New Zealand holiday, land and sea tour
| country: | New Zealand |
| location: | South Island, North Island |
| departures: | Available all year. This suggested itinerary can be modified entirely to your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used and how long you spend in each destination |
| price: | From £2375 (20 days) excluding flights. Price includes car hire (economy car), accommodation (bed and breakfast included) and all excursions outlined in the itinerary. We can arrange flights from the UK |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
the amazing things you'll be doing
For a relatively small country New Zealand boasts quite an incredible diversity in terms of geology and landscapes. From towering volcanic cones to broad sandy beaches, this itinerary takes you on an exploration of New Zealand's contrasting scenery and how it has been shaped.
The tumultuous geological past of New Zealand is most evident in the North Island where geothermal activity has created a fascinating and sometimes surreal landscape. Rangitoto Island and Tongariro National Park give an insight in to previous volcanic activity with dried out lava flows running across the landscape whilst for a reminder that the landscape is still changing you can take a trip to White Island to explore this active volcano or visit Rotorua where you will find steaming pools and bubbling mud. You will visit Lake Taupo, the biggest lake in New Zealand, formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago and Wairakei Terraces, a reconstruction of the famous Pink and White silica terraces that were destroyed when Mount tarawera erupted more recently in 1886.
In the South Island discover a landscape moulded by centuries of glacial and water erosion. You will drive through spectacular valleys such as the Buller Gorge and the Haast Past and discover the peaceful inlets of the Abel Tasman National Park, with many hidden treasures along the way. A journey down the West Coast brings you face to face with the wild Tasman Sea and in places such as Punakaiki you will see first hand how the relentless beating of the waves has shaped the coastline. You also visit the twin glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox, both historic and fascinating, and at the end of your trip you can look forward to the fabulous overnight trip on glacial formed Doubtful Sound: an opportunity to relax amongst some of the best scenery in New Zealand.
Best time to go: In order to include all the activities and excursions outlined in this itinerary, it would be advisable to avoid the winter months, namely June, July and August. The ideal time to visit New Zealand in terms of the weather is from late spring and through the summer, any time from November until the end of April, with February being the busiest month for international tourists.
The tumultuous geological past of New Zealand is most evident in the North Island where geothermal activity has created a fascinating and sometimes surreal landscape. Rangitoto Island and Tongariro National Park give an insight in to previous volcanic activity with dried out lava flows running across the landscape whilst for a reminder that the landscape is still changing you can take a trip to White Island to explore this active volcano or visit Rotorua where you will find steaming pools and bubbling mud. You will visit Lake Taupo, the biggest lake in New Zealand, formed by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago and Wairakei Terraces, a reconstruction of the famous Pink and White silica terraces that were destroyed when Mount tarawera erupted more recently in 1886.
In the South Island discover a landscape moulded by centuries of glacial and water erosion. You will drive through spectacular valleys such as the Buller Gorge and the Haast Past and discover the peaceful inlets of the Abel Tasman National Park, with many hidden treasures along the way. A journey down the West Coast brings you face to face with the wild Tasman Sea and in places such as Punakaiki you will see first hand how the relentless beating of the waves has shaped the coastline. You also visit the twin glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox, both historic and fascinating, and at the end of your trip you can look forward to the fabulous overnight trip on glacial formed Doubtful Sound: an opportunity to relax amongst some of the best scenery in New Zealand.
Best time to go: In order to include all the activities and excursions outlined in this itinerary, it would be advisable to avoid the winter months, namely June, July and August. The ideal time to visit New Zealand in terms of the weather is from late spring and through the summer, any time from November until the end of April, with February being the busiest month for international tourists.
day-by-day itinerary
| Day 1: | Arrive in Auckland and make you way to your accommodation. Stay at the Green Globe accredited Langham Hotel. |
| Day 2: | Take the ferry out to Rangitoto Island – an extinct volcano – and walk up to the crater rim through solidified lava and pohutukawa trees. Take some time to enjoy the 360 degrees views of the Hauraki Gulf from the top. |
| Day 3: | Pick up your economy car and drive to Tauranga. Take a boat trip White Island - New Zealand's only live marine volcano - with Green Globe accredited White Island tours. You will get the chance to walk on the island itself and even venture up to the main crater's edge. |
| Day 4: | Drive to Rotorua where you will have the day to explore the thermal landscape, including Wai-o-Tapu thermal wonderland and the Lady Knox Geyser. Stay at the Green Globe accredited Heritage hotel. |
| Day 5: | Drive to Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Take a boat trip out on to the lake to visit the Maori rock carvings and visit Wairakei Terraces for a Maori cultural evening, including a walk around a living Maori village and a delicious traditional feast. Stay at Green Globe accredited Chalet Eiger. |
| Day 6: | Head to Ohakune via the Desert Road and enjoy great views of the three peaks of Tongariro, Ngauruhoe and Ruapehu along the way. Head to Ohakune, on the edge of the Tongariro National Park. |
| Day 7: | If you're feeling energetic you may like to attempt the Tongariro Alpine Crossing: often cited as being the 'best day walk in New Zealand' it is a 6-8hr walk that requires a reasonable level of fitness. If you would like to take the day at a more gentle pace then take a stroll around the lake at Rotokura ecological area or enjoy one of the many other short walks in the area. |
| Day 8: | Drive the Forgotten World Highway to New Plymouth, a gateway to Mount Egmont National Park. |
| Day 9: | Spend the day exploring the National Park and the flanks of Mount Taranaki (Mt Egmont) – there are walks to suit every ability. |
| Day 10: | Drive to Wellington. Later in the day visit the excellent Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa – known as Te Papa. |
| Day 11: | Board the Interislander ferry to Picton and once on the South Island make your way to Nelson. Enjoy the afternoon exploring the city and take a stroll up to the 'centre of New Zealand' which offers spectacular views out over Tasman Bay. |
| Day 12: | Join the Seals and Beaches trip in the Abel Tasman National Park. Taking you first to a seal colony then along the coastline past hidden bays, dropping you off to walk back through native bush and along golden beaches. |
| Day 13: | Drive down through the scenic Buller Gorge to Punakaiki and the Pancake Rocks – an fascinating geological formation created by centuries of erosion by the sea. |
| Day 14: | Drive down the west coast today, stopping in Hokitika for lunch and a visit to the jade factory, before continuing to Glacier Country and the twin glaciers of Franz Josef and Fox. |
| Day 15: | Spend the day exploring Glacier country – take a heli-hike on the ice with an experienced local guide. Visit the Department of Conservation visitor centre in Franz Josef. |
| Day 16: | Make your way to Queenstown through the magnificent Haast Pass, stopping at some of the scenic lookouts along the way, including Knight's Point, Thunder Creek Falls and the Blue Pools of Haast. Stay at Green Globe accredited Remarkables Lodge. |
| Day 17: | Spend the day exploring in the Queenstown and Glenorchy area, set on the shores of Lake Wakitipu. |
| Day 18: | Drive to Manapouri and join an overnight trip on the glacial formed Doubtful Sound. You will find yourself in the company of highly knowledgeable naturalists and geologists and are sure to be inspired by this spectacular area. |
| Day 19: | After departing the boat head to Te Anau and spend a relaxing afternoon in this lake-side town. In the evening visit the glow-worm caves. |
| Day 20: | Head back to Queenstown today, where you will end your trip. Visit the historic gold-mining town of Arrowtown before heading to the airport. |
tailor made holidays
This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of these trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.how this holiday makes a difference
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Green Globe 21: Several of the properties and excursions mentioned in this itinerary are members of Green Globe 21, the worldwide benchmarking and certification programme which facilitates sustainable travel and tourism for consumers, companies and communities. It is based on Agenda 21 and Principles for Sustainable Development endorsed by 182 governments at the United Nations Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit in 1992.
Accommodation: In general, New Zealand is a very environmentally friendly country, but certain properties have excelled in their eco-friendly approach. The Langham Hotel in Auckland achieved Green Globe 21 accreditation in 2007 and has more recently won a Green Globe Sustainability Award at the New Zealand Tourism Awards. Chalet Eiger in Taupo is also Green Globe accredited, as is Remarkable Lodge in Queenstown, both being very much committed to further improving their environmental practices. New Zealand excels in its small, family-run bed and breakfast properties, where visitors experience true kiwi hospitality as well as often learning more about the area they are staying in and meeting the people who live there. This itinerary includes a variety of such properties, many of which are buildings of historic interest and are in stunning locations, a wonderful contrast to the impersonal, international hotel chains. Excursions: By carefully choosing which operators we recommend in New Zealand, visitors can get up close to the scenery and wildlife in its natural environment without causing any disturbance. All of our suppliers are committed to the environment and some in particular have excellent environmental policies. White Island tours achieved Green Globe certification in 2007 and are committed to ensuring their tours have a minimal impact on the environment. They offer visitors the opportunity to see New Zealand’s only live marine volcano as well as observing other aspects of the natural environment and local wildlife. Real Journeys won the Conservation in Action award at the New Zealand tourism in 2007 and has a very strong conservation ethos. They support a number of ongoing conservation projects in the areas in which they operate and are actively committed to best environmental practice. Staff and visitors are encouraged to get involved in conservation initiatives where possible and they have on-board naturalists and geologist on the cruises so that guest have the maximum opportunity to learn more about the local environment. Local Culture: The Maori heritage is an inherent part of New Zealand life, and there are countless opportunities to experience Maori traditions, crafts, food and dance. Wairakei Terraces in Taupo is locally owned and uses local Maori guides, giving visitors the chance to immerse themselves in Maori cultural heritage and learn about the lives of the local people, their activities and their land. As a relatively small operation it offers a much more personal and authentic experience. We also highly recommend a visit to the excellent Te Papa museum which has a comprehensive range of information in the form of displays, performances and interactive activities about the history of New Zealand culture and environment. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |