New Zealand Showcase

Day 1

Arrive Auckland
Today you will be transferred to Brisbane or Sydney Airport where you will be met by an agent representative. Fly to Auckland where you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.

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.

Day 3

Bay of Islands (Free Day)
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).

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. This afternoon includes a visit to Sky Tower at your leisure, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular attractions.

Day 5

Auckland - Rotorua
Today enjoy a city sights tour of Auckland. Continue through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for 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.

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 coolclimate wine region.

Day 8

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

Day 9

Wellington - Picton - Blenheim
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. 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.

Day 10

Blenheim - Christchurch
Today’s travel takes you through the alpine village of St Arnaud, the enchanting beech Maruia Forest and the scenic Lewis Pass. Continue south to the Garden City of 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.

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 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.

Day 13

Queenstown (Free Day)
Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Coach Captain and Tour Guide are available to assist. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you at 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.

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).

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 onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

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.

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.

Day 18

Twizel - Christchurch
Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and see the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch for an informative city tour. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your new found friends.

Day 19

Depart Christchurch
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. On arrival at Brisbane or Sydney Airport you will be met by an agent representative who will have transfers arranged.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner