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Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Signature Rail, Cruise and Coach
Operated by Grand Pacific Tours
Tripcode: SGPR19
Overview
Destination:
New Zealand,
Start:Auckland, New Zealand
Finish:Christchurch, New Zealand
Finish:Christchurch, New Zealand
Duration:19 days
Travel Period
October 2025 - April 2026
Flights Included + Save up to $250pp - Members Save More^
Experience the romance of rail travel, the majesty of cruising and the luxury of Premium Economy coach travel on this activity-packed 19-day tour. Visit the "best of attractions" in New Zealand including scenic rail journeys onboard the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Coastal Pacific Rail Journey and the world-renowned TranzAlpine Rail Journey. Relax on 4 cruises featuring an overnight cruise on the beautiful Milford Sound. The tour includes 2-night stays in the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin.
Prepaid attractions:
- Kauri Museum
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
- Glenbrook Vintage Railway
- Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Thermal mud pools and geysers*
- Te Puia traditional Mãori Hãngi and Concert
- Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
- Wellington Cable Car
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
- Coastal Pacific Rail Journey
- International Antarctic Centre
- Christchurch Tram
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- HIGHLIGHT: Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
- Larnach Castle*
- City sights tour of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin
*Guided tour.
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.
Tour Highlight - Milford Sound Overnight Cruise:
For a majestic experience, spend the night on board the Milford Mariner. Cruise the full length of Milford Sound with commentary by a specialist nature guide. View the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. You are bound to encounter seals, maybe dolphins and penguins. As evening falls, enjoy a delicious carvery buffet, prepared by an onboard chef. Relax in the company of your fellow travellers or take in some stargazing before retiring to your cabin. Next morning, indulge in a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) and exploring more of the breathtaking fiord.
Please note:
- Price is based per person, twin share.
- Optional activities are at an additional cost.
- 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
- Experienced Tour Leader
- 17 nights 4-star accommodation
- Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
- 6 two-night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 3 rail journeys
- 4 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Signature Documentation Pack
- 18 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 12 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 4 specialty dinners: Mãori Hãngi and Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner including pre-dinner drink, Christchurch
- 2 delicious morning teas including a Devonshire Tea at Larnach Castle
- Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks).
Itinerary
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Collapse allDay 1: Arrive Auckland
On arrival into Auckland, 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: Grand Millennium Auckland.
Please note: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Day 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands
Enjoy a city tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, before travelling to Matakohe to enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Mãori tribes and the British. (Meals: B,D).
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights).
Day 3: Bay of Islands - Free Day
Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional). (Meal: B).
Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland
This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Upon return to Paihia, travel south via Whangarei, before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the many eateries surrounding your hotel. (Meal: B).
Hotel: Grand Millennium Auckland.
Day 5: Auckland - Rotorua
This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15-kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train. Visit the restoration workshop followed by a delightful morning tea. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua renowned for its geothermal activity and Māori culture. (Meals: B,D).
Hotel: Pullman Rotorua (2 nights).
Day 6: Rotorua
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. 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. Enjoy some free time 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 Mãori Hãngi and Concert. (Meals: B,SD - Specialty Dinner).
Day 7: Rotorua - Wellington
Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and continue south to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. (Meals: B,D).
Hotel: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (2 nights).
Day 8: 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. Re-board your coach for an extensive city tour. This afternoon ride the Wellington Cable Car to Kelburn Station where you can explore the Cable Car Museum or stroll through the Botanic Gardens. This evening is also free to explore Wellington’s lively food scene. (Meal: B).
Day 9: Wellington - Kaikōura - Christchurch
This morning board the Interislander Ferry and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Ranges. Meet your coach in the fishing village of Kaikōura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch. (Meals: B,D).
Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel (2 nights).
Day 10: Christchurch
Today visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure. This evening is free to explore the local cuisine. (Meals: B).
Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel.
Day 11: 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. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before arriving at the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers. (Meals: B,D).
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier.
Day 12: Franz Josef - Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. (Meals: B).
Hotel: Millennium Hotel Queenstown (2 nights).
Day 13: Queenstown - Free Day
Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. Your crew will assist with the many optional activities available. 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. (Meals: B,SD).
Day 14: Queenstown - Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
This morning travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via Te Anau to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner for your amazing overnight cruise. There is plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife - you’re bound to encounter seals and if you’re lucky maybe dolphins and penguins. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by tender boat or kayak (swimwear required) - or to simply relax on board. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef. (Meals: B,D).
Overnight: Milford Mariner.
Day 15: Milford Sound - Te Anau
Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to explore more of the fiord. Return to the wharf to meet your coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional). (Meals: B,D).
Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau.
Day 16: 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 1800s. Enjoy a city tour of New Zealand’s oldest university city. (Meals: B,D).
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City (2 nights).
Day 17: Dunedin
Travel along the picturesque Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour you will hear the tragic and scandalous tales which make up the castle’s history. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for some free time. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era. (Meal: B).
Day 18: Dunedin - Christchurch
Today travel to the small town of Oamaru, famous for its limestone architecture before continuing to Christchurch. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner. (Meals: B,SD).
Hotel: Distinction Christchurch Hotel.
Day 19: Depart Christchurch
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. (Meal: 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 230+ 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
^Flights Included + Save up to $250pp: Terms & Conditions
19 Day Signature Rail, Cruise and Coach
Within the 25/26 touring season, the following selected seasonal departure date includes a $250 seasonal offer saving (Members save more): 28 April 2026. A special discount of $150 applies to all non-seasonal departures (Members save more).
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 May 2026 and save up to $500 per couple ($250 pp). All other departures will save $150 pp off the brochure price. Maximum savings are reflected in the advertised prices. Special Offer is valid on new bookings only for travel Oct 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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18 nights
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