Kakapo 21 Day New Zealand Small Group Tour

Itinerary

Day 1: Auckland's West Coast - Northland Kauri Forest - Hokianga Harbour

Stop At: Muriwai Gannet Colony, 428 Motutara Rd Waitakere, Muriwai Beach, Auckland 0881 New Zealand
A walking visit to one of only three mainland gannet colonies in New Zealand.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: The Kauri Museum, 5 Church Road, Matakohe 0593 New Zealand
Museum entry.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tane Mahuta Walk, Sh12 Waipoua Forest, Opononi 0376 New Zealand
Guided walk with a Māori guide to the giant Kauri of the Waipoua Forest, Tane Mahuta.
Duration: 30 minutes

No meals included on this day.
Accommodation included: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Hokianga.

Day 2: Hokianga Harbour - Bay of Islands

Stop At: Hokianga Express Charters, 49 Kokohuia Road, Omapere 0444, New Zealand
Hokianga Harbour Crossing & Sandboarding
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: The Stone Store & Kemp House - Kerikeri Mission Station, 246 Kerikeri Road, Kerikeri 0230 New Zealand
Guided tour and visit to the oldest European building in New Zealand.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Waitangi National Trust & Treaty House, Waitangi National Trust Estate New Zealand
Entry to the museum and guided tour of the Treaty Grounds.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands

Day 3: Explore the Bay of Islands

Stop At: Bay of Islands, Bay of Islands, Northland Region, North Island
Cruise on the Bay of Islands to the Hole in the Rock.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Russell, Russell, Bay of Islands, Northland Region, North Island
Time to visit Russell in the afternoon.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Bay of Islands

Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland

Stop At: Kawakawa Public Toilets by Hundertwasser, 60 Gillies St, Kawakawa 0210 New Zealand
A short stop in Kawakawa and the chance to see the famours Hundertwasser Toilets.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Kawiti Caves, 49 Waiomio Road, Kawakawa 0210 New Zealand
Guided walk with local Māori guide to the glow-worm caves.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Whangarei, Whangarei, Northland Region, North Island
Lunch stop in the Whangarei basin.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Grand Mercure Auckland.

Day 5: Auckland - Rotorua

Stop At: Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway, State Highway 2, Waihi New Zealand
A short walk in the Karangahake Gorge.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Waihi, Waihi, Waikato Region, North Island
Lunch stop in Waihi village.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Kiwifruit Country, 316 State Highway 33, Paengaroa 3189 New Zealand
Guided tour of a working Kiwifruit orchard, and tasting!
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Lake Rotoiti Hot Pools, Ruahine Road Lake Rotoiti, Rotorua 3074 New Zealand
Sailing on a private charter yacht and visit to hot pools.
Duration: 2 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Novotel Rotorua Lakeside

Day 6: Rotorua tours and activities

Stop At: Rotorua, Rotorua, Rotorua District, Bay of Plenty Region, North Island
Full day in Rotorua to explore and enjoy activities.
Duration: 12 hours

Stop At: Lake Tarawera, Lake Tarawera, Rotorua District, Bay of Plenty Region, North Island
Hosted lunch at Lake Tarawera with Māori guides.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Novotel Rotorua Lakeside

Day 7: Rotorua - Tongariro National Park

Stop At: Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, 201 Waiotapu Loop Road Rd 3, Rotorua 3073 New Zealand
Guided tour around the Wai-o-Tapu Geothermal Area.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Taupo, Taupo, Taupo District, Waikato Region, North Island
Lunch stop in Taupo
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Tongariro National Park, Tongariro National Park, Manawatu-Wanganui Region, North Island
Overnight stay in Tongariro National Park, time for walks and visiting the Top of the Bruce road in fine weather.
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Chateau Tongariro

Day 8: Tongariro National Park - Wellington

Stop At: Mount Victoria, Alexandra Lookout Rd, Wellington 6001 New Zealand
Visit to Mt Victoria lookout
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 55 Cable St, Wellington 6011 New Zealand
Time to visit Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand.
Duration: 1 hour

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: The Bolton Hotel

Day 9: Wellington Activities & Sightseeing

Stop At: Wellington, Wellington, Greater Wellington, North Island
A free day in Wellington to explore the city and take in the best activities like E-Biking or Zealandia conservation area.
Duration: 1 day 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: The Bolton Hotel

Day 10: Wellington - Cook Strait Crossing - Picton - Blenheim - Nelson

Stop At: Wellington Ferry Terminal,District of Freedom#8573311~!#, 1 Aotea Quay, Pipitea, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Ferry crossing from Wellington to Picton.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Forrest Wines Cellar Door, 19 Blicks Road Blenheim, Renwick 7204 New Zealand
Lunch and wine tasting at a well known family run Marlborough winery.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve, 5949 State Highway 6, Pelorus Bridge 7192 New Zealand
Short stop at the Pelourus Bridge, scene of the Barrell Run from the Hobbit.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Nelson, Nelson, Nelson-Tasman Region, South Island
Two night stay in Nelson.
Duration: 1 day 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Trailways Hotel

Day 11: Abel Tasman National Park

Stop At: Abel Tasman National Park, Abel Tasman National Park, Nelson-Tasman Region, South Island
Cruise and guided walk in Abel Tasman National Park.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Trailways Hotel

Day 12: Nelson - Kaikoura

Stop At: Kaikoura Peninsula Walkway, 40 Fyffe Quay West End, Kaikoura 7300 New Zealand
Visit the lookout and Seal Colony
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Kaikoura, Kaikoura, Canterbury Region, South Island
Overnight stay in Kaikoura, with time for activities like Kayaking or Whale Watching.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: White Morph Kaikoura

Day 13: Kaikoura - Akaunui Homestead - Aoraki / Mt Cook

Stop At: Canterbury Region, Canterbury Region, South Island
Hosted lunch in a country farmstead and garden.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: The Church of the Good Shepherd, Pioneer Drive, Lake Tekapo 7999 New Zealand
Visit to the Church and a lakeside short walk.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Lake Pukaki, New Zealand
Stop at the scenic lookout with views of Mt Cook.
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
Overnight Stay in Mt Cook National Park.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
Accommodation included: Hermitage Hotel or Aoraki Court Motel

Day 14: Aoraki/Mt Cook - Queenstown

Stop At: Kea Point Track, Terrace Road, Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
Time for a short walk in Mt Cook National Park (optional).
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Aoraki Mount Cook National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Mackenzie District, Canterbury Region, South Island
Time for activities like Glacier Explorers or Heli Hiking.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
Three night stay in Queenstown.
Duration: 2 days 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Scenic Suites Queenstown

Day 15: Queenstown - Milford Sound

Pass By: Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown New Zealand
Scenic Drive on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

Stop At: Te Anau, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park, Southland Region, South Island
Morning tea stop in Te Anau.
Duration: 30 minutes

Pass By: Lake Te Anau, Te Anau, Fiordland National Park New Zealand
Scenic Drive on the shores of Lake Te Anau.

Stop At: Fiordland National Park, Fiordland National Park, Southland Region, South Island
Travel the Milford Road with scenic stops and short walks.
Duration: 3 hours

Stop At: Cruise Milford, 1 Milford Sound Highway, Milford Sound 9679, New Zealand
A scenic cruise on Milford Sound.
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes

Stop At: Milford Sound, Milford Sound, Southland Region, South Island
Scenic flight from Milford Sound to Queenstown.
Duration: 35 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Scenic Suites Queenstown

Day 16: Queenstown Activities and Day Tours

Stop At: Queenstown, Queenstown, Otago Region, South Island
Free day in Queenstown for tours and activities.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Scenic Suites Queenstown

Day 17: Queenstown - Arrowtown - Wanaka

Stop At: Arrowtown, Arrowtown, Otago Region, South Island
Visit to historic Arrowtown.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Cardrona, Cardrona, Otago Region, South Island
Visit the historic Cardrona Hotel and enjoy morning tea in the garden.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Wanaka, Wanaka, Otago Region, South Island
Overnight stay in Wanaka
Duration: 16 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Edgewater Resort

Day 18: Wanaka - Haast Pass - Franz Josef Glacier

Stop At: Lake Hawea, Lake Hawea, Otago Region, South Island
Scenic stop at Lake Hawea
Duration: 15 minutes

Stop At: Lake Wanaka, Wanaka New Zealand
Scenic Stop at Lake Wanaka
Duration: 10 minutes

Pass By: Haast Pass, New Zealand
Traverse the Haast Pass on the World Heritage Highway.

Stop At: Ship Creek Walks, State Highway 6, Haast 7886 New Zealand
Beach and forest walks.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Franz Josef Glacier, Glacier Access Road Westland Tai Poutini National Park, Franz Josef, Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu) New Zealand
Visit to the Franz Josef Glacier Valley.
Duration: 30 minutes

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Punga Grove

Day 19: Day 19: Franz Josef Glacier - Hokitika - Punakaiki

Stop At: Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu), Westland National Park (Te Wahipounamu), West Coast Region, South Island
Free time for walks or activities in and around Franz Josef in Westland National Park. Heli hikes, walks or the Okarito Lagoon Wildlife Cruise are favourites.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Hokitika, Hokitika, West Coast Region, South Island
Short stop to explore Hokitika on foot.
Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Punakaiki, Punakaiki, West Coast Region, South Island
Two night stay in Punakaiki.
Duration: 1 day 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Punakaiki Resort

Day 20: Punakaiki and Paparoa National Park

Stop At: Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk, State Highway 6, Paparoa National Park, Punakaiki 7873 New Zealand
Short walk to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes.
Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Paparoa, Paparoa, Northland Region, North Island
Full day to discover Punakaiki and Paparoa National Park. Choose from short walks, river kayaking, horse riding, caving or 4WD tours.
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
Accommodation included: Punakaiki Resort

Day 21: Punakaiki - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch

Stop At: Arthur's Pass National Park, Arthur's Pass National Park, Canterbury Region, South Island
Stop in Arthur's Pass for lunch and short walks.
Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Castle Hill, Castle Hill, Canterbury Region, South Island
Stop at Castle Hill limestone rock formations.
Duration: 20 minutes

Stop At: Christchurch, Christchurch, Canterbury Region, South Island
Tour ends with dropoffs to your accommodation in Christchurch.
Duration: 1 hour

No meals included on this day.
No accommodation included on this day.