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New Zealand Highlights

From £4950

Excluding Flights

15 Nights

Jan-May & Sep-Nov

Overview

From traversing the mighty Southern Alps, to witnessing the bubbling muddle pools and geysers of Rotorua, this well-designed escorted tour showcases the very best of New Zealand’s North and South Islands. Travel from Christchurch to Auckland in the comfort of your preferred level of touring – this itinerary is available as a Signature or Ultimate tour.  

Soak up the epic scenery of Fiordland, encounter Maori warriors, and cruise in search of dolphins. With superior accommodation and a variety of activities and excursions included throughout, this is a truly immersive New Zealand experience.

Itinerary

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.

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.

Depart Mt Cook, see Lake Benmore and follow the Waitaki River to Oamaru. Continue south to Dunedin, enjoy a city tour followed by free time. You might be interested in a tour to see local wildlife in their natural habitat (optional).

This morning 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 Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

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, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

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.

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 visit Franz Josef, where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Your choice of touring styles

This holiday is available in two different levels of touring style.

 

Signature Coach Tours

Sit back and relax on a spacious, specially designed 32-seater coach, accompanied by a Coach Captain and Tour Guide. These traditional-style tours include 4-star accommodation.

 

Ultimate Small Group Tours

Aimed at the discerning traveller, the purpose-built Ultimate coach features just 20 luxury leather seats and offers a level of comfort unparalleled by any other vehicle touring in New Zealand. These small group holidays include 4.5-star accommodation and the services of an experienced Coach Captain.

new zealand ultimate luxury coach travel interior seating gpt2

The Ultimate Coach

 

The Ultimate Coach is in a class of its own. This full size coach (13.5 metres long) which would normally house 48 seats has been reconfigured with only 20 luxury leather seats, offering maximum space and comfort as well as a more intimate small group touring experience.

Travel in business-class style as you enjoy the extensive onboard features:

  • 20 luxury leather fully reclining seats adjustable headrest & calf support
  • Panoramic viewing, air-conditioning and seat belts
  • Wood grain timber tray table with built in cup holder
  • Seat side personal storage area providing easy access to your travel bag
  • Personal audio control unit with multiple music channels & set of headphones
  • Individual USB point for charging your camera, mobile phone and iPod
  • Stylish centre galley area equipped with refrigerated drinking fountain and fridge
  • Complimentary daily on board Wi-Fi allowance
  • Onboard restroom

Prices

What's Included

  • Hotel accommodation for 15 nights (standard hotels for Signature Tours, Superior hotels for Ultimate tour)

  • All breakfasts, 12 dinners, 1 lunch & 1 afternoon tea

  • Transportation in specially configured coach

  • 1 rail journey

  • 4 cruises, including overnight

  • All attractions as per the itinerary (unless specified as optional)

  • Professional Coach Captain; plus Tour Leader on Signature Tour

  • 24 hour emergency assistance from our team during your holiday

  • No surcharge guarantee

  • Full financial protection

From £4950 Excluding Flights

15 Nights

Jan-May & Sep-Nov

Make this trip yours

Every trip you see here can be adapted to suit you using inside-out knowledge to create one-off experiences created just for you.

We create holidays that are as individual as you are. And we’ve been doing it for 40 years, crafting each and every holiday using our in-depth knowledge and enthusiasm for our destinations. Whatever your brief, we’ll create an amazing trip for you to get excited about. That might mean adapting one of our existing itineraries or we’ll build you one from scratch. 

Experts with real experience