New Zealand Showcase

Day 1: Arrive Auckland
On arrival into Auckland you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.

Hotel: Skycity Hotel
Please note: Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

Day 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands
Depart Auckland and travel to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, then 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.

Hotel for 2 nights: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands or similar

Day 3: Bay of Islands
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. Or maybe you’ll embark on a voyage of discovery and enjoy the beauty of this area by sailing aboard the iconic R. Tucker Thompson Tall Ship. The waters here are a playground for penguins, dolphins and gannets. This evening is also free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning to Paihia. Travel south via Whangarei to Auckland. We’ve included admission to the Sky Tower, where you’ll have panoramic views of key landmarks, volcanoes and other historical locations within the greater Auckland area.

Hotel: Skycity Hotel

Day 5: Auckland - Rotorua
Today enjoy a city sights tour of Auckland. 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.

Hotel for 2 nights: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua

Day 6: Rotorua
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Enjoy some free time this afternoon 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.

Day 7: Rotorua - Napier - Masterton
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 travelling through the Wairarapa, an emerging cool-climate wine region.

Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Solway Park

Day 8: Masterton - Greytown - Wellington
Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before travelling to Greytown, where you’ll see the most complete example of original Victorian wooden architecture. Drive through the scenic Rimutaka Mountain Range into Wellington. Enjoy a city tour of the nation’s capital which will highlight the history and culture on show here.

Hotel: James Cook Grand Chancellor

Day 9: Wellington - Picton - Blenheim
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views. This afternoon board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton where you board your coach for the short journey to Blenheim

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Marlborough

Day 10: Blenheim - Kaikoura - Christchurch
Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine, then travel to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch.

Hotel: Distinction Christchurch

Day 11: Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Franz Josef
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. 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.

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

Day 12: Franz Josef - Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast to Fox Glacier. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into Queenstown, a year round resort on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu.

Hotel for 2 nights: Mercure Queenstown Resort

Day 13: Queenstown Free Day
Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Tour Guide and Coach Captain are available to assist. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station before enjoying dinner in the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner, enjoy a farm tour then cruise back to Queenstown.

Day 14: Queenstown - Te Anau
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. This afternoon you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).

Hotel for 2 nights: Distinction Luxmore Hotel

Day 15: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch on-board. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available.

Day 16: Te Anau - Dunedin
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the “Edinburgh of the South” and enjoy 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. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift.

Hotel: Scenic Dunedin City

Day 17: Dunedin - Mt Cook -Twizel
Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. 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.

Hotel: MacKenzie Country Hotel

Day 18: Twizel - Christchurch
Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water. On the shores of the lake you’ll see the beautiful Church of the Good Shepherd, where the altar window frames a perfect view of the Southern Alps beyond the lake. The church was built in 1935 for the pioneer families of the Mackenzie district, and it’s a popular photo spot for visitors, so popular in fact, that it is one of the most photographed places in New Zealand! Make sure to see the Sheep Dog Statue. Continue your journey to Christchurch for an informative city tour. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your new found friends.

Hotel: Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport

Day 19: Depart Christchurch
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.