Saturday
March 5th.
Departing Sydney at 9.45am by Air New Zealand we
arrive at Queenstown at 2.45pm nestled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu,
and overlooked by the majestic Remarkables Range. Blessed with some of
the worlds most exquisite geography Queenstown is centered in the Southern
Lakes region of the South Island of New Zealand recognised as one of the
most diverse and physically beautiful areas on the planet. On arrival
we will settle into our hotel - Millbrook Resort.
Sunday
March 6.
The Skyline Gondola rises above Queenstown at an
incline of 37.1 degrees over a vertical rise of 450 meters to the summit
of Bob’s Peak from where we have a panoramic view of the town and
its picturesque surrounds. From this vantage point we can see almost full
circle from Coronet Peak around to Cecil and Walter Peaks at the opposite
end of beautiful Lake Wakitipu. This afternoon we will board the 1912
vintage lake steamer TSS Earnslaw for a cruise on Lake Wakitipu.
Monday
March 7.
Today we travel out to historic Arrowtown which
was the sight of a major 1860’s gold rush. On the round trip we
traverse the Shotover River via the Edith Cavell Bridge recognised as
a great viewing point for the jetboat below, (an optional thrill ride
for those wishing to give it a go). Here also the venue for those within
the group who may like to go ‘whitewater rafting’. We return
to Queenstown along the shoreline of picturesque Lake Hayes.
Tuesday
March 8.
The Crown Range road from Queenstown to Wanaka passes
through the Cardrona Valley before rising to a height of 1120 mtrs then
descending down into this charming little town situated on a lake of the
same name town. Today we are on a round trip which will take us to the
edge of Mount Aspiring National Park. Following on some time spent at
Wanaka we will continue on a round trip back through the old goldmining
town of Cromwell to Queenstown
*Four nights Queenstown
Wednesday
March 9.
168 kms southwest of Queenstown, Te Anau is the
departure point for day trips into Doubtful Sound. We will check into
our accommodation here this morning, Te Anau Hotel and Villas before proceeding
out to Doubtful Sound. Three times longer than Milford Sound and with
a surface area ten times larger, Doubtful Sound is an unspoiled wilderness
of many moods. Practically untouched by man, the physical grandeur of
towering peaks descending into moody waters, outstanding waterfalls from
high-up ice-age valleys and fjords clad with ancient vegetation, together
create an atmosphere of solitude and serenity. This region was the location
for much of the filming of the movie series ‘Lord of the Rings’.
Thursday
March 10.
Lying at the most northerly and accessible end of
Fjordland National Park, Milford Sound is recognised as one of New Zealand’s
most attractive tourist destinations and the road into it one of the world’s
finest alpine drives. The 22km long fjord is dominated by the beautiful
1695 meter-high Mitre Peak, while the calm waters mirror the sheer peaks
which rise all around it. We will overnight here at this spectacular venue
aboard The Milford Mariner
*Two nights Te Anau
Friday
March 11.
Dunedin is approx 290 kms from Te Anau. Departing
at a respectable hour we should arrive around mid-day. The discovery of
gold in 1861 was the basis for Dunedin’s ostentatious wealth in
the latter half of the 19th century producing a grand Victorian city in
the South Pacific. Much of the architecture of this era still survives
in the solid public buildings which dot the city and the wooden villas
which are scattered across the suburbs. After settling into our accommodation,
the Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel, we will take an introductory tour
of the city and surrounds
*One night Dunedin
Saturday
March 12.
This morning we travel north following the eastern
coastline to Oamaru noted for its white limestone buildings. We’ll
take lunch here following on which we head east along Highway 83. Admire
beautiful scenery as we follow the Waitaki River past hydro electric dams
at Waitaki and Aviemore. Our destination this evening The Hermitage Hotel
within Aoraki Mount Cook National Park.
*One Night Mount Cook
Sunday
March 13.
Reluctantly we leave this delightful venue and retrace
our path to Twizel from where we drive north to Lake Tekapo and the site
of the celebrated Church of the Good Shepherd. From here we travel over
the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. The Canterbury Plains are the largest
area of fertile flat land in New Zealand extending over 14.5 percent of
New Zealand’s land mass. Our accommodation in Christchurch for the
next three nights, The Heritage Hotel.
Monday
March 14.
Christchurch has been described as the most English
of New Zealand’s cities. An impressive Anglican Cathedral dominates
the city square and the public gardens compare more than favorably with
those of any similar sized city in the UK. This morning we take a guided
tour of the city while later in the afternoon we will travel out to the
Banks Peninsular region including the charming settlement of Akaroa.
Tuesday
March 15.
“Departing Christchurch we travel by coach
to the Waimakarari Gorge. Donning spray jackets, hats and life jackets
we board a jet boat for a 15 km ride up one of New Zealand’s major
snow fed rivers following the famous Coast to Coast triathlon course to
the headwaters of the gorge from where we board a custom built ‘unimog’
for a journey across Flock Hill, a vast 35,000 acre sheep station. As
part of the original stage coach route to the gold-fields, this region
is rugged and full of history. A delightful lunch awaits our arrival at
Flock Hill homestead before continuing onto Arthur’s Pass. We journey
home on the TranzAlpine train, rated one of the top six train journeys
in the world moving through tunnels, viaducts, river canyons and the rain
forest of the Arthur’s Pass National Park.”
*Three nights Christchurch
Wednesday
March 16.
Our final day in New Zealand; however we can depart
at an unhurried pace. Flights for both Sydney and Melbourne leave at a
respectable hour namely 12.50pm and 3.20pm arriving at 2.10pm and 5.10pm
respectively, both being direct flights. The flight to Brisbane departing
at 1.34pm goes via Auckland arriving at 5.50pm.
Europe 2000 * Europe 2002 * Canada and Alaska 2004 * South
Island of New Zealand 2005 * Croatia/Slovenia/Scandinavia
2006 * Gardens
of Japan, American National Parks and Regional Britain 2008 * The best of Eastern and Western Europe 2010
