Welcome to AUCKLAND
‘Haere Mai’ and welcome to the ultimate New Zealand holiday.
Upon arriving at Auckland Airport you will be picked up and transferred to your hotel. Check in and freshen up before spending the remainder of the day exploring the ‘City of Sails’. Stroll the walkways of the Viaduct, peruse the boutique shops of the central city or visit the Sky Tower, the Southern Hemisphere’s tallest building, for fantastic views of the harbour and beyond.
This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night
The Enchanted Bay of Islands
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.
This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Bay of Island - 2 nights
A Day of Leisure
Today is a day at leisure to choose from the many optional activities available, including a tall sailing ship experience or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Excursions available in the Bay of Islands:
Meals: Breakfast
Bay of Islands - Auckland
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, call into the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree before returning to Auckland.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night
Vintage Rail Journey
Leaving Auckland, our path takes us to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a 15-kilometre (9 mile) journey back in time on a vintage steam train that’s been beautifully restored. We tour the restoration workshop and enjoy morning tea back at the Station. Afterwards, we continue through stunning countryside to Rotorua, our home for the next two nights.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 night
Lets Explore Rotorua
We start the day with panoramic views over Rotorua aboard a Gondola Ride, there is also time for a luge ride! The next stop is Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that’s 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 Maori Hangi and Concert.
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
Rotorua - Wellington
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.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Wellington - 2 nights
Wellington Tour & Leisure Time
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli. A scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. 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.
Here are some suggested excurions in and around Wellington
National Museum - Te Papa | Weta Workshop Tour | |
Zealandia Wildlife Reserve | Carter Observatory |
Meals: Breakfast
Inter-Island Cruise - Coastal Pacific Train - Christchurch
This morning board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait, and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that showcases the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side and the rugged scenic coastline on the other. Travel through numerous tunnels and across several bridges before departing the train in Kaikoura. Travel south by coach through some of the finest farmland area’s to the garden city of Christchurch.
Meals - Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Christchurch - 2 nights
The Garden City
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 your leisure, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions. This evening is free to explore the local cuisine.
Some Suggested Activities Options for Christchurch
Meals: Breakfast
TranzAlpine Train Journey into Glacier Country
Embark this morning on one of the top six train journeys in the world, on board the TranzAlpine Railway. Spanning the width of the South Island, this journey showcases spectacular gorges, ribbon-like rivers, massive viaducts, and soaring peaks – don’t forget your camera! We disembark at Arthur’s Pass and continue on to Hokitika, a small town steeped in gold mining and pioneering history that is famous for its pounamu (greenstone).
Later in the afternoon, we reach our destination for the night – Franz Josef Village, home to the ancient flow of ice that is the Franz Josef Glacier. Weather permitting, enjoy unforgettable views high above the glaciers with an optional scenic flight.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 night
Southern Alps - Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you journey inland, crossing the Haast Pass and driving on to the bustling resort town of Queenstown. Admire the soaring Remarkables Mountain Range and soak up the panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu, the shores on which the town is built. Tonight, enjoy a magical evening of free time; here, the options for drinks beside the lake or delicious dining are endless.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 nights
Queenstown at Leisure
Explore everything Queenstown has to offer and do it your way on a day of leisure. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader can assist you in crafting the perfect day. You can get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling wilderness jet boat ride or a white water rafting adventure, or if you prefer something more relaxing like a wine tour in the stunning vineyards of the Gibbston Valley, you won’t be disappointed.
In the evening, prepare for a very special night across the other side of Lake Wakatipu. We board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise to Walter Peak Station where we enjoy a delightful meal of delicious country cuisine. A short farm tour follows our dining experience before we re-board the ship for a return journey complemented by live piano music.
Recommended Queenstown Excursions:
Routeburn Day Walk | Highest Bungey Jump | Explore Arrowtown |
Biking Skippers Canyon | Round at Millbrook Golf Resort | |
Earnslaw Steamboat Cruise | Dart River Jetboat Safari |
Meals: Breakfast and Speciality Dinner
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
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.
The Milford Sound is home to three species of dolphin, along with fur seals and penguins. Return under sail and anchor overnight in Harrison Cove. An opportunity to sea-kayak or explore the shoreline from the tender vessels. Stay in a private cabin with en suite, enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Onboard Milford Mariner - 1 night
Milford Sound - Te Anau
Begin the day with a delicious breakfast aboard the boat before cruising out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to soak up more stunning fiord scenery. Returning back to the wharf, we meet the coach and enjoy the sights of the Milford Road once more on the way back to Te Anau.
Return back 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 Glow Worm Caves (optional).
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 night
Dunedin - Scottish City of Grace and Grandeur
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. Today Dunedin is New Zealand’s oldest university city. This afternoon visit Speight’s Brewery, a Dunedin icon, for an informative and interactive tour through this working brewery. The tasting session will be followed by a delicious dinner at the Ale House restaurant.
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
Accommodation: Dunedin - 2 nights
Larnach Castle
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. Optional activities you might be interested in, include the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Dunedin - Christchurch
This morning visit Olveston Historic Home, containing treasures from a bygone era before travelling to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. This evening enjoy a pre dinner drink and farewell dinner with your new-found friends.
Meals: Breakfast and SpecialtyDinner
Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night
Homeward Bound
Haere rā and Bon Voyage!
We are sure you will enjoy this tour and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Meals: Breakfast
Notes
Valid: Sep 2023 – May 2024
19 Day Signature Rail, Cruise and Coach
Combining rail, coach and breathtaking cruises including Milford Sound overnight cruise
STYLE Signature Mid-Size Group
COACH 32 seat Premium Economy
ACCOMMODATION 4 star
STARTS Auckland
FINISHES Christchurch
NO HIDDEN EXTRAS
PREPAID 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 Mãori Hãngi and Concert
• Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
• Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
• 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
• Speights Brewery Tour and Tasting*
• Larnach Castle*
• Olveston Historic Home*
• City sights tour of Auckland, Wellington,
Christchurch and Dunedin
*Guided tour
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
• 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
• 14 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 4 specialty dinners: Mãori Hãngi and Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Speights Ale House, Dunedin; Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Christchurch
• 2 delicious morning teas
• Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
