Your holiday itinerary (ex Perth, Western Australia)

Day 1. Perth to Auckland (Inflight)
Your courtesy home collection will transfer you to Perth Airport for your overnight flight to Auckland. Overnight: Inflight

Day 2. Auckland (D)
On arrival into Auckland, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel for immediate check-in. This evening, enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
Overnight: SkyCity Hotel, Auckland

Day 3. Auckland to Bay of Islands (BD)
Awaken with a city tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, before travelling to Matakohe where we will experience an informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Immerse in a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the iconic location of the signing of the treaty between the Mãori tribes and the British. Spend your evening surrounded by lush tropics in the Bay of Islands.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel, Bay of Islands

Day 4.Bay of Islands (Free Day) (B)
Today is yours to spend at your leisure. Choose from many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or soar along a spectacular scenic flight. In the evening, you have the option of an amazing dinner cruise or a relaxing evening of your own retreat.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel, Bay of Islands

Day 5. Bay of Islands to Auckland (B)
This morning, cruise through the picturesque Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Upon return to Paihia, travel south via Whangarei, before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the many eateries surrounding your hotel.
Overnight: SkyCity Hotel, Auckland

Day 6. Auckland to Rotorua (BD)
This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15-kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train including a delightful morning tea. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua renowned for its geothermal activity and Māori culture.
Overnight: Pullman Rotorua (City View Room), Rotorua

Day 7. Rotorua (BD)
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the bubbling mud pools and exhilarating geysers shooting hot water and steam into the air, that Rotorua is famous for. This evening, settle into an immersive culture night of entertainment with a local Mãori Hãngi and concert.
Overnight: Pullman Rotorua (City View Room), Rotorua

Day 8. Rotorua to Wellington (BD)
Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and then continue to the south-western top of the North Island to Wellington.
Overnight: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room), Wellington

Day 9. Wellington (B)
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting-edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Next, board your coach for an extensive city tour. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon and this evening you are free to explore Wellington’s lively food scene.
Overnight: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room), Wellington

Day 10. Wellington to Christchurch (BD)
This morning board the Interislander Ferry where you can relax in comfort in the Queen Charlotte Lounge. Enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Ranges. Meet your coach in the fishing village of Kaikōura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch.
Overnight: Distinction Hotel, Christchurch

Day 11. Christchurch (B)
Visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by a city tour of luscious Christchurch. This afternoon board the Christchurch Tram at your leisure and continue exploring all Christchurch has on offer through to the evening.
Overnight: Distinction Hotel, Christchurch

Day 12. Christchurch to Franz Josef (BD)
This morning be blown away by the TranzAlpine, 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 located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before arriving at the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing), Franz Josef

Day 13. Franz Josef to Queenstown (B)
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving to the ultimate adventure town of Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening you are free to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Overnight: Millennium Hotel Queenstown, Queenstown

Day 14. Queenstown (FREE DAY) (BD)– Good Friday
Today you are free to explore Queenstown, your Coach Captain and Tour Leader will assist you with selecting from the many optional activities available. We’ll regroup this evening to board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour before we reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to your hotel.
Overnight: Millennium Hotel Queenstown, Queenstown

Day 15. Queenstown to Milford Sound Overnight Cruise (BD)
This morning travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via Te Anau to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner for your amazing overnight cruise. There is plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife - you’re bound to encounter seals and if you’re lucky some dolphins and penguins. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared by your onboard chef.
Overnight: Milford Mariner

Day 16. Milford Sound to Te Anau (BD) – Easter Sunday
Happy Easter Sunday! Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to explore more of the fiord. Return to the wharf to meet your coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional). Overnight: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau (Deluxe Room), Te Anau

Day 17. Te Anau to Dunedin (BD) – Easter Monday
Enjoy your Easter Monday and travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. This afternoon enjoy a tour of Olveston Historic Home, beautifully preserved merchant’s home from the turn of the century containing a wealth of precious treasures of a bygone era.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin

Day 18. Dunedin (B)
This morning travelling along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for a city tour followed by some free time for optional activities. This evening is also free to dine at leisure.
Overnight: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin

Day 19. Dunedin to Christchurch (BD)
Today travel to the small town of Oamaru, famous for its limestone architecture before continuing to Christchurch. This evening, enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.
Overnight: Distinction Christchurch Hotel, Christchurch

Day 20. Christchurch to Perth (B, Inflight)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flights home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. On arrival back into Perth we will see you safely home.
Itinerary is subject to change.

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Please note: this tour is hosted by Villa’s New Zealand touring partner. GPT has compiled the content of all tour itineraries based on the knowledge that all accommodation and attraction suppliers will be operational within the relevant touring season. If for any reason a component of a tour is no longer available at the time of touring, a replacement or refund will be provided. Any refund amount is based on GPT’s negotiated pricing and not retail prices.