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Rail journey · Grand Pacific Tours · 10 nights

Jingle all the way to New Zealand's South Island

From
$5,199 pp twin share
10 nights
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You have missed the boat

This holiday is no longer available — but we can help you find something else.

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Duration10 nights
OperatorGrand Pacific Tours
StyleRail journey
The festive season is one of the best times of year to visit the ‘land of the long white cloud'. Explore this beautiful land and celebrate Christmas with new friends in Queenstown

PREPAID ATTRACTIONS

  • Christchurch Tram
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • Lakes District Museum
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Larnach Castle* Guided Tour
  • City sights tour of Christchurch and Dunedin
Day by day

Itinerary

  1. 1

    21 December 2022: Arrive Christchurch

    On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.

    Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel or similar (2 nights) Included Meals: Dinner
  2. 2

    22 December 2022: Christchurch (Free Day)

    Today is a free day to explore Christchurch. Enjoy a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions.

    Included Meals: Breakfast
  3. 3

    23 December 2022: Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass - Franz Josef

    This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as 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 continuing to Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

    Hotel Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing) Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  4. 4

    24 December 2022: Franz Josef - Queenstown

    See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty. Continue to picturesque Queenstown, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort.

    Hotel Millennium Queenstown (2 nights) Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  5. 5

    25 December 2022: Queenstown - Christmas Day

    Merry Christmas! Today board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy a gourmet Christmas lunch and the best of NZ’s high-country cuisine in the Colonel’s Homestead. Reboard the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a sing along by the piano on your return cruise to Queenstown. This evening is free to dine at leisure.

    Included Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
  6. 6

    26 December 2022: Queenstown - Te Anau

    Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

    Hotel Distinction Luxmore Hotel (2 nights. Deluxe Room) Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  7. 7

    27 December 2022: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau

    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 onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).

    Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner


    28 December 2022: Te Anau - Dunedin

    Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800’s. Today Dunedin is New Zealand’s oldest university city. Enjoy a free afternoon at leisure.

    Hotel Scenic Hotel Southern Cross Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  8. 8

    29 December 2022: Dunedin - Mt Cook - Twizel

    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 this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone, then follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you continue to marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Travel to Twizel for your overnight stay.

    Hotel MacKenzie Country Hotel Included Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
  9. 9

    30 December 2022: Twizel - Christchurch

    Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water. You will also view the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue, iconic landmarks of the Mackenzie region. Arrive in the elegant city of Christchurch for a city tour. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

    Hotel Distinction Christchurch Hotel or similarIncluded Meals: Breakfast & Speciality Dinner
  10. 10

    31 December 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
What you get for the price

Inclusions & exclusions

What’s included

Your tour includes:

COACH FEATURES

  • 32 Premium Economy Comfort seats on a full-size coach
  • 2 door access; seat back tray table; cup holder
  • Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance

EXPERIENCE

  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Tour Leader
  • Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • 10 nights 4 star accommodation
  • 3 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 rail journey
  • 2 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Tours Programme
  • Classic Documentation Pack

MEALS

  • 10 cooked breakfasts
  • 8 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and specialty dinner: Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Christchurch
  • Christmas Day Lunch: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown
  • 1 picnic lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
  • 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
  • Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)

Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

Where you’ll stay

Accommodation

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

  • Distinction Christchurch Hotel (2 nights)
  • Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)
  • Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights)
  • Distinction Luxmore Hotel (2 nights. Deluxe Room)
  • Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
  • MacKenzie Country Hotel
From the operator

Common questions about this voyage

PASSPORT AND VISA REQUIREMENTSAll 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.
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.
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The fine print

Terms & conditions

Read the operator’s full booking conditions

Travel at 60 and supplier booking conditions apply.

Properties used in the tour is subject to change without notice.

COVID-19 DISCLAIMER*GPT has compiled the content of all tour itineraries based on the knowledge that all accommodation and attraction suppliers will be fully operational by September 2022. If for any reason the component of a tour is not 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. GUARANTEED DEPARTURES: GPT has been highly regarded for the promotion of ‘guaranteed departure dates’ for 25 years. In the current COVID-19 travel climate, circumstances beyond our control could still affect the running of individual tours, including border closures and their impact on required minimum numbers to operate. Tour information is subject to change at any time.

Travel at 60 Social Getaways

Travel further when you're not travelling alone

Our Social Getaways are small-group holidays designed especially for over-60s Australians who want the freedom of a great trip without the work of planning every detail. A Travel at 60 host travels with the group, the operator handles the logistics, and you get to focus on the bit that matters — the people, the places, and the stories you'll bring home.

Open to solo travellers too. Many of our travellers book on their own and find their feet quickly in a friendly group of like-minded Australians. Reduced single-supplement options are available on most departures — ask one of our consultants and we'll talk you through what's offered on this trip.

  • A friendly Travel at 60 host — an Australian face on the ground, looking out for the group from day one.
  • Curated local guides & boutique suppliers — the same operators we'd book for our own families.
  • Real itineraries, not whirlwind tours — comfortable transfers, breathing room, and the “off the beaten track” stops the big bus tours skip.

Want to talk it through? Call 1300 414 198 7 days a week, Queensland time, and one of our consultants will walk you through it.

— The team at Travel at 60

A Travel at 60 host with travellers on a Social Getaway
From (twin) $5,199 pp
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