Accommodation
3 - 3.5 Star
Max. Group Size
48
Trip Style
Classic Affordable
Trip Code
CGPN16
Overview
Read 52 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Grand Pacific's 16 Day Affordable Highlights. This fully inclusive tour offers unbeatable value and provides an excellent coverage of both the North and South Islands. Beginning in Christchurch, discover the delights of the South Island such as Dunedin, Milford Sound and Queenstown. Spend 8 days touring the North Island, visiting cultural Rotorua, the stunning Bay of Islands and finishing the tour in Auckland - the 'City of Sails'.
Itinerary
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold or similar (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 (B/D)
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: Dunedin Leisure Lodge – A Distinction Hotel (B/SD)
This morning travel out 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 a delicious Devonshire Tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, your overnight stay. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (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 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 and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. Stay Two Nights: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Queenstown Lakefront (B/L)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader are available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, whether it be the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or getting 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. (B/SD)
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village 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 to Fox Glacier. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers. Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier – Graham Wing (B/D)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur's Pass and board The TranzAlpine, 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. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Stay: Heartland Hotel Cotswold or similar (B/D)
Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington. Stay Two Nights: Ibis Wellington (B/D)
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. (B)
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 Two Nights: Distinction Rotorua (B/D)
Today begins with a Gondola ride and breakfast at the Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a luge ride! Travel to the Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that's unlike anything you've seen before. Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and the awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon, then this evening you will experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert. (B/SD)
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 Maori tribes and the British. Stay Two Nights: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (B/D)
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). (B)
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 you will be treated to a special farewell dinner with your new friends. Stay: Rydges Auckland (B/D)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Haggis Ceremony & Gift
- Guided tour of Larnach Castle
- Milford Sound Cruise & Lunch
- Lakes District Museum
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
- Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum
- Skyline Gondola & Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Guided tour of the thermal mud pools and geysers
- Traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
- Hole in the Rock Cruise
- Kauri Museum
- City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington & Auckland
- Personalised Meet and 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 and Tour Leader
- 15 nights 3.5 star accommodation
- 4 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 1 rail journey
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Comprehensive documentation pack
- 15 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 12 sumptuous dinners including 3 specialty dinners: Haggis Ceremony, Dunedin; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Mãori Hãngi and Concert, Rotorua
- 1 picnic lunch
- 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 (52) View All Most Recent 'Affordable Highlights' Reviews
4.6
5 Star
4 Star
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Great NZ Tour 0 Steven, WA, Australia, Feb 2023
Tour was great although it did get disrupted with Covid but from the start Hannah was great with all documentation needed and the Grand Pacific Tour was good value for money.
NZ tour 0 Ravi & Meenakshi, NSW, Australia, Jan 2023
Overall quality of travel with GPT was good. Breakfast and Dinner selection were good quality. Tour Guide and Drivers were supportive and knowledgeable. However few selections could have been better. Night stay at Omarama was ordinary as room did not have fan/aircon and it was bit hot at night. Our flight from Sydney to Christchurch was booked via Auckland ...read more where due to International to domestic transitioning carrying out quarantine and transfer was real hassle with such a short span of time. I expected direct flight as so many options available from Sydney to Christchurch. At least as minimum terminal transfer should have been organised by GPT as part of trip which was not.
16 day Affordable highlights of New Zealand with Grand Pacific 0 Deirdre, VIC, Australia, Jan 2023
The whole experience from booking with Tracey at Global Journeys to saying farewell to our Grand Pacific tour leader and fellow passengers on the trip has been wonderful.
New Zealand kept on giving: Mount Cook, clear azure lakes, glaciers, Milford Sound, glowworm caves, boat trips, Queenstown four wheel drive, tours through Wellington, Auckland, ...read more Dunedin, Christchurch, mountains, sea, rivers, museums and cultural events. Hotels were clean, plentiful food, great company and brilliant experienced leader and drivers. I highly recommend the whole experience. Tiring but well worth it!
New Zealand kept on giving: Mount Cook, clear azure lakes, glaciers, Milford Sound, glowworm caves, boat trips, Queenstown four wheel drive, tours through Wellington, Auckland, ...read more Dunedin, Christchurch, mountains, sea, rivers, museums and cultural events. Hotels were clean, plentiful food, great company and brilliant experienced leader and drivers. I highly recommend the whole experience. Tiring but well worth it!
Grand Pacific coach tour of New Zealand 0 Pat, Co Wicklow, Ireland, Jan 2023
This trip was booked before Covid. My dream holiday to New Zealand lived up to my expectations in spite of the not so good weather on North Island. Georgie answered all my queries promptly and efficiently and I will have no hesitation of booking with Global Journeys again.
Loved the NZ South Island 1 Michael, NSW, Australia, Nov 2022
The first part of our trip through NZ South Island met and exceeded our expectation in terms of the scenery and places we visited. The valleys, lakes and snow-capped mountains where spectacular! We realise that long distances had to be covered but found some of the comfort and lunch stops very short. Regrettably, illness prevented us from completing ...read more the rest of the tour of North Island but our Global Journeys agent was as helpful as she could be in facilitating the necessary arrangements.
A great relaxing 17 days touring both north and south islands of new zealand. Well looked after by Global journeys and Grand Pacific Tours. Excellent Tour Leader, coach drivers and commentary. Great accommodation and meals. Loved the Auckland "All Blacks Experience" bonus. Highly recommend Global journeys and Grand Pacific Tours.
Availability
Monday 03 Apr 2023
Tuesday 18 Apr 2023
Status
From: $5,429
Sold Out
Auckland Mega Deal
Monday 10 Apr 2023
Tuesday 25 Apr 2023
Status
From: $5,429 $5,201
Save $228 Enquire
Wednesday 19 Apr 2023
Thursday 04 May 2023
Status
From: $5,429
Sold Out
Tuesday 02 May 2023
Wednesday 17 May 2023
Status
From: $5,429
Sold Out
Monday 03 Apr 2023
Tuesday 18 Apr 2023
Status
From: $7,079
Sold Out
Auckland Mega Deal
Monday 10 Apr 2023
Tuesday 25 Apr 2023
Status
From: $7,079 $6,835
Save $244 Enquire
Wednesday 19 Apr 2023
Thursday 04 May 2023
Status
From: $7,079
Sold Out
Tuesday 02 May 2023
Wednesday 17 May 2023
Status
From: $7,079
Sold Out
Key
Definite Departure. Minimum numbers reached for this departure to operate.
Available Departure. Minimum numbers not yet reached, so while this departure is expected to operate, it’s not yet a Definite Departure.
Not Available. Places on this departure are unavailable.
Exclusive savings, PLUS receive a pre or post tour night in Auckland + entry to the All Blacks Experience.
Note
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Flights Included:
All departures can be booked with return flights from Australia to New Zealand included. Please select the flight option when you enquire with us.
Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.
Flights Included:
All departures can be booked with return flights from Australia to New Zealand included. Please select the flight option when you enquire with us.
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.
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.
