New Zealand Rail and Cruise Discovery

Be met on arrival and transferred to your hotel. Later, meet your APT Tour Director and fellow guests at the welcome dinner, a Canterbury Feast celebrating local produce at the hotel.

Accommodation
Two Nights, Rydges Latimer Christchurch

• Dinners

Travel an hour and a half south-east of Christchurch to the Banks Peninsula town of Akaroa, known for its 19th-century British and French colonial history and architecture. Here, a Signature Experience awaits. Afterwards, explore Akaroa’s eateries for lunch (own expense) before heading back to your hotel in Christchurch. Tonight, ride the Christchurch Tramway Restaurant, enjoying a four-course dinner as you take in views of the modern buildings, green spaces and public art installations dotted throughout the city.

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Today starts with a Signature Experience, as you take the iconic TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth. Upon arrival in Greymouth, travel by coach for a scenic trip down the West Coast to Glacier Country and the lovely town of Franz Josef/Waiau, where a Signature Experience awaits.

Accommodation
Franz Josef/Waiau, Te Waonui Forest Retreat

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Enjoy spectacular views today as you drive towards New Zealand’s adventure capital, Queenstown. The Haast Pass follows a trail traditionally used by Maori people in search of greenstone or nephrite jade, and cuts through a stunning mountain landscape featuring waterfalls, rushing rivers and lakes.

Accommodation
Two Nights, Millennium Hotel Queenstown

• Breakfast

Choose from a host of exciting sightseeing options today.

• Breakfast

Travel from Queenstown along the incredibly scenic Milford Road through Fiordland National Park, where you will enjoy a Signature Experience. Later, return to the lovely lakeside town of Te Anau. Tonight, indulge in a sumptuous dinner during another sensational Signature Experience.

Accommodation
Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Take the short drive from Te Anau to the lakeside town of Manapouri, where you will embark on a Signature Experience.

Accommodation
Doubtful Sound/Patea Overnight Cruise

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Disembark your overnight cruise and head for Invercargill. Upon arrival in the early afternoon, choose to explore the township or enjoy a Signature Experience. Alternatively, you may decide to relax at the hotel.

Accommodation
Two Nights, Invercargill, Ascot Park Hotel

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Drive by coach from Invercargill to the coastal town of Bluff for a Signature Experience. After your exploration, return by ferry to Bluff in the late afternoon and take a coach transfer back to Invercargill for dinner.

• Breakfast
• Dinners

This morning, travel from Invercargill to Dunedin, a city renowned for its Victorian and Edwardian architecture and Scottish heritage. Continue north to the Otago Peninsula and visit the Royal Albatross Centre for a guided tour and to learn all about the world’s largest flying bird. Afterwards, return to Dunedin and enjoy the local sights before heading to your hotel.

Accommodation
Distinction Dunedin Hotel

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Head north through the stunning countryside to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, the centrepiece of which is New Zealand’s highest mountain peak. Tonight, enjoy a buffet dinner at your hotel’s Alpine Restaurant.

Accommodation
Aoraki/Mount Cook, The Hermitage Hotel, in a room with alpine views

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Today, head back to Christchurch, stopping en route to view the much-photographed Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo/Takapo.

Accommodation
Rydges Latimer Christchurch

• Breakfast

Start the day with a Signature Experience, as you embark on a rail journey along the rugged East Coast to Picton. Then, enjoy another Signature Experience, taking the scenic ferry across Cook Strait to Wellington.

Accommodation
Sofitel Wellington

• Breakfast
• Dinners

After a short city tour, head to the Fell Locomotive Museum for your Signature Experience. Later, travel onwards to the pretty lakeside town of Taupo.

Accommodation
Hilton Lake Taupo

• Breakfast
• Dinners

This morning, enjoy your Signature Experience on Lake Taupo. Afterwards, travel to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua with a stop at the spectacular Huka Falls on the way. This evening, an enriching Signature Experience at Te Pa Tu awaits.

Accommodation
Two Nights, Pullman Rotorua

• Breakfast
• Dinners

Spend this morning on your Freedom of Choice activity. The afternoon is free for you to explore at your leisure.

• Breakfast

Enjoy a Signature Experience before heading to Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city.

Accommodation
Two Nights, Cordis Auckland

• Breakfast

This morning, embark on your preferred Freedom of Choice activity, then spend the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, gather at the hotel for a special farewell dinner at Eight Restaurant with your fellow guests. Enjoy a unique, interactive dining experience as you savour the delicious flavours of eight international kitchens, each hosted by an expert chef.

• Breakfast
• Dinners

After breakfast, we transfer you to Auckland Airport for your onward flight.

• Breakfast