Explore breathtaking New Zealand! Tour extravagant gardens, delve into the beauty of the fjords, and enjoy decadent food and local wine while enjoying the company of your fellow travelers. This March 8 – March 19, 2017 Hidden Treasures tour is perfect for the novice or experienced New Zealand traveler. The itinerary will include:
March 8 Welcome to New Zealand
Meet and greet upon arrival and transfer to the hotel.
Ayrlies Garden
Welcome dinner
March 9 Auckland
Totara Waters Garden, the private garden of Jocelyn Coyle
Auckland Botanic Gardens
Sightseeing tour through central Auckland
Evening at leisure
March 10 Auckland to Dunedin
Move to the South Island of New Zealand, commence with the “Edinburgh, Scotland of the South”, Dunedin.
Early morning flight to Dunedin
Dunedin Botanic Garden (pictured below)
City tour of Dunedin
March 11 Dunedin
Self-guided tour of Larnach Castle
Guided tour of the Castle’s gardens and grounds
Drive out to Taiaroa Heads on the Otago Peninsula to join Natures Wonders for a Wildlife Tour
Haggis presentation and dinner in the hotel
March 12 Dunedin to Te Anau
Wylde Willows Garden
Leisure time in Te Anau
Optional excursion to view the Te Anau Glowworm Caves
March 13 Te Anau to Doubtful Sound
Leisure time to explore Te Anau
Overnight cruise of Doubtful Sound deep in Fiordland National Park
March 14 Doubtful Sound to Queenstown
Morning in Fiordland National Park
Depart for Queenstown
Afternoon at leisure in Queenstown
March 15 Queenstown
Private home and gardens of celebrated artist, DaVella Gore, The Stoneridge Chapel and Water Garden.
Historic Arrowtown
Gibbston Valley Winery, famous for New Zealand’s largest and most innovative wine cave
Cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station to dine at the Colonel’s Homestead
March 16 Queenstown to Mt. Cook
Travel north over Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country
Pass along the shores of Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook Village in the heart of the South Alps
Leisure time to walk or enjoy the scenery
March 17 Mt. Cook to Christchurch
Mt. Cook National Park
Stop at Lake Tekapo and visit to the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue of the Collie dog
Trott’s Garden
Akaunui, the delightful garden of Diana and Ian Mackenzie
Travel north to Christchurch stopping en route to visit Suzette Gardens in Rakaia.
Evening at leisure
March 18 Christchurch
Ohinetahi, the famous private garden of Sir Miles Warren
Giants House, an historic Akaroa house with terraced gardens
French settlement of Akaroa
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Farewell dinner at Curators House in the Botanic Garden
March 19 Departure
The trip is priced from $5,435. Complete details and registration form may be found at www.hiddentreasurestour.com.
