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Grand Pacific Tours 16 Day Ultimate Highlights
Operated by Grand Pacific Tours
Tripcode: UGPN16
Overview
Destination:
New Zealand,
Duration:16 days
Travel Period
April 2025 - May 2026
RACV Exclusive Savings + Flights Included^
See the majestic South Island and diverse North Island in ultimate style on the incredible Ultimate Highlights tour with Grand Pacific Tours. Experience New Zealand's most iconic attractions with key highlights in the South Island including a cruise on breathtaking Milford Sound and a spectacular rail journey on the world-renowned TranzAlpine. In the Bay of Islands in the North Island, experience a cruise onboard a luxury catamaran where you'll sail to the famous Hole in the Rock. Enjoy two-night stays in the popular cities of Queenstown, Wellington, Rotorua and the Bay of Islands.
Prepaid attractions:
- Larnach Castle*
- Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Premium Lounge
- Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
- Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Thermal mud pools and geysers*
- Te Puia traditional Māori Hāngi and Concert
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
- Kauri Museum
- City sights tour of Christchurch, Dunedin, Wellington and Auckland
*Guided tour.
Exclusive to Grand Pacific Tours, Ultimate Small Group Touring itineraries are specifically tailored to provide a Business Class level of comfort, service and quality without compromise. Travel in style on a full-size, state-of-the-art coach with a maximum of only 20 travellers and enjoy extensive onboard features and VIP extras.
Coach features:
- 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach
- 2 door access; dedicated seat side storage with tray table; cup holder
- Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance.
Please note:
- Prices are based per person twin share
- Extensive optional activities are available and can be booked at an additional cost with your crew once on tour.
- Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Standard inclusions
- Return airfares from your homeport ex MEL
- Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- Professional Coach Captain
- 15-night 4.5 star accommodation
- 4 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 1 rail journey
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- 15 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 12 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Māori Hāngi and Concert, Rotorua; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Auckland
- 1 lunch: Milford Sound Cruise
- 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
- Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
- Ultimate Documentation Pack.
Itinerary
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Collapse allDay 1: 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 as you meet your travelling companions. Meals: (D).
Hotel: The George or similar.
Day 2: Christchurch - Mt Cook
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 to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Meals: (B,D).
Hotel: The Hermitage Hotel.
Day 3: Mt Cook - Dunedin
Depart Mt Cook, see Lake Benmore and follow the Waitaki River to Oamaru. Continue south to Dunedin, enjoy a city tour followed by free time. You might be interested in a tour to see local wildlife in their natural habitat (optional). Meals: (B,D).
Hotel: Distinction Dunedin Hotel.
Day 4: Dunedin - Te Anau
This morning 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 around this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. 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). Meals: (B,D).
Hotel: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas.
Day 5: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
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. 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 at leisure, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. Meals: (B,L).
Hotel: Heritage Queenstown (2 nights).
Day 6: Queenstown - Free Day
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride or a heritage tour of the scenic Skippers Canyon. 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 re-board the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown. Meals: (B,SD).
Day 7: Queenstown - Franz Josef
Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue 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 to the township of Fox Glacier. Next you visit Franz Josef, where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel. Meals: (B,D).
Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat.
Day 8: Franz Josef - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to 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 Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Meals: (B,D).
Hotel: The George.
Day 9: Christchurch - Picton - Wellington
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 and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy complimentary refreshments as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington. Meals: (B,D).
Hotel: InterContinental Wellington (2 nights).
Day 10: Wellington
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. Meals: (B).
Day 11: Wellington - Taupo - Rotorua
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. Meals: (B,D).
Hotel: Regent of Rotorua (2 nights).
Day 12: Rotorua
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Free time is available 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 Māori Hāngi and Concert. Meals: (B,SD).
Day 13: Rotorua - Bay of Islands
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north through Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Māori tribes and the British. Meals: (B,SD).
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights).
Day 14: Bay of Islands
This morning you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands including an island visit 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. On return to Paihia, enjoy 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 at leisure, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional). Meals: (B).
Day 15: Bay of Islands - Auckland
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei 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 farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends. Meals: (B,SD).
Hotel: Crowne Plaza Auckland.
Day 16: Auckland
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. Meals:(B).
Departure dates
Select your preferred date or enquire
Operator
Grand Pacific Tours
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. Taking a coach tour is like choosing the best seat in the house. Through large panoramic windows, you will be in awe of the picture-postcard scenery that is unveiled with every corner turned. 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 Economy comfort onboard a coach with 32 seats. Select an itinerary from their extensive product range to suit your desired holiday duration and one of their 180+ guaranteed departure dates. The choice is yours!
Important Information
*Terms and conditions
Please note: We are proud to be an independent agent to travel providers of hotels, flights and other related services. We are not a tour operator. Details and information on the offer are provided by 3rd party businesses and although we do our best to verify the information, we cannot guarantee its accuracy on all occasions. These offers are not available in conjunction with any other offer unless otherwise stated. Pricing and availability are subject to change without notice.
For more information, please see Terms of Use
^Exclusive Savings + Flights Included: Terms & Conditions
16 Day Ultimate Highlights
Exclusive to RACV offer: For the 24/25 touring season, RACV customers exclusively save up to $375 per person on the selected seasonal departure of 4 May 2025 - Members save more. For the new 25/26 touring season, an exclusive-to-RACV special discount of $150 applies (Members save more).
Within the 25/26 touring season, the following selected seasonal departure dates include a $250 seasonal offer saving (Members save more): 4 September 2025, 27 September 2025 and 4 May 2026.
All savings are reflected in the prices shown.
*Conditions apply. Prices valid ex MEL (economy class) and include prepaid taxes (subject to change). **Travel on selected seasonal departures in Sep 2025 and May 2026 and save up to $500 per couple ($250 pp). All other departures will save $150 pp off the brochure price. 20 Dec 2025 departure date includes a $100 Festive Season surcharge. Maximum savings are reflected in the advertised prices. Special Offer is valid on new bookings only for travel Sep 2025 – May 2026. Not to be used in conjunction with any other special offer; not applicable on group departures; can be withdrawn at any time without notice.
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15 nights
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