Grand Pacific Tours - 19 Day Signature Showcase Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand!

Upon arrival in Auckland you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel to settle in and freshen up. Depending on what time you'll arrive, you will then have some time to explore the 'City of Sails' before meeting your travel companions for dinner. Visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum for an insight into New Zealand culture and history. Take a boat cruise on the harbour and see marine life and islands, or simply relax with a coffee in one of the many unique inner-city cafes.

This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night 

Depart Auckland and embark on a journey of discovery as you venture North driving along the scenic Hibiscus Coast and on to the magnificent Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park. Enjoy a visit to the Kauri Museum in Matakohe where you will hear an informative talk. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British. There’s time to explore New Zealand’s northern-most city, Whangarei, before continuing on to Paihia, the gateway to the coastal paradise that is the Bay of Islands.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Bay of Islands - 2 nights

One of New Zealand’s coastal jewels, the Bay of Islands, offers a myriad of things to do and places to see; all located within a sheltered paradise of islands and inlets. Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available. Join mini-tours to the historic seaside town of Russell or check-out the finest local arts and crafts in beautiful Kerikeri. A game of Golf at Waitangi, an evening Dinner Cruise, or perhaps a fantastic day sailing onboard a Tall Ship.

Alternative excursions available in the Bay of Islands:

Meals: Breakfast

Discover the Bay of Islands this morning onboard a catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. The cruise includes an island stopover at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island. Stroll along the white sand beach or walk to the top of the hill for scenic views over the entire Bay of Islands. Return to Paihia and continue South via Whangarei to Auckland.

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Meal: Breakfast

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night

Soak up the unique lifestyle of Auckland on a City Sights Tour including a visit to Sky Tower, one of New Zealand's most spectacular attractions, Continue through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a buffet lunch. This is followed by a guided tour of the Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will recount details of how this beautiful piece of farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth.

 Later in the afternoon, we make our way to Rotorua, home to geothermal forces and rich Maori culture.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 nights

The day begins with a Gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua, with the option of a luge ride if you're up for it! The next stop is the  Agrodome  for a unique New Zealand farm experience. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for.

Immerse yourself in a  Maori Cultural Experience  on the grounds of a historic Maori Village. Participate in a pōwhiri (welcoming ceremony), and learn about the history ofthe marae (village) and the Rotorua from a local Maori guide. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi.

Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

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 a city tour will showcase an impressive collection of art deco buildings. Enjoy some free time to explore the fascinating architecture before traveling through the Wairarapa, an emerging cool-climate wine region.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before traveling to Greytown where you see the most complete example of original Victorian wooden architecture. Drive through the scenic Rimutaka Mountain Range into Wellington, where you will enjoy a city tour of the nation’s capital which highlights the history and culture here.

Here are some sight seeing and activity suggestions while in Wellington:

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Wellington - 1 night

A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli. A scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. In the afternoon board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait, and journey through the Marlborough Sounds. Marlborough is the engine room of the New Zealand wine industry. In the 1970s the plains would have been filled by sheep - now it is vines as far as the eye can see, producing world cool-climate varietals such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling, and Pinot Noir. Continuing South, the Marlborough vines will keep you company as you reach Picton where you will board your coach for the short journey to Blenheim.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Blenheim - 1 night

The vines will keep us company as we reach the headlands of the East Coast. Once down on the flats, this road - (worthy of any big-budget car commercial) hugs the coastline - we stop to enjoy the marine life as Fur Seals bask and play along the rocky shoreline, before arriving in the gorgeous seaside town of Kaikoura.

The Kaikoura peninsula enjoys a mild microclimate and is overlooked by majestic snowcapped mountains. This unique proximity of the ocean and mountain range offers a host of eco-tourism oriented activities, including whale watching, dolphin and seal swimming, kayaking, fishing, and hiking. Leaving Kaikoura we head inland towards the rural Canterbury plains, once again passing through viticulture of the Waipara wine region before reaching the 'Garden City' Christchurch.

Enjoy a spectacular mountain crossing with many wild rivers and grasslands

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

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. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts, and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. 

Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone, before continuing to Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 night

See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. 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

Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Coach Captain and Tour Leader are available to assist. Explore everything Queenstown has to offer your way. You can get your adrenaline pumping with a thrilling Wilderness Jet Boat Ride or if you prefer something more relaxing like a wine tour in the stunning vineyards of the Gibbston Valley. You may wish to enjoy a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or get up close to a Kiwi bird, you won't be disappointed.

Recommended excursions around Queenstown:

This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you 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 and Specialty Dinner 

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  

The Road to Milford is one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you’ll ease into a beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. Look for the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain and the Mirror Lakes. The rough-hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, an amazing 22km-long fiord dominated by Mitre Peak. A cruise on Milford Sound will be an essential component of your time in Fiordland. Tall waterfalls, vertical rock faces and seals are some of the things you’ll remember. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time in available. 

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin - Scottish City of Grace and Grandeur. The name 'Dunedin' comes from Dun Eideann the Scots-Gaelic name for Edinburgh, founded largely by Scottish immigrants, who raised the impressive buildings which now add much to the city's charm. These buildings incorporate a diverse array of styles from Tudor, Jacobean, Georgian, Carpenter, Gothic, and Arts and Crafts styles also feature - to some very fine examples of Neo-Gothic. Dunedin is regarded as one of the best-preserved Victorian cities in the Commonwealth.

This afternoon we take part in an informative 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 time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 night

Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru. While its façade is strictly of the Victorian era with ornately decorated grand white stone buildings that once housed upstanding banks, hotels, and restaurants, the residents ‘the Oamaruivans’ are certainly not. In fact quite the contrary, unlike the Victorians they (the locals) are bohemians artisans, creative’s and antiquarians who run ‘out-there’ galleries, museums, shops, and venues – it has to be seen to be believed and you'll love it.

Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you continue to 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 your overnight stay.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Twizel - 1 night

Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your new-found friends.

Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

We know you enjoyed the 'New Zealand Signature Showcase Tour' and our promise to you is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with tons 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.

Meals: Breakfast

INCLUSIONS

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 
• Sky Tower 
• Hobbiton™ Movie Set Tour and Lunch* 
• 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 
• TranzAlpine Rail Journey 
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw 
• Lakes District Museum 
• Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch 
• Larnach Castle* 
• City sights tour of Auckland, Napier, Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch 
*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 
• 18 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 
• 18 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua 
• 15 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners: Mãori Hãngi and Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Christchurch 
• 2 lunches: Hobbiton, Shire’s buffet; Milford Sound Cruise 
• 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle 
• Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks) 
 

NOTE: Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.