17 Day Ultimate Festive Season
(16 night package from $11459)
Inclusions:
- Return airfares from either Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne
- Professional Coach Captain
- Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- 16 nights 4.5 star accommodation
- 6 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 1 rail journey
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Extensive Optional Activities
- Ultimate Documentation Pack
Meals:
- 16 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 12 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 4 specialty dinners: Christmas Dinner, Larnach Castle; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Māori Hāngi and Concert, Rotorua; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Auckland
- 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
- 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:
- 2025: 22 December
Coach Features:
- 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach
- 2 door access; dedicated seat side storage with tray table; cup holder
- Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance
Pre Paid Attractions:
- Christchurch Tram
- 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, Premium 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
*Guided tour.
Tour Itinerary: (B) Breakfast. (L) Lunch. (D) Dinner. (SD) Specialty Dinner.
DAY 1: Arrive Christchurch (D)
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 as you meet your travelling companions. Hotel: The George (2 nights)
DAY 2: Christchurch (Free Day) (B) Hotel: The George
DAY 3: Christchurch - Dunedin (B,D)
This morning enjoy a city sights tour of the Garden City, Christchurch. Hotel: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (2 nights)
DAY 4: Dunedin – Christmas Day (B,SD)
Merry Christmas! Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour you will hear the tragic and scandalous tales that make up the castle’s history. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Christmas Dinner in the grand ballroom. Hotel: Distinction Dunedin Hotel
DAY 5: Dunedin - Te Anau (B,D)
Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional). Hotel: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
DAY 6: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown (B,L)
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. 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 at leisure to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. Hotel: Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)
DAY 7: Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)
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. Hotel: Heritage Queenstown
DAY 8: Queenstown – Franz Josef (B,D)
Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Next you visit Franz Josef, where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel. Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat
DAY 9: Franz Josef - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch (B,D)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, 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. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat
DAY 10: Christchurch - Picton – Wellington – New Year’s Eve (B,D)
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy complimentary refreshments as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink to toast the New Year with your fellow travellers. Hotel: InterContinental Wellington (Premium Room. 2 nights)
DAY 11: 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 which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements. Hotel: InterContinental Wellington
DAY 12: Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua (B,D)
Depart Wellington and view the snow-capped 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. Hotel: Regent of Rotorua (2 nights)
DAY 13: Rotorua (B,SD)
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 Māori Hāngi and Concert. Hotel: Regent of Rotorua
DAY 14: Rotorua - Bay of Islands (B,D)
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via 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. Hotel: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)
DAY 15: Bay of Islands (B)
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, enjoy a free afternoon where 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 at leisure, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional). Hotel: Regent of Rotorua
DAY 16: Bay of Islands - Auckland (B,SD)
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 farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends. Hotel: Crowne Plaza Auckland
DAY 17: Depart Auckland (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Price:
FROM $11,459 per person twin share
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: Jun 30, 2025!!
Quote: STFT259171
For New Bookings Only
Terms and Conditions:
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 24 September 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 355Contact Form
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