Day 1 (D): Wagga Wagga to Auckland – Sunday, 30^th March 2025

Welcome on board with Priest’s Coaches as we make our way from Wagga Wagga to Auckland, New Zealand! We have an early start this morning, and make our way south to Melbourne, stopping along the way for morning tea before arriving at the Melbourne International Airport to check in. After we make our way through security you will have some time to organise some lunch before we board our flight and start our incredible 16-day New Zealand adventure. A light meal will be served on board, before arriving into Auckland. With approximately 1.3 million inhabitants, Auckland is home to almost a third of New Zealand’s population. The city is affectionately known as the ‘City of Sails’ due its location; a narrow landmark with the Pacific Ocean to the East and the Tasman Sea to the West, making it a mecca for sailing and other water sports. Auckland is also built on 50 extinct volcanoes, and while most of them just appear as small green hilltops, the three largest – Mount Albert, Mount Eden, and One Tree Hill – all overlook the landscape. Upon arrival, we will be greeted by our hosts – Leisure Time Tours, who will be showing us their beautiful country.

(Morning tea provided | Light dinner served on flight)

Grand Millenium Auckland – 2 nights

 

Day 2 (BD): Exploring Auckland – Monday, 31^st March 2025

After our later arrival last night, we have a leisurely start to the day. Mid-morning we depart the hotel for a sightseeing tour of Auckland City.  Highlights include the city and harbour views from Bastion Point, the trendy Parnell Village, and the waterfront drive. Next, we visit the All-Black’s Experience – an immersive and interactive journey through the New Zealand rugby story!  Your time here will help you to understand what it takes to make, shape and be an All Black. Also included is admission to Auckland’s Sky Tower. At 328 metres, it is the tallest structure in New Zealand and on a clear day, offers breathtaking views for up to 80 kilometres in every direction.   At the base, experience a visual encounter with Auckland’s history then step into the high-speed elevator and travel at high speed to the main observation deck.  Stand on the glass floor and see Auckland at your feet – an amazing experience.

(Breakfast & Dinner at the hotel restaurant)

 

Day 3 (BD): Auckland to Bay of Islands – Tuesday, 1^st April 2025

Today we travel north through Auckland City, over the Harbour Bridge, through the North Shore suburbs, seaside resorts of the Hibiscus Coast and the city of Whangarei to the beautiful Bay of Islands. A coastline of golden beaches and rocky outcrops circles the stunningly beautiful Bay of Islands.  Scattered with 150 islands, this region with its blue-green ocean, golden beaches and abundant wildlife, is renowned as a maritime adventure playground. Steeped in a rich and colourful history, the Bay of Islands is known as the birthplace of the nation of New Zealand.  The area was discovered by Kupe the legendary Maori navigator, visited by Captain Cook in 1769 and is home to the historical Waitangi Treaty Grounds. This afternoon we take a tour of the Waitangi Treaty House and Grounds with a local guide for a unique insight into this special and spiritual place. Learn about the treaty agreement between Maori and British representatives in 1840 which created the nation of New Zealand.  Explore the Treaty House, see the traditional wharenui (meeting house) with its intricate Maori carvings and marvel at the scale of Ngatokimatawhaorua, one of the world’s largest carved war canoes (waka taua).

(Breakfast & Dinner in the hotel restaurant)

Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands – 2 nights

 

Day 4 (BLD): Exploring Bay of Islands – Wednesday, 2^nd April 2025

Our tour guides today are from Fullers – Bay of Islands, we will be boarding their purpose built coach for a full day coach tour taking us to Cape Reinga, the northern most tip of New Zealand to watch the Pacific Ocean collide with the Tasman Sea and where according to Maori legend, spirits depart on their journey to the homeland – Hawaiki.  On the way stop for a 20-minute boardwalk past 1,000 year old Kauri trees and native bush, and for lunch – a kiwi favourite of Fish and Chips.  During the trip we will have the opportunity to try sandboarding down massive sand dunes on boogie boards at Te Paki Stream and enjoy the drive on the vast and empty Ninety Mile Beach.

(Breakfast & Dinner in the hotel restaurant | Lunch at Cape Reinga)

 

Day 5 (BD): Bay of Islands to Auckland – Thursday, 3^rd April 2025

This morning, we depart on a scenic boat trip through the bay cruising along the Cape Brett Peninsula. See the historic Cape Brett lighthouse and majestic Motukōkako, the Hole in the Rock, and hope for a lucky drip from above as you pass underneath it (weather permitting). The Bay of Islands is home to a host of marine mammals, wildlife and native birds – keep an eye out for dolphins throughout your cruise. Stop off at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island where you have time to relax, take a walk, have a swim or enjoy a bite to eat and drink from the on-site fully licensed café. We then return to port and reboard the coach for our journey back down south to Auckland for the night.

(Breakfast & Dinner in the hotel restaurant)

Grand Millenium Auckland

 

Day 6 (BD): Auckland to Rotorua – Friday, 4^th April 2025

Departing Auckland we travel south through the dairy rich Waikato countryside to arrive at the famous Waitomo Caves. Here a guide will take us underground to view the amazing limestone caves featuring stalagmites and stalactites, which have taken centuries to form. Continue to walk down to an underground stream to board a small boat to view the glow-worm grotto – an underground cavern featuring millions of glow-worms. From Waitomo, we travel to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua. Rotorua has the most energetic thermal activity in the country with bubbling mud pools, gushing geysers, beautiful colored hot springs and terrace formations created by mineral water.

(Breakfast & Dinner in the hotel restaurant)

Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua – 2 nights

 

Day 7 (BD): Exploring Rotorua – Saturday, 5^th April 2025

This morning, we meet New Zealand’s national icon The Kiwi, at The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa. The National Kiwi Hatchery Aotearoa is a world leader in kiwi husbandry, egg incubation systems, hatching techniques and kiwi chick rearing. Our visit here will showcase how Kiwi recovery programmes are playing their part to bring this treasured icon back from the brink of extinction on the New Zealand mainland. Afterwards, enjoy a daytime experience like no other with a breathtaking Redwoods Treewalk. Walk high amongst giant 120-year-old redwood trees and open your eyes to the natural beauty of the forest. A peaceful haven for you to discover above the forest floor, surround yourself with gentle giants, native fauna and sweeping silver ferns. In the late afternoon we visit Te Puia for a guided tour followed by the Te Po (the night) experience – an immersive feast of indigenous cultural storytelling, entertainment, and food.  Your guided tour provides a premier Māori culture experience combined with an introduction to the magnificent geothermal activity in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley.  Whilst in the valley see the boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces, hot springs and geysers including the famous Pohutu Geyser which can erupt up to 30 metres high, depending on its mood.  Visit the New Zealand Māori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Māori are learning the traditional carving and weaving skills of their ancestors.  Your evening experience will commence with a sumptuous buffet dinner including food from the hangi (traditional Māori method of cooking) served in the Pātaka Kai Restaurant.  After dinner enjoy a cultural performance in the fully carved Te Aronui-a-Rua meeting house where highlights include waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant) poi and haka.  Following the concert, the evening culminates with hot chocolate served in the geothermal valley bathed in coloured light.

(Breakfast in the hotel | Dinner at Pataka Kai Restaurant)

 

Day 8 (BD): Rotorua to Wellington – Sunday, 6^th April 2025

Today will be a full day of travel, as we depart Rotorua and travel through vast pine forests to Taupo on the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake.  En route see the fascinating geothermal borefield at Wairakei and the spectacular Huka Falls on the mighty Waikato River.  From Taupo we continue south across the Tongariro Volcanic Plateau, pass the volcanoes of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe then travel south through the Mangaweka Hills and across the Manawatu Plains then down the pretty Kapiti Coast to New Zealand’s capital city built on the hills around a magnificent natural harbour.

(Breakfast & Dinner in the hotel restaurant)

James Cook Grand Chancellor Hotel, Wellington – 2 Nights

 

Day 9 (BD): Exploring Wellington – Monday, 7^th April 2025

After yesterday’s full day of travelling breakfast will be at leisure. Mid-morning we visit Te Papa, (Our Place) New Zealand’s national museum. We join a guided tour for an overview of what makes New Zealand unique. Explore the diverse natural environment, Māori culture and taonga, and our art and colonial history. Discover this vibrant land, its dynamic culture, and the spirit of its people.  Then we enjoy an informative sightseeing tour of the city, including a ride on the cable car, one of New Zealand’s only running funicular railways. The rest of the day is spent at leisure. Our accommodation is in the heart of the city, easy walking distance to a number of attractions, or to nearby Wellington Station to catch a train to other points of interest around the city. Finally, just down the road is the Wellington Wharf where you might enjoy watching the boats come in, or board a ferry out across the Wellington Harbour to many more interesting sights and attractions.

(Breakfast & Buffet Dinner in the hotel restaurant)

 

 

Day 10 (BLD): Wellington to Blenheim – Tuesday, 8^th April 2025

Our day begins with a cruise on the InterIslander through Wellington Harbour, out onto the Cook Strait and through New Zealand’s only true sound, the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound into Picton. The bustling port of Picton is the terminal for inter-island ferries, and gateway to the ‘Mainland’, the South Island’s self-proclaimed nickname.  We reboard our coach and journey the short distance to Blenheim. The Marlborough district is the top wine producing area in New Zealand with its wines winning awards around the world.  We visit a local winery for lunch, and time permitting wander through The Village Vines. This afternoon we visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Museum to see the Knights of the Sky and Dangerous Skies exhibitions.  The development of aviation and the stories of the men that flew them are brought to life in two distinctive exhibitions. The first featuring the extensive collection of World War One aircraft and rare memorabilia belonging to Sir Peter Jackson and showcasing the talents of WingNut Films and Weta Workshop in Knights of the Sky. The second exhibition, the story of aviation continues with Dangerous Skies in World War II, the aircraft, some exclusive to Omaka, are given the trademark theatrical treatment the museum has become famous for.

(Breakfast & Dinner in the hotel restaurant | Lunch at winery in Blenheim)

Scenic Hotel Marlborough

 

Day 11 (BD): Blenheim to Christchurch – Wednesday, 9^th April 2025

Today, we depart Blenheim and travel along a thin ledge of land pinned between the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged ranges to Kaikoura, where the mountains meet the sea.  We continue across the farmlands of the North Canterbury Plains and the Waipara wine district, where the micro-climate of the area makes it ideal for growing grapes.  Then, continue south to the beautiful city of Christchurch.

(Breakfast & Dinner in hotel restaurant)

Hotel Elms Christchurch

 

Day 12 (BD): Christchurch to Franz Josef – Thursday, 10^th April 2025

From Christchurch, we traverse the Southern Alps aboard the famous Tranz-Alpine rail to Arthurs Pass. From your carriage you’ll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River. Our train then climbs into the Southern Alps. Crossing into the village of Arthurs Pass where we will be met by our coach to continue our journey to the West Coast – or “the Coast” as locals call it. From here we journey south to the Westland National Park, the home of the Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers. Depending on arrival time and weather, you may have time available for an optional (own cost) scenic flight over the glacier (with snow landing), before continuing onto our accommodation for the night.

(Breakfast & Dinner in hotel restaurant)

Scenic Franz Josef Hotel, Franz Josef

 

Day 13 (BD): Franz Josef to Queenstown – Friday, 11^th April 2025

Departing Franz Josef, today’s journey begins with a scenic drive along the southern end of the South Island’s West Coast Road. There is a strong sense of entering a primeval land, and a feeling of total isolation in the surrounding natural environment. Arriving at Haast, we will be met by a landscape filled with rainforests, wetlands, sand dunes and surf-pounded shingle beaches. From the Westland National Park, travel through the Haast River valleys and over the Haast Pass to Makaroa, then around the shores of glacial Lakes Hawea and Wanaka. On a clear day there are splendid views across the lake to Mt Aspiring.  Travel through the Central Otago sheep, cattle and fruit growing area, and scene of a major gold rush last century. Continue through the rock hewn Kawarau Gorge to the resort town of Queenstown.

(Breakfast & Dinner in hotel restaurant)

Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront – 3 nights

 

Day 14 (BD): Exploring Queenstown – Saturday, 12^th April 2025

Today, you are free to explore Queenstown at your leisure. Surrounded by majestic mountains and set on the shores of crystal-clear Lake Wakatipu, the natural beauty and unique energy of the Queenstown region create the perfect backdrop for a day of adventure, exploration, or relaxation. This beautiful little resort town has plenty to do, or if you prefer, nothing at all. Wander through the streets and visit the many museums and attractions or enjoy the peaceful serenity of the lakefront or our luxurious resort accommodations. This evening, we enjoy a taste of rural life in New Zealand. The experience begins with a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic 1912 vintage steamship, the TSS Earnslaw. Disembark at Walter Peak High Country Farm, one of the first farms set up in the region and still a working farm to this day. In the ambience of the Colonel’s Homestead, enjoy a delicious gourmet BBQ dinner before returning to Queenstown on a magical night-time cruise.

(Breakfast in hotel restaurant | BBQ Dinner at Colonel’s Homestead)

 

Day 15 (BLD): Queenstown to Milford Sound and return – Sunday, 13^th April 2025

We depart Queenstown early this morning for a full day excursion to Milford Sound. Travel around Lake Wakatipu and through Te Anau and the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Fiordland National Park, part of the UNESCO Southwest New Zealand World Heritage Area is one of the great wilderness areas of the Southern Hemisphere. The scenery is spectacular with lofty mountains and deep valleys carved out by Ice Age glaciers. There are clear rushing streams and leaping waterfalls set in magnificent native rainforest. At Milford Sound we board a comfortable vessel for a scenic cruise past towering Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea. The Sound is dominated by the grandeur of Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls and seals and dolphins are often seen in the clear waters of the fiord.  A picnic lunch served on board. At the conclusion of our cruise, we reboard the coach and retrace our journey back to Queenstown travelling via Te Anau and Lake Wakatipu, arriving in the evening. Settling in for our final night in this incredible land, we enjoy a farewell dinner at the resort.

(Breakfast & Farewell Dinner in hotel restaurant | Picnic lunch aboard Milford Sound Cruise)

 

Day 16 (B): Queenstown to Wagga Wagga – Monday, 14^th April 2025

Farewell New Zealand. After breakfast we will check out and be transferred from the hotel to Queenstown International Airport for our flight back to Sydney. After checking in at the airport, we will have plenty of time for a bite to eat before boarding our flight and heading home. Arriving in Sydney, we will be met by our Priest’s coach and transported back to Wagga Wagga, stopping along the way for dinner.

(Breakfast in hotel restaurant)

 

Tour Cost (GST inclusive)

$9995.00 per person (twin/double share)

$1995.00 single supplement

 For more infortmation, full itineraries, and bookings, please – CONTACT US

 

All itineraries are subject to change due to occasional restrictions in opening times/days of some attractions, e.g. churches, wineries. We cannot be held responsible for any changes due to closures, inclement weather.