19 Day Signature Showcase
Signature Escorted Tour
AUCKLAND | BAY OF ISLANDS | ROTORUA | MASTERTON | WELLINGTON | BLENHEIM | CHRISTCHURCH | FRANZ JOSEF | QUEENSTOWN | TE ANAU | DUNEDIN | TWIZEL | CHRISTCHURCH
Discover the "must-see attractions" of New Zealand’s North and South Islands on this mid-size group holiday. Experience a blend of culture and cosmopolitan living in the North, then be awed by the majestic beauty of the South. Visit some lesser-known regions such as the Art Deco city of Napier and the wine-producing region of the Wairarapa. Travel on the popular TranzAlpine rail journey, the Milford Sound and other locations of interest.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Breathtaking Milford Sound
- Art Deco Napier
- Hobbiton Movie Set Tour & Lunch
Click here to check out more holidays in New Zealand.
Your Itinerary
-
Day 1
-
Day 2
-
Day 3
-
Day 4
-
Day 5
-
Day 6
-
Day 7
-
Day 8
-
Day 9
-
Day 10
-
Day 11
-
Day 12
-
Day 13
-
Day 14
-
Day 15
-
Day 16
-
Day 17
-
Day 18
-
Day 19
Day 1 : Arrive Auckland (D)
On arrival in Auckland, 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.
Hotel: Sudima Auckland City
Day 2 : Auckland - Bay of Islands (B,D)
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 Mãori tribes and the British Government in 1840.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)
Day 3 : Bay of Islands (Free Day) (B)
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, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Day 4 : Bay of Islands - Auckland (B)
This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Return to Paihia and travel south via Whangarei to Auckland. This evening is also free to explore the many eateries surrounding your hotel.
Hotel: Sudima Auckland City
Day 5 : Auckland - Rotorua (B, L, D)
This morning enjoy a city sights tour including a visit to Sky Tower, one of New Zealand’s most spectacular attractions. 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: Pullman Rotorua (City View Room for 2 nights)
Day 6 : Rotorua (B,SD)
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is 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 Mãori Hãngi and Concert.
Day 7 : Rotorua - Napier - Masterton (B,D)
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 & Resort Solway Park Wairarapa (Superior Room)
Day 8 : Masterton - Greytown - Wellington (B,D)
Enjoy a leisurely start to the day before travelling to quaint Greytown. 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 Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room)
Day 9 : Wellington - Picton - Blenheim (B,D)
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.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Marlborough
Day 10 : Blenheim - Kaikõura - Christchurch (B,D)
Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine, then travel to the seaside village of Kaikõura. Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch.
Hotel: Distinction Christchurch
Day 11 : Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Franz Josef (B,D)
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 the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)
Day 12 : Franz Josef - Queenstown (B)
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 to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
Day 13 : Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)
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 or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. 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.
Day 14 : Queenstown - Te Anau (B,D)
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. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau (Deluxe Room for 2 nights)
Day 15 : Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B,L,D)
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 (B,D)
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ and enjoy a city tour. Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will 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.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Day 17 : Dunedin - Mt Cook - Twizel (B,D)
Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River as you 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 (B,SD)
Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch for a city tour. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.
Hotel: Distinction Christchurch
Day 19 : Depart Christchurch (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
