ITINERARY

Included Experiences

• Milford to Queenstown flight • Nature cruise on Milford Sound • Abel Tasman cruise, guided walk • Marlborough lunch & tasting • Sail on Lake Rotoiti • Relax in private hot pools • Te Papa National Musem
• Picnic in Abel Tasman • Ohinemutu Maori villlage • Lunch at Akaunui Farm • Stroll Wai-O-Tapu’s wonderland
• Bonfire on the beach at Punakaiki • Meet a Kiwifruit orchardist • Ferry across Cook Strait • Lunch at Lake Tarawera

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Sightseeing & Exploring

• Walk in Karangahake Gorge • Rotorua’s geothermal surprises • See Huka Falls • Explore our capital Wellington
• See seal colonies at Kaikoura • Photograph lovely Lake Tekapo • See Aoraki/Mt Cook
• Drive dramatic Lindis Pass • Stay three nights in Queenstown • Beauty of the Milford road • Visit charming & leafy Arrowtown • Drive over the Crown Range • Lakes Taupo, Wakatipu & Wanaka • Walk in Haast Pass beech forests • Visit blue pools and waterfalls • See Fox & Franz Josef Glacier • Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
• Cape Foulwind seal colony • Stroll at Arthur’s Pass • Say hi to cheeky kea parrots • Stroll at Castle Hill

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Included Meals

• All breakfasts • Four lunches: Lake Tarawera, Rotorua with the Walmsley family; Forrest Estate Vineyard Marlborough with wine tasting; Akaunui Farm homestead, Canterbury with Di & Ian Mackenzie; Picnic on beach in Abel Tasman National Park

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Tour conducted by Moatrek - Family operated business

DAY 11. AORAKI / MT COOK - QUEENSTOWN 

Explore the magnificent landscape crowned by Aoraki/Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain, on an easy walking track from the village or treat yourself to a scenic flight or cruise on a glacial lake. Later we drive over the golden tussock lands of the Lindis Pass and onto Scenic Suites, Queenstown our home for three nights.

DAY 12. MILFORD SOUND SCENIC FLIGHT

From Queenstown we follow the shores of the great lakes Wakatipu and Te Anau into the mountains and waterfalls of Fiordland National Park. We cruise on Milford Sound dominated by iconic Mitre Peak and home to seal colonies and dolphins. A magnificent scenic flight back over the Southern Alps to Queenstown ends this fantastic day.

DAY 3. ROTORUA

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There’s time to enjoy one of Rotorua’s unique optional activities or simply wander beside Lake Rotorua near your hotel. We drive out to beautiful Lake Tarawera to lunch with the Walmsley family who have many stories to tell of their Maori and Pakeha (European) history in this region once famous for the Pink and White Terraces. (B,L)

DAY 4. ROTOURA - TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK

The surreal, geothermal reserve Wai-O-Tapu is alive with bubbling mud pools, silica terraces and deep pools of unforgettable colours. We stop at thundering Huka Falls and Lake Taupo and stay the night in the World Heritage Tongariro National Park. Relax at the Chateau Tongariro Hotel or walk the gentle trail to Taranaki Falls to enjoy the alpine views. (B)

DAY 1. ARRIVE AUCKLAND 

One of our friendly team will transfer you from the airport to your accommodation, the very best of the “City of Sails” at your doorstep.

DAY 2. AUCKLAND - ROTORUA 

Our Karangahake Gorge walk combines dramatic river scenery, native bush and relics of early goldmines. At a Kiwifruit orchard we hear all about this famous fruit. Our private cruise on a 53ft catamaran on Lake Rotoiti is a special highlight, calling into secluded bays and hot pools reached only by water. We stay two nights at Novotel Rotorua Lakeside. (B)

DAY 5. TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK - WELLINGTON 

We drive up Mt Ruapehu to the Top o’ the Bruce for panoramic views of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro before we continue down the centre of the island to Wellington. We tour the city and check out the sights from Mt Victoria and stay two nights at The Bolton Hotel in “the coolest little capital in the world”. (B)

DAY 6. WELLINGTON 

The day is yours to enjoy. The waterfront is just a short walk away and Te Papa National Museum. There’s a selection of activities to choose from plus great cafes and boutique breweries. Wellington is also the spiritual home of “The Lord of the Rings” and you can visit Weta Workshop too. (B)

DAY 7. WELLINGTON - NELSON 

We cruise across Cook Strait on the Interislander ferry and up stunning Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton to step ashore on the South Island. At Forrest Estate Wines we call in for a tasting and lunch in this premier wine region before continuing to Nelson and Trailways Hotel, our home for two nights. (B,L)

DAY 8. ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK 

At Kaiteriteri Beach we meet our local guide and cruise by catamaran and walk, as much or as little as you choose, along the stunning Abel Tasman coastline of islands, sheltered bays, estuaries and golden, sandy beaches. There’s time to relax on the beach with a picnic lunch and take a swim before returning to Nelson.

DAY 9. NELSON - KAIKOURA 

The road hugs the spectacular coastline between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Ranges. Your afternoon is free to see Kaikoura’s bountiful marine life, the result of the ocean canyon close offshore. Optional excursions include whale watching cruises and flights and kayaking at sunset. We stay not far from the seal colony at The White Morph.

DAY 10. KAIKOURA - AORAKI / MT COOK

From Kaikoura the Hunderlee Hills lead to the Canterbury Plains where we join our hosts Di and Ian Mackenzie for a memorable lunch at their Akaunui farm homestead set amid beautiful gardens. The turquoise-coloured lakes, Tekapo and Pukaki, are unforgettable photo stops on our way to stay at The Hermitage Hotel in the alps.

DAY 17. PUNAKAIKI

Close to our hotel is the leading local attraction, the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes, limestone stacks weathered by the sea. Paparoa Park has towering limestone cliffs and karst rock formations with river valleys draped in subtropical forest. Walk to an isolated beach or the seal colony at Cape Foulwind. A favourite option is the glow worm cave at Charleston.

DAY 18. PUNAKAIKI - CHRISTCHURCH 

Leaving the West Coast we head eastwards to Christchurch through the alpine beech forests of Arthur’s Pass National Park. We stop to enjoy the mischievous antics of the Keas (alpine parrots) and take short walks in the forest and to the rock formations at Castle Hill. The dramatic landscapes make a fitting finale to your adventure with MoaTrek.

DAY 19. DEPART CHRISTCHURCH

Take in the sights of Christchurch, or head out to the airport for those off home today. Ka kite ano!

DAY 15. WANAKA - FRANZ JOSEF

The pristine Haast Pass in Mt Aspiring National Park has well-maintained short tracks leading to cascading waterfalls and clear blue pools. Discover the beauty of Westland Tai Poutini World Heritage Park’s wild West Coast beaches and lush, primeval rainforest and stop at Fox Glacier and Lake Matheson before we reach Franz Josef to stay at Punga Grove.

DAY 16. FRANZ JOSEF - PUNAKAIKI 

The morning is free to walk to Franz Josef Glacier lookout or take an optional helihike or flight or cruise out on Okarito lagoon in search of the rare Kotuku, White Heron. In Hokitika, the home of Pounamu (greenstone), meet the carvers of this treasured stone. Our home for two nights is beside the beach at Punakaiki Resort.

DAY 13. QUEENSTOWN 

Today is yours to make the most of the infinite number of activities Queenstown has to offer. Your Kiwi Guide is right there to help you choose from a jet boat ride on the Dart River in The Lord of the Rings scenery, wine tasting at the vineyards or a day walk on the famous Routeburn Track and many more.

DAY 14. QUEENSTOWN - WANAKA 

In the leafy village of Arrowtown gold mining history comes alive beside the Arrow River. We drive over the Crown Range and stop for the last views of the Wakatipu basin then call in for refreshments at picture perfect Cardrona Hotel. From Edgewater, our lakeside hotel, you can bike the waterfront trail or kayak on the lake.

2020/21 DEPARTURES

Please check start date once COVID-19 restrictions lift. 

2020

11 October – 29 October

25 October – 12 November

01 November – 19 November

08 November – 26 November

15 November – 03 December

22 November – 10 December

13 December – 31 December

2021

03 January – 21  January

06  January – 24  January

13  January – 31  January

17  January  – 04  February

24  January – 11  February

03 February – 21  February

07 February – 25  February

10 February – 28  February

14 February – 04 March

17 February – 07 March

21 February – 11 March

24 February – 14 March

03 March – 21 March

 14 March – 01 April

 21 March – 08 April

 28 March – 23 April

TERMS & CONDITIONS

All Prices are per person, twin share and include taxes and charges. Prices are subject to availability and subject to change until such time booking is confirmed. 
A non-refundable of $200 per person is required to secure your booking within 7 days from the date of reservation. 60 days prior to departure full payment is required. If booking is made within this time then full payment will be required at the time of booking. Ask the team at Little Bird Travel about flights