Festive Journey Through New Zealand - 17 Days

On arrival in Christchurch, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your tour leader and fellow travellers before dinner.

Please note: For arrivals later than 8.00pm, dinner is not included.

This morning we visit the International Antarctic Centre for an interactive and informative insight into life in Antarctica. Afterwards, enjoy a city tour of Christchurch, discovering its history and culture.

Later, take a leisurely ride on the Christchurch Tram. This evening is free for you to explore the city’s dining scene at your own pace.

After an introductory city sights tour, we depart Christchurch and travel across the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See its striking turquoise waters, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue.

Continue through spectacular mountain scenery, including views of Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. There is also an opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the Southern Alps, weather permitting, before we continue to Twizel.

Depart Twizel and view Lake Benmore before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, a town known for its impressive limestone buildings. Continue south to Dunedin, where we enjoy a city sights tour followed by free time.

This morning we travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, where a guided tour reveals its tragic and scandalous past. Enjoy a Devonshire Tea and time to explore the gardens, recognised as a Garden of International Significance.

We then farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland. This evening, you may wish to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves on an optional excursion.

Depart Te Anau for a memorable drive to Milford Sound. Here we board our launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord, with views of Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak. Lunch is served on board.

This afternoon we continue to Queenstown, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, where we stay for the next two nights in this popular alpine resort.

Merry Christmas! Today we board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy a festive Christmas lunch featuring the best of New Zealand’s high-country cuisine at the Colonel’s Homestead.

Later, reboard the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a sing-along with the onboard pianist as we cruise back to Queenstown. This evening is free for you to dine at leisure.

Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. We then continue via Haast Pass to the dramatic West Coast, a region of remarkable natural beauty. As we travel north, admire views of the snow-capped Southern Alps before arriving in Franz Josef. There is time to take an optional scenic flight over the glaciers, weather permitting.

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory before continuing to Arthur’s Pass. Here we board the TranzAlpine, widely regarded as one of the world’s great train journeys. Travel through rivers, valleys, the Waimakariri Basin, towering viaducts and the patchwork farmland of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival in Christchurch, our coach will be waiting to transfer us to the hotel.

Travel north along the east coast to the seaside town of Kaikoura. Enjoy the changing scenery as we continue through Marlborough, a region renowned for its food and wine. In Picton, board the Interislander Ferry for a scenic sailing through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington.

This morning, spend time exploring Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Using cutting-edge technology, the exhibition brings to life the stories of New Zealanders caught up in extraordinary wartime events.

We then rejoin our coach for an extensive city tour highlighting Wellington’s history and culture. The afternoon and evening are free for you to enjoy at leisure.

Depart Wellington and travel north, with views of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro. Continue to Lake Taupo and visit the spectacular Huka Falls, then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s best-known geothermal regions.

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride. We then visit the Agrodome for an entertaining and informative insight into New Zealand farming life.

Later, visit Te Puia to see the bubbling mud pools and powerful geysers Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before tonight’s Maori Hangi and Concert as we celebrate New Year’s Eve.

Happy New Year! This morning we depart Rotorua and travel north via Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. On arrival, enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between Maori chiefs and the British Crown.

Today we cruise through the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse overlooks Piercy Island, better known as the Hole in the Rock. Keep watch for dolphins and other marine life along the way before returning to Paihia for a free afternoon.

Optional activities are available, or you may prefer to relax by the waterfront. This evening is also free, and you may choose to join an optional dinner cruise.

Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei to Matakohe. Visit the Kauri Museum and enjoy an informative talk before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening, enjoy a pre-dinner drink before our farewell dinner, a chance to reflect on the journey and memories shared.

Your New Zealand holiday comes to an end today. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable festive season tour.

Please note: if departing the hotel before the restaurant opens, breakfast is not included.