19 Day Signature Showcase

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: SkyCity Hotel

Depart Auckland and travel to Matakohe for 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 Maori tribes and the British Government in 1840. 

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)

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

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 where you will enjoy a city sights tour. This evening is free to explore the many eateries surrounding your hotel. 

Hotel: SkyCity Hotel

Enjoy a leisurely start before visiting Sky Tower, one of New Zealand's most spectacular attractions. Depart Auckland and travel 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) (2 nights)

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 Maori Hangi and Concert. 

Hotel: Pullman Rotorua (City View Room)

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 Solway Park Wairarapa (Superior Room)

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 followed by a visit to 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.

Hotel: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room)

This morning board the Interislander Ferry where you can relax in comfort in the Queen Charlotte Lounge. Enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your coach for the short journey to Blenheim. 

Hotel: Scenic Hotel Marlborough

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 for a city sights tour.

Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel

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)

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast to Fox Glacier township. Continue via 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: Millenium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)

Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride (optional) or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon (optional). This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring 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: Millenium Hotel Queenstown

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) (2 nights)

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnficent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy 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).

Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau (Deluxe Room)

Travel via Gore and Balcutha 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

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: Distinction Mackenzie Country

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. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.