New Zealand Grand Discovery - 16 Days

On arrival in Christchurch, you are 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 for dinner.

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

After an introductory city sights tour, we leave Christchurch and travel across the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. Here, we see the brilliant turquoise waters, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue.

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

Leaving Twizel, we pass Lake Benmore and follow the Waitaki River to Oamaru, a town known for its distinctive limestone buildings. We then continue south to Dunedin for a city sights tour and some free time.

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

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

Today we travel through Fiordland to Milford Sound, where we board a cruise on this magnificent fiord. Take in highlights such as Bowen Falls and Mitre Peak while enjoying lunch on board.

Afterwards, we continue to Queenstown, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu. We stay here for the next two nights. This evening is free for you to dine at leisure.

Today is yours to enjoy Queenstown at your own pace. There are many optional activities to choose from, from jet boating 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 local produce. After dinner, there is time for a short farm tour before we cruise back to Queenstown, with a sing-along by the piano on board.

We travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum, which offers an insight into the region’s gold rush history. We then continue via Haast Pass to the dramatic West Coast, an area known for its wild beauty. Travelling north, we arrive in Franz Josef, with time available for an optional scenic flight over the glaciers, weather permitting.

This morning we travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. We then continue to Arthur’s Pass to board the TranzAlpine, regarded as one of the world’s great rail journeys. Sit back and enjoy the ever-changing scenery of rivers, valleys, viaducts and the Canterbury Plains. On arrival in Christchurch, our coach will be waiting to transfer us to the hotel.

We travel north along the east coast, passing through the seaside town of Kaikoura and the food and wine region of Marlborough. In Picton, we board the Interislander Ferry and cruise through the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to Wellington.

A highlight this morning is time at Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum, where we visit the powerful Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition. The exhibition uses remarkable detail and technology to tell the stories of New Zealanders caught up in the First World War.

Afterwards, we rejoin the coach for an extensive city tour showcasing Wellington’s history and culture. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore and dine as you choose.

Departing Wellington, we travel north with views of the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro. At Lake Taupo, we visit the impressive Huka Falls before continuing along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Rotorua, New Zealand’s geothermal heartland.

Today begins with a gondola ride to Skyline Rotorua, where we enjoy breakfast with a view. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride. We then visit the Agrodome for a fun and informative look at New Zealand farming life.

After some free time this afternoon, we head to Te Puia to see the bubbling mud pools and powerful geysers Rotorua is known for. This evening, we experience a traditional Maori Hangi and Concert.

This morning we travel north via Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. On arrival, we visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed between Maori chiefs and the British Crown - one of the most important sites in New Zealand’s history.

Today we cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse stands watch over Piercy Island, better known as the Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life along the way.

Back in Paihia, the afternoon is free for you to relax by the waterfront or choose from a range of optional activities. This evening is also free, with the option to join a relaxing dinner cruise.

This morning we leave the Bay of Islands and travel via Whangarei to Matakohe, where we visit the Kauri Museum and enjoy an informative talk on the significance of these mighty native trees.

We then continue to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening, enjoy a pre-dinner drink before our farewell dinner, as we reflect on the journey and the memories we have shared.

Our New Zealand holiday comes to an end today. You are transferred to the airport for your flight home.

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