Celebrate the New Year in New Zealand (Small group tour from Wellington to Christchurch)

Please note the following itinerary is subject to change without notice.

30 Dec 2022: ARRIVE WELLINGTON

On arrival into Wellington you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

• Stay: InterContinental Wellington (Deluxe Room. 2 nights)
• Included Meals: Dinner

31 Dec 2022: WELLINGTON - NEW YEAR’S EVE

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. Reboard your Ultimate coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. This afternoon is free before preparing to see in the New Year with your fellow travellers.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

01 Jan 2022: WELLINGTON - PICTON - BLENHEIM

This morning board the Interislander Ferry and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your Ultimate Coach for the short journey to Blenheim. This afternoon you will be treated to a unique wine and cheese tasting experience, set amongst the wine barrels at Cloudy Bay Estate, one of the original wine makers in the Marlborough region.

• Stay: Hotel Marlborough Vintners Hotel
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

02 Jan 2022: BLENHEIM – CHRISTCHURCH

Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine then travel to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Continue into the garden city of Christchurch for an introductory city sights tour. This evening is free to dine at leisure.

• Stay: Hotel Sudima Christchurch City
• Included Meals: Breakfast

03 Jan 2022: CHRISTCHURCH - DUNEDIN

Depart Christchurch and travel south through Oamaru, famous for its limestone. In Dunedin enjoy a city tour followed by some free time. You might be interested in a tour of the Speight’s Brewery (optional) or the chance to see local wildlife in their natural habitat (optional).

• Stay: Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

04 Jan 2022: DUNEDIN - TE ANAU

This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

• Stay: Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

05 Jan 2022: TE ANAU - MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a nature 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 at leisure, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

• Stay: Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

06 Jan 2022: QUEENSTOWN (FREE DAY)

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening 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 then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

07 Jan 2022: QUEENSTOWN - FRANZ JOSEF

Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Continue to Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel.

• Stay: Te Waonui Forest Retreat
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

08 Jan 2022: FRANZ JOSEF - ARTHUR’S PASS - CHRISTCHURCH

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new friends.

• Stay: Hotel Sudima Christchurch City
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

09 Jan 2022: DEPART CHRISTCHURCH

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

• Included Meals: Breakfast

Please note prices are subject to availability at time of booking and may change without notice.

One Departure Only - 30 December 2022

• Twin Room from $6,119 per person
• Single Traveller from $8,059 per person

Call our friendly Aussie travel team on 1300 414 198 to learn more or book your preferred departure.

Accommodation includes:

• InterContinental Wellington (Deluxe Room 2 nights)
• Marlborough Vintners Hotel, Blenheim
• Sudima Christchurch City
• Distinction Dunedin Hotel
• Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
• Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
• Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef

PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTS
All visitors require a passport to enter New Zealand. Your passport must be valid for at least three months past the date that you intend to leave New Zealand. For Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport, you do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand. Visitors from visa-waiver countries must request an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) prior to travelling to New Zealand. For visitors from non-visa waiver countries, it is recommended you visit customs.govt.nz for full entry requirements.

CLOTHING

Whilst on tour, dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants. The seasons are more pronounced and the weather is more changeable. In summer, a jacket and sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting during the months of May and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing. You may have the option to relax and unwind in thermal hot pools so don’t forget to pack your swimwear.

MONEY MATTERS

New Zealand’s unit of currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). All major international credit cards are accepted and provided they are encoded with a PIN, may be used to obtain cash from Automatic Teller Machines throughout New Zealand. Check with your bank whether this facility is available to you. It is highly recommended you obtain a small amount of New Zealand currency prior to your arrival in New Zealand. Cash Passports or Travel Money Cards are popular and are a safe and convenient way to allow you to access cash at Automatic Teller Machines throughout New Zealand.

WEATHER

These are average minimum/maximum temperatures in Celsius only during Summer (Dec to Feb). They could vary by up to 4-6 degrees.

• Auckland 12 - 24
• Rotorua 12 - 24
• Wellington 13 - 20
• Christchurch 12 - 22
• Queenstown 10 - 22

TIPPING

New Zealanders do not depend on tips for their income, however tipping in appreciation for extra-special service is at the discretion of the individual traveller. Some tours may organize an envelope to be circulated for a group presentation to the Coach Captain and/or Tour Guide but any contribution is based on individual appreciation and is not mandatory.

INCIDENTALS

We suggest you allow a minimum of NZ $40 - $50 per day per person for incidental cash expenses such as lunch, morning and afternoon tea.

ROLE OF YOUR COACH CAPTAIN & TOUR GUIDE

Your Coach Captain is responsible for driving and maintaining the coach and for providing commentary throughout the tour. Your Tour Guide is responsible for your well-being and for co-ordinating all the accommodation and activities. It is important whilst travelling on tour that you follow all Crew instructions.

COACH SEAT ROTATION

For the enjoyment of all travellers a daily seat rotation operates which all travellers must participate in as a condition of booking. The coach seat plan is displayed on the coach for your reference.