Overview
Itinerary
On arrival in Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. Meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre-dinner drink. Stay: The George or similar (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 to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Mt Cook for your overnight stay. Stay: The Hermitage Hotel (B/D)
Depart Mt Cook and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. The sweet tooth might like to tour Cadbury World (optional) whilst others might be interested in a tour of the Speight's Brewery (optional). Stay: Distinction Dunedin (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 an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay.
Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (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 at leisure, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. Stay Two Nights: Rendezvous Heritage 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, an old goldmining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Next you visit Franz Josef, where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel. Stay: Te Waonui Forest Retreat (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 to the elegant city of Christchurch.
On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Stay: The George or similar (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 and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy complimentary refreshments as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington. Stay Two Nights:InterContinental Wellington (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 a city tour. 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: Regent of Rotorua (B/D)
Today begins with a Gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Free time is available this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Mãori Hãngi and Concert. (B/SD)
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north through Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Māori tribes and the British. Stay Two Nights: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (B/D)
Today you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands including an island visit aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. On return to Paihia, enjoy a free afternoon where a range of optional activities are available, or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. This evening is also at leisure, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional). (B)
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends. Stay: Crowne Plaza Auckland (B/SD)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Larnach Castle and Ultimate High Tea
- Milford Sound Cruise & Lunch
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Premium Lounge
- Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum
- Skyline Gondola & Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Thermal mud pools and geysers
- Te Puia traditional Māori Hāngi and Concert
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
- Kauri Museum
- City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington & Auckland
- Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- Ultimate Small Group Tour Coach with 20 luxury leather reclining seats on a full-size vehicle, 2 door access and panoramic windows
- Professional Coach Captain
- 15 nights 4.5 star accommodation
- 4 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 1 rail journey
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Ultimate Documentation Pack
- 15 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast at Stratosfare Restaurant - Rotorua
- 12 sumptuous dinners including 3 specialty dinners: Maori Hangi & Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner with selected beverages, Auckland
- 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
- 1 Ultimate High Tea at 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 (7) View All Most Recent 'Ultimate Highlights' Reviews
The tour started in Christchurch and I was met by a host from Grand Pacific at the airport to transfer me to the hotel. That was probably the last time that I handled my bag for any great length of time because throughout the tour bags were picked up from outside your room on day of departure and delivered to your rooms on arrival at your next destination. Being a small group tour was so nice as you actually got to know individuals well throughout the tour. The group was amazing and everyone really got along well. I was the only solo traveller on this tour but was made to feel very much part of the group. Everyone was so welcoming - wouldn't hesitate to go on another tour with this amazing group again.
Our coach driver and tour captain Linda was brilliant. Always felt very safe with Linda at the helm. Driving and commentating didn't appear to phase Linda and her stories were always informative and set the scene for the next stop on the tour. All this with a warm and engaging personality. Linda is a real treasure. The coach is state of the art! Everyone had their own seat with a private side table to plug in your electronic devices etc and with full view windows which made for very comfortable touring.
The tour itself was pretty fast paced particularly when you consider that in 16 days we did the South and North islands. The South Island is so scenic - the landscape is breathtaking and awe inspiring. You would be hard pressed to find anywhere else in the world like the South Island of New Zealand. The North Island appears to have a more cultural feel with most of the Maori population residing there. What beautiful stories they have about how New Zealand evolved - so rich in history. Some more two night stays on the South Island would have been great!
The hotels we stayed in were mostly of a very very high standard with only two hotels if I am honest not in keeping with the standard that the others provided or would be expected from a tour such as this, but with little time spent in the room this was manageable. Food on the tour was plentiful - oh how plentiful. No one went hungry and with buffet breakfasts and several selections to choose from when dining at the hotels in the evening everyone was catered for. The meals were always very nice. The special dinners included which were not provided by the hotels were fantastic.
The optional extras on the tour was a little lacking in some ways. There was little in the way of physical exercise - for eg: hiking, bicycle riding! There were many optional extras whereby scenic flights/helicopter rides were offered. Speed boat trips also. The other optional extras were less inspiring and could be reviewed. Overall this tour was the entree to a main meal! We just got a taste of New Zealand and I'm sure many of us will be back.
Brochure
Grand Pacific New Zealand Festive Season (2025)
Availability
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Flights Included:
All departures can be booked with return flights from Australia to New Zealand included. Please select the flight option when you enquire with us.
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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