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.
Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: Wellington - 2 Nights
New Years Eve! - Wellington
A highlight will be time to explore Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum. Enjoy an extensive city tour in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. This afternoon enjoy free time before preparing to see in the New Year with your travelling companions.
Suggested outings before heading out on the town.
Visit Cuba Street | Weta Workshop Tour | |
Carter Observatory |
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Interisland Cruise into Marlborough - Wine Country
This morning board the Interislander Ferry and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your Ultimate Coach for the short journey to Blenheim, where you will experience a unique wine and cheese tasting at Cloudy Bay Estate, one of the original winemakers in the Marlborough region. Continue south to Kaikõura.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Kaikōura - 1 Night
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
Dunedin - Scottish City of Grace and Grandeur
Depart Christchurch and travel south through Oamaru a well preserved Victorian city, famous for its white stone buildings, before arriving in the grand city of Dunedin. It is for good reason that New Zealand's oldest city is known as the Edinborough of the South - '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. In Dunedin enjoy a city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure.
Some options available in and around Dunedin:
Cadbury Chocolate | Penguins and Albatross Tour | |
Peninsula Wildlife Cruise | Larnach Castle Tour |
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 night
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.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 night
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
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/guide 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.
Recommended excursions in and arouns Queenstown
Routeburn Day Walk | Highest Bungey Jump | Explore Arrowtown |
Biking Skippers Canyon | Round at Millbrook Golf Resort | |
Dart River Jetboat Safari | Gibbston Valley Wine Trail |
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Meals: Breakfast and Special Dinner
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. You may like to experience a Scenic Flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Fox Glacier - 1 night
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
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
Meals: Breakfast
Notes
INCLUSIONS
PRE PAID ATTRACTIONS
• Te Papa, NZ's National Museum
• Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
• Cloudy Bay Estate Wine and Cheese 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
- 1 rail journey
- 3 cruises
- All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
- Comprehensive documentation pack
MEALS
• 10 cooked breakfasts
• 8 sumptuous dinners including 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
• 1 picnic lunch
• 1 Ultimate High Tea, Larnach Castle
Note: Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

