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6 days
Focus on Christchurch - Including Akaroa
Akaroa Harbour Cruise. The Giant's House mosaic garden. TranzAlpine train. Christchurch Historic Tram Dinner City Tour. Avon River Riccarton House Tour. Ripapa Island and more!
Last newsletter we Focused on Tutukaka and this time it’s Canterbury’s turn to be our base while we have a good
look around. We operated a similar tour 13 years ago, just one year prior to the devastating earthquakes. We have
been back, for a quick look, every year since and have watched the new Christchurch literally rise up from under
mountains of rubble. Napier did it beautifully in 1930 and now it is said that Christchurch is ‘NZs most livable City’.
Spend some time here and it’s easy to see why……
Tour Itinerary:
DAY 1: Fly Auckland to Christchurch. Coach to Akaroa
Fly NZ535 from Auckland to Christchurch at 11am. Ron and Karen will be there to meet you and we head straight to the very French settlement of Akaroa, arriving mid-avo. Free time. Overnight Akaroa Village Inn.
DAY 2: Akaroa Harbour Cruise with Giants House Mosaics
Akaroa Harbour Nature 2hr Cruise (rare Hector’s Dolphin). Lunch at The Giant’s House (prepare to be blown away by this place!), a quirky mosaic art-filled garden. Return to Christchurch Central - Fable Hotel (4 nights).
DAY 3: Tranz Alpine Train
TranzAlpine Train (Chch/Greymouth/Chch). Experience one of the greatest train journeys in the world with free time for lunch in Greymouth.
DAY 4: Christchurch Tram Sights
Christchurch City Sights, aboard the Historic Tram City Tour, with commentary. Hop on and off all day – Avon River Punting, Art Gallery, Museum, Botanic Gardens, Hagley Park, Quake City, New Regent St and more. It’s a great way to navigate your way around the city. Dinner at own expense
DAY 5: Christchurch Sightseeing
Beyond the City – Walking the Brighton Pier and Sumner Beach. Ride the Christchurch Gondola to the top of the Port Hills for views of the city and Lyttleton Harbour. Experience the Time Tunnel & enjoy our Buffet Lunch (incl.) at Red Rock Café. Back down, we are booked for a Guided Tour of Riccarton House (1856), on the Avon River. Hear how the Deans Brothers were the first to bring sheep to Canterbury. See the original Deans Cottage (1843). Tonight we are treated to a delicious evening meal aboard the historic Tramway Restaurant, traveling along the city circuit while we dine. A unique colonial-style dining experience with fine cuisine and excellent service
DAY 6: Christchurch Sightseeing. Fly to Auckland
A cruise to Ripapa Island, in Lyttleton Harbour to walk amongst ruins. Originally a Maori Pa site, then becoming Fort Jervois in WWI, a Prison (housing Julian von Luckner), see WWII 8” guns. Then used as a quarantine island till DOC took it over in 1990. Free time in Lyttleton for Lunch before flying to Auckland at 4pm.
PRICES FROM
$2974 pp
TWIN SHARE
+$916 for single room accommodation
Departure Dates:
Tour Inclusions:
- Door to Door Coach Transport
- Akld/Chch/Akld
- 5 nights Twin Share Accommodation
- 5x Breakfasts, 2x Lunches, 4x Dinners (incl. Tramway Dining)
- Tranz Alpine Train Christchurch Tram Sightseeing and Historic Tramway Dining
- Akaroa Harbour Ripapa Island Cruises
- Riccarton House Guided Tour Gondola Ride with lunch Giants House Garden Tour with Lunch