New Zealand Tours
Explore the stunning coastline and rolling hills of the North Island, the majestic landscapes and towering fjords of the South, or satiate your need for adrenaline. New Zealand has it all waiting for you on 154 guided coach tours and small group tours. Cruise the Bay of Islands, experience Maori culture and the geothermal wonderlands of Rotorua, or take a Queenstown skiing adventure.
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10 Days Christchurch to Christchurch
Operator: Grand Pacific Tours
From 6,157
Save 362
19 Days Auckland to Christchurch
Operator: Grand Pacific Tours
From 11,607
Save 373
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Featured NZ OperatorsFeatured Operators View all
G Adventures came from a desire to deliver authentic and responsible small group travel adventures that were equally life-changing for travellers and the...more communities they visit. And we’re been doing just that for almost 30 years. Our award-winning trips span seven continents and over 100 countries, giving you meaningful experiences with people, cultures, landscapes and wildlife, as well as offering you the freedom and flexibility to explore on your own. On all of our tours, you get to know locals every step of the way, from the places you visit and stay to where you eat and drink. You’ll also get to experience our ‘G for Good’ social impact initiatives on-trip, including our industry-leading ‘Ripple Score’. This score measures, as a percentage, the amount of money that stays in the local community through on-trip services like accommodation, restaurants and transport.
Scenic is proudly an Australian founded company setting the global standard for all inclusive luxury travel. We have delighted guests for more than 36...more years with memorable journeys to fascinating locations across the world, delivering unsurpassed excellence in service, product quality and exclusive experiences. The guest is at the heart of everything we do, as we strive to provide continual innovation to enhance the guest experience in luxury river cruising, land tours and our state of the art expedition ocean cruising with Scenic Eclipse. The Scenic difference is the details, the unwavering commitment to anticipate our guests every need, from butler services, quality dining, wellness, Scenic Enrich and Scenic FreeChoice experiences. That is why so many of our past guests choose to travel with Scenic many times, to destinations around the globe with family and friends, trusting Scenic to create memories that will last a lifetime. We welcome you to enjoy the portfolio of Scenic luxury products and feel the difference of Scenic’s dedicated staff, who will look after you to the nth degree.
Explore has been taking small groups on adventure holidays all over the world for almost 40 years. The expert team, at home and overseas, works together...more to create itineraries that leave you feeling that you’ve really explored a destination rather than just visited. You’ll see the highlights, the must-sees, of course. But you’ll also get away from the beaten track, and get a different perspective on your destination. You’ll get closer to a place, its people and cultures. Our small groups are typically 12 people – small enough to get right into the heart of your destination, but big enough to find like-minded people to share your experiences with. And the glue that holds these groups together is our local tour leaders, who are uniquely placed to add individual and spontaneous moments to each trips – moments that stay with you long after you return home. All sorts of people travel with Explore – our groups are usually a mix of solos, couples and friends. What unites them is their adventurous spirit and thirst for real travel experiences. We provide authentic small-group travel, designed by experts and led by experts, with sustainability at its heart and a common desire for unforgettable experiences. Whether you’re on a cultural tour of Lebanon, cycling in Vietnam, walking in Italy or exploring Costa Rica with your family, when you’re travelling with Explore you know that you’re in good hands.
Discover Must Do Experiences and Highlights
Cruise Lake Wakatipu
Blessed with stunning scenery, there is no better way to enjoy Queenstown’s beauty than to cruise Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamship, TSS Earnshaw.
The TranzAlpine Railway
This iconic train journey crosses the Canterbury Plains and majestic snow-capped Southern Alps, with breathtaking gorges, high viaducts, twisting rivers and forests at every turn.
Rotorua’s Geothermal Wonderland
Belching grey mud pools, geysers shooting to the sky, lakes bubbling like champagne, and natural hot springs. Walk among these amazing natural wonders in Rotorua.
Maori Culture
Be enthralled by the thundering power of the Haka, the carved meeting houses, greenstone adornments, flax weaving and the smokey flavours of a traditional hangi.
The Sounds of Fiordland
The iconic Milford Sound features on most South Island itineraries but have you also thought about the lesser known Doubtful Sound? Equally beautiful, see them both!
Latest Reviews What our clients are saying about their journeys to New Zealand
Bungy jumping was for me a dream for many years, adding white water rafting over 7 m waterfall (and not capsizing) including body surfing over another waterfall was great fun. Must definitely mention the tour guide George for his professionalism, huge amount of information provided and constant care and attention to our various changing needs.
We really enjoyed the Signature North Island Tour with Grand Pacific Tours. We found the coach to be extremely comfortable with heaps of leg room. The hotels were all excellent. We had great weather throughout the tour. We really enjoyed the Hobbiton Tour and lunch. We had no idea about the Lord of the Rings movies or books but the guide was really ...read more engaging and made the Tour really enjoyable. We also really enjoyed the cruise of the Bay of Islands out to the Hole in the Rock. We had a great bunch of fellow travellers and we were all mixed ages. We would differently travel with Grand Pacific Tours again In the Future. Georgie and then Grace made the booking process really easy. Georgie and then Grace were always really quick at getting back with answers to any questions that we had. We will differently book with Global Journeys again in the future.
19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach Tour through New Zealand Peter and Karin, NSW, Australia, Sep 2024
The whole trip was amazing but in particular, beautiful Bay of Islands, geysers of Rotorua, Te Papa Museum in Wellington, the Coastal Pacific Rail Journey from Picton, the Tranzalpine train journey, Queenstown, Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise, viewing magnificent snow covered alps, Larnarch Castle at Dunedin. We would definitely travel with Grand Pacific ...read more again and book online with Global Journeys again as our booking was handled well with no hiccups and a very comprehensive itinerary. Tips for future travellers? I would have liked to have experienced the optional extra Wai Ariki Hot Springs and Spa and the luge ride which was included in our itinerary in Rotorua. (Was worried about my arthritic back but should not have been concerned as the way down was bump free!!). Accommodation was very good as most hotels were situated in the centre of the city and very comfortable. We travelled in September-October and had good weather. Our fellow travellers were very easy to get on with. We really enjoyed their company.
Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach New Zealand - Global Journeys Booking Agent. Bernard and Tracey, WA, Australia, Sep 2024
We were looking at another classy coach trip having been on 2 previous, one in South Africa and the other in UK. We chose New Zealand and Grand Pacific because of the itinerary, being able to spend 2 days in one place, majority meals and a lot of extras were included, hence saving on extra excursions. Having the coach driver organizing numbers for ...read more the tours and the participants paying direct to the vendor, we thought was terrific as the UK trip the guide was charging a fee for organizing. This trip ticked all the boxes. The only downfall was that twice we had to stay at accommodation in Christchurch which was below the standard that other accommodation facilities we had visited. Hopefully Grand Pacific will take note of the reviews and look for a better place.
We usually book our own trips and were told that we had to go through Global Journeys in Australia or New Zealand. We chose Australia. I believe when you use a Travel Agent, they do everything for you. No problems, no stress. I had noticed that there was an irregularity in the departure from Christchurch to Perth. Our transport was organised for the day we were suppose to fly out, yet our fly out day was the next day. There was a bit of confusion and a "typo" was blamed for the error and yet we had to pay for the alteration to the booking. My husband was fuming and a verbal altercation ensued. He wanted to speak to the Manager and was told that the agent was the Manager. It was a bit of a bad taste left in the mouth. Time passed and we were asked to change departure time from Christchurch due to the connecting flight (so there was plenty of time), no problems didn't cost anything that was a bonus. I was looking at the booking again and noticed that there was a error in the departure time from Perth, the booking was reflecting a time of 29:50 hours. I asked the agent to check and after a few emails to clarify the typo. The agent has since been made up to Managing Director, thought she owned the Company. Another agent was assigned to our booking and there was no problems.
(CEO. Thanks for your feedback Bernard and Tracey, and we're really happy you enjoyed your journey through NZ - Grand Pacific are fantastic operators as can be seen with the other reviews we receive. We've taken onboard your feedback regarding your flight timing issue. In a perfect world we'd all have no problems and no stress and hopefully next time that's the case! Cheers Campbell)
We usually book our own trips and were told that we had to go through Global Journeys in Australia or New Zealand. We chose Australia. I believe when you use a Travel Agent, they do everything for you. No problems, no stress. I had noticed that there was an irregularity in the departure from Christchurch to Perth. Our transport was organised for the day we were suppose to fly out, yet our fly out day was the next day. There was a bit of confusion and a "typo" was blamed for the error and yet we had to pay for the alteration to the booking. My husband was fuming and a verbal altercation ensued. He wanted to speak to the Manager and was told that the agent was the Manager. It was a bit of a bad taste left in the mouth. Time passed and we were asked to change departure time from Christchurch due to the connecting flight (so there was plenty of time), no problems didn't cost anything that was a bonus. I was looking at the booking again and noticed that there was a error in the departure time from Perth, the booking was reflecting a time of 29:50 hours. I asked the agent to check and after a few emails to clarify the typo. The agent has since been made up to Managing Director, thought she owned the Company. Another agent was assigned to our booking and there was no problems.
(CEO. Thanks for your feedback Bernard and Tracey, and we're really happy you enjoyed your journey through NZ - Grand Pacific are fantastic operators as can be seen with the other reviews we receive. We've taken onboard your feedback regarding your flight timing issue. In a perfect world we'd all have no problems and no stress and hopefully next time that's the case! Cheers Campbell)
Explore More Explore more Your guide to travelling to New Zealand
06 December, 2024
Explore NZ's South Island in 10 Days.The stunning natural diversity of New Zealand’s South Island, paired with the warmth and generosity of its people, makes it an irresistible draw for travelers. Across this remarkable region, you’ll find spectacular scenery and authentic experiences that seem to shift at every turn. One moment...
27 November, 2024
Explore the Best of the South Island with Grand PacificDiscover New Zealand’s South Island with Grand Pacific Experience the enchantment of New Zealand’s South Island on Grand Pacific Tours new itinerary, the 14 Day Ultimate Best of the South Island and the 14 Day Signature Best of the South Island. Begin your adventure with New Zealand’s Coach...
20 March, 2024
Discover Top of the South IslandHave you travelled with Grand Pacific before and are now looking for a tour that’s a little bit different? Look no further than Grand Pacific's Top of the South Island itinerary. Offered as both small group and mid-size coach holiday options, this itinerary promises unforgettable experiences...
28 April, 2023
Two Ways to Travel NZ: Grand Pacific Tours Introduces Signature Mid-Size Group TouringTwo Ways to Travel NZ with Grand Pacific With the launch of their 2022/23 New Zealand touring season, Grand Pacific Tours have introduced a new way to travel. Their affordable Classic Escorted Group Tours will be retired at the end of the season (May 2023) and Grand Pacific will continue to...
Common Questions Common questions about touring through New Zealand
What are the best months to visit New Zealand?
It begins to get warmer in NZ around October and cooler by the end of April. January to March is the height of summer and also the busiest, with locals taking every opportunity enjoy the long nights and sunny days along with travellers from around the world. You can still get rainy days (there's a reason why the...read more countryside is so green) throughout the year, but during the summer period they don't tend to hang around for very long.The shoulder months of September, October and April are also popular times to visit, with less travellers around and prices of tours generally lower as a result. It rains a lot less in the South Island (year round) and of course the winter months are very popular due to NZ's popularity as a ski destination.
How many days should I put aside to travel through New Zealand?
If you're looking at exploring all of New Zealand in one go then you'll need to allow yourself at least ...read moretwo weeks to avoid being too rushed. If your plan is to visit one island at a time (they are so different) then a good week to ten days should be fine for each one. Which is more beautiful, the North or South Island?
That's a tough call that will entirely depend on what you're hoping to experience in paradise. The ...read moreNorth Island is covered in native and ancient forests (we call it bush in NZ), pastoral farms, geothermal landscapes, glorious beaches and the largest and most populous cities (Auckland and Wellington). The South Island is more "Middle Earth", meaning spectacular mountain ranges, gorges and fiords and home to the adventure capital of the world - Queenstown. And it's a lot less populated with only 20% of the 5m Kiwi's located down south.
What is the name of the most scenic train ride in New Zealand?
You're probably thinking of the ...read moreTranzAlpine train journey. The TranzAlpine is one of the world's great train journeys covering 223 km's (139 miles) one-way, taking just under 5 hours. You’ll traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains, to the backdrop of the mighty Southern Alps - the journey of a lifetime. Along this journey you’ll see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest.Another train journey to consider is the Coastal Pacific which runs daily throughout the summer season from Christchurch to Picton. With the sea stretching to the horizon in the east and the Kaikoura mountains stretching to the sky in the west, the Coastal Pacific is one of the most astonishingly beautiful journeys in New Zealand.
Why is New Zealand the adventure capital of the world?
The best thing about touring around New Zealand is the depth of "things to do" in such a geographically small destination. If ...read moreadventure is your thing, both islands of the country have you covered. World renowned as the home of the bungy jump you can also experience off-road driving, canyoning, ziplining, mountain biking, zorbing, caving, rafting and jet boating - all while surrounded by NZ's natural beauty. 
