Grand Pacific Tours 11 Day Ultimate New Year

Arrive into Wellington where you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

Quality merchandise is great value for money and will provide a special memento of your holiday for years to come. Merchandise items must be ordered at the time of booking and are not available for purchase in New Zealand. Tour jackets and tour caps are available for purchase.

Today enjoy the build-up to New Year in the capital. Highlights will be time to explore Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum and enjoying a city tour. This afternoon is free before preparing to see in the New Year with your fellow travellers. So wander the streets, see the boats in the harbour or have a rest in one of the many wonderful cafes or bars. 

Board the Interislander Ferry and cruise through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton, board the coach for travel to Blenheim. This afternoon you will be treated to a unique wine and cheese tasting experience, set amongst the wine barrels at Cloudy Bay Estate, one of the original winemakers in the Marlborough region.

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.

Depart Christchurch and travel south through Oamaru, famous for its limestone. In Dunedin enjoy a city tour followed by some free time at leisure.

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).

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 at one of the many fine restaurants.

Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader will assist with the many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon or to 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 delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food 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.

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).

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory before arriving at Arthur’s Pass where you 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. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. This evening reminisce on the memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner which includes selected beverages.

Time to say goodbye.  After breakfast (included) you will be transferred to the airport for your onward journey after a memorable New Zealand holiday.