Home > Tours > New Zealand Tours > South Island Tours > Classic Warbirds South Island

Classic Warbirds South Island

4.5/5 Based on 2 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Sold Out
 Trip Length
13 Days
 Trip Starts
Christchurch
 Trip Finishes
Christchurch
13 Day Classic Warbirds South Island Itinerary (Grand Pacific)
Countries Explored: New Zealand
Trip Style
Special Interest
Accommodation
4 Star
Max. Group Size
48
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
CGPW13

Overview

Read 2 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Grand Pacific's 13 Day Classic Warbirds South Island. Fully escorted tour of the majestic South Island featuring the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow including a 3 day Gold Pass incorporating exclusive marquee access and grandstand seating.

Itinerary

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. Tonight enjoy dinner at the hotel and meet your fellow travellers. Stay: Distinction Christchurch Hotel (D)

Depart Christchurch and travel to 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. Travel south to Oamaru, famous for it's Limestone before arriving into Dunedin for an informative city tour. Stay Two Nights: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross or similar (B/D)

This morning travel along the beautiful Otago Harbour viewing many scenic highlights. Arrive at 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 a delicious Devonshire Tea in the ballroom. Return to the city for time at leisure. This evening visit Speight’s Brewery, a Dunedin icon, for dinner at the Ale House Restaurant. (B/SD)

Today travel south through the Catlins. Enjoy a walk into Nugget Point and view the various wildlife before continuing to Purakaunui for a walk into the falls with time to relax and enjoy a picnic lunch.

Later continue to Invercargill, home of the legendary Burt Munro, Speed Bike Racer as depicted in the movie 'The World's Fastest Indian' to view some of his memorabilia. Stay: Ascot Park Hotel (B/L/D)

This morning visit the Bill Richardson Transport World for a tour of this amazing private collection. Housed in a purpose built Art Deco building, displays include vintage trucks, rare classic cars, petrol pumps as well as an ever growing showcase of Wearable Arts. Travel via Gore to Mandeville Airfield and visit one of the best Moth collections in the world. A guided tour will highlight the extensive restoration programme and fleet of aircraft on site, with the opportunity (time and weather permitting) to take a flight in one of the impressive aircraft (optional). Next continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Stay Two Nights: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau (Superior Rooms) (B/D)

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 lunch onboard. Return to Te Anau where some free time is available.

This evening you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). (B/L/D)

Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu.

This evening is free to dine at one of the many fine restaurants in town. Stay Four Nights: Mercure Queenstown Resort (Lake View Room) (B)

Today you have the choice of either a free day in Queenstown or travelling to Wanaka for the opening day of the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow. No flying will occur today, however there may be some practice happening overhead. On the ground check out the static displays which include classic cars and Warhorses (military vehicles), sport aircraft and aviation trade stands. This is also the opportunity to taste wine and food from the Central Otago region. (B/D)

Travel to Wanaka over the next two days where Wanaka 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 and a plush marquee where you can relax in comfort and watch the show from the best seats in the house. (B/D)

On the final day, all eyes will be in the air as you watch some of the world’s most iconic Warbird aircraft plus modern military machines, aerobatics, sport aircraft and so much more. The aerial action is backed by world-class pyrotechnics when the Airfield is defended by the fighters from an attack by enemy aircraft. The show culminates in a massed Fighter flypast, a sight not to be missed! (B/D)

Depart Queenstown and travel 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. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic helicopter flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers before continuing to Franz Josef. Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing) (B/D)

Travel to Hokitika, famous for its greenstone then continue to Arthur's Pass where you 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 to the elegant city of Christchurch.

This evening enjoy a special farewell dinner with your new found friends. Stay: Distinction Christchurch Hotel (B/SD)

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

Trip Inclusions

Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow
  • 3 Day Warbirds Over Wanaka Gold Pass
  • Grandstand seating
  • Exclusive marquee access with CCTV
  • Souvenir Gold Cap and Badge
  • Airshow Programme
  • Opportunity to walk the flightline
  • Complimentary drink voucher, tea, coffee and water throughout the Airshow
Even More Highlights
  • Air Force Museum of New Zealand
  • Larnach Castle
  • Burt Munro, World's Fastest Indian Memorabilia
  • Bill Richardson Transport World
  • Croydon Aircraft Company
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Lakes District Museum
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • City sights tour of Christchurch and Dunedin

  • Personalised Meet & Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • 48 seat modern coach travel, 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Tour Leader
  • 12 nights 4 star hotel accommodation
  • 1 four night stay
  • 2 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 cruise
  • 1 rail journey
  • All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
  • Classic Documentation Pack
  • Bonus GPT Tour Jacket

  • 12 cooked breakfasts
  • 11 sumptuous dinners including 1 specialty dinner: Speights Ale House, Dunedin
  • 2 lunches: picnic lunch, The Catlins; Milford Sound Cruise
  • 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included
  • Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm

Trip Reviews (2) Most Recent 'Classic Warbirds South Island' Reviews

4.5
AVG. RATING 4.5 / 5
2 Reviews
5 Star
50%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Classic Fighters New Zealand Tour   0 , WA, Australia, Apr 2019
Marg and I had a ball, would definitely recommend booking with Global Journeys and touring with Grand Pacific.

Tony the tour guide was great as were both coach drivers we had for the tour. We were very happy with the standard of accommodation and food provided whilst on tour. Highlight of the tour without doubt was the Air Show. We definitely got ...read more our monies worth thanks again Grand Pacific and Global Journeys.
Great holiday with lots to see and do. Highlight Wanaka air show. 0 , SA, Australia, Mar 2018
Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our trip. However we were not impressed with our airport pickup. The guy did not even hold up any sign, was not wearing a Grand Pacific shirt and in the end we only found him due to the help of another pickup person who asked us who we were looking for. To make matters worse he took off and we struggled to follow him.

We ...read more did find the extremely early starts and very late dinners a bit challenging and also, when we had to find our own dinners, there was not much help or information given. A 3am wakeup for the extremely early flight home was in our opinion unnecessary. A later flight would have been preferable. Arriving in Melbourne homeward bound with 2 and a half hours to spare, we only just caught our flight due to the utter chaos at the Virgin bag check. Signs pointing in the wrong direction and totally unhelpful Virgin staff.

The airshow was fantastic and New Zealand met all our expectations. The people on tour with us were all very friendly and we got on well. Queenstown was exceptional.
Play Youtube Video

Brochure

New Zealand

Grand Pacific New Zealand (2024-25)

Since 1996, Grand Pacific Tours, the New Zealand Coach Holiday Specialist has been indulging travellers from all over the world with the holiday of a lifetime. Tour in style, choose between an Ultimate Small Group Tour, boasting a Business Class level of comfort with only 20 luxury leather seats, or a Signature Mid-Size Group Tour, enjoying Premium...more Economy comfort onboard a coach with 32 seats.

Prices & Dates

There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and will no longer continue. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view the general release dates for all destinations.

Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Grand Pacific. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Grand Pacific. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

Similar Tours

14 Day Signature Panorama (Grand Pacific)

14 Days Christchurch Auckland

Operated By: Grand Pacific

From 6,929
Save 370
14 Day Ultimate Panorama (Grand Pacific)

14 Days Christchurch Auckland

Operated By: Grand Pacific

From 8,280
Save 259
13 Day Classic Fighters New Zealand Tour (Grand Pacific)

13 Days Auckland Christchurch

Operated By: Grand Pacific

From 6,063
Save 236
19 Day Signature Showcase (Grand Pacific)

19 Days Auckland Christchurch

Operated By: Grand Pacific

From 8,637
Save 462