealands Estate. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery where you will learn about and taste their range of famous Marlborough wines.

Later, you will be transferred to your Hotel.

Today, proceed to Greymouth to board Trans Alpine Train. At Hokitika, stop to visit a Pounamu, (also known as Greenstone or Jade) factory. Pounamu is considered a treasure in Maori culture and is seen as a sign of status and power.

Pass picturesque Lake Hayes on the way to Arrowtown, an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the gold mining era.

Stop at Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. View the untouched wilderness and pristine lakes of the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks before arriving on to the West Coast, home to the twin glaciers of Fox and Franz Josef.

Today you will be taken for Milford Sound day tour. Take an unforgettable journey into the heart of Milford Sound, New Zealand's most famous tourist destination. You'll experience the world-famous fiord in all its natural glory – surrounded by dense rainforest, glacier-carved valleys and beautiful waterfalls.

This afternoon, travel on to New Zealand’s premier holiday destination, Queenstown. Tonight, ride the Skyline gondola to the top of Bob’s Peak where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.

Enjoy spectacular views across the Otago Peninsula as you travel to Larnach Castle. On your guided tour, learn about its tragic and mysterious history.

Depart Dunedin and head inland, crossing rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden, before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park. Rest of the day is at leisure.

Today, travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru. Stop to view the mystical Moeraki Boulders. The Moeraki Boulders are unusually large and spherical boulders lying along a stretch of Koekohe Beach on the wave-cut Otago coast of New Zealand between Moeraki and Hampden. They occur scattered either as isolated or clusters of boulders within a stretch of beach where they have been protected in a scientific reserve

Later, proceed to Dunedin, the Edinburgh of the South. An early arrival allows you time to enjoy some of the many optional activities available.