Sample Itinerary
10 Day New Zealand Tour
New Zealand Agriculture, Fieldays, Scenic & Cultural Highlights
Day 1: Arrive Auckland
Arrive Auckland. After clearing immigration and customs meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. En route a short walk to the top of Mt Eden for a panoramic view of the ‘City of Sails’ which has more boats per person than any other city in the world. Check in to your hotel located on the waterfront and within a short walking distance from the main street. Also close by is the America’s Cup Boat Harbour, which is a lively place with many restaurants and large super yachts are frequently berthed here. This evening enjoy the view of Auckland from Sky Tower followed by a buffet dinner in the Fortuna Restaurant, Sky City.
Overnight Auckland.
Day 2: Auckland – Rotorua
Travel south into the lush green Waikato the heart of New Zealand’s dairy industry and on to Mystery Creek near Hamilton to attend the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays. This annual event is the biggest and most important agricultural exhibition in New Zealand. It will provide you with the opportunity to see the latest products and to talk to exhibitors about New Zealand farming methods and new technology. This evening you are invited to a Reception for overseas guests before travelling to Rotorua.
Overnight Rotorua.
Day 3: Rotorua
This morning visit a high producing dairy farm in the Waikato. This property is an excellent example of the innovation and efficiency, which typifies pastoral farming systems in New Zealand. Spend the afternoon at, Mystery Creek to follow up special areas of interest or exhibits you may not have had time to see the previous day.
Overnight Rotorua.
Day 4: Rotorua
Visit a kiwifruit orchard near Te Puke this morning and then return to Rotorua known as New Zealand’s thermal wonderland. Visit the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. See the Maori carvers at work and then explore the Maori buildings. As you stroll around the Reserve you will see boiling mud pools and the mighty Pohutu Geyser. There will also be the opportunity to see the rare kiwi – New Zealand’s national symbol. This evening experience Maori culture and a hangi and concert.
Overnight Rotorua.
Day 5: Rotorua – Palmerston North
The first visit of the day is to a beef cattle stud. Inspect the cattle and discuss management of the property where lambs are also finished. Travel past recent dairy conversions and pine plantations on the way to Taupo and visit the spectacular Huka Falls. Stop in Taupo for lunch at leisure and then continue alongside the shores of Lake Taupo and then through the Tongariro National Park and past hill country sheep and cattle farms to Palmerston North. Dinner in your hotel.
Overnight Palmerston North.
Day 6: Palmerston North – Christchurch – Dunedin
This morning fly to Christchurch and then travel across the Canterbury Plains to visit a mixed cropping and livestock farm. Lunch on a farm and then continue to Dunedin called the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ because of its Scottish heritage. Tour the city before checking in to your hotel. Dinner at leisure.
Overnight Dunedin.
Day 7: Dunedin – Queenstown
A very interesting day awaits you with a striking contrast between the green pastures of South Otago and the brown hills and mountains of Central Otago. Farm visits include a sheep enterprise and a dairy farm. Chat over lunch with local farmers. This afternoon travel to Queenstown via the Clutha Valley, Alexandra, Cromwell and the Kawerau Gorge. Dinner at leisure.
Overnight Queenstown.
Day 8: Queenstown
A day in this picturesque resort to enjoy the local attractions. Try a round of golf, visit historic Arrowtown the scene of much activity in the gold rush days. For the adventurous bungy jumping, white water rafting and jet boating are just some of the choices. Alternatively just relax and soak up the beautiful mountain scenery. Travel in the Gondola this evening to enjoy dinner in the Skyline Restaurant overlooking Queenstown.
Overnight Queenstown.
Day 9: Queenstown – Christchurch
Travel through the Kawerau Gorge, over the Lindis Pass and into the Mackenzie Basin. Weather permitting you will get spectacular views of Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain at 3,754 metres. Visit a high country farm and then continue across the Canterbury.
Plains to Christchurch. A farewell dinner this evening in a Christchurch restaurant.
Overnight Christchurch.
Day 10: Christchurch – Depart
This morning at leisure for sightseeing and shopping. Visits to the Arts Centre and Canterbury Museum, which has a magnificent display of the Moa hunter culture are recommended. Transfer to Christchurch International Airport this afternoon.
B=Breakfast   L=Lunch   D=Dinner
Note:
Various farm types, meetings with industry leaders and technical visits can be arranged in this programme depending on the interests of the visitors.
The tour can be lengthened to include more sightseeing or more agricultural visits.
This tour is planned for June each year to coincide with the New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays.