NEW YEAR SALE: Solo traveller savings on this grand 16-day tour of New Zealand (Nov 2021 & Feb 2022)

DAY 1: ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH (SD)

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

• Stay: Quality Hotel Elms
• Included Meals: Specialty Dinner

DAY 2: CHRISTCHURCH - OMARAMA (B,D)

After an introductory city sights tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, The Church of the Good Shepherd and 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
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 3: OMARAMA - DUNEDIN (B,SD)

Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time. Tonight, a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift.

• Stay: Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge.
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

DAY 4: DUNEDIN - TE ANAU (B,D)

This morning travel out 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. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

• Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Room)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5: TE ANAU - MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN (B,L)

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, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

• Stay:Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront (2 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 6: QUEENSTOWN (FREE DAY) (B,SD)

Today is a free day to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader are available to assist with the many optional activities available, including 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

DAY 7: QUEENSTOWN - ARROWTOWN - FOX GLACIER (B,D)

Travel to Arrowtown 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 north to the township of Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers.

• Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier or similar
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 8: FOX GLACIER - ARTHUR’S PASS - CHRISTCHURCH (B,D)

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into 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 coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

• Stay: Quality Hotel Elms
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9: CHRISTCHURCH - PICTON - WELLINGTON (B,D)

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikōura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.

• Stay: Ibis Wellington (2 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 10: 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. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.

• Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11: WELLINGTON - TAUPO - ROTORUA (B,D)

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)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12: ROTORUA (B,SD)

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon. This evening experience an entertaining Mãori Hãngi and Concert.

• Included Meals: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

DAY 13: ROTORUA - AUCKLAND - BAY OF ISLANDS (B,D)

This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland. Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy an introduction to the Bay of Islands, location of the signing of the treaty between the Mãori tribes and the British.

• Stay: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (2 nights)
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 14: BAY OF ISLANDS (B)

Today you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Return to Paihia for a free afternoon, where a range of optional activities are available or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront. This evening is also free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

• Included Meals: Breakfast

DAY 15: BAY OF ISLANDS - AUCKLAND (B,D)

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 enjoy a final dinner with your new found friends.

• Stay: Rydges Auckland
• Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 16: DEPART AUCKLAND (B)

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.

• Tour commences in Christchurch - 06 Nov 2021 and 21 Feb 2022
• Tour ends in Auckland - 21 Nov 2021 and 08 Mar 2022

Book by Fri 15 Jan 2021 and RECEIVE AN EXCLUSIVE TOUR DISCOUNT!:

• Twin share with another SOLO traveller - was from $5399 per person / NOW FROM $5249 per person**
• Sole use - was from $7009 / NOW FROM$6859 per person

You'll also receive a BONUS Touring Jacket

** Option to share a room (same gender) and save $1610

Call our local travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure your seat on this tour!

Your 3.5 star accommodation on this tour includes:

• Quality Hotel Elms, Christchurch
• Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama
• Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge, Dunedin
• Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau
• Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront, Queenstown (2 nights)
• Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier or similar, Fox Glacier
• Ibis Wellington (2 nights)
• Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (2 nights)
• Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge, Bay of Islands (2 nights)
• Rydges Auckland

NZeTA - New Zealand Immigration Visa Changes:
From 01 October 2019 the New Zealand Government is introducing a new travel requirement for some visitors and transit passengers. It is called the NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) and travellers need to request this via the official mobile app or website. Costs apply. For further details and to check if you are required to obtain an NZeTA refer to immigration.govt.nz/nzeta 

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.

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 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.

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 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.