Arrive in Auckland
‘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
The Enchanted Bay of Islands
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
Bay of Islands at Leisure
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:
Historical Island Cruise | Diving Rainbow Warrior | 4WD Adventure Cape Reinga |
Sailing the Islands | Sea Kayaking the Bay | Giant Kauri Forest Walk |
Golf at Kauri Cliffs |
Meals: Breakfast
Cruise - Auckland
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.
On return to Paihia, travel southbefore returning to Auckland. This evening is free to dine at leisure.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Auckland - 1 night
Auckland - Rotorua
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 Rotorua to visit the National Kiwi Hatchery, for a unique behind the scenes tour of the world’s largest kiwi hatchery.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 night
Explore Rotorua - Cultural Evening
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride 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
Rotorua - Wellington
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
Wellington at Leisure
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Reboard your Ultimate Coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. 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:
Wellington Cable Car | Visit Cuba Street | Weta Workshop Tour |
Zealandia Wildlife Reserve |
Meals: Breakfast
Interisland Cruise and Train Journey to Christchurch
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)
Antarctic Centre Christchurch
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
Tranzalpine Rail Journey - Fox Glacier
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
Fox Glacier- Queenstown
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
Queenstown at Leisure
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown. Your Coach Captain is 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:
Routeburn Day Walk | Highest Bungey Jump | Gibbston Valley Wine Trail |
Biking Skippers Canyon | Round at Millbrook Golf Resort | |
Dart River Jetboat Safari |
|
Meals: Breakfast and Specialty Dinner
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
Today travel via Te Anau to Manapouri. Enjoy 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, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Doubtful Sound - 1 night
Doubtful Sound - Te Anau
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? (Optional)
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Te Anau - 1 night
Te Anau to Dunedin
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Enjoy a city tour of Dunedin, which is New Zealand’s oldest university city.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Accommodation: Dunedin - 2 nights
Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle
Travel along the picturesque Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour you will hear the tragic and scandalous tales which make up the castle’s history. There is time to explore this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Return to Dunedin for some free time. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.
Meals: Breakfast and Dinner
Dunedin - Christchurch
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)
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 to Help you to get to Know the Region
Meals: Breakfast
Notes
PREPAID ATTRACTIONS
• Kauri Museum
• Waitangi Treaty Grounds
• Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
• Glenbrook Vintage Railway
• National Kiwi Hatchery Tour*
• 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
• 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 Museum and Railway Rail Experience
• City sights tour of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin
*Guided tour.
COACH FEATURES
• 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach
• 2 door access; dedicated seat side storage with 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
• 17 nights 4.5 star accommodation
• Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
• 6 two night stays
• Hotel porterage
• 4 rail journeys
• 4 cruises
• All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
• Extensive Optional Activities
• Ultimate Documentation Pack
MEALS
• 18 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
• 14 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners: Māori Hāngi and Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
• 2 lunches: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise; Pleasant Point Museum and Railway
• 2 delicious morning teas including an Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
• Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
