Tour Type: Low Cost Escorted Tour
Duration: 16 Days
Tour Starts In: Christchurch
Tour Finishes In: Auckland
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from NZ $3949 pp
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16 Day Highlights of New Zealand Tour Touring Route:
Attractions Included:
Touring Included:
- Luxury coach travel with 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
- Professional Coach Captain
- Personalised Meet & Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- 15 nights 3.0 - 3.5 star accommodation
- Four 2 night stays
- Hotel Porterage
- 4 Scenic Cruises
- All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
Bon Appétit!
- 15 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast at Cableway Restaurant - Rotorua
- 13 sumptuous dinners including 3 specialty dinners: Maori Hangi & Concert - Rotorua, Haggis Ceremony - Dunedin, Walter Peak Homestead - Queenstown, Farewell Dinner - Auckland
- 1 picnic lunch
- 1 delicious morning tea
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Day
1 |
Arrive Christchurch
Fly from your homeport to Christchurch where you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel (flight not included). Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold (D) |
Day
2 |
Christchurch - Omarama
After a city tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama. Stay: Heritage Gateway Hotel (B/D) |
Day
3 |
Omarama - Dunedin
Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin, a well preserved Victorian city. Enjoy an informative city tour including a visit to Olveston House, a prestigious historic home. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift. Stay: Mercure Leisure Lodge (B/D) |
Day
4 |
Dunedin - Te Anau
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Visit Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens and view the superb collection of flowers, followed by a delightful morning tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, your overnight stay. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Rooms) (B/D) |
Day
5 |
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. Stay: Mercure Queenstwon Resort (2 nights) (B/L) |
Day
6 |
Queenstown at leisure
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain is available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, whether it be the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or the helicopter ride of a lifetime. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax as you are treated to the best of New Zealand’s high country cuisine in 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. (B/D) |
Day
7 |
Queenstown - Arrowtown - Fox Glacier
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel to Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers. Stay: Heartland Hotel Glacier Country (B/D) |
Day
8 |
Fox Glacier - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board The TranzAlpine, one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin and across the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch at approx 6:30pm. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold or Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport (B/D) |
Day
9 |
Christchurch - Picton - Wellington
Travel along the East Coast to the fishing village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington. Stay: Ibis Wellington (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
10 |
Wellington
Today explore this exciting region and enjoy an extensive city tour which explains the history and culture on show in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. A highlight will be a guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views of the land, environment and people. Enjoy some free time to explore at leisure late this afternoon. This evening is also free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. (B) |
Day
11 |
Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua
Depart Wellington and view the snow capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls, then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Stay: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
12 |
Rotorua
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Cableway Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Next visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout. Some free time is available before an afternoon transfer to see the boiling mud pools and the awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening you will experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert. (B/D) |
Day
13 |
Rotorua - Auckland - Bay of Islands
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British. Stay:Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (2 nights) (B/D) |
Day
14 |
Bay of Islands
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Stopover at Otehei Bay before returning via Russell to Paihia for a free afternoon. A range of optional activities are available or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. (B/D) |
Day
15 |
Bay of Islands - Auckland
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening you will be treated to a special farewell dinner including musical entertainment with your new friends. Stay: Copthorne Hotel Auckland City (B/D) |
Day
16 |
Depart Auckland
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
(B) |
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Click on the icon to download the 16 Day Highlights of New Zealand Tour tour in pdf format. |
from NZ $3,949
16 Day Highlights of New Zealand Tour
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16 Day Highlights of New Zealand Tour Reviews
Tour reviews from past clients of Relaxing Journeys for the 16 Day Highlights of New Zealand Tour. |
We thoroughly enjoyed our trip. Everything was very well organised and the drivers very helpful and informative. The food was great and we stacked on some kilos unfortunately. Thanks to Kirby for her efficiency in arranging the tour for me.
Barbara Clifford & Ann Townsend (Australia)
Tour Date 21/11/2011 |
We are really glad that we chose this tour of NZ. Everything about it was up to are hopes and we thought that Grand Pac were terific. Super coach & drivers , good hotels, good food , and all the arrangements went smoothly & were well planned. The hotels in Wellington & Auckland were not quite so good & the farewell dinner on the last night was poor. Some of the stops along the tour were unnecessary, whilst others were not long enough. Generally it was pretty good. All in all we thought we had good value for money and would recommend it to our friends. Thanks for your help in the arrangments Kirby.
David & Andrew Meadows (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 08/11/2011 |
David and I thoroughly enjoyed our Grand Pacific tour of New Zealand. Only problem was it went too fast. We certainly couldn't complain about the comfort of the coaches or accommodation and the food was delicious. Our two coach drivers were excellent and we felt very safe and that's saying something particularly on the moutainous and winding roads. We were really well looked after and fortunate in that our group was fairly small, we could spread out on the coach and got to know each other and mix well with everyone. We all got on very well and looked out for each other. There we no laggers in fact we were so well organised, we were all early rather than late when leaving. The closeness of the group was certainly a very important factor in the enjoyment of the tour. We were very lucky to have such lovely people along with us. November was an excellent time of year to be visiting New Zealand. There was still snow on the mountains and everything was so green and fresh. New Zealand is such a pretty country and also clean. The tour was very well organised. We have no complaints.
Trish & David Shuttleworth (Australia)
Tour Date 05/11/2011 |
Well, we are back from dreamworld to reality. We all enjoyed the tour thoroughly. Grand Pacific performed meticulous planning and service throughout our tour. We've already conveyed our feelings to our friends and relatives who look forward to visiting New Zealand and Australia. It was really a different experience. Only thing of concern - vegetarian food. There were not many options for vegetarians, so travellers from India may find it difficult. Otherwise for those who can adapt their taste buds, this tour is superb. Our coach captain Ross was also superb.
Bharati Kamat (India)
Tour Date 16/10/2011 |
The tour was wonderful. New Zealand is the most beautiful place I have ever been. Our driver was great and it was nice to have him for both parts of our trip. The food was good and my only complaint was too many roast buffets. Overall I would give the tour a 10/10.
Maren Kenvil (Australia)
Tour Date 01/04/2011 |
I had the most wonderful time on the 16 day tour of South and North Islands. I would certainly reccommend it to any of my friends and family. Thankyou for the wonderful organisation of it all.
Anthea Moroney & Nancy Bradburn (Thailand)
Tour Date 08/03/2011 |
My husband & I, together with my brother & sister in law (from New South Wales) and two friends from Melbourne, decided to do the tour together, we joined the rest of the group in Christchurch. We had the best tour ever, well planned, the food was lovely. Craig, our driver/guide, on the South Island, did a great job keeping us informed of all places of interest we went to and during the journey as well. In the North Island, we met Eric, our driver/guide, who did an excellent job as well. The only disappointment was at the Ibis Hotel in Wellington which did not compare to any other hotels we stayed. We did inform the Manager at the Farewell dinner, otherwise we had a great time and will recommend the tour to our friends and relatives.
Desiree Luquet (Australia)
Tour Date 18/01/2011 |
We had a great holiday and would recommend this to others as every detail was well organised so you can simply relax, sit back and enjoy. We thought the optional tours offered a good variety and we particularly liked the way there was no pressure on us to partake these if we didn't want to. The Hotel at Fox Glacier was the only Hotel that wasn't really up to the standard we expected, both in accommodation and the food we chose. The staff were very nice however. It would have been good if the coach had taken us to the specific viewing point for Mount Cook as up to that point the weather prevented us from actually seeing Mount Cook - I was able to walk to the viewing point but it was quite a way - some people of course took the helicopter excursion but many did not ever get to see Mount Cook. We were so lucky in that everybody on our tour was so friendly and the coach drivers, particularly Craig in the South Island were wonderful. An absolutely brilliant experience thank you.
Hilary & Richard Wilder (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 16/10/2010 |
The tour was absolutely terrifc. My friend and I were the only relatively young ones (we are in our early 30s) but the comradery and good nature of everyone on board was fantastic. The tour itself was all that we could ask for - it went to all the places we had wanted to see on both islands and the planned activities were unbelievable. The tour-guide/coach drivers were very informative and very approachable. Both of them (North and South Island) went out of their way to organise optional extra activities for us and often had a laugh with us over meals. It was also very well organised - the timings and day-plans were comfortable and we never felt that we were rushing from one place to another, at all. I also appreciated that all our bags were shuffled to our rooms each day, on our behalf. I would say confidently that there is nothing I could complain about, except that I wished I could have stayed longer.
Adam Bertram & Kevin Chan (Australia)
Tour Date 25/04/2010 |
I have been meaning to drop you a line just to let you know the tour was fantastic. We had a great time and had a really great bunch of people. People we have been in touch with since our return and people we will remain friends with for life. Everything ran very smoothly - all very professional but at the same time personal. New Zealand was beautiful beyond our expectations. The people were friendly and always willing to help. We would definately recommend this tour. We would love to do it again one day. The Coach drivers were so knowledgeable and really nice people. Everything about the trip was great. Plenty of good food, great wine and great company, with breathtaking scenery. How could a person not enjoy themselves!!
Kerry & Darryl Cox (Australia)
Tour Date 08/03/2010 |
Really enjoyed this trip and found it excellent value for money. Extremely well organised from the moment we arrived very jet-lagged at Christchurch! The hotels varied but were all at least adequate overall and very good in at least one aspect (either food or rooms or service). The coach captains, Warren and Cole (one for South Island and one for north) were both very good, though totally different in their approach to the job. The other passengers were almost entirely Australian, which added another aspect to the trip, as we had two new cultures to take on rather than just one! But we got on very well, making lots of new friends. The number (and quality) of meals, the amount of included activities and discounts on other options for free days set this well ahead of other trips we considered in terms of value and we loved most of the options, particularly the Rotorua Gondola breakfast trip with luge ride, the houses and gardens in Dunedin, Mount Cook, Fox Glacier, Milford Sound, Hole in the Rock boat trip and, particularly, the Maori cultural experience, thermal activity, concert and hangi in Rotorua. We were very lucky with the weather, with fantastic visibility on days where it was important. The only thing we would have liked to see more of was wildlife, and were disappointed that the unique albatross and yellow-eyed penguin colonies were not offered, even as an optional, when we were very close by at Dunedin. Very tiring trip with lots of long journeys and early starts, but we loved it and would do it again if NZ weren't so far away! Even so we might consider it for the future and would certainly use your services and those of Grand Pacific again. Thank you. (RJ - These comments have been edited for length).
Moira & John Fenn (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 18/01/2010 |
Thank you so much for the ease in booking this tour. I admit to some apprehension in booking online with a company that I had not heard of before. I did some research on the travel websites and any time that Relaxing Journeys was mentioned it was in a positive light. So I took the chance and now that I have had a great tour in New Zealand I am so glad I did. Craig was my point of contact and any questions I had he replied promptly making my experience in booking so much more pleasant. It was good to know that someone was available to contact should I have any problems (which I didn't). As for the tour itself, it was perfect. New Zealand is a beautiful country, and I liked that the driver/tour captains on both islands where local and had a first hand knowledge of the country. Dennis and Rob made the trip the best so much more enjoyable. Thank you Relaxing Journeys and Grand Pacific Tours. If I am lucky enough to get to New Zealand again in the future I will have no hesitation in using you again.
Carolynn Woods (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 12/11/2009 |
We had a fantastic time. Apart from the initial pick up at Christchurch when no one was there to meet us! Our driver was Daryl who was a fountain of knowledge and made our South Island part of the tour exceptional. The hotel in Christchurch was a bit drab, the food good the staff friendly but the manager was quite rude. All the hotels were clean and comfortable, some with slightly more facilities than others but for the short time we were there it didn't matter. The food was great and the scenery was great. We also took a few optional excursions in the South Island. Skippers Canyon was well worth seeing, helicoptor and landing on one of the glaciers was great and the Haast River boat ride was great and we would recommend any of these. Lance the North Island driver was very pleasant but we had been spoilt by Daryl. We would have liked more information. Our time in the North Island was more relaxed which was nice as we were quite exausted by the South Island. Our time there was very good.The hotels there were all good and the food good. All in all the whole trip was wonderful and the only thing we would change would be an extra day in Queenstown because there was so much to see and do there. Last but not least were our fellow pasangers, 24 Australians who made our trip the best, we all got on so well and had such a laugh. Just a quick word about the coach itself. Comfortable and because there were only 26 of us very roomy. I would definitely reccommend this trip to anyone and would like to thank you for everything running smoothly.
Graham & Jacque Nash (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 03/11/2009 |
I would like to say that the tour was very well organised and planned, right from the beginning when I emailed for information about the tours. Craig Harris was very helpful and we always got a quick response (even with the time difference) and all questions were answered. The tour was very good value and we saw some wonderful sights. I would also like to say that the bus driver we had Michael Andrews was wonderful, he really knew his stuff and was always cheerful thanks for a wonderful holiday.
Lissa & Robert Jones (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 23/02/2009 |
Wonderful trip, which started with the care and efficiency of Relaxing Journeys staff. Grand Pacific were an excellent company to travel with, highly organized, great drivers and great value for money. I have never been on a coach tour and would not hesitate to use them (or yourselves) again. From the minute we arrived in Christchurch till the minute we flew out of Auckland our every need was taken care of, and both coach captains really added to the whole flavour of the trip. Nothing was too much trouble for them. One thing in particular I would like to praise was the quality of our (included ) excursions. Very varied, all high quality, and every one carefully thought out and particularly well organized. Downsides were very few, but two hotels were not to be recommended and certainly not of the standard of the others. The Elms hotel in Christchurch could be classed as OK but the Tanoa Paihia in Paihia had nothing to commend it all. I'm sure most of our group would have left the coach company in no doubt about how we felt about it. In no way did it detract from a superb holiday, and though I probably wont be back in New Zealand again, I have such good and happy memories of the time I was there. I also thank you and Relaxing journeys for the way everything was put together for us and have been singing your praises far and wide. There was another couple on the trip who had booked through you and they were as highly delighted as we were, so thank you very much indeed for your part in making my holiday so special.
Joyce Buchanan & May McLaughlan (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 25/01/2009 |
Apologies for not getting back sooner, but life has been pretty hectic since our return to the UK. We both thoroughly enjoyed the holiday. We thought it was very well organised. Both drivers were excellent. Very helpful and courteous and absolute encyclopaedias on their country. The variety of places we stayed, visited and activities offered were very good. The hotels on the whole were very good. We would have liked a hotel with slightly more space in Wellington, but realise this is not always possible if you are staying in a large city and the advantages of being in the middle of a large city have to be weighed up against this. Also we felt the hotel in Paihia did not come up to the standard offered on the rest of the tour. In fact the room we were given on arrival felt like we had been put in a prison cell, as it was very dark and we had to ask for a different room. The lounge was not particularly inviting and the dining area reminded us of a school canteen, complete with Formica tables. We were both so pleased with the holiday, that we would recommend your company to our family and friends and if we decide to take another holiday in the Southern Hemisphere your company will be our first port of call. We would also like to say how helpful Craig was to us with regards to booking and making the holiday arrangements. This as you can imagine is not so easy when you are living on the opposite side of the world!
Barry & Margaret Warren (United Kingdom)
Tour Date 25/01/2009 |
Tour Prices
All tour prices are per person, twin share. |
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EXCLUSIVE SPECIAL OFFER*
2012 Season Sale! Save $250 per person off the brochure price for this tour & receive a FREE night on us! Exclusive to Relaxing Journeys. Deposit this month to qualify
Valid for bookings made with Relaxing Journeys between 1 February 2012 and 29 February 2012
. Subject to availability at time of booking. |
Tour
Starts |
Tour
Finishes |
Tour
Status |
Brochure
Price |
OUR
SPECIAL |
OUR
PRICE |
| 02 Feb 2012 |
17 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 06 Feb 2012 |
21 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 09 Feb 2012 |
24 Feb 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 18 Feb 2012 |
04 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 24 Feb 2012 |
10 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 06 Mar 2012 |
21 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 09 Mar 2012 |
24 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 11 Mar 2012 |
26 Mar 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 17 Mar 2012 |
01 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 22 Mar 2012 |
06 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 27 Mar 2012 |
11 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 01 Apr 2012 |
16 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 04 Apr 2012 |
19 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 13 Apr 2012 |
28 Apr 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 16 Apr 2012 |
01 May 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 25 Apr 2012 |
10 May 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
| 04 May 2012 |
19 May 2012 |
G |
NZ $4199 |
Free Night & $250 |
NZ $3949 |
*Tour Status: 'G' Tours are guaranteed to depart.
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Tour Discounts & Supplements:
Optional extras & optional single traveller supplement |
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| Single Supplement: |
Add |
NZ $1,080 |
*Terms & Conditions apply to any discounts and/or specials above. Your designated tour consultant will apply the appropriate discounts automatically to your quote and detail any currently applicable 'Exclusive Specials'. |
Travel in Style Merchandise:
A range of stylish accessories that will complement your documentation pack. |
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Grand Pacific Tours offer a range of stylish accessories that will complement your documentation pack. These items offer great value for money and will be a memento of your New Zealand holdiay for many years to come. Order any of these items with Relaxing Journeys at the time of booking, as they are not available in New Zealand. Please ask when requesting a quote.
 Jacket $NZ 80, Vest $NZ 70 & Cap $NZ 35 (includes delivery). |
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