Depart Rotorua in the morning and travel over the scenic Mamaku Ranges as the tour heads west to Waitomo. As you leave Rotorua, the coach will pass through the Fitzgerald Glade, a section of the highway where the native bush grows right up to the roadside and the trees form a canopy overhead like a tunnel.

On arrival at Waitomo Caves, the tour stops for a buffet lunch (included if this option is selected) at the fantastic new facilities at this world famous underground attraction. Enjoy your lunch as you sit and relax amongst the trees in the natural setting outside the caves.

After lunch, begin your guided tour through the long galleries and lofty chambers to view stalactites formed over thousands of years by the constant dripping of water. Your tour will end with a boat ride through the glowworm grotto that is illuminated by thousands of tiny lights emitted by the glowworms, suspended from the cave ceiling. After your caves tour, reboard the coach for your return journey to Rotorua.

Tour Highlights include:

• Lake Karapiro
• Waitomo Glowworm Caves
• Fitzgerald Glade

Take the opportunity to explore two of Waitomo's famous caves. This entry pass offers the most in underground exploration, with guided tours throughout the labyrinth of limestone caves, view sparkling Glowworm Caves by boat and the tranquility of the Aranui Caves.

The spectacular natural "decorations" of stalactites, stalagmites and sculptures have developed over thousands of years and are the result of water dripping from the roof of the cave or flowing over the exposed limestone walls.

From Dunedin - New Zealand's South Island's southernmost city, rich in architecture and culture - travel via Mount Cargill reaching the Historic Precinct of Oamaru. The Waitaki region, in Otago New Zealand, is blessed with a stunning landscape offering an exhilarating environment for outdoor pursuits. In early days many magnificent limestone buildings were erected and Oamaru is lucky that many of those buildings remain intact today.

Continue on your journey via the Elephant Rocks (intriguing geological formations and), onwards through the dramatic landscape of the Waitaki Valley reaching the spectacular surroundings of Mount Cook Village. Enjoy panoramic views from the Hermitage Alpine Restaurant and absorb the alpine isolation of Mount Cook Village before journeying north across the rich farmlands and rural townships of the Canterbury Plains to the beautiful city of Christchurch.

Tour Highlights include:

• Canterbury Plains
• Lake Tekapo - a stunning glacial-fed lake
• Church of the Good Shepherd
• Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
• Waitaki Valley
• Oamaru
• Elephant Rocks