12-Nights Classic New Zealand

Goway Travel

Filled with contrasts and dramatic landscapes, New Zealand is ripe for discovery on this 13-day trip from Auckland to Christchurch.

Begin in Auckland, where the perfect balance between an indoor and outdoor lifestyle is captured on your Best of Both World sightseeing tour. This is a great way to take in the major sights of the city including Waitemata and Manukau harbours, the Arataki Centre leading to the nearby rainforest, and much more. It’s the best of Auckland neatly folded into one perfect day!

Then go on to Rotorua, stopping in at one of New Zealand’s most famous (fictional) towns, Hobbiton! Take a tour of the Shire, popping in on Bilbo’s House and pulling up a pint at the Green Dragon Inn before going on to Rotorua. This of course is the home of Te Puia and Rainbow Springs. A fully guided tour introduces you to the Maori culture that thrives here, preserving traditions dating back thousands of years. See the spurting geysers and bubbling mud pools of this geothermal treasure, then embark on a cultural journey with the local Maori, joining them for a traditional hangi feast with formal welcome and entertainment.

Arguably the world’s coolest capital city, Wellington is your next stop. Serious about its culture, you’ll discover a city with more bars and cafes per capita than New York City! Start with a city tour, taking in the view from Mount Victoria, and embark on a Seal Coast Safari to see the picturesque coastal landscapes and of course the wildlife that calls this region home.

Fly on to Queenstown and say hello to New Zealand’s adrenaline and adventure sports capital. Embark on a trip to Milford Sound, arguably the country’s most awe-inspiring natural landmark in the Southern Alps. Then enjoy a day at leisure in Queenstown. You may opt to bungee jump in the town where it was invented, go zip-lining through the pristine forests, or board the famous Shotover Jetboat for a thrilling ride through the canyons.

Enjoy the dramatic landscapes of the drive north (including Haast Pass, which Lord of the Rings fans should recognise immediately) to Franz Josef. Home of the namesake glacier. You may opt to spend your day at leisure here taking a heli-tour of the glacier, but if not, there are plenty of natural highlights to explore at lower altitudes. Finally, board the scenic KiwiRail for the trip to Christchurch, enjoying more of the South Island’s best scenery before a night in the renewed city.

Vacation Inclusions

• 12 nights hotel accommodation
• Sightseeing as per the itinerary
• Return airport transfers
• Meals as indicated

Featured Destinations

Christchurch Christchurch Christchurch was founded in 1850 by members of the Church of England, who wanted a little bit of heaven on earth. They succeeded, and today the city takes great pride in its spacious layout and distinctive English-style buildings in elegant grey stone. The River Avon winds through Christchurch, along parks and gardens that cover one-third of the city.	Destination Guide
Franz Josef Glacier Franz Josef Glacier The South Island's most renowned explorer and geologist, Julius von Haast, named Franz Josef Glacier after the Emperor of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Franz Josef Glacier is a remnant of a much older, larger glacier which flowed from the alpine snowfields right to the sea. The glacier is over 7.5 miles long extending into the rainforest just 3 miles from the Franz Josef township, making it easy to visit. Walk to viewpoints and the terminal face or, for a close-up view of the spectacular ice formations, take a guided glacier walk, helihike or scenic flight.
Queenstown Queenstown Queenstown hosts an outstanding collection of adrenaline inducing activities and spectacular scenery. From jumping from tall bridges or quiet fishing, this is New Zealand's number one adventure destination. Lake and river join towering mountain ranges to make Queenstown as popular in the winter as it is in the summer. At the heart of the action are cafes, the entire spectrum of accommodation, boutique shopping, restaurants and the visitor services expected in a small town with a big reputation.	Destination Guide
Wellington Wellington Located at southwestern North Island, New Zealand’s capital city derives its character and charm from the wooded hills that curve like a green amphitheater around Wellington’s harbor. Commercial and government buildings rim the waterfront; nostalgic Victorian buildings mingle pleasantly with more modern structures and above the business district, dwellings precariously cling to steep slopes. Wellington was the first settlement organized by the London-based New Zealand Company. Other sights include Kelburn Cable Car, Museum of Wellington, City and Sea, and National Museum and Art Gallery (Te Papa).	Destination Guide
Auckland Auckland Auckland is regularly voted one of the best lifestyle cities in the world, with the cosmopolitan city centre complemented by great escapes within half an hour of downtown. Indulge in Auckland's shopping, nightlife and unrivalled cuisine and experience some of the many attractions and adventure activities on offer. There is never a shortage of things to do in the City of Sails. Sights to see include Auckland Art Gallery, Auckland Zoo, and Museum of Transport and Technology.	Destination Guide
Rotorua Rotorua New Zealand's premier destination on the edge of beautiful Lake Rotorua offers visitors so much to see and do the trouble is deciding what to do. From a quiet stroll through the magnificent Redwood Forest to an adrenaline rafting plunge over one of the world's highest commercially rafted waterfalls or an entertaining view of life on the farm at one of our award winning farmshows - Rotorua has it all. Famous for awesome geological forces, Rotorua has hundreds of gentle plopping mud pools, powerful erupting geysers, and intriguing geothermal lakes. Maori Culture is another unique facet to Rotorua's popularity. For more action try hiking down Mt Ngongatah, fishing for trophy-sized trout on one of Rotorua's many lakes, tandem skydiving, horse trekking, or off-road driving. Or just sit back, watch the world go by and enjoy the fresh, clean, picturesque atmosphere from one of many sidewalk cafes and bars. To end the day, soak away ailments in one of many thermally heated natural mineral spas.	Destination Guide

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