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19 Day Signature Rail, Cruise and Coach



Map Image for 19 Day Signature Rail, Cruise and Coach

Combining rail, coach and breathtaking cruises including Milford Sound overnight cruise

TOUR CODE: SGPR19

DURATION: 19 days

STARTS: Auckland

FINISHES: Christchurch

STYLE: Signature Mid-Size Group Tours

COACH: 32 seat Premium Economy

ACCOMMODATION: 4 Star

 

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Prepaid Attractions

  • Kauri Museum i
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds i
  • Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise i
  • Glenbrook Vintage Railway i
  • Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride i
  • Agrodome i
  • Thermal mud pools and geysers i
  • Te Puia traditional Māori Hāngi and Concert i
  • Te Papa, NZ's National Museum i
  • Wellington Cable Car i
  • Cruise on the Interislander Ferry i
  • Coastal Pacific Rail Journey i
  • International Antarctic Centre i
  • Christchurch Tram i
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey i
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw i
  • Lakes District Museum i
  • HIGHLIGHT Milford Sound Overnight Cruise i
  • Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea i
  • Auckland City Sights Tour i
  • Wellington City Sights Tour i
  • Christchurch City Sights Tour i
  • Dunedin City Sights Tour i

Coach Features

  • 32 Premium Economy Comfort seats on a full-size coach
  • 2 door access; seat back tray table; cup holder
  • Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance

Experience

  • Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Experienced Tour Leader
  • 17 nights 4 star accommodation
  • Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
  • 6 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 3 rail journeys 
  • 4 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Activities
  • Signature Documentation Pack

Meals

  • 18 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
  • 12 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners: Māori Hāngi and Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Christchurch
  • 2 delicious morning teas including a Devonshire Tea at Larnach Castle 
  • Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks) 
Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

Tour Highlight: Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

THE MILFORD MARINER
For a majestic experience, spend the night on board the Milford Mariner. Cruise the full length of Milford Sound with commentary by a specialist nature guide. View the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. You are bound to encounter seals, maybe dolphins and penguins. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by tender boat or kayak (swimwear required) - or to simply relax on board. As evening falls, enjoy a delicious carvery buffet, prepared by an onboard chef. Relax in the company of your fellow travellers or take in some stargazing before retiring to your cabin. Next morning, indulge in a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) and exploring more of the breathtaking fiord.

Day-by-day Itinerary

(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (SL) Specialty Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner

1

Arrive Auckland (D)

On arrival into 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 Grand Millennium Auckland i

2

Auckland - Bay of Islands (B,D)

Enjoy a city tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, before travelling to Matakohe to enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. 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 Māori tribes and the British.

Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights) i

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).

Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands i

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. Upon return to Paihia, travel south via Whangarei, before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the many eateries surrounding your hotel.

Hotel Grand Millennium Auckland i

5

Auckland - Rotorua (B,D)

This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15 kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train including a delightful morning tea. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua renowned for its geothermal activity and Māori culture.

Hotel Pullman Rotorua (2 nights) i

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 Māori Hāngi and Concert.

Hotel Pullman Rotorua i

7

Rotorua - Wellington (B,D)

Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and continue south to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.

Hotel James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (2 nights) i

8

Wellington (B)

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. This afternoon ride the Wellington Cable Car to Kelburn Station where you can explore the Cable Car Museum or stroll through the Botanic Gardens. This evening is also free to explore Wellington’s lively food scene.

Hotel James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor i

9

Wellington - Kaikōura - Christchurch (B,D)

This morning board the Interislander Ferry and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Ranges. Meet your coach in the fishing village of Kaikōura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch.

Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel (2 nights) i

10

Christchurch (B)

Today visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure. This evening is free to explore the local cuisine.

Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel i

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. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before arriving at 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 i

12

Franz Josef - Queenstown (B)

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights) i

13

Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)

Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. Your crew will assist with the many optional activities available. 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.

Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown i

14

Queenstown - Milford Sound Overnight Cruise (B,D)

This morning travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via Te Anau to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner for your amazing overnight cruise. There is plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife - you’re bound to encounter seals and if you’re lucky maybe dolphins and penguins. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by tender boat or kayak (swimwear required) - or to simply relax on board. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef.

Overnight Milford Mariner i

15

Milford Sound - Te Anau (B,D)

Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to explore more of the fiord. Return to the wharf to meet your coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Hotel Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau i

16

Te Anau - Dunedin (B,D)

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. Enjoy a city tour of New Zealand’s oldest university city.

Hotel Scenic Hotel Dunedin City (2 nights) i

17

Dunedin (B)

Travel along the picturesque Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour you will hear the tragic and scandalous tales which make up the castle’s history. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for some free time. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.

Hotel Scenic Hotel Dunedin City i

18

Dunedin - Christchurch (B,SD)

Today travel to the small town of Oamaru, famous for its limestone architecture before continuing to Christchurch. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel i

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.

Pricing and Departure Dates

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Thursday
04-Sep-25
$12,149
pp, twin share
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$11,899
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Friday
12-Sep-25
$12,149
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Wednesday
01-Oct-25
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Thursday
09-Oct-25
$12,149
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Monday
27-Oct-25
$12,149
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Tuesday
11-Nov-25
$12,149
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Wednesday
26-Nov-25
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Saturday
06-Dec-25
$12,149
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Friday
02-Jan-26
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Saturday
17-Jan-26
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Saturday
24-Jan-26
$12,149
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Saturday
07-Feb-26
$12,149
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Wednesday
18-Feb-26
$12,149
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  - $12,149
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Saturday
14-Mar-26
$12,149
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  - $12,149
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Monday
30-Mar-26
$12,149
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Monday
06-Apr-26
$12,149
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  - $12,149
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Tuesday
28-Apr-26
$12,149
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SEASONAL OFFER
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$11,899
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Pre & Post Stays


Auckland$220 pp, twin share$440 single
Christchurch$195 pp, twin share$390 single

Optional Activities


Whilst your tour package includes an extensive range of pre-paid attractions and sightseeing, the Optional Activities outlined are available to enjoy during your free time. They will provide the ‘icing on the cake’ experience that will hold memories for a lifetime. Optional Activities will be booked with your Crew once on tour.


> VIEW ALL   Optional Activities for this tour.


Traveller Reviews > VIEW ALL


10
September 2024

Most enjoyable experience. Everything went to plan. Always left and arrived on time. Coach was driven very safely. Places included to stay and activities to do in each area gave us a fantastic overview of New Zealand. Hotels all up to good standards and personnel very obliging. Very happy with the variety, freshness and quality of all food provided. Fully recommend the company. 

G.M. & K.M. Australia


10
September 2024

This was our first group tour. A pleasure - all 19 days. The coach was joy and a pleasure to step aboard each day. We could not ask for anything better. Would not hesitate to recommend Grand Pacific Tours to family and friends. 

R.M. & G.M. Australia


10
September 2024

It was a brilliant tour. Thoroughly enjoyable for the whole time. Well organised. Great accommodation and meals. Plenty of comfort stops. It was great value for money. 

W.H. & H.H. Australia


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Port of Departure


To enable us to present you with the best Tour Pricing and Bonus Offers please select your intended Port of Departure and Accommodation Room Type. If you do not require an air inclusive package, please select LAND ONLY.

All prices are in Australian Dollars. For air inclusive package pricing, airline taxes are subject to change. Exact amounts will be confirmed by your Travel Agent at the time of booking.