Grand Pacific Tours - Ultimate New Year Itinerary

 
1

Welcome to Wellington - the Arts Capital

On arrival into Wellington you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Nestled between a dramatic harbour and bush clad hills, Wellington was recently dubbed as ‘the coolest little capital city in the world’.  The city is the country's centre for culture, politics, and home to the National Museum, Te Papa.  Wellington’s thriving cafe scene is globally recognised by coffee cognoscenti, and of course is a centre for movie production with Lord or the Rings taking centre stage. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights

A piece of art at the boulevard in Wellington.

The 5-star InterContinental Wellington is located by the harbor waterfront and just a short walk into the City Centre to experience the capital’s history, culture and shopping. It offers an exclusive club lounge, a fitness center, 2 restaurants and a bar. The elegant guest rooms are spacious and well-furnished. 
 

The InterContinental in Wellington.

2

New Years Eve! - Wellington

A highlight will be will be time to explore Gallipoli: A scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum.. Enjoy an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Reboard your Ultimate Coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. This afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink to toast the New Year with your fellow travellers. 

Suggested outings before heading out on the town.

National Museum - Te Papa    

Visit Cuba StreetWeta Workshop Tour

Zealandia Wildlife Reserve 

Wellington Cable Car   

Carter Observatory 


Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Two people enjoying fireworks with glasses of wine.

3

Interisland Cruise into Marlborough - Wine Country

This morning board the Interislander Ferry and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy breakfast as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your Ultimate Coach for the short journey to Blenheim, where you will experience a personalised wine tasting at an iconic Marlborough Winery. You will taste award-winning wines and enjoy exploring the beautiful Marlborough vineyards before continuing south to Kaikōura.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Kaikōura - 1 Night

Interislander Ferry Crossing
Accommodation:
With its superb location on the shoreline close to town, Sudima Kaikoura is blessed with stunning views of both the mountains and sea. It also puts the hotel within easy walking distance of Kaikoura’s activities, shops, restaurants, and bars. This state-of-the-art waterfront hotel has a 4.5 star rating with an outstanding in-house restaurant, a bar and conference facilities. As always, you can expect that special Sudima service. We take care of the little things, so you’re all ready for a big day – of business, sightseeing, or nature watching.
Sudima Kaikoura

4

Kaikōura and Christchurch

This morning enjoy a leisurely start in this seaside village, where the mountains meet the sea. Kaikōura is renowned as one of the best places to see Sperm whales and other marine mammals. There is an opportunity to take a scenic flight to view the year-round population of Sperm whales (optional, weather permitting). Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch.


Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night

The tail of a whale.
Featuring an on-site restaurant and free high-speed WiFi, Sudima Christchurch City is situated in Christchurch, just 500 m from Hagley Park and less than 1 km from Victoria Street. At the hotel, every room is equipped with a fridge, wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Complete with a private bathroom, all units at Sudima Christchurch City are fitted with air conditioning, and selected rooms will provide you with a seating area. You can also enjoy streaming movies.
Sudima Christchurch City

5

Dunedin - Scottish City of Grace and Grandeur

Depart Christchurch and travel south through Oamaru, famous for its limestone. In Dunedin enjoy a city tour followed by some free time. You might be interested in a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat (optional). 

Some options available in and around Dunedin:

Speights Brewery Tour

   Cadbury Chocolate    Penguins and Albatross Tour

Taieri Rail Journey

   Peninsula Wildlife Cruise   Larnach Castle Tour


Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 night 

Larnach Castle
The former Dunedin Chief Post Office (1937), transformed the 1937 former Chief Post Office in Dunedin into an elegant 4 1/2 star luxury hotel. It occupies an entire city block in The Exchange, the historic business centre of Dunedin. The impressive building was considered a monument to the importance of the role of the state and also to Dunedin's preeminent position as the country's most prosperous city. The Distinction Dunedin Hotel offers a variety of brand new accommodation to suit everyone from the businesses traveller requiring spacious and modern facilities to those wanting a relaxing weekend away.
The Distinction Dunedin Hotel

6

Te Anau - Gateway to Fiordland National Park

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the scandalous history on a guided tour followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Continue south through Balclutha and Gore to the lake-side town of Te Anau. Today you may like to visit the Ta
Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 night 

Lake Te Anau Wharf
Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre, Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas is perfectly situated for you to make the most of this beautiful area. The rooms are very comfortable and the hotel has all the facilities you would expect from a property of this standard.Distinction Te Anua Hotel and Villas, offering chic, elegant accommodation. This 4 Star hotel is surrounded by extensive landscaped gardens where you can enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Te Anua and the Fiordland ranges.
Distinction Hotel Te Anau & Villas

7

Milford Sound Cruise - Queenstown

This morning enjoy a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. Continue to Queenstown where this evening is free to dine at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast and Lunch

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 nights 

Milford Sound
Crafted from centuries-old-schist stone and cedar, this comfortable and sophisticated Queenstown hotel enjoys stunning views over Lake Wakatipu and is the perfect place to mix business and pleasure. Guests can enjoy all the hotel has to offer, with extensive leisure facilities, including heated indoor/outdoor swimming pool, spa pool, sauna, gym, restaurant and bar. The modern, alpine-style accommodation sit in peaceful, scenic surroundings.
Heritage Hotel Queenstown

8

Queenstown at Leisure

Take a day to experience the beauty of Queenstown exactly as you want to. From relaxing vineyard tours or boat cruises to extreme adventure activities, Queenstown has it all. Your driver will help you with your plans.

This Evening: Board the TSS Earnslaw and cruise to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax as you are treated to the best of NZ’s high country cuisine in 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.

Recommended excursions in and around Queenstown

Routeburn Day WalkHighest Bungey JumpExplore Arrowtown

Wine Tasting Central Otago      

Biking Skippers Canyon      Round at Millbrook Golf Resort
Dart River Jetboat Safari  Gibbston Valley Wine Trail   

 


Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

Queenstown

9

Quaint Gold Mining Town / Glacier Country

Travel to Arrowtown to visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass and see the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel to Fox Glacier. Next you visit Franz Josef
if time is available you may like to experience a Scenic Flight (optional) weather permitting)
over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel for your overnight stay. 


Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Franz Josef - 1 night 

Franz Josef

Te Waonui is the only luxury property of its kind in the area. The retreat is nestled in the lush bush with views of the natural environment at almost every turn. Located in Franz Josef, the retreat offers easy access to the many natural wonders of the South West World Heritage Area. Mountains, glaciers, rivers, lakes, coastline, and native flora and fauna all lie in wait at the doorstep for visitors to admire and explore.

Te Waonui Forest Retreat - Franz Josef

10

TranzAlpine Rail Journey - Christchurch

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board The TranzAlpine, one of the great train journeys of the world. Enjoy the spectacular scenery through to Christchurch. This evening you will be treated to a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.

Meals: Breakfast and Special Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night 

The TranzAlpine train driving through a beautiful landscape.
Featuring an on-site restaurant and free high-speed WiFi, Sudima Christchurch City is situated in Christchurch, just 500 m from Hagley Park and less than 1 km from Victoria Street. At the hotel, every room is equipped with a fridge, wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Complete with a private bathroom, all units at Sudima Christchurch City are fitted with air conditioning, and selected rooms will provide you with a seating area. You can also enjoy streaming movies.
Sudima Christchurch City

11

Homeward Bound


"Haere rā" Goodbye! and Bon Voyage!

There maybe time for some last minute excursions or shopping before making your way for your outbound flight. 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.

Some Suggested Activities If You Have Time

Easygoing Cycling Tour     Punting the Avon River   Lyttelton Harbour Wildlife Cruise
Māori Cultural EveningFrench Akaroa TourSouthern Alps Ballooning
Christchurch GondolaClearwater GolfArthur's Pass TranzAlpine Hike


Meals: Breakfast

Three people punting the Avon River.

Notes

INCLUSIONS

PRE PAID ATTRACTIONS

• Te Papa, NZ's National Museum 
• Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Premium Lounge
• Marlborough Winery Wine Tasting
• Larnach Castle*
• Milford Sound Nature Cruise & Lunch
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
• Lakes District Museum
• TranzAlpine Rail Journey
• City Sights tour of Wellington, Christchurch & Dunedin

*Guided tour.

ULTIMATE SMALL GROUP TOURING

  • Personalised meet & greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • Ultimate Small Group Tour Coach with 20 luxury leather reclining seats on a full size vehicle, 2 door access and panoramic windows
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • 10 nights 4.5 star hotel accommodation
  • 2 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 3 cruises
  • All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
  • Ultimate documentation pack

MEALS

• 10 cooked breakfasts
• 8 sumptuous dinners complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
• 1 picnic lunch
• 1 Ultimate High Tea, Larnach Castle

Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)

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

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Profile picture for user Tracy
What Tracy says about this tour: I highly recommend this New Year's summer tour to guests who like to have some fun, see the sights and have all the finer details taken care of. Accommodation is carefully selected for charm and character, the luxury coach is super comfortable and the Tour Director goes the extra mile so guests can totally relax.
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