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Day 1: Monday 12 April
Travelling to Hanmer Springs
An early start from all destinations today as we are transferred to Wellington and meet at the Interislander Ferry terminal for our mid morning sailing across Cook Strait to Picton (lunch on board own expense). We then travel through the autumnal colours of the Marlborough wine region, the Kaikoura highway and picturesque Leader Valley to Hanmer Springs, our final destination today. |
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Day 2: Tuesday 13 April - Hanmer Springs to Christchurch
The morning is ours to enjoy in Hanmer. We may choose to soak in the natural mineral waters of the Thermal pools that have for 125 years attracted visitors seeking its benefits and the clean, clear alpine air. Alternatively short walks both flat and hilly abound within the exotic forests of Hanmer, featuring the autumn hues of both larch and birch. For those already requiring retail therapy, there are a number of interesting local shops from gourmet fudge to fine art, jewellery and fashion, New Zealand giftware and beauty products. Following lunch (own cost and leisure) we travel through to Christchurch city to our hotel on the banks of the Avon.
Day 3: Wednesday 14 April - Scenic Christchurch & Banks Peninsula
This morning we wend our way over the Port Hills, past the Sign of the Takahe, with its unique vista of Christchurch city, and over the Summit Road, featuring unusual rock formations and superb views into Lyttelton Harbour. We descend to Sumner Beach for morning tea. Our lunch (own choice and cost) is in Lyttelton with time to check out the local galleries and perhaps take the short walk up to the Timeball Station. This afternoon we join the Blackcat on its two hour Wildlife Cruise out into Lyttelton Harbour. Some of the highlights of this cruise will be the dramatic Godley Head, Quail Island, Ripapa Island, and Diamond Harbour. We are due back into Christchurch city mid afternoon and dine in tonight.
Day 4: Thursday 15 April - Christchurch to Tekapo
As we travel south today we cross NZ’s longest bridge spanning the Rakaia River. Our first visit is to Trotts Garden at Ashburton. This garden is described as one of NZ’s most beautiful and extensive privately owned country gardens and includes 3 hectares of peaceful woodland areas, formal and water gardens. A special feature is a relocated chapel built in 1916 and our hosts also provide us with morning tea. Our lunch stop is in Geraldine (own choice and cost) home of the famous Barkers shop and not forgetting the exceptional local wool garments. This afternoon we travel the Geraldine-Fairlie highway, over historic Burkes Pass and into Lake Tekapo today’s final destination. We have a unique opportunity to extend our usual whistle stop, taking in the Church of the Good Shepherd with its view on a great day of the Southern Alps, to enjoying a stroll along the peaceful tranquillity of the lake shore. We dine in tonight.
Day 5: Friday 16 April - Tekapo to Queenstown
Today we take time out to drive the Tekapo canal, passing the Salmon Farm and Power Station before (weather permitting) enjoying the view of Mt Cook at the head of Lake Pukaki. After a comfort stop in Omarama with its renown Clay Cliffs, we continue over the tussocky slopes of the Lindis Pass and on to Wanaka (lunch own choice and cost). Following lunch we enjoy a visit to Stuarts Garden with its maples, stuartia, dogwoods and other deciduous trees displaying their brilliant autumn colours. This afternoon we wend our way via the Kawarau Gorge through to Queenstown, our final destination. Late afternoon is ours to enjoy in Queenstown before dining in tonight.
Day 6: Saturday 17 April - Arrowtown Autumn Festival
Our focus today is to join the activities of the Arrowtown Autumn Festival. The festival runs for a week based out of the South Island’s most photographed autumn town, and today features markets, parades and family fun. Lunch is squeezed in at our own cost and choice during the day. On our way back to Queenstown we take the scenic route past Lake Hayes before visiting the Gibbston Valley Winery for a tour of their famous wine cave. Blasted out of the solid schist rock of the Central Otago mountains, the Gibbston Valley Wine Cave provides the perfect natural environment to mature their award-winning wines and we enjoy tastings of three of their finest. Tonight we take the gondola ride up to the Skyline Restaurant to finish our day with grand views and fine food.
Day 7: Sunday 18 April - Queenstown to Alexandra
Today is for enjoying the history of Central Otago as we meander down the Karawau and Cromwell Gorges, and take time to wander the streets and view the buildings of Old Cromwell Town and tiny Clyde. Our overnight stay is in its very heart - Alexandra, which we should reach by lunchtime. Lunch is at our own cost and choice. Arts and crafts are well represented here with many photographic opportunities of landmarks such as the 11m clock on the hill, the Shaky bridge opened in 1879, and many more. A drive this afternoon takes us to a scenic lookout up in the schisty outcrops of the hills above the town. We dine in at our motel tonight.
Day 8: Monday 19 April - Alexandra to Oamaru
Today we are joined by a knowledgeable and entertaining local guide as we travel an interesting inland route that takes in the historic settlements of Ophir, with its handsome Post Office, and St Bathans, located beside a picturesque lake formed by early gold mining. We visit Ranfurly, known as the Art Deco town of the South and other local gems. Lunch is included along the way as part of the tour cost. This afternoon we travel over the curiously named piece of road known as the “Pigroot”, an old gold trail through from the Central Otago goldfields. Oamaru is our final destination today and we dine in tonight.
Day 9: Tuesday 20 April - Oamaru to Kaikoura
With any early start today we make our way through to Christchurch with a welcome stop in Temuka - a household name in pottery. Our lunch today is included in the tour price as we enjoy a few hours at Riccarton House and Bush. A guided tour and finger food lunch is offered. The nearby bush is of national significance, as Canterbury’s sole remnant of kahikatea floodplain forest. Following lunch we travel through to our luxurious Kaikoura accommodation, before dining in after a full day’s travel.
Day 10: Wednesday 21 April - Travelling Home
We retrace out steps up the Pacific Coast today, and back through the changing colours of the Marlborough vineyards on our way to Picton. Lunch today is in Picton (own choice and expense) prior to departing on our early afternoon sailing which will return us to Wellington. Finally we bid our fellow travellers goodbye before being transferred to our home locations.
Price Per Person:
Full tour:............................................. $2,495.00
Single Accommodation Supplement .......$625.00
Cost of Tour Includes:
3-5 star accommodation
All breakfasts
All dinners – 2 or 3 course
All coach travel
Interisland Ferry return
Christchurch Wildlife Cruise - Lyttelton
Morning tea and garden visit - Trotts Garden, Ashburton
Garden visit - Stuarts Garden, Wanaka
Gibbston Valley Winery - guided tour and wine tasting
Central Otago - historical/art deco tour & lunch
Riccarton House & Bush - guided tour and lunch
Deposit required to confirm your booking:............. $295.00
Balance payable by ..............................................13 March 2010
Click here to download Booking Form in PDF format
Payable to:
TRANZIT COACHLINES WAIRARAPA LTD
PO BOX 116
MASTERTON
Phone 0800 TRANTOUR (0800 872 6868)
ali@tranzit.co.nz
Please read “Terms and Conditions ” by clicking here
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