New Zealand 2024 - Escorted Tour
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Australia's only away Test series for 2024 will be against New Zealand this March following on from a three-match T20 International series.
The series will be an historic match up between the reigning World Test Champions and the winners of the 2021 final.
Our Two-Test package includes every day of both the Wellington and Christchurch Tests with two nights in incredible Queenstown in between, and you can add the 3rd T20 International in Auckland at the start of the tour.
Test Schedule
Our tour includes both Tests with a two-night stopover in Queenstown in between.- First Test: Wellington, Thursday 29 February-Monday 4 March
- Second Test: Christchurch, Friday 8-Tuesday 12 March
Tour Host Merv Hughes
An escorted AST tour would not be complete without Merv Hughes hosting our group. Merv returns to New Zealand for both Tests on his third visit to New Zealand as AST tour host.Merv will be assisted by our experienced AST tour leaders who will be on hand to make sure you get the best touring experience possible!
Queenstown Mid-Tour
Queenstown sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. It is world-renowned for its stunning scenery and host of activities available on its doorstep and is the perfect place for a couple of days in between the Tests.We begin with a cruise on Lake Wakatipu on board the steamer TSS Earnslaw and dinner at Walter Peak Homestead and have a range of included activities to choose from during our stay:
- Milford Sound day trip
- Jet boating & kayaking on the Dart River
- Skippers Canyon tour
- Shotover River extreme jet boat
- Lord of the Rings tour
3rd T20 International Combo
You can also choose to start the tour in Auckland on Saturday 24 February and attend the 3rd T20 International on Sunday before we explore New Zealand’s north island including Rotorua and Napier before making our way to Wellington ahead of the first Test!- 3rd T20 International at Auckland’s iconic Eden Park
- Auckland city tour
- Matamata & Hobbiton Lord of the Rings village tour
- Traditional hangi dinner
- Rotorua thermal springs & Maori culture tour
Payments
A deposit of $1,000 per person is payable at the time of booking. The final balance is due by Friday 8 December, 2023.Any Questions?
Email us at info@astsports.com.au if you have any questions about the tour.Inclusions
- Tickets to every day of the cricket - we will have details on upgrading to hospitality options once these are available.
- Quality 4-star accommodation
- Six nights Wellington
- Two nights Queenstown
- Six nights Christchurch
- Breakfast daily
- Welcome & farewell dinners
- Internal transport as detailed in the itinerary
- Tour host Merv Hughes
- AST tour leader
- AST tour merchandise
- Choice of Queenstown experiences including a Milford Sound day trip, kayaking on the Dart River, Skippers Canyon tour, Shotover River extreme jet boat & Lord of the Rings tour.
- TSS Earnslaw cruise on Lake Wakatipu & dinner at Walter Peak Homestead
- Optional 4-night extension taking in the 3rd T20 International in Auckland before travelling on to Rotorua and Wellington.
Itinerary
Saturday 24-Wednesday 28 February - 3rd T20I Combo
You can also choose to start the tour in Auckland on Saturday 24 February for the 3rd T20 International on Sunday and guided touring of Auckland and Rotorua before making our way to Wellington ahead of the first Test!
Wednesday 28 February - Welcome to Wellington!
Our Two-Test package begins today. After checking-in at our hotel we will get together this evening at our welcome dinner where our host Merv Hughes will talk us through his thoughts on the series ahead.
Overnight: Oaks Wellington Hotel
Thursday 29 February - Monday 4 March - First Test, Basin Reserve, Wellington
Each morning Merv will offer us his thoughts on the upcoming day’s cricket after which we pass through central Wellington on the 15-minute walk to Basin Reserve.
We will have details on upgrading to hospitality options once these are available.
After each day’s play our tour leader will have a base bar for those keen for a drink plus a range of options to explore in downtown Wellington.
Overnight: Oaks Wellington Hotel
Tuesday 5 March - Queenstown
Today we are transferred to Wellington airport for our flight to Queenstown.
Queenstown sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu, set against the dramatic Southern Alps. It is world-renowned for its stunning scenery and host of activities available on its doorstep and is the perfect place for a couple of days in between the Tests.
After checking in at our Queenstown hotel we get things underway with a cruise on Lake Wakatipu on board the steamer TSS Earnslaw and dinner at Walter Peak Homestead.
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Queenstown
Wednesday 6 March - Choice of Queenstown Day Trips
Today you have the choice of our included day trip activities:
- Milford Sound day trip
- Jet boating & kayaking on the Dart River
- Skippers Canyon tour
- Shotover River extreme jet boat
- Lord of the Rings tour
Overnight: Crowne Plaza Queenstown
Thursday 7 March - Queenstown & Christchurch
This morning we have time for some relaxation on the shores of Lake Wakatipu or contact us if you would like to add another half-day activity to your booking.
This afternoon we return to Queenstown airport for our flight to Christchurch ahead of tomorrow’s second Test.
Overnight: Christchurch City Hotel
Friday 8-Tuesday 12 March - Second Test, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Each morning Merv will offer us his thoughts on the day’s cricket before our walk along Christchurch’s Hereford Street to Hagley Oval.
Once again we will have details on upgrading to hospitality options once these are available.
After each day’s play join us at our central base bar or see our tour leader for the best options to explore Christchurch by night.
Overnight: Christchurch City Hotel
Wednesday 13 March - Tour Ends
Our tour ends this morning, hotel check-out is 10am.
Add-On
Saturday 24 February - Auckland & Rotorua Add-On
Our pre-tour add-on begins in Auckland today ahead of tomorrow’s 3rd T20 International.
Check-in at our central Auckland hotel this afternoon before joining our tour leader this evening.
Overnight: Auckland
Sunday 25 February - Auckland Day Trip & 3rd T20I
This morning we take a sightseeing tour of Auckland before heading to Eden Park for this afternoon’s 3rd T20 International between New Zealand and Australia.
Overnight: Auckland
Monday 26 February - Matamata, Hobbiton & Rotorua
Today we travel to one of New Zealand’s tourist highlights, Rotorua. Along the way we’ll stop at Matamata in the shadow of the Kaimai Range Mountains and visit Hobbiton - the village created for the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies.
We then reach Rotorua, renowned both for its geothermal activity and traditional Maori culture.
Overnight: Rotorua
Tuesday 27 February - Rotorua
Today we tour of Rotorua taking in Te Puia’s Whakarewarewa Valley, the 30m Pohutu Geyser, Maori Arts and Crafts Institute, and views across Lake Rotorua.
This evening we will enjoy a hangi dinner - fish, meat and vegetables cooked in a traditional earth oven - while enjoying some traditional Maori entertainment.
Overnight: Rotorua
Wednesday 28 February - Rotorua to Wellington
Today we fly to Wellington in anticipation of tomorrow’s first Test.After checking-in at our hotel we will get together this evening at our welcome dinner where our host Merv Hughes will talk us through his thoughts on the series ahead.
Overnight: Oaks Wellington Hotel
Gallery
Packages
AUD 6,690
/per person
AUD 8,480
/per person