New Zealand: Fully Escorted Tour + Classic Fighters Airshow Experience (31 Mar 2023)

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

DAY 1: Arrive Auckland

On arrival into Auckland, you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.

• Hotel Rydges Auckland (2 nights)
• Included Meals: Dinner

DAY 2: Auckland Sightseeing

This morning visit the Auckland War Memorial Museum for a guided tour, where you will hear how warfare played a major role in shaping New Zealand’s identity. The display here is extensive and includes a Spitfire and Japanese Zero. This is followed by a city sights tour which includes the Auckland Domain, Parnell Rose Garden and Bastion Point. This afternoon visit the aviation display hall at the Museum of Transport and Technology. The impressive collection includes the only Solent Mark IV Flying Boat left in the world, a rare World War II era Avro Lancaster Bomber as well as the de Havilland Mosquito and the modern Skyhawk and Aermacchi.

• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 3: Auckland - Rotorua

This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15-kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train. Visit the restoration workshop and on return to Glenbrook Station, morning tea will be served. Continue through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for lunch followed by an experience of the real Middle-earth with a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set. A guide will escort you through the ten-acre site recounting fascinating details of how the set was created. Continue to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.

• Hotel Distinction Rotorua (Deluxe Room. 2 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 4: Rotorua

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. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Mãori Hãngi and Concert.

• Included Meals: Breakfast & Speciality Dinner

DAY 5: Rotorua - Napier

Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier known as ‘The Art Deco Capital’, where a city tour will showcase an impressive collection of art deco buildings. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the city, you might choose to do a guided walk (optional).

• Hotel Scenic Hotel Te Pania 
• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 6: Napier – Wellington

Travel south this morning into Wellington for a city tour of the nation’s capital which will highlight the history and culture on show here.

• Hotel James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room)
• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 7: Wellington – Picton – Blenheim

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. This afternoon board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton where you board your coach for the short journey to Blenheim.

• Hotel Scenic Hotel Marlborough (4 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 8: Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow

Today you have the choice of either a free day in Blenheim or travelling to the site for the opening day of the Airshow. No flying will occur today, however some practice will be happening overhead. On the ground check out the static displays which include classic cars and military vehicles. Why not use your pass to visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, which houses the exhibition entitled ‘Knights of the Sky’.

• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 9: Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow

Over the next two days the Omaka Airport will become your home as you are entertained by the world’s best display pilots flying aircraft overhead. Your ticket will gain you access to the Gold Pass Enclosure. Enjoy the ultimate in Airshow luxury as you will be situated on the flight line with grandstand seating where you will watch the show from the best seats in the house. This evening is free to dine at leisure.

• Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10: Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow

On the final day of the Airshow you will see a vast array of display aircraft, extraordinary flying acts with famous military fighter aircraft spanning 100 years through to the jets of today. The show culminates in a huge mock air battle complete with pyrotechnics.

• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 11: Blenheim - Christchurch

Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine, then travel to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Continue south to the Garden City of Christchurch and visit the Air Force Museum of New Zealand where a ‘behind the scenes’ tour showcases the restoration projects in action and provides the rare opportunity to walk through the Bristol Freighter and Andover. This evening is free to dine at leisure.

• Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel (2 nights).
• Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 12: Christchurch

Today visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by a city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram, one of the leading attractions in Christchurch. This evening enjoy dinner with your newfound friends.

• Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner

DAY 13: Depart Christchurch

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

• Included Meals: Breakfast

One Departure Only - 31 March 2023

Land only prices from:

• Twin share normally $5,399 pp — Book through Travel at 60 for an exclusive discount to $5,149 pp twin share
• Single travel normally $6,849 pp — Book through Travel at 60 for an exclusive discount to $6,599 solo

Call our Australian based travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure your seat today and we can assist with flights!

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

During your tour, you'll stay at the following properties:

• Rydges Auckland (2 nights)
• Distinction Rotorua (Deluxe Room. 2 nights)
• Scenic Hotel Te Pania 
• James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room)
• Scenic Hotel Marlborough (4 nights)
• Distinction Christchurch Hotel (2 nights).

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 ofMay 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 ofNew 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 Spring (Sep to Nov). They could vary by up to 4-6 degrees.

• Auckland 11 - 18
• Rotorua 07 - 17
• Wellington 09 - 15

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 organise 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.

LUGGAGE LIMITS

Each traveller is entitled to travel with ONE suitcase on tour measuring (length + width + depth) no more than 150cm (59”). The maximum suitcase weight allowed is 23kg (50lbs).

ROLE OF YOUR COACH CAPTAIN

Your Coach Captain is responsible for driving and maintaining the coach and for providing commentary throughout the tour. They are responsible for your wellbeing 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.