Queenstown and The Coromandel Peninsula Cruisetour #11

This itinerary starts BEFORE the accompanying cruise itinerary.

Upon arrival at the Auckland Airport, you will be met outside the customs hall, and transferred to the Hyatt Regency residence Tower for early check in. This afternoon, an orientation tour of Auckland, the City of Sails, awaits you. You will visit Mt. Eden, the highest point in Auckland, and home to spectacular views of the City. Continuing along the waterfront, you will pass the America's Cup Village en route to the Auckland Museum, The rest of the day and evening will be spent at your leisure. Overnight at the Hyatt Regency Residence Tower Auckland,

After breakfast at the hotel, you will check out and travel south to the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula, which juts out into the ocean south east of Auckland. Renowned for its rugged scenery, golden sandy beaches and steep forested mountain slopes, the area has been inhabited by the Maori people for over 1,000 years. You will cross the Hauraki Plains, then travel up the picturesque western shoreline of the Coramandel Peninsula. A stop will be made at the small former gold mining town of Coromandel, where you will have free time to browse and purchase lunch. Next, you will board the narrow gauge Driving Creek Railway, and take in some scenic views and photo opportunities as you wind your way through the native forest. The Driving Creek Railway, built by potter Barry Bricknell to deliver clay to his co-op pottery factory, will stop for a visit to the factory and retail shop. Next, you will cross the Coromandel to view the beautiful sandy beaches on its western coastline. Following your early evening arrival back to the hotel, dinner will be served in the main dining room, Overnight at the Grand Mercure Puka Park Resort Pauanuit.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will depart the Coromandel via the scenic Kopu road that crosses the southern part of the Peninsula. At the Auckland Airport, you will board your flight for Queenstown, you will transfer to your hotel. Dinner will be served at the nearby Boardwalk Restaurant. Overnight at the Mercure Grand St. Mortiz Hotel Queenstown.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will begin your orientation tour of Queenstown with a cable car ride to Bob's peak for panoramic views over Queenstown, Lake Wakatipu, and the picturesque mountains. Next, you will take an exciting jet boat ride through the Shotover River Gorge to Arrowtown, an 1860's gold mining settlement. You will then visit the Arrowtown Museum, then stop at the Old Kawarau Bridge to view some bungee jumping. Lunch will be served at the Gibbston Valley Winery before a tour of their wine cave. Returning to Queenstown, you will have some free time to be spent at your leisure before dinner. After a walk to the nearby steamer wharf, you will board the historic steamer TSS Earnslaw for a ride across Lake Wakatipu to the Walter Peak Sheep Station. Upon arrival, you will take a farm tour before dinner at the Colonel's house accompanied by scenic views across the lake, fine local wines and piano music. Following dinner, you will return to Queenstown aboard the TSS Earnslaw. Overnight at the Mercure Grand St. Mortiz Hotel Queenstown.

After an early breakfast at the hotel, you will depart for a journey through Fjordland National Park to Milford Sound, with photo stops at the Mirror Lakes and chasm along the way. Upon arrival at Milford Sound, you will embark on a boat tour for a scenic nature cruise. Sights will include Mitre Peak, which rises 5,500 feet above the sea, and Sterling and Bowen Falls. A picnic style lunch will be served during the cruise. Afterward, you will transfer to the Milford Sound airstrip for a scenic flight over Fjordland National Park, then back to Queenstown. Should inclement weather prevent flying, you will drive back via coach, and spend the rest of the day and evening at your leisure. Overnight at the Mercure Grand St. Mortiz Hotel Queenstown.

After breakfast at the hotel, the morning will be spent at your leisure. In the late morning you will be transferred to the Queenstown Airport for your flight to Auckland. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your awaiting ship.