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16 Day Signature Highlights



Map Image for 16 Day Signature Highlights

Embrace both islands of New Zealand including the stunning Bay of Islands

TOUR CODE: SGPN16

DURATION: 16 days

STARTS: Christchurch

FINISHES: Auckland

STYLE: Signature Mid-Size Group Tours

COACH: 32 seat Premium Economy

ACCOMMODATION: 4 Star

 

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Prepaid Attractions

  • Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea i
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch i
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw i
  • Lakes District Museum i
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey i
  • Cruise on the Interislander Ferry i
  • Te Papa, NZ's National Museum i
  • Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride i
  • Agrodome i
  • Thermal mud pools and geysers i
  • Te Puia traditional Māori Hāngi and Concert i
  • Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise i
  • Kauri Museum i
  • Christchurch City Sights Tour i
  • Dunedin City Sights Tour i
  • Wellington City Sights Tour i
  • Auckland City Sights Tour i

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

Experience

  • Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Tour Leader
  • 15 nights 4 star accommodation
  • 4 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 rail journey
  • 4 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Activities
  • Signature Documentation Pack

Meals

  • 15 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: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Māori Hāngi and Concert, Rotorua; Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Auckland
  • 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
  • 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
  • Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

Day-by-day Itinerary

(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (SL) Specialty Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner

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

Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel i

2

Christchurch - Mt Cook - Twizel (B,D)

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 before travelling to Twizel.

Hotel Distinction Mackenzie Country i

3

Twizel - Dunedin (B,D)

Depart Twizel and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time.

Hotel Scenic Hotel Southern Cross i

4

Dunedin - Te Anau (B,D)

This morning travel out 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. 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 Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau (Deluxe Room) i

5

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

Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights) i

6

Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader are available to assist with the many optional activities available, including 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 Millennium Hotel Queenstown i

7

Queenstown - Arrowtown - Franz Josef (B,D)

Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Franz Josef. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Hotel Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing) i

8

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

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into 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 coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel i

9

Christchurch - Picton - Wellington (B,D)

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikõura. 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 for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.

Hotel James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room) (2 nights) i

10

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 James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room) i

11

Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua (B,D)

Depart Wellington and view the snowcapped 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 Pullman Rotorua (City View Room) (2 nights) i

12

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 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 visiting 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 (City View Room) i

13

Rotorua - Bay of Islands (B,D)

This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy an introduction to the Bay of Islands, location of the signing of the treaty between the Māori tribes and the British.

Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights) i

14

Bay of Islands (B)

Today you will 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 before returning to Paihia for a free afternoon. 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 free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands i

15

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 pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

Hotel Sudima Auckland City i

16

Depart Auckland (B)

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

Pricing and Departure Dates

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$7979
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Pre & Post Stays


Christchurch$150 pp, twin share$300 single
Auckland$180 pp, twin share$360 single

Optional Activities


Whilst your tour package includes an extensive range of pre-paid attractions and sightseeing, the Optional Activities outlined are available to enjoy during your free time. They will provide the ‘icing on the cake’ experience that will hold memories for a lifetime. Optional Activities will be booked with your Crew once on tour.


> VIEW ALL   Optional Activities for this tour.


Traveller Reviews > VIEW ALL


9
April 2023

New Zealand has so many natural attractions that always draw us back and Grand Pacific Tours added to our desire to return. 

A hard-working tour leader, ever present but never intruding and a first-class professional. An experienced, knowledgeable, excellent coach captain and the coach was impeccable throughout, most comfortable, and roomy. 

A.B. & J.B. Australia


10
April 2023

This trip was over and above my expectations. The coach was spotless and well maintained, the tour leader went out of her way to help everyone and the commentary throughout the trip was excellent.

J.N. Australia


10
April 2023

Wonderful, amazing holiday, thank you. 

The coach captain and tour leader both went above and beyond. Great driving and commentary and the tour leaders genuine concern to make the whole trip the very best it could be for every person was amazing. 

B.T. Australia


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Port of Departure


To enable us to present you with the best Tour Pricing and Bonus Offers please select your intended Port of Departure and Accommodation Room Type. If you do not require an air inclusive package, please select LAND ONLY.

All prices are in Australian Dollars. For air inclusive package pricing, airline taxes are subject to change. Exact amounts will be confirmed by your Travel Agent at the time of booking.