Festive Journey Through New Zealand (Superior) - 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.

We travel south through Canterbury to Oamaru, a town known for its distinctive limestone architecture, before continuing to Dunedin.

Merry Christmas! Enjoy a relaxed start to the day before we explore Dunedin on a city tour, including a picnic lunch.

This afternoon we travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, New Zealand’s only castle. On our guided tour, we hear the tragic and scandalous stories behind its history. There is also time to wander through the gardens, recognised as a Garden of International Significance, before enjoying a special Christmas Dinner in the Grand Ballroom.

This morning we leave Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. The afternoon is at leisure, and you may wish to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves - optional.

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. This evening is free for you to dine at one of Queenstown’s many restaurants.

Today is free for you to enjoy Queenstown as you choose. Optional activities include everything from a thrilling jet boat ride to a heritage tour into scenic Skippers Canyon.

This evening we board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. At the Colonel’s Homestead, enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner featuring seasonal, fresh and locally sourced produce. After dinner there is a short farm tour before we reboard the TSS Earnslaw for the return cruise to Queenstown, complete with a sing-along around the piano.

We begin the day in Arrowtown, a charming former goldmining settlement, and visit the Lakes District Museum. From here we continue via Haast Pass to the West Coast, a region of dramatic natural beauty. Look out for the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as we travel north via Fox Glacier to Franz Josef.

There may also be time to take an optional scenic flight over the glaciers, weather permitting, before arriving at our hotel.

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 evening, enjoy a pre-dinner drink as we toast the New Year together.

Happy New Year! 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 to Skyline Rotorua, where we enjoy breakfast with sweeping views over the region. There is also time for an exhilarating luge ride. Next, we visit the Agrodome for a lively and entertaining look at New Zealand farming life.

The afternoon is free before we head to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and impressive geysers that make Rotorua famous. This evening, we enjoy a traditional Maori Hangi and Concert.

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.