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New Zealand Bus Tour: 17 Day Discover NZ New Zealand Tours Packages

17 Day New Zealand Bus Tour - Milford Sound, Fiordland, Photo Credit: Miles Holden

New Zealand Bus Tour – Embark on a 17-day New Zealand adventure that seamlessly blends iconic landmarks with hidden treasures, offering a unique experience of sights that few get to explore. Instagram Photo Gallery

  •    TOUR DURATION:
    17 days
  •    TOUR STARTS/ENDS:
    Auckland to Christchurch
  •    TOUR CATEGORY:
    Independent Coach Tour
  •    TRANSPORTATION:
    Coach
  •    TOUR DEPARTURES:
    Daily
  •    AIRPORT TRANSFERS:
    Included
  •    MEALS:
    16x Breakfast 
  •    ACCOMMODATIONS:
    Luxury Lodges, Boutique Hotels / Boutique B&B's, First Class Hotels, Superior Hotels, Standard Hotels, Apartments, Motels
  •    PASSENGERS:
    no minimum number of passengers
  •    TOUR CODE:
    GTNZ032024
  •    PRE & POST ACCOMMODATION:
    “Available“
  •    CITIES/REGIONS VISITED:

    Auckland – Rotorua – Napier – Wellington – Picton – Kaikoura – Christchurch – Tekapo – Mt Cook – Queenstown – Dunedin – The Catlins – Christchurch

ITINERARY

Depart from United States Of America, US

DAY 1 : Arrive Auckland

On arrival, you will be met and privately transferred to your accommodation. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands, we recommend getting out on the water when you are here. Overnight: Auckland

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Auckland Sky Tower
Orbit Restaurant Sky Tower

DAY 2 : Auckland

Experience the best of Auckland sightseeing on a small group shared tour enjoying the highlights of Auckland City in the morning combined with an afternoon visiting Auckland’s wild, west coast with black sand beaches and lush rainforest. Overnight: Auckland

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Best of Both Worlds Tour

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise

DAY 3 : Auckland - Hobbiton - Rotorua

Today’s coach tour takes you through the rolling green hills to the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set, one of New Zealand’s ‘must-see’ destinations. See where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed as your tour guide shares behind-the-scenes tales. You’ll see sights like Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and The Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, tuck into a delicious lunch before continuing to Rotorua. Overnight: Rotorua

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Hobbiton Movie Set Tour

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Redwoods Nightlights
Polynesian Spa Deluxe Lake Spa

DAY 4 : Rotorua

Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers, and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends.

Sense, feel, and experience the awesome earth forces of nature and the best of Rotorua’s geothermal wonders at Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland and the Waimangu Volcanic Valley on a half-day tour. Early evening, visit Te Puia for an Indigenous Evening Experience including a buffet dinner and cultural performance, culminating with hot chocolate and pudding on the geyser terrace. Overnight: Rotorua

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Te Po Indigenous Evening Experience

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Gondola Ride

DAY 5 : Rotorua - Napier

There’s a bit of everything on today’s drive past Great Lake Taupo to Napier.   Your scenic journey includes volcanic geography, fresh forest plantations, rugged hills, beautiful valleys, gentle plains, and huge vistas.   Overnight: Napier

DAY 6 : Napier

Following an earthquake in 1931, a rebuild saw Napier completely redesigned in the style of the times. Buildings were constructed in the Art Deco style with Maori motifs to give the city a unique New Zealand character. Today, the delightful seaside city of Napier has the extraordinary feeling of a time capsule with its seamless line of some of the world’s finest 1930s architecture. Relive the glamour and style of the jazz era on a luxurious vintage car tour this morning. The rest of the day is free to explore or choose to add an optional wine tour. Overnight: Napier

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Vintage Car Tour

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Twilight Wine Odyssey

DAY 7 : Napier - Wellington

Enjoy the ever-changing scenery on the journey south to New Zealand’s capital city. Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot. Overnight: Wellington

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Zealandia by Night Tour

DAY 8 : Wellington

Make your way around the city to experience a charming cable car ride to enjoy stunning views of the city and harbour. We recommend adding a guided tour at Te Papa for a greater insight into New Zealand’s rich history and culture. Overnight: Wellington

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Wellington Cable Car Return Trip

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Introducing Te Papa Tour
Lord of the Rings Half Day Tour

DAY 9 : Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura

New Zealand’s North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean fresh air. Transfer to Wellington Ferry Terminal where your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays, and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton. Take the short walk to the bus deport for your transfer to Kaikoura. Overnight: Kaikoura

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

North to South Island Ferry Crossing

DAY 10 : Kaikoura - Christchurch

The seaside settlement of Kaikoura is set midway and overlooked by majestic mountains. The unique marine geography at this location provides the perfect environment for Sperm Whales and other marine life.

This morning’s tour heads to the tip of the Kaikoura peninsula for some amazing sea views, interesting rock formations, and the odd seal basking in the sunshine. This afternoon you’ll be transferred to Christchurch. Set between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps, this is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. Overnight: Christchurch

 

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Kaikoura Sightseeing Tour – 3 Hours

DAY 11 : Christchurch - Mt Cook - Queenstown

Travel through the wide Canterbury plains farmland and impressive alpine passes to the famous blue lakes of Lake Tekapo, stopping at the very popular Church of the Good Shepherd.  Hug the shores of pretty Lake Pukaki, up to the rugged landscape of ice and rock that surrounds New Zealand’s highest mountain, Aoraki Mt Cook.   Enjoy some free time here before continuing through more expansive and dramatic scenery on the journey to Queenstown.  Overnight:  Queenstown.

DAY 12 : Queenstown

Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.

Today is a free day to add some of the endless optional activities Queenstown has to offer. Overnight: Queenstown

DAY 13 : Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown

Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Today’s stunning tour takes you past mirror lakes and waterfalls into Milford Sound, carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. On arrival, board your vessel for a cruise of the fiord surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs that plunge into the sea. Feel the refreshing spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces before returning to shore. After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your coach return to downtown Queenstown. Lunch is included. Duration: approx.12 hours. Overnight: Queenstown

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Milford Sound Coach & Cruise ex Queenstown

DAY 14 : Queenstown - Dunedin

Depart Queenstown through wineries and orchards on your private transfer to Dunedin. Follow the footsteps of early Maori and European settlements based on gold and whaling. Set amidst a magical landscape edged by the sea, Dunedin and its surround are a vibrant mix of heritage and wildlife. Overnight: Dunedin

DAY 15 : Dunedin - The Catlins - Dunedin

Today’s private tour visits The Catlins, an unspoiled corner of the world – a place where time has stood still. The remarkable Catlins are rugged and remote with hidden waterfalls, and ancient forests, and home to some of the world’s rarest marine animals. Overnight: Dunedin

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES

Catlins Experience Private Tour

DAY 16 : Dunedin - Christchurch

The attractive harbour town of Oamaru displays some captivating limestone architecture on the journey north.  Wide, braided river crossings then become a feature on the rest of the trip with the Southern Alps providing a majestic scenic backdrop on your return to Christchurch.  Overnight:  Christchurch

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES

Christchurch Tram Dinner

DAY 17 : Depart Christchurch

Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer to Christchurch Airport.

Arrive to United States Of America, US

Inclusions & Highlights

Included in this tour:

* Exclusive Meet & Greet Arrival Transfer
* 16 Nights Accommodation
* Hobbiton Movie Set Tour + Banquet Feast
* Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland
* Waimangu Volcanic Valley
* Te Po Indigenous Evening Experience
* Vintage Car Tour
* Wellington Cable Car return ride
* Inter-Island Ferry Crossing
* Kaikoura Sightseeing Tour
* Milford Sound Tour with Cruise & Lunch
* Private Catlins Tour
* CBD pick up/drop off transfers
* Airport Transfer