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16 Day Ultimate Highlights



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Explore the majestic South Island and diverse North Island in ultimate style

TOUR CODE: UGPN16

DURATION: 16 days

STARTS: Christchurch

FINISHES: Auckland

STYLE: Ultimate Small Group Tours

COACH: 20 seat Business Class

ACCOMMODATION: 4.5 Star

 

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Prepaid Attractions

  • Larnach Castle and Ultimate High Tea i
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch i
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw i
  • Lakes District Museum i
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey i
  • Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Premium Lounge i
  • Te Papa, NZ's National Museum i
  • Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride i
  • Agrodome i
  • Thermal mud pools and geysers i
  • Te Puia traditional Māori Hāngi and Concert i
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds i
  • Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise i
  • Kauri Museum i
  • Christchurch City Sights Tour i
  • Dunedin City Sights Tour i
  • Wellington City Sights Tour i
  • Auckland City Sights Tour i

Coach Features

  • 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach
  • 2 door access; dedicated seat side storage with 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
  • 15 nights 4.5 star accommodation
  • 4 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 rail journey
  • 4 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Activities
  • Ultimate Documentation Pack

Meals

  • 15 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: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Māori Hāngi and Concert, Rotorua; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Auckland
  • 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
  • 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
  • Enjoy GPT Wine Time (discounted drinks)
Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

Day-by-day Itinerary

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

1

Arrive Christchurch (D)

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 as you meet your travelling companions.

Hotel The George or similar i

2

Christchurch - Mt Cook (B,D)

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.

Hotel The Hermitage Hotel i

3

Mt Cook - Dunedin (B,D)

Depart Mt Cook, see Lake Benmore and follow the Waitaki River to Oamaru. Continue south to Dunedin, enjoy a city tour followed by free time. You might be interested in a tour to see local wildlife in their natural habitat (optional).

Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel i

4

Dunedin - Te Anau (B,D)

This morning 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 an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. 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 Glowworm Caves (optional).

Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas i

5

Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown (B,L)

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 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 at leisure, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Hotel Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown (2 nights) i

6

Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with 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.

Hotel Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown i

7

Queenstown - Franz Josef (B,D)

Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Next you visit Franz Josef, where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel.

Hotel Te Waonui Forest Retreat i

8

Franz Josef - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch (B,D)

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to 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. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Hotel The George i

9

Christchurch - Picton - Wellington (B,D)

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy complimentary refreshments as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington.

Hotel InterContinental Wellington i

10

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 which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.

Hotel InterContinental Wellington i

11

Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua (B,D)

Depart Wellington and view the snowcapped 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.

Hotel Regent of Rotorua (2 nights) i

12

Rotorua (B,SD)

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. 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. Free time is available 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 Regent of Rotorua i

13

Rotorua - Bay of Islands (B,D)

This morning depart Rotorua and travel north through Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. This afternoon 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

14

Bay of Islands (B)

This morning you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands including an island visit aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. On return to Paihia, enjoy a free afternoon where a range of optional activities are available, or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. This evening is also at leisure, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands i

15

Bay of Islands - Auckland (B,SD)

Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends.

Hotel Crowne Plaza Auckland i

16

Depart Auckland (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
$11,949
pp, twin share
SEASONAL OFFER
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$11,699
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Saturday
27-Sep-25
$11,949
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Friday
10-Oct-25
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Sunday
19-Oct-25
$11,949
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Wednesday
12-Nov-25
$11,949
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Monday
17-Nov-25
$11,949
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  - $11,949
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Thursday
04-Dec-25
$11,949
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  - $11,949
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Monday
12-Jan-26
$11,949
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Monday
26-Jan-26
$11,949
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Friday
13-Feb-26
$11,949
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Sunday
22-Feb-26
$11,949
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Tuesday
10-Mar-26
$11,949
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Thursday
26-Mar-26
$11,949
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  - $11,949
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Wednesday
01-Apr-26
$11,949
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  - $11,949
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Tuesday
14-Apr-26
$11,949
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  - $11,949
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Monday
04-May-26
$11,949
pp, twin share
SEASONAL OFFER
Save $250 ppi
$11,699
pp, twin share
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Pre & Post Stays


Christchurch$255 pp, twin share$510 single
Auckland$220 pp, twin share$440 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


9
October 2024

Wonderful! It was everything we expected and more. All included attractions were appropriate and of a high standard. Loved the seating on the coach and the small number of travellers. All meals were of a high standard. 

S.W. Australia


10
October 2024

All accommodation and meals surpassed expectation. All attractions were wonderful. An adventure around every corner. The layout and cleanliness of the coach was excellent, loved having only one seat each side of the aisle. Filtered water tap on coach was an excellent bonus. I will strongly recommend to friends to travel in New Zealand with Grand Pacific Tours. 

A.P. Australia


9
October 2024

We would certainly recommend Grand Pacific Tours. We rate this experience as one of the best we have done, having travelled extensively over the last 15 years. 

D.K. & B.K. Australia


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5 OCT 2025 DEPARTURE


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.