Grand Pacific Tours - 19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise & Coach Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand!

You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel and, depending at what time you'll arrive, will then have some time to explore the city of Auckland before meeting your travelling companions over a complimentary pre dinner drink.

Some Activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night  

Board the luxurious Ultimate Coach and 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. 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

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 and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

Excursions available in the Bay of Islands:

Meals: Breakfast

This morning travel aboard a catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise This 4-hour 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.

Travel south, call into the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree before arriving in Auckland.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night 

This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15 kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train. Visit the restoration workshop and on return to Glenbrook Station, morning tea will be served.

Travel through magnificent countryside of green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rainbow Springs, spanning 22 acres of native trees. A highlight will be the Kiwi Encounter experience which offers a unique behind-the-scenes tour of a working Kiwi nursery and hatchery.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 night

Today begins with a Gondola Ride to Cableway Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Enjoy some free time 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

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 along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Wellington - 2 night

Enjoy an extensive city tour in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. A highlight will be a guided tour of New Zealand’s National Museum Te Papa, with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views. Enjoy free time at leisure this afternoon. This evening is also free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
 

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

Meals: Breakfast

This morning board the Interislander Ferry, cross the Cook Strait and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Ranges. Meet your Ultimate Coach in the fishing village of Kaikoura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 2 nights (or similar)

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 also free to enjoy one of the many eateries near your hotel.

Some Suggested Activities to Help you to get to Know the Region

Meals: Breakfast

This morning we board the TranzAlpine, renowned for being one of the top rail journeys in the world, traveling through the great Southern Alps to Arthur's Pass. Afterwards, we board our coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before we continue through Franz Josef to Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation Fox Glacier - 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 Arrowtown to visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to 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: Heritage Queenstown or similar- 2 nights

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown. Your Tour Guide and Coach Captain are available to assist with the many options available. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back and relax, as you are treated to the best of New Zealand’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 on your return cruise.

Recommended excursions around Queenstown:
 

Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner

Today travel via Te Anau to Manapouri. Enjoy a picnic lunch as you cruise across this glacial lake. A short ride over the Wilmot Pass brings you to the boarding point to join the Fiordland Navigator for an amazing overnight experience. As you cruise through the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound, naturalist guides will provide commentary and point out the resident wildlife. When evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Doubtful Sound - 1 night

Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Deep Cove for the trip back to Manapouri. Return back to the wharf and meet your Ultimate Coach for the journey back to Te Anau.

This afternoon is free so why not cruise across Lake Te Anau to visit the Glow Worm Caves where you will admire the incredible limestone caverns, waterfalls and mystery of the Glow Worm Grotto or perhaps take in the stunning movie Ata Whenua?

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 night [from 1 Sept 2023 stay at Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas]

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and enjoy a city tour.

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 2 nights

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour with time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom.

Return to the city for some free time. You might like to take a tour of the Speights Brewery or Olveston House to name a few options.

Some options available in and around Dunedin:

Meals: Breakfast and Dinner

This morning travel to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue north to Pleasant Point Museum and Railway for a short rail experience followed by lunch. Heading further North we cross the Canterbury Plains before arriving at the Garden City of Christchurch.

This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 night (or similar)

"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 to Help you to get to Know the Region

Meals: Breakfast

INCLUSIONS

19 Day Ultimate Rail & Coach Experience

PRE PAID ATTRACTIONS

• Kauri Museum*
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds*
• Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
• Glenbrook Vintage Railway
• Rainbow Springs*
• Kiwi Encounter*
• Skyline Rotorua Gondola & Luge Ride
• Agrodome
• Thermal mud pools & geysers*
• Te Puia traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
• Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
• Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
• Coastal Pacific Rail Journey**
• International Antarctic Centre
• Christchurch Tram
• TranzAlpine Rail Journey
• Lakes District Museum
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
• HIGHLIGHT Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
• Larnach Castle*
• Pleasant Point Railway Experience
• City sights tour of Auckland, Wellington,
  Christchurch & Dunedin

*Guided tour.

**The Coastal Pacific service does not run during the off peak months.  A refund will be provided if it is not operating on your chosen tour date

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
• 17 nights 4.5 star hotel accommodation
• Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
• 6 two night stays
• Hotel porterage
• 4 rail journeys
• 4 cruises
• All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
• Comprehensive documentation pack

MEALS

• 18 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Skyline Restaurant, Rotorua
• 14 sumptuous dinners including 3 specialty dinners: Maori Hangi & Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
• 2 lunches
• 2 delicious morning teas including an Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle

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