Day 1: Arrive Auckland
On arrival into Auckland you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.
Stay: Crowne Plaza Auckland
Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands
Board the luxurious Ultimate Coach, 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.
Stay: 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 at leisure, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Stay: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands
Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland
This morning 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 travel south via Whangarei before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to dine at leisure.
Stay: Crowne Plaza Auckland
Meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Auckland - Rotorua
This morning embark on a city sights tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’. Depart Auckland and travel 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.
Stay: Regent of Rotorua (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6: Rotorua
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 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.
Stay: Regent of Rotorua
Meals: Breakfast, Specialty 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.
Stay: Scenic Hotel Te Pania
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: Napier - Wellington
Travel south this morning into Wellington for a city tour of the nation’s capital which will highlight the history and culture on show here. At Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, there is time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.
Stay: InterContinental Wellington
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 9: Wellington - Picton - Kaikōura
This morning board the Interislander Ferry and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy breakfast as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your Ultimate Coach for the southbound journey along the rugged coastline, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, to Kaikōura.
Stay: Sudima Kaikōura
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: Kaikōura - Christchurch
This morning enjoy a leisurely start in this seaside village, where the mountains meet the sea. Kaikōura is renowned as one of the best places to see Sperm whales and other marine mammals. There is an opportunity to take a scenic flight to view the year-round population of Sperm whales (optional, weather permitting). Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch for an orientation tour.
Stay: The George
Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Fox Glacier
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 Ultimate Coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing via Franz Josef to the township of Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Stay: Te Weheka Retreat
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Fox Glacier - Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. 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 at leisure, you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Stay: Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)
Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Queenstown (Free Day)
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.
Stay: Heritage Queenstown
Meals: Breakfast, Specialty 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).
Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (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).
Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16: Te Anau - Dunedin
Travel through Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and enjoy a city tour. Continue along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, where you’ll hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. A delicious Ultimate High Tea is included, along with time to wander around the Garden of International Significance.
Stay: Distinction Dunedin Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 17: Dunedin - Mt Cook
Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak.
Stay: The Hermitage Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 18: Mt Cook - Christchurch
This morning 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. 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 farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends.
Stay: The George or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Specialty 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
