New Zealand 19 Day Signature Showcase Itinerary

Welcome to Auckland!

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand!

On arrival in Auckland, you will be met by a 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.

Meals: Dinner (not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm)

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Grand Millennium Hotel Auckland

Located in the heart of cosmopolitan Auckland, the recently refurbished Grand Millennium Hotel Auckland is New Zealand's largest hotel and within walking distance to Queen Street and Viaduct Harbour with fine dining, shopping and entertainment venues at your doorstep. The hotel features 452 elegant, oversized guest rooms and suites that will ensure comfort and convenience.

Auckland - Bay of Islands

Depart Auckland and travel to Matakohe for a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the Treaty between the indigenous Maori tribes and the British Government in 1840.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Bay of Islands - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands

Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands has a sub-tropical resort ambience, with island-influenced architecture, beautifully landscaped grounds and light airy rooms.It's a perfect base to explore the beautiful Bay of Islands. Just a short walk from Paihia's village centre and the wharf. The Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands is a 4 star hotel. The Nikau Restaurant and Lounge Bar operates within the hotel and serves a la carte or buffet breakfast or dinner.

Bay of Islands (Free Day)

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).

Meals: Breakfast

Bay of Islands - Auckland

This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands 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. Return to Paihia and travel south via Whangarei to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the local eateries surrounding your hotel.

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Grand Millennium Hotel Auckland

Auckland - Rotorua

This morning, enjoy a city sights tour before departing Auckland. Journey through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a buffet lunch. A guided tour of the 12-acre set will take you past whimsical Hobbit Holes, the Mill and into the Green Dragon Inn. You can now venture beyond the door and into an authentic Hobbit Hole interior for a fully immersive experience.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Pullman Hotel Rotorua

A brand new build completed in late 2018, the Pullman hotel in Rotorua boasts panoramic views of the city and lake area and feature a sophisticated executive lounge - a hallmark of every Pullman hotel - business lounge, chill-out lounge, restaurant and bar, gymnasium, car parking as well as five meeting rooms catering for conference and events - This is Rotorua's latest 5 Star property.

Rotorua

Today beings 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 see 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Rotorua - Napier

Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier known as ‘The Art Deco Capital’, where the most comprehensive collection of art deco buildings in the world can be found. Board the Hawke’s Bay Express and hear informative commentary on the city’s fascinating history. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the city.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Napier - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Te Pania - Napier

Styled to complement its remarkable location on the edge of the beautiful Hawke's Bay, Scenic Hotel Te Pania boasts design awards for its style and offers an unmatched level of service to leisure travellers. Enjoy the central waterfront location and the extensive sea views that all rooms share. Te Pania is just a short stroll from Napier’s main art deco style street with many shops, cafes and restaurants.

Napier - Wellington

This morning, travel south to Wellington for a city tour of New Zealand’s capital, showcasing its rich history and vibrant culture. After arriving at your central hotel, you’ll have time at leisure to explore the sights, stroll down to the harbour, or relax before rejoining your group for dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Wellington - 1 Night

Accommodation:

James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor Wellington

Wellington's iconic hotel, James Cook Grand Chancellor is situated right in the heart of the city. The friendly staff and excellent service will help make your stay in Wellington a memorable one. With well appointed rooms that all have high speed internet access, Sky TV, in house movie system, iron and board, full minibar and tea/coffee making facilities. They also offer Bodyhaven Spa Style Boutique and a complimentary in-house gymnasium.

Wellington - Picton - Blenheim

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. This afternoon board the Interislander Ferry and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your coach for the short journey to Blenheim.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Blenheim - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Marlborough - Blenheim

The Scenic Hotel Marlborough is only a few minutes walk from the centre of Blenheim. It offers guests the ultimate in modern comfort and service and puts some of New Zealand's finest food and wine virtually on the doorstep.

Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch

Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine, then travel to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch for a city sights tour.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Christchurch

You will find The Distinction Hotel in the revitalised heart of Christchurch and Cathedral Square. Centrally located and a short stroll to the Botanical Gardens, New Regent Street, the Arts Centre, and Avon River. This hotel offers 179 elegant, air-conditioned hotel rooms including 3 floors of Superior Rooms and Suites.

Christchurch - Arthur's Pass - Franz Josef

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 continue to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Situated on the very edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier will welcome you in true New Zealand style. The Hotel makes the most of its alpine location and is only moments from spectacular Franz Josef Glacier. Featuring patios or balconies, the simple, warmly decorated rooms and suites include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and mini-fridges, plus tea and coffee making facilities. Suites add living areas.

Franz Josef - Queenstown

See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast to the Fox Glacier township. Continue 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 and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Millennium Hotel Queenstown is only minutes from Queenstown central shopping, entertainment and outdoor activities and offers a peaceful haven from the variety of activities in this lively city. With many guest rooms and suites to choose from the centre boasts a gym, sauna, spa, bar and restaurant, feature contemporary city-inspired designed. Many of our rooms also offer scenic views of the city and mountains, providing the perfect backdrop to your journey.

Queenstown (Free Day)

Today is a free day to explore Queenstown, you may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride (optional) or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon (optional). This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Queenstown - Te Anau

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before traveling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 2 Nights

Accommodation:

Distinction Luxmore Hotel - Te Anau

Distinction Luxmore Hotel provides comfortable newly refurbished accommodation in one of New Zealand's most popular scenic areas - Te Anau. Within easy walking distance of the township, surrounded by all local services, this 4-star hotel welcomes guests with 2 restaurants, free self parking, a fitness centre and free unlimited WiFi. Luxmores management and staff take pride in providing a warm, friendly and efficient service to all guests.

Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau

Depart Ten 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 your enjoy lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Te Anau - Dunedin

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the 'Edinburgh of the South' and enjoy a city tour. Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy a delicious Devonshire Tea and take time to wander around the Garden of International Significance.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Scenic Hotel Dunedin City

This 4-star hotel is located the heart of Dunedin and is filled with modern local artwork. Located just blocks from the Octagon and walking distance of many of the city’s main attractions like the fabulous First Church of Otago, and handy to great restaurants and shopping centres. Amenities Include an on-site Restaurant, cafe/bar and fitness centre.

Dunedin - Mt Cook - Twizel

Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River as you marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand's highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Travel to Twizel for you overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Twizel - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Distinction MacKenzie Country Hotel - Twizel

The MacKenzie Country Hotel, Twizel, is located very in the heart of the historic MacKenzie Basin. The hotel offers 108 spacious guestrooms including 80 standard rooms and 28 deluxe rooms; all offer shower over bath ensuites with surrounding views of the spectacular Ben Ohau Ranges and Mount Cook. Enjoy a meal in the restaurant or bar by choosing from the hearty menus revealing local cuisine accompanied by a range of New Zealand wines.

Twizel - Christchurch

Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Accommodation:

Distinction Hotel Christchurch

Depart Christchurch

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

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

Meals: Breakfast (if departing the hotel prior to the restaurant opening, breakfast is not included)

Itinerary Variations:
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.

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What Elizabeth says about this tour: With most dinners included and good quality 4 star accommodation with 4 two night stays this trip to New Zealand ticks a lot of boxes. Travelling to all the main cities as well as the most beautiful mountains, lakes and fjords and extras like the Bay of Islands - this is 19 days of pure enjoyment.

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