Saturday, November 19

• Arrival in Auckland at 2pm
• Rental Car Confirmed (Europcar)
• Hotel: Park Hyatt Auckland
• Visit Auckland

Sunday, November 20

• Leave Auckland by 9:00am (2 hour drive)
• Hobbiton Tour in Matamata; Tour Booked (11:30pm – 1:30pm)
• Drive to Rotorua (1 hour drive)
• 3pm Rotorua Rafting – Kaituna River White Water Rafting Booked through Viator
  • Meeting point: 761 State Highway 33, Okere Falls 3074, New Zealand
  • Booked with Rotorua Rafting through Viator / approx. 2 hour tour
• SPA / Springs appointment: https://www.polynesianspa.co.nz/
• Rotorua is surrounded by steaming lakes, bubbling hot pools and bursting geysers, host to some of the world’s most incredible natural forces. A heartland of Maori culture, the local people have embraced this turbulent land.
• Things to see:
  • Rotorua Gardens
  • Visit the island in the middle of Lake Rotorua (Mokoia Island)
  • Te Wairoa (burried village)
  • Waimangu Volcanic Valley (8:30am – 5pm)
  • Hamurana Springs (10am-3pm; closed Monday)
  • Kerosene Creek (natural hot springs; good for swimming)
• Hotel: Prince’s Gate Hotel

Monday, November 21

• AM: Explore Rotorua
• 12pm Flight Rotorua to Queenstown (1 stop in Wellington)
• Arrival in Queenstown at 4pm / Rental Car pick up
• Hotel: DoubleTree in Queenstown
• Take Cable Car up to Bob’s Peak / Option for Dinner at Market Kitchen Café or at Stratosfare Restaurant (Restaurant closes at 8pm; Stargazing 7:30pm-9:00pm); Last Gondola down at 8:30pm. More info.
• Onsen SPA – Outdoor Onsen Booked at 9:00pm

Tuesday, November 22

• Fly to Milford Sound for Cruise at 10am (Hotel pick up). Booked with Mitre Peak Cruises and Milford Sound Scenic Flights (Viator; 4 hour tour)
• 4pm Jet Boat Ride in Queenstown (Shotover River and Canyon; 25 minute ride)
  • Meeting Point: 3 Arthurs Point Road, Arthurs Point, Queenstown 9371 (10 minute drive)
  • Arrive at 3:30pm
• Drive to Glenorchy (Misty Mountains is where they filmed LOTR) (45 minute drive from Queenstown) / Explore Lake Wakatipu
• Dinner: Matakauri Lodge (not available)

Wednesday, November 23

• Leave hotel and drive to Franz Josef (5 hours total )
• Stops along the way:
  • Wanaka
  • Blue Pools
  • Waterfalls (Roaring Billy Falls,
  • Knights Point Lookout
  • Lake Paringa
  • Salmon Farm & Cafe (LUNCH)
  • Beaches of Bruce Bay
• Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (2 nights)

Thursday, November 24

• Heli-hiking Franz Josef Glacier. Booked Tour at 11am (Viator confirmed)
• Glacier Hot Pools

Friday, November 25

• Leave Franz Josef at 9am (5 hour Drive to Christchurch)
• Stop in Hokitika (River gore)
• Stop at Arthur’s Pass
• Hotel: Chateau on the Park (DoubleTree) *There is also a Hyatt (The George – was previously sold out)
• Visit the International Antarctic Center TBD (9am – 4:30pm)
• Dinner with Sarah & family around 6:30pm at Riverside Market
• Black Friday Shopping! LOL

Saturday, November 26

• Flight: Christchurch – Wellington (10:35am)
• Arrive in Wellington
• Hotel: DoubleTree Wellington

Sunday, November 27

• Return Flight at 1:30pm from Wellington
• Bonus: Fiji (sunset is at 6:20pm)

Links:

Rotorua: https://youtu.be/uv8mfsCZXRw

Things to see between Queenstown and Franz Josef: https://www.thelostpassport.com/franz-josef-to-wanaka-haast-pass/