New Zealand escorted coach tour

16 day "Vista Tour"
Escorted coach tour of
New Zealand
with Kirra Tours

1 - Auckland

	Welcome to New Zealand! Kirra Tours will greet you at the airport, with transport waiting to take you to your hotel. Rydges Hotel (1 night)

2 - Auckland/Rotorua

First stop is a city tour visiting the summit of Skytower, at 328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere for panoramic views across the city and its two magnificent harbors, the Domain, the downtown city area, the Waterfront Drive with its numerous yacht marinas and nearby residential suburbs. Follow the motorway across the Bombay Hills to the lush farmlands of the Waikato Region noted particularly for its dairy farming and internationally recognised horse studs. Cross the bush clad Mamaku Ranges to Rotorua, centre of Maori culture for the region and a thermal wonderland.
Lake Plaza Hotel. (2 nights)

3 - Rotorua

A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome to see a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds and sheep shearing, Rainbow Springs to see rainbow and brown trout and native birds including the Kiwi. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement try a Luge ride with our compliments. There will be time this afternoon for optional activities. This evening enjoy a Maori hangi (meal) with traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes and followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka.

4 - Rotorua / Taupo / Napier / Hastings

Visit Whakarewarewa, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve with its boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. Skirt some of the worlds largest pine forest to Wairakei where natural steam is harnessed to generate electricity, view the Huka Falls where the Waikato River pours through a narrow chasm and pause at Lake Taupo, the largest lake in New Zealand. Continue across the Central Plateau to the Hawkes Bay region and Napier, claimed to be the world’s art deco capital. A city tour will encompass the Marine Parade and foreshore area plus many of the city’s art deco buildings. A few minutes drive to Hastings, the fruit bowl of New Zealand
Angus Hotel (1 night)

5 - Hastings/Wellington

Orchards and vineyards give way to lush farmlands as you pass through Hastings then to Dannevirke and Woodville for an early afternoon arrival in the Capital city Wellington. A city tour includes the summit of Mount Victoria for views over the city and its Harbour, the Houses of Parliament and distinctive “Beehive”, Wellington Cathedral, the central city and business area and Oriental Bay. Also explore the city yourself. Don’t miss Te Papa, the “Museum of New Zealand” or take a rideon the famous Cable Car.
Bay Plaza Hotel. (1 night)

6 - Wellington / Picton / Blenheim

Join the Interislander Ferry for a scenic cruise to the South Island with views of the City and its hillside suburbs. Cross Cook Strait into the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound, bush clad hillsides remote bays and isolated holiday homes. In Picton, you are welcomed by your South Island Coach Captain. Explore Picton then drive to Blenheim for an afternoon’s sightseeing and a visit to the Montana Winery for a complimentary tasting and afternoon tea.
Blenheim Country Hotel. (1 night)

7 - Blenheim / Kaikoura / Christchurch

Past Lake Grassmere then follow the coastline to Kaikoura, an area noted for whale watching. Over the Hundalee Ranges and onto the Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch. Visit the International Antarctic Centre before a city tour highlighting a strong English influence. See the parklands and River Avon before boarding the Tourist Tram for a circuit of the city centre which showcases all the main points of interest.
Pavilions Hotel (1 night)

8 - Christchurch / Mt Cook / Omarama

Cross the broad Canterbury Plains with the Southern Alps to the west. Enter the foothills near Geraldine to the barren MacKenzie Country. View the Church of the Good Shepherd dedicated to the early pioneers of the region and the Collie Dog memorial overlooking the milky blue waters of Lake Tekapo. Time for a spectacular flight over the Southern Alps, lakes and glaciers with Air Safaris (optional). Visit Mt Cook National Park, with time to enjoy the scenic majesty of New Zealand’s highest snow capped peaks before travelling around Lake Pukaki to Twizel and Omarama.
Heritage Gateway Hotel. (1 night)

9 - Omarama / Dunedin

Pass large hydro lakes as you travel down the Waitaki Valley to Oamaru and Dunedin – the “Scottish” city. An early arrival allows the choice of excellent optional activities. Combine a Monarch harbour cruise or Newton’s Citibus tour to see the albatross, penguins and seals. Enjoy the historic and scenic Taieri Gorge train excursion 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.
Cargills Hotel. (1 night)

10 - Dunedin / Lake Manapouri / Te Anau

	Visit historic Olveston House, then cross rich farmlands to the agricultural towns of Gore and Lumsden. Visit Lake Manapouri with its rugged bushclad mountains before arriving at the shores of Lake Te Anau. Fiordland National Park Hotel. (2 nights)

11 - Milford Sound Day Trip

A highlight of any tour. Follow the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys where the beech forests reach to the roads edge and snow capped peaks tower above. Descend into the Cleddau Canyon to Milford Sound, dominated by Mitre Peak. A launch cruise takes you to the open sea and shows such highlights as the Bowen and Stirling Falls. Time to relax and appreciate your surroundings. Walk into the rainforest to visit The Chasm a spectacular waterfall then pause at the Homer Tunnel. If conditions permit, your Coach Captain may make a short drive into the Lower Hollyford Valley. Return to Te Anau.

12 - Te Anau / Queenstown

Cruise across Lake Te Anau to explore the underground world of rushing water and drift beneath the luminous shimmer of thousands of glow worms, an unforgettable sight. This afternoon drive north to Kingston and around the shores of Lake Wakatipu to picturesque Queenstown. This evening, cruise across the lake aboard the steamship Earnslaw for dinner in the Colonel’s Homestead at Walter Peak Sheep Station.
Rydges Hotel (2 nights)

13 - Queenstown

A day to explore the delights of this alpine resort at your leisure. Your Coach Captain will happily advise on the many sightseeing activities available. We recommend the world famous Shotover Jet Boat ride, take a Gondola to the Skyline high above, a tour to the gold mining area of Skippers Canyon or for the adventurous – white water rafting. Alternatively browse in the many shops and galleries.

14 - Queenstown / Haast Pass/ Fox Glacier

Pass picturesque Lake Hayes 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 into Mt Aspiring and Westland National Parks. Drive north along the coast to the glacier region. Explore the township or take the optional guided walk to the glacier’s terminal face.
Fox Glacier Hotel. (1 night)

15 - Fox Glacier / Christchurch

Time for an optional helicopter flight over the glaciers then north to Greymouth to visit a Greenstone (Jade) factory to see craftsmen cutting and polishing giant boulders to create fine jewellery. Cross the Otira Gorge and Arthurs Pass to the Canterbury Plains and into Christchurch.
Pavillions Hotel (1 night)

16 - Christchurch

Today is goodbye to all your new found friends. You will be transferred to Christchurch
International Airport to join your flight home.

Pricing

Price Per Person	Adult	Children (2-15)
Tour prices per Person
01 May 09 - 30 Sep 09	£1,512.00	£448.00
01 Oct 09 - 31 Jan 10	£1,697.00	£448.00
01 Feb 10 - 30 Apr 10	£1,697.00	£448.00
01 May 10 - 30 Sep 10	£1,546.00	£448.00

Optional Extras
Breakfast Supplement	£129.00
Dinner Supplement	£185.00
Single Room Supplement	£504.00
Tranz Alpine Train Option	£81.00
Childrens Breakfast Supplement (2-11)	£64.00
Childrens Dinner Supplement (2-11)	£92.00
Childrens Train Option (2-14)	£40.00

More General Information here

Dates

May 2009
Start	Finish	Code
07 May	22 May	C46
14 May	29 May	C47
21 May	05 Jun	C48
28 May	12 Jun	C49

Jun 2009
Start	Finish	Code
04 Jun	19 Jun	C50
11 Jun	26 Jun	C51
25 Jun	10 Jul	C53

Jul 2009
Start	Finish	Code
02 Jul	17 Jul	C54
16 Jul	31 Jul	C56
23 Jul	07 Aug	C57
30 Jul	14 Aug	C58

Aug 2009
Start	Finish	Code
13 Aug	28 Aug	C12
20 Aug	04 Sep	C13
27 Aug	11 Sep	C14

Sep 2009
Start	Finish	Code
03 Sep	18 Sep	C15
10 Sep	25 Sep	C16
15 Sep	30 Sep	C162
17 Sep	02 Oct	C17
22 Sep	07 Oct	C172
24 Sep	09 Oct	C18
29 Sep	14 Oct	C182

Oct 2009
Start	Finish	Code
01 Oct	16 Oct	C19
08 Oct	23 Oct	C20
15 Oct	30 Oct	C21
22 Oct	06 Nov	C22
29 Oct	13 Nov	C23

Nov 2009
Start	Finish	Code
05 Nov	20 Nov	C24
12 Nov	27 Nov	C25
19 Nov	04 Dec	C26
26 Nov	11 Dec	C27

Dec 2009
Start	Finish	Code
03 Dec	18 Dec	C28
10 Dec	25 Dec	C29
17 Dec	01 Jan	C30
24 Dec	08 Jan	C31
31 Dec	15 Jan	C32

Jan 2010
Start	Finish	Code
05 Jan	20 Jan	C322
07 Jan	22 Jan	C33
14 Jan	29 Jan	C34
19 Jan	03 Feb	C342
21 Jan	05 Feb	C35
28 Jan	12 Feb	C36

Feb 2010
Start	Finish	Code
02 Feb	17 Feb	C362
04 Feb	19 Feb	C37
09 Feb	24 Feb	C372
11 Feb	26 Feb	C38
18 Feb	05 Mar	C39
23 Feb	10 Mar	C392
25 Feb	12 Mar	C40

Mar 2010
Start	Finish	Code
02 Mar	17 Mar	C402
04 Mar	19 Mar	C41
09 Mar	24 Mar	C412
11 Mar	26 Mar	C42
18 Mar	02 Apr	C43
25 Mar	09 Apr	C44
30 Mar	14 Apr	C442

Apr 2010
Start	Finish	Code
01 Apr	16 Apr	C45
08 Apr	23 Apr	C46
13 Apr	28 Apr	C462
15 Apr	30 Apr	C47
22 Apr	07 May	C48
29 Apr	14 May	C49

May 2010
Start	Finish	Code
06 May	21 May	C50
13 May	28 May	C51
20 May	04 Jun	C52

Jun 2010
Start	Finish	Code
10 Jun	25 Jun	C55
24 Jun	09 Jul	C57

Jul 2010
Start	Finish	Code
01 Jul	16 Jul	C58
15 Jul	30 Jul	C60
29 Jul	13 Aug	C62

Aug 2010
Start	Finish	Code
12 Aug	27 Aug	C12
19 Aug	03 Sep	C13

Sep 2010
Start	Finish	Code
02 Sep	17 Sep	C15
09 Sep	24 Sep	C16
14 Sep	29 Sep	C162
16 Sep	01 Oct	C17
21 Sep	06 Oct	C172
23 Sep	08 Oct	C18
28 Sep	13 Oct	C182
30 Sep	15 Oct	C19

Extend Your Tour with Pre/Post Accommodation in Auckland and Christchurch!

Although all of these tours include accommodation for one night immediately before and at the end of the tour many travellers choose to spend an extra day or two to more fully explore the gateway cities.
We have special rates at top hotels for Kirra passengers for this purpose and we will be delighted to help with this.

Auckland - Rydges Hotel

Coach Tour holiday New Zealand Kirra Tours 16 Day Panorama Tour

One of the best hotel locations in Auckland. Only two blocks from the city’s shopping and business district, one to Skytower and a few hundred metres to Viaduct Basin and the waterfront with its multitude of cafes, bars and restaurants. Noted for its friendly and helpful staff Rydges 180 contemporary guest rooms are extremely well appointed and tastefully decorated including "Guestnet" internet access. Circa Restaurant features award winning cuisine and its adjacent bar is an ideal meeting place before dinner

here for more detail

Christchurch - Pavilions Hotel

You will find our spacious studio units located in the main hotel block that also features the restaurant, reception and bar. You will have use of tea and coffee making facilities, a shower, hair dryer, electric blankets, a mini bar, television, in-house video, Sky TV and a telephone for your convenience.

here for more detail

Check your dates with us

When you have chosen your tour call one of our consultants to check the availability for your date. At the same time we can advise you of the latest best deals on air fares to get you to New Zealand either to include stopovers or not depending on your requirements.

See our current special offer fares to New Zealand

If you would like further information on any of these tours or to check availability
for your chosen travel dates please call or email us.

Call us on 01202 875986

Our phone lines are open
Mon to Frid - 8 am to 6 pm and Saturday - 8 am to 5 pm.
We are closed on Sunday.

If outside our office hours you can email us or just send us
your phone number and we will call you back

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