South Island - North Island & Bay of Islands This tour will be conducted on a comfortable 32 Seat Premium Full Size Economy Coach, staying at 4-star accommodation. Flights are included as well as attractions, meals, accommodation as per the itinerary below.
DAY 1: Sunday
15th Sept ‘24 Home –
Melbourne (D)
Today
we board a Cardwell’s Vehicle and head to Melbourne where we stay overnight
before catching a morning flight. Accommodation: The Best Western Airport Motel
and Convention Centre.
DAY 2: Monday
16th Sept ‘24 Melbourne –
Christchurch (B,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 when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling
companions for dinner.
Hotel
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
DAY 3: Tuesday 17th Sept ‘24 Christchurch – Twizel (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 before travelling to Twizel.
Hotel
Distinction Mackenzie Country
DAY 4:
Wednesday 18th Sept ‘24 Twizel - Dunedin (B,D)
Depart
Twizel and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru,
famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights
tour followed by some free time.
Hotel
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
DAY 5: Thursday
19th Sept ’24 Dunedin - Te Anau (B,D)
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 Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel
Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau (Deluxe Room)
DAY 6: Friday
20th Sept ‘24 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
free, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel
Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
DAY 7: Saturday
21st Sept ‘24 Queenstown (Free Day) (B,D)
Today
is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain and
Tour Leader are available to assist with the many optional activities
available, including 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 8: Sunday
22nd Sept ‘24 Queenstown -
Arrowtown – Franz Josef (B,D)
Travel
to Arrowtown 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 north to the township of Franz Josef. Time
is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over
the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)
DAY 9: Monday
23rd Sept ‘24 Franz Josef -
Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch (B,D)
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. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your coach will be
waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Hotel
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
DAY 10: Tuesday
24th Sept ‘24 Christchurch -
Picton - Wellington (B,D)
Travel
along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikõura. 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 for your
journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.
Hotel
James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room. 2 nights)
DAY 11:
Wednesday 25th Sept ‘24 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.
DAY 12: Thursday
26th Sept ‘24 Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua (B,D)
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.
Hotel Pullman Rotorua (City View Room. 2 nights)
DAY 13: Friday 27th Sept ‘24 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
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 visiting 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 14: Saturday
28th Sept ‘24 Rotorua -
Auckland - Bay of Islands (B,D)
This
morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in
the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy an introduction to the Bay of
Islands, location of the signing of the treaty between the Mãori tribes and the
British.
Hotel
Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)
DAY 15: Sunday
29th Sept ‘24 Bay of Islands (B)
Today
you will 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 before returning to Paihia for a free afternoon. 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 free, you may like
to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
DAY 16: Monday
30th Sept ‘24 Bay of
Islands - Auckland (B,D)
Depart
the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville 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 pre-dinner
drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell
dinner.
Hotel
Sudima Auckland City
DAY 17: Tuesday
1st October 2024 Auckland - Melbourne (B)
Time
to say goodbye. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight to Melbourne
where you will be met by a Cardwell’s representative and returned to your
respective destinations after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Price $$8815 per person, based on Twin Share
(Single Supplement $2300)
Balance due 1st July '24