Grand Pacific Tours - 16 Day Ultimate Highlights

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to Christchurch!

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by one of our representative who will transfer you to your hotel.

New Zealand’s second-largest city and the gateway to the South Island, Christchurch sits on the very edge of the Canterbury Plains and is bordered by the Pacific Ocean. The city itself has bounced back after a series of major earthquakes, and has shown its resilience with a number of new and exciting developments popping up everywhere. Meet your travelling companions this evening over a complimentary pre dinner drink. 

Some suggested activities around Christchurch if you have time:

Meals: Dinner

Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

Accomodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Mt Cook Village - 1 Night

Depart Mt Cook and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone buildings. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. You might be interested in a tour to see local wildlife in their natural habitat (optional).

Some options available in and around Dunedin:

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 Night

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will 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 the Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 Night

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise and lunch on this magnificent fiord. 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, Lunch

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights

Today relax and enjoy the stunning lakes & rivers - there is a bounty of vineyards, cafes and restaurants scattered throughout the wider district of Queenstown, Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley. You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy Queenstown and part of its charm is the array of less hectic quality activities on offer – but if interested Queenstown is home to the ultimate adventure bucket list – Just ask. 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.

Recommended excursions in and arouns Queenstown

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

The scenery is impressive all the way - Leaving Queenstown travel travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to the West Coast passing by beautiful lakes, Wanaka and Hawea before climbing over the Haast Pass into the Westland National Park. This pass was used by the Maori to trade Poumanu (Greenstone) and food. The Haast Pass is our southern most Pass that traverses the Southern Alps linking the east coast with the west coast. The scenery changes dramatically as you bid farewell to the mountains and enter the wild, rugged, yet immensely beautiful West Coast region. If time is available you may wish to take a scenic flight,

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 Night

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to 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 ultimate coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy complimentary refreshments as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights

Wellington is compact, cultured and full of character. Nestled between the harbour and the hills, the downtown area is ideal for explorations on foot. Enjoy cafes, restaurants, museums, theater and all kinds of shops. Dance, theater and musical performances are a Wellington specialty. As New Zealand’s capital, this city is rich in political history.

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. 

Suggested outings in and around Wellington.

Meals: Breakfast

Depart Wellington and view the snowcapped 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

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. 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Bay of Islands - 2 Nights

This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands on board a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. This 4-hour cruise includes a stopover on Urupukapuka island 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).

Meals: Breakfast 

Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei. 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 new found friends.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night 

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We know you will enjoy our 16 Day Ultimate New Zealand Explorer Tour and 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, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary Variations:
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.