1
Welcome to Christchurch
WELCOME TO NEW ZEALAND!
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.
If you have time here are some suggested activities to help explore the area
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night
2
High Country Lake Tekapo
After an introductory city sights tour departs Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to beautiful 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.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Twizel - 1 night
3
Oamaru & Dunedin
Depart Twizel and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. While its façade is strictly of the Victorian era with ornately decorated grand white stone buildings that once housed upstanding banks, hotels, and restaurants, the residents ‘the Oamaruivans’ are certainly not. In fact quite the contrary, unlike the Victorians they (the locals) are bohemians artisans, creative’s and antiquarians who run ‘out-there’ galleries, museums, shops, and venues – it has to be seen to be believed and you'll love it.
Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 night
4
Te Anau - Gateway to Fiordland
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. Bid farewell to Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 night
5
Stunning Milford Sound Cruise - Queenstown
The Road to Milford is one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you’ll ease into a beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. Look for the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain and the Mirror Lakes. The rough-hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, an amazing 22km-long fiord dominated by Mitre Peak. A cruise on Milford Sound will be an essential component of your time in Fiordland. Tall waterfalls, vertical rock faces, and seals are some of the things you’ll remember. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic 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 and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Meals: Breakfast and Lunch
Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 nights
6
Queenstown - a Day of Leisure
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader are available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, including the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or get up close to a Kiwi bird.
Recommended Queenstown Excursions:
Routeburn Day Walk | Highest Bungey Jump | Explore Arrowtown |
Biking Skippers Canyon | Round at Millbrook Golf Resort | |
Earnslaw Steamboat Cruise | Dart River Jetboat Safari |
Dinner: This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you 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.
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
7
Glacier Country
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.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 night
8
TranzAlpine Rail Journey
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board The TranzAlpine Train, 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.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night
10
Wellington - a day of Leisure
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli. A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Re-board your coach for a city tour. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.
Here are some sightseeing and activity suggestions while in Wellington:
National Museum - Te Papa | Visit Cuba Street | Weta Workshop Tour |
Zealandia Wildlife Reserve | Carter Observatory |
Meals: Breakfast
11
Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua
Heading further North we follow the Desert Road and enjoy amazing views of Tongariro National Park’s Mt Ruapehu. The road then takes us to a grand view of Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake. The stunningly blue freshwater of Lake Taupo is sitting in the South Pacific's largest volcanic crater. After Lake Taupo visit the spectacular Huka Falls then to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 nights
12
Boiling Mud, Geysers and Māori Culture
Today begins with a Gondola Ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a luge ride! The next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Enjoy some free time 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 Maori Hangi and Concert.
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
13
Beautiful Bay of Islands
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north to 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.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Bay of Islands - 2 nights
14
Island Cruise and Some Leisure Time
This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands onboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. The cruise includes an island stopover at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island. Stroll along the white sand beach, or walk to the top of the hill for scenic views over the entire Bay of Islands before returning to Paihia for a free afternoon. 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 free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Excursions available in the Bay of Islands:
Historical Island Cruise | Diving Rainbow Warrior | 4WD Adventure Cape Reinga |
Sailing the Islands | Sea Kayaking the Bay | Giant Kauri Forest Walk |
Cultural Tour of Waitangi | Golf at Kauri Cliffs |
Meals: Breakfast
15
Bay of Islands - Auckland
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville 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 pre-dinner drink and farewell dinner with your new-found friends.
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night
16
Depart Auckland
Haere rā and Bon Voyage!
We hope you enjoyed this tour. Our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand. Have a great homeward journey and we hope to see you again soon!
Meals: Breakfast
Notes
INCLUSIONS
TOUR CODE – SGPN16
16 Day Signature Highlights
Embrace both islands of New Zealand including the stunning Bay of Islands
STYLE Signature Mid-Size Group
COACH 32 seat Premium Economy
ACCOMMODATION 4 star
STARTS Christchurch
FINISHES Auckland
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS
PREPAID ATTRACTIONS
• Larnach Castle*
• Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
• Lakes District Museum
• TranzAlpine Rail Journey
• Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Queen Charlotte Lounge
• Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
• Skyline Rotorua Gondola and 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 and Auckland
COACH FEATURES
- 32 Premium Economy Comfort seats on a full-size coach
- 2 door access; seat back tray table; cup holder
- Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance
MEALS
- 15 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 12 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 picnic lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
- 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
- Enjoy GPT Hotel wine Time (discounted drinks)
Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
EXPERIENCE
- Professional Coach Captain and Tour Leader
- Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- 15 nights 4 star accommodation
- 4 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 1 rail journey
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Signature Documentation Pack
What Marcella says about this tour: The Grand Pacific 16 day Signature Highlights tour explores the top locations and attractions on both the North and South Islands. Highlights include Fiordland National Park, Queenstown, and the TranzAlpine Scenic Train. Head north crossing the Cook Strait to the capital city of Wellington before 2 nights in the cultural and thermal wonderland of Rotorua. Another 2 nights in the tropical Bay of Islands before returning to Auckland, the City of Sails. A true highlights of New Zealand tour.
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