Itinerary - Leisure Time Tours

South Island
Autumn Tour
0800 534 787
Wednesday 19 April - Tuesday 2 May 2017
South Island Autumn Tour
Wednesday 19 April - Tuesday 2 May 2017
The South Island or the 'Mainland' boasts beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain ranges, stunning scenery, and of course the 'salt of the earth' & friendly
locals that you'll meet along the way. The South Island is a spectacular land, which has been uplifted by extraordinary earth forces. The landscape is so
different from the rolling green hills of the North Islands that it is akin to travelling to another country.
Day 1 Wednesday, 19 April 2017
ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH
(D)
Departing from Auckland (other locations on application) you fly to
Christchurch Airport. Welcome to the South Island! Today you are met
at the Christchurch Airport and following an orientation tour of Christchurch
city, you will be taken to your hotel. The remainder of day at leisure to
relax or stroll around Christchurch. Dinner tonight is included at your hotel.
Accommodation: Quality Elms Hotel, Christchurch — 1 night
Day 2 Thursday, 20 April 2017
CHRISTCHURCH – GREYMOUTH
(BD)
From Christchurch we have the opportunity (at
own cost) to traverse the Southern Alps aboard
the famous Tranz-Alpine rail journey to Arthur’s
Pass. From your carriage you’ll see the fields
of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed
by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of
the Waimakariri River. The train then climbs
into the Southern Alps. Once we have crossed
into the Southern Alps we are met at the Village of Arthur’s Pass by our
coach for us to continue our journey to the West Coast via the Otira
Viaduct opened in 1999. ‘The Coast’ as locals call it, is one of the world’s
special places, with mind-blowing topography. Ancient uplifts of the earth’s
crust created the impressive vertical ramparts of the main divide of the
Southern Alps. These cloud-piercing mountains rise within 30km of a
breathtaking coast. Five of our national parks are here, and South West
New Zealand has been declared a World Heritage Area. We continue
northward along the Coast to visit the pancake rocks at Punakaiki – these
sedimentary rocks have been hammered by the sea, and wind erosion
forming layered rocks giving a look of a large stack of pancakes, then return
to our overnight accommodation in Greymouth.
Accommodation: The Ashley Hotel, Greymouth — 1 night
Glaciers. On arrival, time is available for
optional scenic flights. Driving towards the
southern end of the South Island’s West Coast
Road, there is a strong sense of entering a
primeval land, and a feeling of total isolation.
Arriving at Haast, you are surrounded by a
landscape of rainforest, wetlands, sand dunes
and surf-pounded shingle beaches. This wilderness forms part of the South
West New Zealand World Heritage Area, so designated because South
Westland and Fiordland have some of the most dramatic forest and
mountain scenery and natural resources in the world.
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel, Haast — 1 night
Day 4 Saturday, 22 April 2017
HAAST – QUEENSTOWN
(BD)
From the Westland National Park we travel
through the Haast River valleys and over the
Haast Pass to Makaroa and onto the upper
reaches of Lake Wanaka. Travelling past Lake
Hawea we reach the popular Lake Wanaka,
the starting point of the mighty Clutha River.
This afternoon we travel via Cromwell following the Kawarau Gorge Road
Queenstown. Once in Queenstown we enjoy an orientation tour of ‘the
town fit for a Queen’ – Queenstown.
Accommodation: Heartland Hotel, Queenstown — 2 nights
Day 5 Sunday, 23 April 2017
QUEENSTOWN - ARROWTOWN - QUEENSTOWN
(B)
Arrowtown, born of gold in 1862, was once a humming gold mining town.
During the gold rush the settlers planted an abundance of European
deciduous trees throughout the town and surrounding hillsides. Arrowtown
has always looked a picture of gold and red glory in autumn so it was surely
not a difficult decision back in 1985 for the organisers of a new event to
Day 3 Friday, 21 April 2017
make a decision to set a suitable date and time of year and so began the
GREYMOUTH – HAAST
(BD) Arrowtown Autumn Festival. Now running for 30 years, the festival
Our first stop this morning is at Hokitika where a visit is made to the attracts attractions such as the street parade, the Arrow Miners Band play
Greenstone and Glass Blowing factories before continuing further south on the Old Red truck and the Buckingham Belles Can Can at the lunchtime
into the Westland National Park, the home of Fox and Franz Josef entertainment. Many long held festival traditions like the Art Exhibition, the
Grand Variety Concert, the Vintage Cars, the
Shotover Country Music Concert and the
Arrowtown Entertainers Musical remain very
popular today. Tonight is free for you to explore
the local restaurants, cafes and bars or you may
choose to take a cruise across Lake Wakatipu
on the steamer TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak
Station to dine at the Colonel’s Homestead.
inland through the small town of Balclutha on the banks of the Clutha River
then travels through rolling sheep country to Dunedin.
Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel, Dunedin — 2 nights
Day 10 Friday, 28 April 2017
DUNEDIN
(B)
Today is at leisure. Choose from the many
optional activities that Dunedin has to offer.
Perhaps a visit to Olveston House, a Jacobean
style home filled with early New Zealand
paintings and antiques, or Cadbury World - a
(BLD) sensation in sight, smell and sound. Experience
the mystique of a working chocolate factory,
sample and purchase Cadbury products and much more, or perhaps this
afternoon join the Taieri Gorge Train excursion to the extremities of Dunedin
City some sixty kilometres from the station, your coach captain will be happy
to assist you with your choices.
Day 6 Monday, 24 April 2017
QUEENSTOWN – MILFORD SOUND – TE ANAU
Leaving Queenstown we skirt the shores of
Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand’s third largest
lake, alongside the towering Remarkables
Ranges. We then travel via the beautiful
Eglinton Valley climbing to the Homer Tunnel
before descending through to the spectacular
Cleddau Canyon to reach Milford Sound where
Day 11 Saturday, 29 April 2017
we enjoy a cruise of the Sound. The Sound is
DUNEDIN – OMARAMA
(BD)
dominated by the grandeur of Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls. Returning
Departing Dunedin we travel north to view the
to Te Anau, to our overnight accommodation.
extraordinary spherical Moeraki Boulders,
Accommodation: Kingsgate Hotel, Te Anau — 1 night
shaped rather like giant marbles. Then onto
Oamaru - here we have time to look at the
Day 7 Tuesday, 25 April 2017
‘White Stone City’. The old buildings have been
TE ANAU – INVERCARGILL
(BD)
constructed with local limestone. It was from
Travelling the Southern Scenic Route to
Oamaru that New Zealand’s first frozen meat
Invercargill, we travel through Riverton on the
was shipped in 1882 taking over three months to reach England, and thus
shores of the Aparima River. Now a sea side
began New Zealand’s most important export industry. Travelling inland
resort and farming town, the former whaling
through Benmore and Otematata through sailors cutting we arrive at
station maintains its links with the sea. Scores
Omarama.
of fishing boats and pleasure craft string along
Accommodation: Heritage Hotel, Omarama—1 night
the jetties lining the South Bank. Continuing on
we visit the Queens Gardens and Southland
Day 12 Sunday, 30 April 2017
Art Gallery and Museum before arriving at our accommodation in
OMARAMA – CHRISTCHURCH
(BD)
Invercargill where we stay for the next two nights.
A day for spectacular sights. We head north to
Accommodation: Kelvin Hotel, Invercargill — 2 nights
skirt the shore of Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook,
New Zealand’s highest mountain. Time is
Day 8 Wednesday, 26 April 2017
available to enjoy an optional scenic flight over
INVERCARGILL
(B)
the ancient rivers of ice and the West Coast
This morning we travel to Bluff. As an option we
Glaciers (weather permitting – a highly
board the catamaran to Stewart Island. On
recommended option). Travelling to Tekapo we
arrival we have an escorted tour of the main
witness the magnificent blue waters of Lake
island with one of the local identities. After the
Tekapo. Here we visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and the statue
tour we visit the local D.O.C. Office. Those not
of the Collie dog, before travelling the vast Mackenzie Basin, over Burke’s
choosing the Stewart Island option, today is at
Pass through Fairlie, Geraldine, and Ashburton and across the Canterbury
leisure in Invercargill.
Plains into Christchurch.
Accommodation: Quality Elms Hotel, Christchurch — 2 nights
Day 9 Thursday, 27 April 2017
INVERCARGILL / DUNEDIN VIA CATLINS
(BD) Day 13 Monday, 1 May 2017
Depart and travel across flat farmland towards
CHRISTCHURCH
(BD)
the east coast and the Southern Scenic Route
Today we get the feel of this ‘English City’ with a
through the Catlins to Dunedin. The Catlins is
sightseeing tour of Christchurch City. Our
a place of awesome natural beauty with dense
first visit being to the Canterbury Museum,
forest, farmland, towering cliffs, rocky coastal
where we learn about the history and geography
bays. There are wonderful views of this
of the area. Other sights include Christ College,
rugged coastline as the road winds north. En
Hagley Park, and the Art Centre, with a stop
route stops can be made to see many of the
at Brighton Beach for a walk along the pier.
interesting places the Catlins offers the visitor. This wild coast claimed many This afternoon is free for you to enjoy the Garden City.
ships and as a result two lighthouses are features. The first of these at
Waipapa Point was the scene of New Zealand’s worst civilian shipping
Day 14 Tuesday, 2 May 2017
disaster. At Curio Bay see one of the worlds most extensive and least
DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
(B)
disturbed examples of a Jurassic fossilised forest. Further north a visit to
Farewell from the South Island! This morning you are transferred to the
view the McLean Falls is well worth the 15 minute walk through native bush.
Christchurch Airport to connect with your flight to your home port.
There are other interesting points of interest that are well signposted. One
of these is the spectacular Nugget Point lighthouse. The walking path to
the lighthouse offers panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and the coast. It
is also an exceptional viewing point for wildlife such as the NZ Fur Seal, NZ
Sea Lion and occasional Elephant Seal. Continuing north the road turns
Terms & Conditions….
Leisure Time Tours
Acceptance of Terms and Conditions
Experience the difference...
It is understood by Leisure Time Tours that the terms and conditions of travel
are accepted by the passenger if/when the required deposit is paid.
Auckland Collections:
0620
1010
1025
1052
2023
2104
2120
0622
1011
1041
1060
2024
2105
2474
0624
1021
1042
1061
2025
2110
2675
0627
1023
1050
1062
2102
2112
0629
1024
1051
2022
2103
2113
Additional collections with a $25 surcharge:
0600
0626
0630
0632
1022
1026
1071
1072
2010
2013
2014
2016
2105
2576
3210
3214
3216
3218
2582
Hamilton Collections:
3200
3204
3206
Tauranga Collections:
3110
3112
3116
Price Amendments
Prices were correct at the time and date of printing, however Leisure Time
Tours reserves the right to amend the price subject to any changes in price
imposed by other tour operators and carriers included in the itinerary.
*Guaranteed Twin Share Prices
Our Guaranteed Twin Share price is available for those passengers willing to
share with another single traveller of the same gender. If there isn’t another
passenger of the same gender to share with we GUARANTEE our twin share
price. Leisure Times Tours accepts no responsibility for the compatibility of
passengers travelling under this arrangement. If someone is not compatible
with the person they have been matched up with, all additional costs incurred to
assist with changing their room type to a guaranteed single room will be at the
traveller’s expense and will be subject to availability. Acceptance of a
guaranteed twin share basis is subject to the individual’s medical condition
being suitable for this type of arrangement.
Home Cities
Leisure Time Tours departs from Auckland City, Hamilton, Tauranga City and
Rotorua. Leisure Time Tours offers a free home collection and drop off service
from selected areas of our home cities on all our Escorted Tours, other areas
are available at an additional cost.
3118
Rotorua Collections:
3010
Itineraries
Itineraries were correct at the time of printing, but are subject to change without
notice. This could come about due to road or weather conditions, or any
changes imposed by other tour operators and carriers included in the itinerary.
If a passenger amends their itinerary by starting or concluding the itinerary
earlier or later or during an itinerary then it becomes their responsibility to
arrange tour or flight connections as necessary.
Payments, Cancellations and Refunds
A per person deposit is required on booking to confirm your seat. Payments are
available to be made by Cash, Cheque or EFTPOS only – Credit Card
payments are not available without an additional surcharge. Leisure Time Tours
reserves the right to amend or reschedule the tour due the result of
circumstances outside the company’s control. Leisure Time Tours also reserves
the right to cancel the tour due to insufficient numbers and in this instance a
substitute date will be offered or a full refund will be made available. Tour Price
excludes drinks, telephone calls, travel insurance and items of a personal
nature.
3015
Tour Inclusions & Costs….
TOUR INCLUSIONS:
· Return Economy Class Air Fare ex Auckland
· 13 nights accommodation, twin/double rooms, (single rooms
Tours within New Zealand Cancellation Fees
available with surcharge).
 42+ days prior to travel loss of non-refundable deposit
· Tour Admissions as per itinerary
 31-41 days prior to travel - loss of 50% of your full tour payment
· Breakfasts (B), Lunch (L) and Dinners (D) where indicated on  30 days or less prior to travel - loss of 100% of your full tour payment
 No Refunds on any unused portions of itinerary
the itinerary
· Complimentary Leisure Time Travel Bag & Travel Kit
TOUR PAYMENTS PER PERSON:
Guaranteed Share Twin Price:
Guaranteed Single Price:
Deposit due at time of booking:
Balance of tour payment is due:
Contact Us…
$4099.00
$5089.00
$200.00
08/03/2017
Early Bird Discount – Book and Pay in Full by 25/01/17 and
receive
$70 pp discount
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