Overview
Itinerary
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.
This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner. Stay: Distinction Christchurch Hotel (D)
After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, The Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Twizel. Stay: Distinction Mackenzie Country (B/D)
Depart Twizel and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time. Stay: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross (B/D)
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional). Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau (B/D)
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch.
This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions.
This evening is free, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. Stay Two Nights: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (B/L)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon.
This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel's Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown. (B/SD)
Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Franz Josef. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers. Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (B/D)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur's Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains.
On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Stay: Sudima Christchurch Airport (B/D)
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington. Stay Two Nights: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (B/D)
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements. (B)
Depart Wellington and view the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Stay Two Nights: Pullman Rotorua (B/D)
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you've seen before. Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon.
This evening experience an entertaining Mãori Hãngi and Concert. (B/SD)
This morning depart Rotorua and travel through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton. A guided tour of the 12-acre set will take you past whimsical Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the Green Dragon Inn. You can now venture beyond the door and into an authentic Hobbit Hole interior for a fully immersive experience. Continue north to Auckland for an orientation tour. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink with your new friends at the farewell dinner. Stay: Sudima Auckland City (B/D)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Guided tour of Larnach Castle
- Milford Sound Cruise & Lunch
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
- Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum
- Skyline Gondola & Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Guided tour of the thermal mud pools and geysers
- Traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
- City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington & Auckland
- Premium Economy comfort on a full-size coach with 2 door access, seat back tray table, cup holder, restroom, daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance
- Professional Coach Captain
- Experienced Tour Leader
- Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- 13 nights 4 star accommodation
- 3 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 1 rail journey
- 3 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Signature Documentation Pack
- 13 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 11 sumptuous dinners including Complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Mãori Hãngi and Concert, Rotorua; Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Auckland
- 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
- 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
- Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
- Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm
Trip Reviews (12) View All Most Recent 'Signature Panorama' Reviews
As for New Zealand, it is an amazing place and it impressed everyone of us. It's natural beauty is abundant both on the South and North Islands. We saw many mountains which still had snow, amazing fiords, many lakes and rivers with crystal clear water, large agricultural enterprises and a number of historic towns and cities. I think the places covered by the tour were all of interest and we covered a lot of things in the time available. I'd love to go back with kayaks or canoes and spend weeks to travel some of those rivers/lakes. We were impressed at how clean the towns/cities and country side were kept (no rubbish, no graffiti) which is a real complement to New Zealanders and tourists alike. I think NZ can be an example to many other countries (including Australia) in this respect.
Even the weather played its part and we had perfect sunny days with max temps in the low 20's on all days except one (when in Wellington it rained much of the day). All in all, our coach tour of NZ left us with many happy memories and I can highly recommend it to any other traveler. Just prey for some good weather (similar to what we had) in order to get the most out of it.
Those who had been to NZ previously were a little bit "Maoried-out" with our itinerary, especially if adding the Bay of Islands, but we expected that to be the case. Five of us hired a people-mover in Auckland to travel the length of Northland. The highlight here was Harrison's Cape Runner from Kaitaia - a 7 hour trip to both sides of the peninsula in a 4WD bus for only $NZ 50 incl. a picnic lunch. We visited Houhora Heads, Rarawa Beach, Tapotupotu Bay, Cape Regina, 4Wdriving through Te Paki Stream, sand tobogganing, and driving along 90 Mile Beach. Very, very worthwhile! As usual, the organisation at this end by Global Journeys from Georgie Walpole was superb - as we have come to expect! All in all a great trip (my 4th to NZ, the previous being a North Is;and Rugby trip(!!!); calling in on a cruise; and the South Island with the superb 6-day hike through the Greenstone and Routeburn Tracks (when I was much younger (58) and had a pair of knees that still worked!!) Many thanks to all concerned!
Availability
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A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in USA. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Grand Pacific. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Grand Pacific. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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