Ultimate New Zealand Tour

Day 1 - Saturday March 6, 2027 (D)

   We arrive in Auckland International Airport and make our way to the hotel in Auckland Harbor.  This evening we will meet at the hotel for a Welcome Dinner and meet and greet.
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Day 2 - Sunday March 7, 2027  (B/L)

    After breakfast we visit the New Zealand Maritime Museum just blocks from our hotel.  Then we board the bus for a city tour of Auckland including the popular Harbour Bridge.  From there we drive to Manukau Lighthouse, seeing the beautiful landscape along the way.  In the early 21st century, the lighthouse was refurbished to the original wooden design.  Back to the hotel in Auckland. Dinner is on your own.
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Day 3 - Monday March 8, 2027  (B/L/D)

    This morning we load up our bags and head to Paihai where we will board a boat to view the Bay of Islands looking for dolphins and other marine life.  We will also get a view of Cape Brett Lighthouse.  We spend the night at a hotel in Paihai. Dinner in the hotel.
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Day 4 - Tuesday March 9, 2027  (B/L/D)

    The Dune Rider Tour Bus will pick us up at the hotel and take us North.  We will stop at Cape Reinga Lighthouse the northern most lighthouse in New Zealand, where we will be able to see the Tasman Sea and the Pacific Ocean meet.  Back on the Dune Rider and drive on the beach down the 90 mile beach.  We will come back to Paihai and the same hotel.  Dinner at the hotel.
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Day 5 - Wednesday March 10, 2027  (B/L)

     We board the bus for a day at museums.  Dargarville has a museum and a Light on display.  From there we go to the Kauri Museum to hear about the history of these giant trees that once forested this land.  We have lunch nearby and then go back to Auckland. Dinner will be on your own.
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Day 6 - Thursday March 11, 2027   (B/L)

    Today will be an island adventure on Tiritiri Matangi Wildlife Discovery where you will see birds and other wildlife.  You will also see the Tiritiri Matangi Lighthouse.  On the way you will see in the water Bean Rock Lighthouse and Ragitoto Lighthouse. This is a full day experience.  After this long day we can go back to the hotel.  Dinner on your own.
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Day 7 - Friday March 12, 2027  (B/L/D)

      Bags on the bus and head for Matamata and Hobbiton.  Enjoy the 12- acre set, past famous Hobbit Holes and Bagshot Row, and get a glimpse inside a Hobbit's home before stopping at The Green Dragon Inn to enjoy a drink from the exclusive Hobbit Southfarthing range.  In true Shire style, you'll be treated to a hearty banquet lunch at The Millhouse, the private-themed venue.  Indulge in a delicious fest with second helpings encouraged!  This is a 4 hour tour and you will not be disappointed.  Next we will stop at Tirau - Famously dubbed the "Corrugated Capital of the World". There are a large number of shops and cafe's to visit.  Next is Rotorua which you will smell before you see it.  The city sits inside the active Taupo Volcanic Zone and it smells like rotten eggs from releasing hydrogen sulfide gas.  But this unique city is a must see even if you have to hold your nose.  The hotel we stay at is on the lake and we will have dinner at the hotel. 
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Day 8 - Saturday March 13, 2027  (B/D)

     This morning we go to the Agrodome Sheep Show.  You will be educated in all types of sheep and walk away with more information than you wanted.  We will also take a ride around the farm and get close to alpacas.  Back to the hotel and the afternoon is yours to explore the town of Rotorua.  Lunch is on your own.  This evening we will be picked up at the hotel and taken to the Maori village where we will have a Hangi dinner and an unforgettable show.  We arrive late back to the hotel for well deserved rest from an eventful day.
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Day 9 - Sunday March 14, 2027    (B/D)

     We pack up the bus and head for Huka Falls, which is special because it features a massive, thunderous volume of bright turquoise water forced through a tiny 15-meter-wide volcanic canyon.  Next is Wairoa Lighthouse, a historic solid-kauri lighthouse built on Portland Island in 1878 and moved to Wiaroa in 1960.  There are many shops to visit here so lunch will be on your own.  We end the day at Napier, a scenic beachside city on the eastern coast of New Zealand.  If is famous for its sunny climate, 1930's Art Deco architecture and surrounding wine country.  Dinner will be at the hotel.
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Day 10 - Monday March 15, 2027  (B/L/D)

      We leave Napier and go to Castle Point Lighthouse, which was one of the last manned lighthouses.  It is perched on a striking reef and a long walk from the parking area.  The local cafe is a wonderful place to have lunch.  The day ends at Martinborough and dinner will be at the hotel.  
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Day 11 - Tuesday March 16, 2027    (B/D)

       Pack up and go to Cape Palliser Lighthouse which is located in a dramatic coastal scenery are and the North Island's largest permanent fur seal colony.  After a quick rest stop we arrive in Wellington, New Zealand's capital city.  We see a grand view of the city from Mt. Victoria.  In the afternoon we stop at the Wellington Maritime Museum.  There are many eateries nearby so you will have lunch on your own.  We wait here for our turn at the helicopter ride around Wellington Harbor.  If is planned to see the following lights:  

                     Point Halswell Lighthouse
                       Jerningham Point Lighthouse 
                       Matiu/Somes Island Lighthouse 
                       Hope Shoal Wellington Entrance Range Light Rear 
                       Wellington Entrance Range Light Front
                       Pencarrow Head Upper Lighthouse
                       Pencarrow Lower Lighthouse
                       Baring Head Lighthouse 
                       Karori Rock Lighthouse 

Back to the hotel and dinner at the hotel.
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Day 12 - Wednesday March 17, 2027  (B/D)

     Early departure for Interisland Ferry.  If weather permits you may be able to see these lights when leaving the harbour. Jerningham Point Light, Somes Island Lighthouse, Hope Shoal Wellington entrance Range Light Rear, Wellington entrance Range Light Fornt, Pencarrow Head (Upper) Lighthouse, Pencarrow (Lower) Lighthouse, Karori Rock Lighthouse, Tongue Point LIghthouse. We will have lunch on our own on the ferry.  It is a 3 hour crossing to the South Island and we will arrive in Picton at about noon.  We gather up our luggage and find a new bus and then head for the city of Nelson.  We board a boat to take us out to the Boulder Bank Lighthouse.  We eat dinner at a local restaurant and then check into the hotel.
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Day 13 - Thursday March 18, 2027  (B/L/D)

     Pack up and head for Cape Campbell Lighthouse, after a short rest stop.  To get to this lighthouse you have to go through farm land and in order to navigate it we will have to transfer into a heavy duty bus.  This lighthouse was featured in the movie "Light Between Oceans".  A lunch will be provided for us at the lighthouse.  After our wonderful tour and view of this lighthouse we go back to our bus and go to Picton for a nights stay.  Dinner will be at the hotel.
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Day 14 - Friday March 19, 2027    (B/L/D)

    After packing up we go to the Kaikoura Light, a small active navigational light located on the peninsula.  We stop at Waipara for a rest stop and lunch  Then we go directly to Christchurch.  After checking into the hotel we go directly to the Tram to have dinner on the Tram while traveling around Christchurch.  We end back at the hotel.
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Day 15 - Saturday March 20, 2027  (B)

       In the morning we take a trip to see Akaroa Lighthouse, a light that is not in its original location.  The townspeople did not want to see it get destroyed so they decided to move it without permission.  If is now a permanent fixture of the town of Akaroa.  There are many shops here for you to have lunch on your own.  We go back to Christchurch and go to the International Antarctic Center.  After this adventure we take a quick trip to see Lyttleton Harbor Light and then back to Christchurch.  You will have the evening to explore the town and have dinner on your own.
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Day 16 - Sunday March 21, 2027  (B/D)

    We say goodbye to Christchurch and go to Timaru where we can see the Timaru Lighthouse and the Memorial and Fairy Lights.  Just down the road is Tuhawaiki (Jacks) Point Lighthouse.  Next stop is the Moeraki Boulders.  These are unusually large, spherical rock formations scattered along Koekohe Beach on the Otago coast. There is a cafe there so you can have lunch on your own.  Next is the Katiki Lighthouse where you can view rare yellow-eyed penguins in the wild.  We go to a hotel in Dunedin where we will have dinner.  This hotel has washer/dryer combo in your room so a great chance to do laundry.
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Day 17 - Monday March 22, 2027  (B/D)

    Today is all about the Albatross.  After loading the bus we travel to the Royal Albatross Colony and Traiaroa Lighthouse.  We tour the colony and then take a boat ride to see them as they fly and we see other marine life.  There is a cafe there to get your lunch on your own.  After this exciting adventure we depart for Nugget Point Lighthouse.  From where the bus parks it is a 20 minute walk but what a view when you get there.  Off to Invercargill for dinner and hotel stay.
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Day 18 - Tuesday March 23, 2027     (B/L/D)

     Our first stop today is Waipapa Point Lighthouse, one of 2 lighthouse built from wood and still standing.  The next stop is Slope Point Light which is located on the southernmost point of New Zealand.  We stop at a local restaurant for lunch and then head to Te Anau.  You have an option of touring the glow worm caves or relaxing in this quaint town.  Dinner will be at the hotel. 
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Day 19 - Wednesday March 24, 2027    (B/L/D)

    After breakfast and loading our bags, we board the boat this morning for Doubtful Sound Wilderness Cruise. This is a unforgettable Fiordland experience.  The scenic beauty and vastness of this day trip will take your breath away.   Lunch will be served on board.  After this exciting boat ride we head to Queenstown, the Adventure Capital of the World.  We will have dinner in the hotel.
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Day 20 - Thursday March 25, 2027   (B)

    Finally a day of rest.  You do have option to join many things in the adventure town.  One of them is the shotover jet boat ride.  You will be contacted if you want to book this adventure but it is not for those with back problems.  There are many other things to see and do and you will be provided with a list.  Stay at the same hotel, lunch and dinner will be on your own.
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Day 21 - Friday March 26, 2027    (B/D)

   A full day to relax until dinner.  In the evening we will take a steamboat trip (TSS Earnslaw) to a farm on an island where we will have a BBQ Dinner.  Then back to the hotel.
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Day 22 - Saturday March 27, 2027 (B)

     This is the day we head for home.  You will have to make flight arrangements from Queenstown to Auckland to get an international flight back home.