Enjoy an unforgettable experience in the rich culture of the North Island on this all inclusive small group holiday. This tour visits a few lesser known regions of the north, including the Art Deco city of Napier and the beautiful wine producing region of the Wairarapa. Enjoy 7 delicious dinners including a traditional Maori hangi feast and concert, visit the Hobbiton movie set and embrace the beauty of the thermal mud polls and geysers in Rotorua.
New Zealand small group tour
This suggested tour costs from NZD$7,315 per person (twin share, low season)
Starts in Christchurch, finishes in Auckland
14 days/13 nights
Hotel 4 star
Pre and post tour options? YES
Viewed 27 times in the last 7 days
Day 1: Arrive in Christchurch
Accommodation: The George (or similar)
Day 2: Journey from Christchurch to Mt Cook
Accommodation: The Hermitage Hotel (or similar)
Day 3: Follow the Waitaki river as you head to Dunedin
Accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (or similar)
Day 4: Travel along the Otago Peninsula on your way to Te Anau
Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
Day 5: Cruise in Milford and wind your way to Queenstown
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
Day 6: Free day in Queenstown
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
Day 7: Head north to Fox Glacier
Accommodation: Distinction Fox Glacier (or similar)
Day 8: Hop aboard the TranzAlpine train to Christchurch
Accommodation: The George (or similar)
Day 9: Cross the Cook Striaght to Wellington
Accommodation: InterContinental Wellington (or similar)
Day 10: Spend a day in the country's 'Capital of Cool', Wellington
Accommodation: InterContinental Wellington (or similar)
Day 11: Drive through the rolling hills onto Rotorua
Accommodation: Regent of Rotorua
Day 12: Explore the thermal wonderland of Rotorua
Accommodation: Regent of Rotorua
Day 13: Head north to Auckland; the city of sails
Accommodation: Sudima Auckland City
Day 14: Depart Auckland
Enjoy an unforgettable ultimate experience in the rich culture of the South and North Island on this all-inclusive small group holiday. This tour visits beautiful Fiordland National Park, crosses the county on the TranzAlpine train and includes a visit to the country's capital. Visit the Hobbiton Movie Set and embrace the beauty of the thermal mud pools and geysers in Rotorua.
Grand Pacific offer quality merchandise which will provide a special memento of your holiday for years to come. Choose between a Tour Jacket, a tour cap or there is a discounted combo price for both, ask us about purchasing these items. Merchandise items must be ordered at time of booking and are not available for purchase in New Zealand.
On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
Your accommodation: The George (or similar)
The George is the essence of supreme comfort. The award winning 5 star hotel is opposite Hagley Park and just a few minutes stroll from the Botanic Gardens. 2 superb award winning on site restaurants also feature.Meals included: Dinner
After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, The Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps.
Your accommodation: The Hermitage Hotel (or similar)
The Hermitage Hotel ringed by magnificent snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps, is a world-renowned tourist destination and has been an icon of superior accommodation and dining since 1884.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Depart Mt Cook and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. You might be interested in a tour of the Speight's Brewery (optional) or the chance to see local wildlife in their natural habitat (optional).
Your accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (or similar)
Distinction Dunedin Hotel occupies the grand Chief Post Office built in the 1930’s. This art deco inspired building has recently been transformed into a 4 star hotel with elegant décor, set in the heart of the city.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).
Your accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (or similar)
The Te Anau Hotel and Villas offers a range of accommodation from hotel rooms and suites to villas. Ideally located on the lake front the hotel is just a few minutes stroll for the shops, cafes and activities on offer.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
The 4 star deluxe Millennium Queenstown is located in the heart of Queenstown within minutes of the central shopping and entertainment area.Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
This morning enjoy time exploring two of the region’s finest private gardens. Chantecler features plantings from around the world making it a garden for all seasons, whilst Blair Garden is a beautifully presented garden, where impressive vistas to the surrounding picturesque mountainous landscape can be found from many vantage points. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore Queenstown at leisure. 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.
Your accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (or similar)
The 4 star deluxe Millennium Queenstown is located in the heart of Queenstown within minutes of the central shopping and entertainment area.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner, Speciality Dinner
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel to Fox Glacier. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting).
Your accommodation: Distinction Fox Glacier (or similar)
A modern, purpose-built boutique hotel. Distinctions Fox Glacier provides a balance of luxury, privacy and location, while being only a short stroll to Fox Glacier village.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival, your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
*Please be aware, there are some departure dates where the train may not be available due to covid-related schedule changes outside of Grand Pacific's control. If this occurs, your journey through the incredible Arthur's Pass will continue onboard your coach. Chat to a consultant to check the current schedule for your preferred departure.
Your accommodation: The George (or similar)
The George is the essence of supreme comfort. The award winning 5 star hotel is opposite Hagley Park and just a few minutes stroll from the Botanic Gardens. 2 superb award winning on site restaurants also feature.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.
Your accommodation: InterContinental Wellington (or similar)
Stay in modern luxury in the heart of New Zealand’s capital city, adjacent to the scenic harbour. This hotel offers contemporary New Zealand cuisine at three restaurants, including the award-winning Chameleon. An ideal base to explore the business, shopping and cultural centres of Wellington.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour that showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.
Your accommodation: InterContinental Wellington (or similar)
Stay in modern luxury in the heart of New Zealand’s capital city, adjacent to the scenic harbour. This hotel offers contemporary New Zealand cuisine at three restaurants, including the award-winning Chameleon. An ideal base to explore the business, shopping and cultural centres of Wellington.Meals included: Breakfast
Depart Wellington and view the snow capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.
Your accommodation: Regent of Rotorua
Regent of Rotorua Boutique Hotel & Spa occupies a great location within walking distance of the lakefront, the government gardens and the city centres shops and restaurants. Luxury rooms are well equipped and on-site facilities include a swimming pool, restaurant, bar and spa treatments.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today begins with a Gondola ride and breakfast at the Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.
Your accommodation: Regent of Rotorua
Regent of Rotorua Boutique Hotel & Spa occupies a great location within walking distance of the lakefront, the government gardens and the city centres shops and restaurants. Luxury rooms are well equipped and on-site facilities include a swimming pool, restaurant, bar and spa treatments.Meals included: Dinner, Speciality Dinner
This morning depart Rotorua and travel to Hobbiton for an experience of the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set. A guide will escort you through the ten acre site recounting fascinating details of how the set was created. Enjoy a delicious barbecue lunch before travelling north to Auckland.
Your accommodation: Sudima Auckland City
Conveniently located within easy walking distance of Auckland’s bustling shopping, arts, dining and entertainment precincts and opposite the New Zealand International Convention Centre.Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner, Speciality Dinner
After breakfast (included) it's time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
12 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
13 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
10 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
16 days, from Christchurch to Auckland
19 days, from Christchurch to Auckland
11 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
11 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
11 days, from Christchurch to Christchurch
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