Gourmet New Zealand

Day 1: Auckland – Waitomo – Rotorua
Travel south through lush Waikato farmland, past Hamilton, to Waitomo Caves for a boat ride under a galaxy of glow-worms. Continue east to Rotorua, steeped in Maori culture and history. We recommend you attend a Maori hangi (feast) and concert tonight. Overnight in Rotorua.

Day 2: Rotorua - Taupo
This morning – see roaring geysers and boiling mud pools at the thermal area, tame trout at the springs and performing sheep and dogs at the Agrodome. This afternoon drive south past the steam fields of Wairakei to Lake Taupo in the centre of the North Island. Overnight at Taupo.

Day 3: Taupo – Napier
A guided tour will take you to the mighty Huka Falls, Wairakei, the Aratiatia Rapids and the Craters of the Moon. In the afternoon head east across the Rangitaiki Plains to the wine producing region of Hawkes Bay. Stay 2 nights in Napier.

Day 4: Napier
Explore the history and architecture of art deco Napier this morning on a guided walk. This afternoon you will join a wine tasting tour visiting a number of boutique and established wineries.

Day 5: Napier – Wellington
Travel south through the Manawatu Gorge to Palmerston North and along the rugged Kapiti Coast to our capital city. . An evening tour takes in Parliament Buildings, Old St Paul’s Cathedral and Mt Victoria. Overnight in Wellington

Day 6: Wellington – Picton – Blenheim
Cross Cook Strait by ferry, to the Marlborough Sounds and Picton. Tour vineyards built on rich alluvial plains, which produce world class wines. Overnight in Blenheim.

Day 7: Blenheim – Kaikoura
Continue south to Kaikoura, the road skims the spectacular coastline between the Kaikoura Ranges and the Pacific. Kaikoura hosts New Zealand’s most diverse range of seabirds and creatures and is well know for Whale Watching tours. It is also reknown for it’s seafood, with a festival being an annual event. Overnight in Kaikoura

Day 8 : Kaikoura to Christchurch
Your coach will travel through the Waipara wine producing district and North Canterbury sheep country to Christchurch our most ‘English’ city. Stay 2 nights in Christchurch.

Day 9: At Christchurch
You will enjoy a full day tour to the settlement of Akaroa, on the Banks Peninsula. Originally settled by the French, Akaroa boasts a myriad of café’s amongst it’s unique French colonial arcitechure. Visit a boutique cheese factory enroute.

Day 10: Christchurch - Dunedin
Travel south across the Canterbury Plains through seaside Timaru, and historic Oamaru to Dunedin – "the Edinburgh of the South". We would recommend a visit to the Cadbury factory or a Speights Brewery Tour. Overnight in Dunedin.

Day 11: Dunedin – Taieri Gorge – Queenstown
This morning is at your leisure for optional sightseeing. Board the Taieri Gorge train for a journey through spectacular gorges and over historic viaducts to Pukerangi where you join your coach for the remainder of the journey to Queenstown. Arrive in Queenstown in the late evening and stay for 3 nights.

Day 12: Queenstown – Milford Sound – Queenstown
Today you will be taken on a guided tour of some of the boutique vineyards that have recently developed in this harsh landscape, becoming known for it’s fine Pinot Noir wines. Lunch at a boutique winery is included.

Day 13: At Queenstown
Today is free for you to enjoy this fabulous resort. There are dozens of optional activities from thrilling jet boat rides to leisurely lake cruises, 4WD safaris and bungy jumping.

Day 14: Queenstown – Mt Cook – Christchurch
Through the Kawarau Gorge with it’s historic gold mines, then past the stone fruit growing area of Cromwell to the Lindis Pass. Cross the spectacular Mackenzie Country bounded by the Southern Alps to the glacial lakes and into the Mount Cook National Park. Optional lunch at the Hermitage or perhaps a ski plane flight. Continue north through Burkes Pass, Fairlie and Geraldine to Christchurch where your tour ends at 6.15pm.