New Zealand Golf Cruise

Itinerary

February 12: Depart Home

Depart home for an overnight flight to Queenstown, New Zealand.

February 13: Cross International Date Line

Day lost crossing the International Date Line.

February 14: Queenstown (South Island)

Upon arrival in Queenstown, New Zealand, you are transferred to The Rees Hotel where your hotel room awaits you. Relax and explore the area until our welcome reception this evening.

February 15: Queenstown (South Island)

Golf: Jacks Point
Set within a 3,000-acre nature preserve, the newest addition to Queenstown golf is Jacks Point. The course’s elevation changes offer sweeping lake and alpine vistas with a 360-degree mountainscape. Winds off Lake Wakatipu will challenge golfers and provide a welcoming introduction to golf in New Zealand. Queenstown is known as the “Adventure Capital of the World,” but this region is also the fastest growing wine region in the country. Our Kiwi wine expert is on hand to explain the details of the wine making process while we sample the region’s Pinot Noirs, which are ranked among the world’s finest. After lunch in the vineyard, we visit Arrowtown, New Zealand’s only living, historic gold rush town.

February 16: Queenstown (South Island)

Golf: The Hills
Current home to the New Zealand Open, The Hills uses the natural settings of this magnificent site, nestled in the Wakatipu Basin and surrounded by the spectacular Remarkables Mountain Range, as the backdrop for this championship course.
Tour: Jet Boat Adventure
We embark on the most scenic jet boat experience in New Zealand—an exhilarating ride in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons.

February 17: Christchurch

Tour: Christchurch
This morning we fly to Christchurch, located on the Canterbury Plains, renowned for their sheep farms. One of the best is the family-owned Flaxton Farm. During a private visit we meet the family, tour Flaxton’s historic farmhouse, watch sheep shearing and observe the talented sheep dogs. Later in the afternoon, we embark the Orion to begin our voyage.

February 18: Wellington (North Island)

Golf: Paraparaumu Beach Golf Club
Completed in 1949, Paraparaumu Beach has long been considered one of New Zealand’s premier courses. Paraparaumu is a traditional links course characterized by massive dunes, long wispy rough and gently undulating greens. Architect Alex Russell, who designed Royal Melbourne East, left Paraparaumu looking as if man had virtually no impact on the land. The course has hosted eleven New Zealand Opens and promises to provide an exciting round of golf.
Tour: Wellington
Today we explore New Zealand’s sophisticated capital city, Wellington, where colorful Victorian houses grace the steep hills surrounding one of the prettiest harbors in the southern hemisphere. We head to the summit of Mount Victoria for a 360º view of the city, then visit the Te Papa National Museum, filled with highly imaginative exhibits, bringing the stories, art and culture of the New Zealand people to life. There will be time in the afternoon to browse the many shops and cafés that surround the waterfront.

February 19: Day at Sea

Delight in a full day at sea on Orion. Sit back and relax or take advantage of the ocean-view fitness room, sauna and jacuzzi. Our lectures will enlighten us on New Zealand flora and fauna as we take in the natural scenery aboard the Orion.

February 20: Napier (North Island)

Golf: Cape Kidnappers
A compelling course on a dramatic site makes Cape Kidnappers one of the highlights of our cruise. Tom Doak created this prize-winning golf course on land perched 500 feet above Hawke’s Bay—a site that “belongs more to heaven than earth.” Doak’s brilliance is best demonstrated by just how naturally so many fairways utilize the most scenic parts of the site and yet remain fully playable. Generous fairways give way to challenging approach shots into complex greens.
Tour: Gannet Colony & Napier
Our morning begins with a trip to the extraordinary Cape Kidnappers gannet colony — the only place in the world to see up close the nesting place of over 20,000 gannets. As we watch these birds fly off the cliffs to dive deep for fish, our local guides explain we witness. This afternoon there is time to explore Napier and its famed Art Deco architecture. Rebuilt after a devastating earthquake, Napier offers the greatest variety and concentration of 1930s building styles in existence— Stripped Classical, Spanish Mission and, above all, Art Deco. the preening, dance performances and behaviors

February 21: Napier (North Island)

Golf: Cape Kidnappers
Golfers will relish a second round at Cape Kidnappers. No excuses about the prevailing winds today on the par three 6th, a cliff-to-cliff shot, or on the par five 15th hole, otherwise known as “Pirates Plank,” which edges out to a green that hangs 450 feet above the Pacific.
Tour: The Wines of Hawke’s Bay
Hawke’s Bay is the oldest established wine growing region in New Zealand and is home to many of the country’s most famous vineyards. We explore the region’s fine wines today with tastings led by award winning vintners. We enjoy our final tasting paired with local specialties for lunch.

February 22: Day at Sea

All passengers will take pleasure in our day at sea as we relax and enjoy the comforts Orion provides while cruising these beautiful waters past dramatic coastlines and pristine islands. This afternoon our onboard lecturers discuss the history that unfolded as European sailors explored this region.

February 23: Bay of Islands (North Island)

Golf: Kauri Cliffs
In 2000, American Julian Robertson created this golf gem, which catapulted into the world’s top 50 just one year after completion. Dazzling sea views are at every turn but a series of surprising par threes fight for your attention. Where Cape Kidnappers is demanding in approaching the greens, Kauri Cliffs is demanding off the tee. The backside is the more dramatic with six holes hugging the cliffs. Today we enjoy a unique cooking workshop where we will learn how to prepare New Zealand cuisine. The demonstrated dishes will be served for a gourmet lunch paired with fine Northland wines.

February 24: Bay of Islands (North Island)

Golf: Kauri Cliffs
Golfers will savor a second chance to master this scenic layout, but Kauri Cliffs is up to the challenge. Approach shots will be better measured but new hole locations present plenty of new strategy.
Tour: Waitangi Treaty Grounds & Russell
We visit New Zealand’s paramount historic site, the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where on February 6, 1840, the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed between Maori and the British Crown. Then we board a water taxi for the quaint little village of Russell, the first capital of New Zealand. Filled with charming cafés and shops, we have time for exploring and a bit of shopping.

February 25: Auckland (North Island) • Disembark Orion • Home

We bid farewell to the captain and his crew as we begin transfers for homebound flights or you may wish to extend your stay in Sydney, Australia.

Sydney, Australia Extension, February 25 – March 1, 2011

Fly to Sydney on February 25 and transfer to the five-star Four Seasons Hotel, ideally located in the historic Rocks District, overlooking Sydney Harbor. Our Sydney extension gives those who wish to see more of the Pacific Rim an opportunity to tour and play golf in Sydney, Australia. We will explore the culture, museums and diverse architecture that make Sydney one of the world’s most vibrant cities. Golf is scheduled at New South Wales, an Alister MacKenzie design, currently ranked 36th in the world.

Pricing:

Tour price is $2,795 per person, double occupancy, and includes: four nights accommodation at the Four Seasons Hotel, breakfasts, one round of golf and airport transfers. Airfare from New Zealand to Australia is not included but will be arranged by Kalos Golf. Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Handicap restrictions apply.