Christchurch, Wellington & Hamilton Test Matches

Tuesday 03 Dec – CHRISTCHURCH / NELSON

Depart Christchurch for a full day of travel. Travel through the Canterbury Plains to Hanmer Springs, over the Lewis Pass and through the Maruia Forest. Continue through Murchison and Brightwater (the birth-place of Lord Rutherford, the New Zealand science pioneer who split the atom).

Arrive in Nelson, the sunniest region of New Zealand. Situated close to several national parks, including the Abel Tasman, Nelson Lakes and Kahurangi, the region offers great hiking trails, beaches and rivers for kayaking and swimming.

Rutherford Heritage Hotel
Premium Room – 2 nights

Wednesday 04 Dec – NELSON

This morning travel by coach to Kaiteriteri, then sit back and relax as you depart from picturesque Kaiteriteri Beach on a scenic cruise right into the bays, islands and beaches of the majestic Abel Tasman National Park. Photograph the world-famous Split Apple Rock from close up, see native Fur Seals (Kekeno) in their natural habitat, marvel at the golden sands and the turquoise waters of the Astrolabe Roadstead, Anchorage, Bark Bay and Medlands beach all before you return to Kaiteriteri. Picnic lunch served on board.

In the afternoon, retrace your journey by coach back to Nelson and enjoy the remainder of day at leisure.

Thursday 05 Dec – NELSON / PICTON / WELLINGTON

This morning, travel from Nelson across the top of the South Island through farmland and forestry plantation, then through the vineyards of the Marlborough Wine Country surrounding the town of Blenheim. Continue on to Picton.

Depart Picton onboard a comfortable ferry and cross Cook Strait to Wellington. The 92km voyage takes approx three and a half hours and has been described as “one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world”. The first part of the cruise through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds is especially scenic.

Arrive Wellington and transfer to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Tuesday 03 Dec – CHRISTCHURCH / KAIKOURA

Travel north over the Canterbury Plains, the largest area of flat land in New Zealand, to Waipara, a picturesque valley just 45 minutes north of Christchurch. This is one of New Zealand’s premier wine regions, where Pinot Noir and Riesling grapes thrive. Stop for lunch at a local winery for wine tasting and a leisurely lunch before climbing the Hundalee ranges and following the Pacific Ocean coastline to the township of Kaikoura. The sea here is particularly rich in nutrients, attracting a wide variety of sea life. Sperm whales, the largest of all toothed whales, can be seen off this coast for 95% of the year.

Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Kaikoura
Superior Room – 2 nights

Wednesday 04 Dec – KAIKOURA

Today, take a Whale Watch experience on a modern purpose-built catamaran for an exciting close-up encounter with the Giant Sperm Whale in their natural environment. The upwelling of nutrient-rich waters around Kaikoura supports an abundant and diverse fauna of vertebrates, fish, and marine mammals. At times, you may also see Dusky Dolphins and the rare Hector Dolphins, NZ fur seals, sea lions, and a large variety of seabirds, including the smallest of the penguins, the little Blue Penguin.

The remainder of the day is at leisure in Kaikoura. You may like to explore the small township or, for the more active, walk unguided on the Peninsula Walkway. The walkway juts from the rugged east coast of the South Island, with a backdrop of steep mountains, snow-capped in winter. An impressive collection of information panels along the walkway explains the rich history, geology, animals, and plants that make the area so special.

Thursday 05 Dec – KAIKOURA / PICTON / WELLINGTON

Travelling north, the road follows the rugged coastline, affording spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean before turning inland through the Marlborough wine region that surrounds the town of Blenheim. Continue north a short distance, through a delightful valley, to the bustling port town of Picton, located at the head of picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound. In the mid-afternoon, depart Picton onboard the Interislander Ferry and cross Cook Strait to Wellington. The 92km voyage takes approximately three and a half hours and has been described as “one of the most beautiful ferry rides in the world.” The first part of the cruise through the magnificent Marlborough Sounds is especially scenic.

Arrive in Wellington and transfer to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Wednesday 11 Dec – WELLINGTON / ROTORUA          

Leaving Wellington, travel along the pretty Kapiti Coast then cross the fertile Manawatu Plains through the Mangaweka Hills to reach the Tongariro Volcanic Plateau and drive over the Desert Road with spectacular views of the volcanoes of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe. Travel around the shores of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake to the resort town of Taupo. Stop to see the magnificent Huka Falls on the Waikato River and see the fascinating geothermal borefield at Wairakei before travelling through vast pine forests to Rotorua in the heart of New Zealand’s famous geothermal region.

You will stop for lunch en-route (own cost).

Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua
Superior Plus Room – 2 nights

Thursday 12 Dec – ROTORUA

This morning visit the thermal area of Waiotapu, one of the world’s most colourful thermal areas. See the Artist’s Palette where different minerals form areas on the pool surface, view the tiny bubbles surfacing in the Champagne Pool and walk down alongside the silica terrace to see the Bridal Veil Falls as well as other thermal activity.  Self-guided.

The remainder of the day will be at leisure.

In the late afternoon 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 Maori 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 Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are learning the traditional carving and weaving skills of their ancestors.  Other travellers may join the guided tour.

Your evening experience will commence with a sumptuous buffet dinner including food from the hangi (traditional Maori 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.

Friday 13 Dec – ROTORUA / HAMILTON                

Leaving Rotorua, travel across the bush-clad Mamaku Ranges and across picturesque farmlands to the Matamata region – home to Hobbiton. Experience the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set, the bucolic setting for The Shire that featured in the Peter Jackson directed films, ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Hobbit’.  Your tour starts with a drive by coach and guide travelling through the picturesque 1,250 acre sheep farm with spectacular views across to the Kaimai Ranges. Your guide will escort you walking through the ten acre site recounting fascinating details of how the Hobbiton set was created. The Hobbit holes, Green Dragon Inn, Mill and other structures created for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films can be viewed and you will see how this beautiful piece of Waikato farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle-earth.

Upon completion of your tour enjoy a complimentary beverage in the Green Dragon Inn before following your guide up to the Party Marquee for lunch. The Party Marquee is adjacent to The Green Dragon Inn with an exquisite view across the water. The painted canvas exterior, vibrant bunting and colourful lanterns means visitors are immersed in the festive magic of the movies. Your meal is served buffet style from a specially themed table, bursting with hobbit fare, with shared table seating to dine family style with your group to conclude your Middle-earth adventure. Tour non-exclusive – other guests may join. 

After your tour, reboard your coach and follow the Waikato River north to the city of Hamilton.

Arrive Hamilton and transfer to your hotel for an afternoon at leisure.

Wednesday 11 Dec – WELLINGTON / NEW PLYMOUTH

Leaving Wellington, travel along the pretty Kapiti Coast and through the rural towns of Foxton, Bulls and Marton. Travel through Whanganui and weather permitting, enjoy the views of Mt Taranaki as you arrive in New Plymouth.

New Plymouth is the major city of the Taranaki region. The region is renowned for its consistent surf and black sand beaches and of course Mt Taranaki, which is shaped like a perfect cone with good walking tracks on the mountain slopes.

Accommodation: The Devon Hotel New Plymouth
Studio Room – 2 nights

Thursday 12 Dec – NEW PLYMOUTH

Today is at leisure in New Plymouth. 

You may like to enjoy a walk along the coastal boardwalk to admire the Wind Wand sculpture, visit the Puke Ariki Museum (free admission), or enjoy a visit to Pukekura Park. Pukekura Park covers 52ha (128 acres) right in the heart of the city and is one of New Zealand’s premier botanical gardens.

Friday 13 Dec – NEW PLYMOUTH / HAMILTON

Depart New Plymouth and travel north along the west coast of the North Island through Waitara. Travel through lush forest and over Mount Messenger and through the Awakino Gorge. Head inland and pass through small country towns such as Piopio and Te Kuiti to the Waitomo Caves.

Join a guided tour of the famous Waitomo Caves to discover an ancient underground labyrinth of limestone caves and grottos.  See the fascinating limestone formations of stalagmites, stalactites and columns that have formed over thousands of years then enjoy a silent boat ride on an underground river into the starry wonderland of the magnificent Glow-worm Grotto.

Continue on to Hamilton and transfer to your hotel.