^Save $250pp on September 2025 and May 2026 departures. All other departures save $150pp off the brochure price. 
#Festive season surcharge of $150 per person applies to 20 December 2025 departure.
Pease enquire with your RAC travel consultant for availability & current prices. 

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

On arrival in Auckland, 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.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Auckland
Meals: Dinner

Day 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands

Depart Auckland and travel to Matakohe for a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Māori tribes and the British Government in 1840.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 3: Bay of Islands (Free Day)

Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Meals: Breakfast

Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland

This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Return to Paihia and travel south via Whangarei to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the local eateries surrounding your hotel.
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Auckland
Meals: Breakfast

Day 5: Auckland - Rotorua

This morning, enjoy a city sights tour before departing Auckland. Journey through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a buffet lunch. 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.
Hotel: Pullman Rotorua (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 6: Rotorua

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. 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. 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 Māori Hāngi and Concert.
Meals: Breakfast, speciality dinner

Day 7: Rotorua - Napier  

Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier known as ‘The Art Deco Capital’, where the most comprehensive collection of art deco buildings in the world can be found. Board the Hawke’s Bay Express and hear informative commentary on the city’s fascinating history. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the city.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Te Pania 
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 8: Napier - Wellington

This morning, travel south to Wellington for a city tour of New Zealand’s capital, showcasing its rich history and vibrant culture. After arriving at your central hotel, you’ll have time at leisure to explore the sights, stroll down to the harbour, or relax before rejoining your group for dinner.
Hotel: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor  
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 9: Wellington - Picton - Blenheim

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. This afternoon board the Interislander Ferry and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your coach for the short journey to Blenheim.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Marlborough
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 10: Blenheim - Kaikōura - Christchurch

Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine, then travel to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch for a city sights tour.
Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 11: Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Franz Josef

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 12: Franz Josef - Queenstown

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast to the Fox Glacier township. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast

Day 13: Queenstown (Free Day)

Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride (optional) or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon (optional). This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring 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.
Meals: Breakfast, speciality dinner

Day 14: Queenstown - Te Anau

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 15: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau

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 onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner

Day 16: Te Anau - Dunedin

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and enjoy a city tour. 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 a delicious Devonshire Tea.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 17: Dunedin - Mt Cook - Twizel

Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River as you marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Travel to Twizel for your overnight stay.
Hotel: Distinction Mackenzie Country 
Meals: Breakfast, dinner

Day 18: Twizel - Christchurch

Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.
Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, speciality dinner

Day 19: Depart Christchurch

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Meals: Breakfast

• All prices shown are starting prices, capacity controlled and subject to availability and change at any time.
• *Price valid ex PER (economy class) and includes prepaid taxes (subject to change).
• Valid for new bookings only for travel September 2025 – May 2026.
• ^Save $250 per person on Sep 2025 and May 2026 departures. All other departures save $150 per person off the brochure price.
• #Festive season surcharge of $150 per person applies to 10 December 2025 departure.
• Maximum savings are reflected in the advertised price.
• Not to be used in conjunction with any other special offer; not applicable on group departures; can be withdrawn at any time without notice.

* Terms and conditions apply: see RAC Travel general terms and conditions