Inclusions:

• Return airfares from either Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne
• Professional Coach Captain
• Tour Leader
• Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
• Return airport transfers in New Zealand
• 17 nights 4 star accommodation
• Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
• 6 two night stays
• Hotel porterage
• 3 rail journeys
• 4 cruises
• All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
• Extensive Optional Activities
• Signature Documentation Pack

Meals:

• 18 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: Māori Hāngi and Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Christchurch
• 2 delicious morning teas
• Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)

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

Tour Information: This tour has set departure dates as follows:

• 2024: 01, 14 October, 11, 26 November, 11 December
• 2025: 04, 17, 24 January, 30 March, 06 April

**SEASONAL OFFER*** Save $350 per person travelling on these selected departures:

• 12 September 2024
• 21 April 2025

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

Pre Paid Attractions:

• Kauri Museum
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds
• Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
• Glenbrook Vintage Railway
• Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
• Agrodome
• Thermal mud pools and geysers*
• Te Puia traditional Māori Hāngi and Concert
• Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
• Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Queen Charlotte Lounge
• Coastal Pacific Rail Journey
• International Antarctic Centre
• Christchurch Tram
• TranzAlpine Rail Journey
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
• Lakes District Museum
• HIGHLIGHT Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
• Larnach Castle*
• Olveston Historic Home*
• City sights tour of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin

*Guided tour

Tour Itinerary: (B) Breakfast. (L) Lunch. (D) Dinner. (SD) Specialty Dinner.

DAY 1: Arrive Auckland (D)

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 when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner. Hotel: SkyCity Hotel 

DAY 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands (B,D)

Enjoy a city tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, before travelling to Matakohe to enjoy 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. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)

DAY 3: Bay of Islands (Free Day) (B)

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). Hotel: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands

DAY 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland (B)

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. Upon return to Paihia, travel south via Whangarei, before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the many eateries surrounding your hotel. Hotel: SkyCity Hotel 

DAY 5: Auckland - Rotorua (B,D)

This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15 kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train including a delightful morning tea. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua renowned for its geothermal activity and Māori culture. Hotel: Pullman Rotorua (City View Room. 2 nights)

DAY 6: Rotorua (B,SD)

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. Hotel: Pullman Rotorua

DAY 7: Rotorua - Wellington (B,D)

Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and continue south to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. Hotel: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room. 2 nights)

DAY 8: Wellington (B)

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 an extensive city tour. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon and this evening is also free to explore Wellington’s lively food scene. Hotel: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

DAY 9: Wellington - Kaikōura - Christchurch (B,D)

This morning board the Interislander Ferry where you can relax in comfort in the Queen Charlotte Lounge.  Enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Ranges. Meet your coach in the fishing village of Kaikōura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch. Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel (2 nights)

DAY 10: Christchurch (B)

Today visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure. This evening is free to explore the local cuisine. Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel

DAY 11: Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Franz Josef (B,D)

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 arriving at 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 (Douglas Wing)

DAY 12: Franz Josef - Queenstown (B)

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south 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 at one of the many fine restaurants. Hotel: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)

DAY 13: Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)

Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader will assist with the many optional activities available. 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.  Hotel: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

DAY 14: Queenstown - Milford Sound Overnight Cruise (B,D)

This morning travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via Te Anau to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner for your amazing overnight cruise. There is plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife - you’re bound to encounter seals and if you’re lucky maybe dolphins and penguins. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef. Overnight: Milford Mariner

DAY 15: Milford Sound - Te Anau (B,D)

Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to explore more of the fiord. Return to the wharf to meet your coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional). Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau (Deluxe Room)

DAY 16: Te Anau - Dunedin (B, D)

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. This afternoon enjoy a tour of Olveston Historic Home, beautifully preserved merchant’s home from the turn of the century containing a wealth of precious treasures of a bygone era. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross (2 nights) 

DAY 17: Dunedin (B)

This morning travel 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. Return to Dunedin for a city tour followed by some free time for optional activities. This evening is also free to dine at leisure. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross

DAY 18: Dunedin - Christchurch (B,SD)

Today travel to the small town of Oamaru, famous for its limestone architecture before continuing to 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

DAY 19: Depart Christchurch (B)

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

Price:
$10,239 per person twin share

Price:

This is our best value package deal subject to availability and travel on select dates. If you are traveling outside these dates or from another port, please contact our specialised team for a personalised quote.

Book by: Mar 31, 2025!!
Quote: STFT259171
For New Bookings Only

Terms and Conditions: click ▼

Prices are per person, twin share, inclusive of pre-payable taxes and subject to availability at time of booking for new bookings only. Price correct as at 11 March 2024. GPT has compiled the content of all tour itineraries based on the knowledge that all accommodation and attraction suppliers will be fully operational for the touring season. If for any reason the component of a tour is not available at the time of touring, a replacement or refund will be provided. Any refund amount is based on GPT’s negotiated pricing and not retail prices. ^Guaranteed Departures – GPT promote guaranteed departures with full expectation of delivering this. Prior to the season commencing, GPT will reconfirm the selection of guaranteed departure dates that will travel and reserve the right to remove selected dates based on sell time. If any travellers are affected the GPT team will be in contact at this time to make alternative arrangements for travel on a near or future date. Conditions relating to Travel in New Zealand will be provided prior to your tour commencing. Price does not include the fee for a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority for any Australian Residents not holding an Australian passport. International flights are on select days of the week. Valid for sales and travel as specified. Blackout dates & seasonal surcharges do apply during peak periods as availability becomes limited. All prices are subject to change at any time without notice. Conditions, amendment and cancellation fees apply. Free nights & discounts are already included in costs. Travel insurance is strongly recommended. ABN 61 087 521 355