Grand Pacific Tours - 19 Day Ultimate Showcase Itinerary

‘Haere Mai’ … Welcome to New Zealand!

You will be picked up at the airport and transferred to your hotel and, depending at what time you'll arrive, will then have some time to explore the city of Auckland before meeting your travelling companions over a complimentary pre dinner drink.

Some activities and sightseeing options if you have time:

Meals: Dinner (not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm)

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

Board the luxurious ultimate coach, 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 Māori tribes and the British.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Paihia - 2 Nights

The beaches in this region are considered some of the world’s finest with their perfect white sand and crystal-clear water. Rich in culture, history and natural resources, Paihia is the place of friendly locals, happy cafes and people enjoying life whether it is swimming with dolphins, taking in a spot of retail therapy, bush walking or just lazing on the beach. The Bay of Islands, with shimmering safe waters and superb beaches has plenty of recreational activities in among the 144 islands: sail, fish, swim, dive, snorkel, charter a launch or paddle a sea kayak around the islands. Paihia is the perfect stepping stone into the Bay of Islands, and a wonderful place for people of all ages to visit.

Excursions available around the Bay of Islands:

Meals - Breakfast

Your morning starts aboard a luxury catamaran to cruise around Cape Brett and the famous 'Hole in the Rock'.  Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. After returning to Paihia, farewell the Bay of Islands and drive south via Whangarei, Wellsford and Warkworth to Auckland. This evening is free to dine at your leisure.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation: Auckland - 1 Night

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.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch Dinner

Accommodation: Rotorua - 2 Nights

Today begins with a Gondola Ride at the Skyline Rotorua for breakfast, spectacular views and also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that’s 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.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier known as “The Art Deco Capital”, to see the most comprehensive collection of art deco buildings in the world. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the Hawkes Bay or to take a Guided Art Deco Walk at your leisure (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Napier - 1 Night

Travel south this morning into Wellington for a city tour of the nation’s capital which will highlight the history and culture on show here. At Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, there is time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

Some suggested outings while in the 'Capital of Cool'.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Wellington- 1 Night

This morning board the Interislander Ferry and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy breakfast as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your ultimate coach for the short journey to Blenheim, where you will have some free time. Continue south to Kaikōura.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Kaikoura - 1 Night 

This morning enjoy a leisurely start in this seaside village, where the mountains meet the sea. Kaikōura is renowned as one of the best places to see Sperm whales and other marine mammals. There is an opportunity to take a scenic flight to view the year-round population of Sperm whales (optional, weather permitting). Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch for an orientation tour.

Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

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 National Park located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your Ultimate coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing via Franz Josef Glacier to Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Fox Glacier - 1 Night

See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. 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 and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Meals: Breakfast 

Accommodation: Queenstown - 2 Nights

Today relax and enjoy the stunning lakes & rivers - there is a bounty of vineyards, cafes and restaurants scattered throughout the wider district of Queenstown, Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley. You don’t have to be an adrenaline junkie to enjoy Queenstown and part of its charm is the array of less hectic quality activities on offer – but if interested Queenstown is home to the ultimate adventure bucket list – Just ask. 

This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner which the chef will prepare in front of you 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.

Recommended excursions in and arouns Queenstown

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to picturesque Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to the lakeside town of Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). The caves have only been recently rediscovered, because someone had known they were there as Te Anau is a shortened form of “Te Ana-au” which means “the cave of the swirling water current”. Getting to the caves involves a scenic cruise to the western shores.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Te Anau - 2 Nights

The Road to Milford is one of New Zealand’s most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you’ll ease into beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. We show you the 'Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain' and the 'Mirror Lakes'. The rough hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord, including lunch.

This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to round off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the “Edinburgh of the South”. Enjoy an informative city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. 

Some options available in and around Dunedin:

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Dunedin - 1 Night

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour with time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Accommodation: Mt Cook - 1 Night

This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a Scenic Flight and Glacier Landing (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and see the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.

Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

Accommodation: Christchurch - 1 Night

Haere rā and Bon Voyage!

We are sure you will enjoy the 'Ultimate New Zealand Luxury Coach Tour' - and our promise is to make your travels through New Zealand as hassle-free and hospitable as possible - ensuring that today you leave with a memory card full of photos, and huge smiles on your faces when recalling your time in New Zealand! Have a great homeward journey, farewell and hope to see you again soon in Aotearoa, New Zealand. 

Meals: Breakfast

Itinerary Variations:
The provider strives to improve trip itineraries. If improvements can be made, or if circumstances beyond their control make changes necessary, the provider reserves the right to vary itineraries and to make substitutions.