Family Fun in New Zealand
Rascals in Paradise

Day One: Arrive Queenstown
Welcome to New Zealand – the perfect family vacation destination.

On arrival in Queenstown you will be transferred to your accommodation. Please relax for the remainder of the afternoon after your long journey.

Queenstown:
Surrounded by majestic mountains and nestled on the shores of crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is New Zealand’s premier lake and alpine resort. Born as an 1860’s gold mining camp, 140 years later Queenstown has a compact and sophisticated downtown area tucked into a picturesque bay on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. Dwarfed by the surrounding mountains, there are amazing views from everywhere’ Queenstown is the adventure capital of New Zealand and caters to families of all sizes. Accommodation is on offer from boutique Lodges to interconnecting hotel rooms. Enjoy everything outdoors from Horseback Riding to Jetboats and more!

Day Two: Queenstown
Fly from Queenstown to magnificent Milford Sound and enjoy a spectacular view of mountains, lakes and fiords of the Fiordland National Park. At Milford Sound your launch cruise travels the full length of Milford Sound. Return to Queenstown via the famous Sutherlands Falls and glaciers of the Fiordland National Park. Milford Sound has been described as one of the Natural Wonders of the World and is a World Heritage Listed Area. Regarded as a national treasure the scenery will amaze you. Author Rudyard Kipling described Milford Sound as the ‘eight wonder of the world’.

If time and energy permit take the Skyline Gondola cable car to the summit of Bob's Peak for spectacular panoramic views over Lake Wakatipu Coronet Peak and The Remarkables. Once at the peak you may choose to make your way back down via the exciting Luge. Enjoy 800 meters of fast paced freedom on the advanced track or cruise along at your own pace, stopping for photo opportunities along the scenic track.

Day Three: Queenstown
After a leisurely breakfast, get ready for a fun day of excitement in the great outdoors.

You will be met and collected for your drive to Glenorchy, 45 minutes from Queenstown where you board a jetboat for a ride into the heart of the Southern Alps and the upper reaches of the Dart River with all the thrills of braided shallow river and world famous jet spins; then, you’ll disembark to begin your Funyak rafting journey in one of our unique inflatable ‘Funyak’ canoes. After full instructions, you’ll be free to canoe and drift (under the watchful eye of your professional guide) for a spectacular 2 hours downstream, taking in all the awe-inspiring sights found amidst the Dart River’s shimmering channels. You’ll stop amongst the ancient beech forest to enjoy a wilderness buffet lunch and explore the hidden side streams, rock pools and dramatic chasms such as the beautiful Rockburn, before canoeing downstream to Paradise, where you’ll be taken by 4WD coach to Glenorchy, stopping to view the stunning scenery that has inspired films the world over.

Day Four: Queenstown-Christchurch
This morning you will be collected from your Queenstown accommodation and transferred to Queenstown Airport to board your flight to Christchurch.

Christchurch is a beautiful city named after Christ Church in Oxford, England. As the largest city in the South Island, there are plenty of sights and activities to enjoy.

Christchurch is the setting off point for many expeditions to Antarctica, so what better way to start your visit than the International Antarctic Centre close by Christchurch International Airport.

The Antarctic Centre is as close as most people will get to the real South Pole. This VIP experience takes you on a journey of discovery, into the harshness of early Antarctic explorations, and the beauty of Antarctica's scenery and wildlife. Take a ride in a snowmobile and experience real wind chill and snow. View a working Antarctic campus to see just what it takes to plan and organize a journey to this hostile, but beautiful continent. The Antarctic Centre makes education fun. Head 'behind the scenes' in the NZ Penguin Encounter offering an 'up close and personal' experience with the world's smallest penguin. This tour, led by an Antarctic Ranger, offers a comprehensive insight into the biology, environment, habitat and care of the birds.

This afternoon, enjoy a tour of Christchurch city. Known as the “Garden City”, Christchurch is the largest centre in the South Island. The tree-lined River Avon meanders through its heart and the neogothic Christchurch Cathedral presides over "The Square", retaining something of the essentially English nature of its origins. Its old clustered stone buildings have a distinctive medieval air. A third of the city is preserved in gardens, parks and nature reserves. Take a scenic drive along the River Avon and onto Cathedral Square, Christ College, the Arts Centre and the Botanical Gardens. Drive to the top of the Port Hills for a wonderful vista of Christchurch and the surrounding countryside including quaint Lyttleton Harbor

Day Five: Christchurch – Akaroa - Christchurch
Enjoy a delightful 85 kilometre drive through rolling pastures to the former French settlement of Akaroa. This quaint village, once a thriving French whaling station, is still rich with French, Maori and English culture. Lunch will be served at a local café and you will have a chance to wander around the village.

After a briefing session, change into wetsuits and board the boat for a scenic cruise of the peninsular. Stop at a Hector dolphin pod where you can swim with these unique and rare magical mammals. Return to your accommodation in the late afternoon.

Day Six: Christchurch – Nelson – Abel Tasman National Park
Transfer from your accommodation to Christchurch airport Nelson, the heart of the Tasman Region and the Abel Tasman National Park. Enjoy an afternoon visit to the ‘World of Wearable Art’ and ‘Classic Cars Museum’ before arriving at your accommodation with the remainder of the afternoon at leisure.

Day Seven: Abel Tasman National Park
Spend a full day in Abel Tasman National Park exploring the beauty of its golden beaches, sculptured granite cliffs and world famous coastal tracks. Set off on a guided walk before enjoying a picnic lunch on the shores of one of the pristine beaches. Spend the afternoon trying your hand at kayaking in the surrounding tranquil waters or visiting one of the many Wineries that make the area a hub for Food and Wine.

Day Eight: Abel Tasman National Park – Nelson - Rotorua
Transfer back to Nelson Airport and board your flight for Rotorua. This afternoon embrace the Maori culture, so key to Rotorua. First stop is the beautiful Government Gardens and the Rotorua Museum housing exhibits devoted to the 1886 eruption of Mt.Tarawera, a nearby dormant volcanic mountain. After lunch, travel onto Te Puia Thermal Reserve for a close look at geysers, boiling mud and silica terraces. It is this incredible geothermal activity that Rotorua is known for around the world – and it is here that you will witness

Day Nine: Rotorua
Today’s activities will appeal to young and old with a full day tour begins with a tour through Kiwi Encounter, a hatchery and nursery for the unique and treasured ‘Kiwi’ bird, followed by a visit to Rainbow Springs. Enjoy lunch at a central Rotorua restaurant before travelling to the Agrodome for the World-Famous Sheep show and Farm Tour.

Insider Access - Kiwi Encounter
This Insider Access tour is all about becoming better acquainted with New Zealand's elusive kiwi. Your tour will begin with a brief introduction at the incubation room and hatchery where you are able to see the equipment working. You will then continue to the Kitchen where the artificial diet for the young kiwi is prepared and you can see a variety of interesting food including worms and insects! Visit the nursery room filled with "brooders" - breeding units where the kiwi chicks stay in the nursery until they are approx 400 gms in body size then they are moved to outdoor enclosures where they grow until they are 1.2kg. From here you will enter the indoor nocturnal area where kiwi enclosures are completely open with no partitions between the kiwi and visitors! Your tour concludes with a static display of Kiwi Encounter that provides a wealth of information and audio visual of kiwi.

Rainbow Springs:
Rainbow Springs is located next door to the Kiwi Encounter and is an enchanting place, home to indigenous
birdlife, flora and fauna. There is the opportunity to meet Jennie, the cheeky Kea (New Zealand Parrot) and feed the fish, which are New Zealand Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.

Agrodome:
‘The Agrodome is situated on a 160 hectare sheep and beef farm just north of Rotorua city, and is a must see attraction for every visitor to Rotorua, New Zealand The Agrodome Sheep Show is a one-hour performance, presented live by a skilled enthusiastic Stage Presenter. You will be entertained from this multi-award winning stage show as the presenter gives an exciting and informative insight of agriculture in New Zealand. The Agrodome Sheep Show is presented in a specially designed auditorium, where the audience will see nineteen sheep breeds introduced onto the stage, the art of sheep shearing, sheepdog demonstrations, cow milking, bottle feed lambs and an exciting sheep auction. Audience participation is a major part of the show highlighting the significance of agriculture in New Zealand. The very popular Farm Tours depart after each show where tractor drawn trailers are used to transport visitors around the farm with informative commentary on the many aspects of agriculture featured on the Agrodome farm. Visitors have a number of opportunities to walk around amongst the animals and feed sheep, cattle, deer, alpaca, ostrich, emus by hand. The one-hour tour includes spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and Lake Rotorua along with lots of photo opportunities. Included in the tour is a visit to the 100% pure organic New Zealand orchard which produces kiwifruit, olives, feijoas and apples. This stop at the Organic Orchard includes a sample of kiwifruit wine and honey’

Day Ten: Rotorua - Auckland
Cruise in comfort on at luxury passenger fast cat to Mokoia Island situated in the middle of Lake Rotorua. Experience the Maori People of the Te Arawa tribe with a traditional Maori welcome as we guide and share with you our history and culture while the 'magic' that is Mokoia, embraces you. See and learn about the flora and fauna of New Zealand's largest inland Island Wildlife Sanctuary, home to the Kiwi, Saddleback and Weka.

Be amazed at the knowledge of the Maori about their environment - indigenous food sources, healing herbs and utility resources. Soak and sooth the feet in Hinemoa's hot pool while hearing the legend of New Zealand's famous 'Forbidden Love Story', Maori's own 'Romeo and Juliet'.. Experience a private maori flute lesson before enjoying the taste of indigenous foods, herbs and drink that have sustained Maori people for hundreds of years at a barbeque lunch.

After lunch return to the mainland and board a private vehicle and transfer to your Auckland accommodation a journey of around 3 hours. En route visit the Oraka Deer park, a great treat for everyone. The Oraka Deer Park is a working Deer farm at Tirau, on the way from Rotorua to Auckland.

Day Eleven: Auckland
After a leisurely breakfast, you will be collected by your driver/guide for a morning sightseeing tour that will take you to the highest point of Auckland, Mt Eden with panoramic views of the city. From Mt Eden, you will pass through the Victorian village of Parnell, and onto Tamaki Drive, the waterfront road which links the city of Auckland with nearby Mission Bay and St Heliers.

After lunch, continue to the Viaduct Basin, the hub of Auckland’s maritime community and embark on board an America’s cup racing yacht for a 2 hour sailing experience. This is a unique opportunity to take the helm, exert energy on the grinders or simply sit back and enjoy the ride as you sail the beautiful Waitemata Harbour.

Day Twelve: Depart from Auckland
Transfer to the airport to board your homebound flight after a memorable family vacation.