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 New Zealand - A country of contrast, natural beauty, friendly people, and the best BBQ in the world (not to mention the pies). This all encompassing tour serves up a piece of every pie NZ has to offer, from glaciers, peaceful walks, Aucklands Gay nightlife, the world famous Milford Sound, geysers of Rotorua, and adventure of Queenstown. What are you waiting for?
 • Day 1 Christchurch/Mt Cook/Omarama
• Day 2 Omarama/Dunedin
• Day 3 Dunedin/Lake Manapouri/Te Anau
• Day 4 to 5 Te Anau/Milford Sound/Queenstown
• Day 6 Queenstown/Haast Pass/Fox Glacier
• Day 7 Fox Glacier/Greymouth
• Day 8 Greymouth/Blenheim
• Day 9 Blenheim/Picton/Wellington
• Day 10 to 11 Wellington/Taupo/Rotorua
• Day 12 Rotorua/Waitomo/Auckland
• Day 13 to 14 Auckland/Bay Of Islands
• Day 15 Bay of Islands/Auckland
• If you would like a shorter or longer version of this tour please ask
• Accommodation:
14 nights in medium grade centrally located hotels
• Meals:
All breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners
• Excursions:
All excursions mentioned as per the itinerary
• 7 National Parks & World Heritage Sites
• Rotorua Thermal Hot Springs
• North and South Islands
• New Zealand culture and Gay nightlife
• Transport:
Private air-conditioned coach, on foot
• Group Size: Maximum 20
• Staff: Yellow Brick Road Tours tour leader, local guide
• International Flights and departure taxes
• Domestic flight taxes if applicable
• Tips on included excursions, visas, travel insurance, personal items
• Pre & post tour accommodation
• Departure transfers
• Spending money to cover snacks, meals not included, drinks, souvenirs, laundry, tips etc
• Optional excursions
Day 1 - Sunday, April 1, 2012
 • Your tour departs from the Pavilions Hotel, 42 Papanui Road at 8.00am. • A city sights tour will highlight the main attractions of Christchurch before travelling across the Canterbury Plains into the MacKenzie Country. • View the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Collie Dog statue at Lake Tekapo. • Opportunity to fly over the Southern Alps with Air Safaris (optional), before continuing to Mt Cook National Park. • Admire the majesty of Mt Cook before travelling on to Omarama.
Day 2 - Monday, April 2, 2012
 • Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin; the "Scottish" city. • An early arrival allows a choice of excellent optional activities. • Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton's Citibus tour to see the penguins, albatross and seals, enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train or explore the city only a few minutes walk away. • This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Day 3 - Tuesday, April 3, 2012
 • Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. • Visit Lake Manapouri before arriving at Lake Te Anau
• Lake Te Anau, located in the southwestern corner of South Island in New Zealand, is situated with rolling hillside country on the eastern side and magnificent mountains with wilderness forests on the western side. Also stretching out from the western shores are three fiords (long, narrow inlets that were carved by glacial activity typically with steep sides) which resemble three arms called North Fiord, Middle Fiord, and South Fiord. Originally the lake was called Te Anau Maori which means the cave of swirling water.
Day 4 - Wednesday, April 4, 2012
 • Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys, pass through the Homer Tunnel and descend into the Cleddau Canyon to reach majestic Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. • A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and the Bowen and Stirling Falls. • Return to Te Anau and on to Mossburn, then skirt the shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. • Dinner tonight is at the Skyline Restaurant, where both the dining and the views are unsurpassed.
Day 5 - Thursday, April 5, 2012
 • A day to explore the many delights of this alpine resort. • Try the famous Shotover Jet, an excursion to Skippers Canyon or a steamer cruise aboard the historic Earnslaw. • Alternatively, explore Queenstown's many boutiques and galleries; your Coach Captain will be pleased to advise.
Day 6 - Friday, April 6, 2012
 • Pass picturesque Lake Hayes then on to an area steeped in fascinating history relating to early settlement and the goldmining era, to Lake Wanaka, a picture postcard resort on the lakes edge with a spectacular mountain backdrop. • Pass Lake Hawea and the upper reaches of Lake Wanaka to Makarora, cross the Haast Pass into the Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. • Drive north along the coast to the magnificent Glacier region and visit the National Park Headquarters or take the optional guided walk to the glacier's terminal face.
Day 7 - Saturday, April 7, 2012
 • Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glacier then on to Franz Josef. • Snowcapped Southern Alps dominate the skyline as you pass dense bush, tiny landlocked lakes and small pockets of farmland. • Visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory where craftsmen cut and polish giant boulders to create fine jewellery. • Next is Shantytown, a restored gold mining town of the 1860's where you pan for gold and ride on the steam train at no extra cost.
Day 8 - Sunday, April 8, 2012
 • View the unusual rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki and pass Charleston, a former goldmining township. • Follow the Buller River through the Buller Gorge and on to Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park. • Follow the long Wairau Valley to Blenheim. • A short tour of the area includes a visit to Montana Winery. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery, learn about and taste a range of the famous local wines (purchase if you wish) followed by afternoon tea.
Day 9 - Monday, April 9, 2012
 • Drive to Picton, nestled on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds, to board the Interislander ferry. • Sail through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound, sheltered waterways, remote bays and isolated holiday homes. • Across Cook Strait and into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand's Capital City. • A city tour will incorporate the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and harbour, the Houses of Parliament and the distinctive "Beehive", Wellington Cathedral, city centre and Oriental Bay. • Also explore the city yourself. Don't miss Te Papa, the "Museum of New Zealand" or take a ride on the famous Cable Car.
Day 10 - Tuesday, April 10, 2012
 • Drive to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and on a clear day, the South Island. • Cross the Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin and Foxton to Bulls. • Across rolling farmland to the central North Island National Park, dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. • Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake and famous for trout fishing. • Stop at Huka Falls skirting massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture.
Day 11 - Wednesday, April 11, 2012
• A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand's various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. • See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park and native birds including the Kiwi. • Visit Whakarewarewa, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. • The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our Agrodome; Rotorua Lake Tekapo from Church of the Good Shepherd Willis Street; Wellington compliments. • Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka.
Day 12 - Thursday, April 12, 2012
 • Cross the Mamaku Ranges to the Waikato region, noted for dairy farming and world famous horse studs. • At Waitomo, a guide will escort your group underground to the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto.
• On through Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, centre for the region's Maori people, then alongside the Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach New Zealand's largest city, Auckland.
• A city tour will visit the summit of Skytower, at 328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere for superb city and harbour views, the downtown area and Waterfront Drive. • Tonight we get dressed up and head out on the town to explore the Gay nightlife of Auckland.
Day 13 - Friday, April 13, 2012
• Cross Auckland's Harbour Bridge and drive north along the Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe and the Kauri museum telling the story of the Kauri tree and the regions early settlement, the displays are superb and their story fascinating. • Continue north through Kawakawa to Paihia and visit New Zealand's birthplace, Waitangi.
• A guided visit to the famous Treaty House, the Maori Meeting House and giant war canoe all set in spectacular grounds overlooking the bay.
Day 14 - Saturday, April 14, 2012
 • A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many optional activities available. • Your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. • A full day Tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand's northern most point and Ninety Mile Beach or explore historic Russell, New Zealand's first settlement, and visit its original Church, Mission House and Museum.
Day 15 - Sunday, April 15, 2012
• A launch cruise will take you across the Bay and world acclaimed fishing grounds to Cape Brett and the famous "Hole in the Rock". • Returning to Paihia, board your Coach for the journey south through Whangarei and Warkworth passing the satellite tracking station. • Shortly Auckland city and Harbour come into view. • Your tour will conclude at approximately 5.30pm.
• Please note if you want to extend your stay in Auckland, be sure to pre-book accommodation with us to maximize your time in this beautiful country We hope you had a wonderful stay in New Zealand and are leaving with a bag full of memories and a load of new friends.
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Amazing Gay New Zealand Adventure
