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Grand Pacific Tours 11 Day Ultimate New Year

11 days 10 nights
Wellington to Christchurch
from NZD$7,039pp
was NZD$7,439pp
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Tour summary and feature with map

The tour starts in New Zealand's quirky little capital. Home of New Zealand's parliament, "The Beehive" this harbour capital is compact and full of little treasures. After bringing in the New Year, journey down through the South Island for the rest of your tour. Experience a wine and cheese tasting in Blenheim, possibly spot a seal or whale in Kaikoura, unearth the mysteries of Larnach Castle, and enjoy a multitude of adventure in Queenstown before winding your way back up to Christchurch via the wild west coast.

Luxury touring

This Tour Also Features

  • Arrowtown Lakes Distrit Museum
  • Cloudy Bay Estate wine tasting
  • Introducing Te Papa Museum Tour
  • Milford Sound Cruise
  • TranzAlpine Train from Arthur's Pass to Christchurch
  • TSS Earnslaw cruise and dinner at Walter Peak high country farm, Queenstown
  • Complimentary pre-dinner welcome drink
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Meals included: 10 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 6 dinners, 2 special dinners
Tour full itinerary
Itinerary
Day One - Arrive Wellington
Tour day 1
Meals included: Dinner
Wellington night lights

On arrival into Wellington you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

Staying in Hotel InterContinental Wellington (Premium Room) (2 nights)

  • Adjacent to Wellington’s waterfront, InterContinental Wellington is the most centrally located and experienced global five-star hotel in New Zealand’s capital city. It is the seamless and personal service of the team that makes your Wellington accommodation and travel experience truly memorable. Staying in the sophisticated styling of a Premium Guest Room you will enjoy an enriching stay featuring walk-in showers, with handheld and rain shower heads, digital lighting controls and much more. Feel rejuvenated in the morning after a tranquil night’s sleep on your king bed inspired to uncover the New Zealand capital.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITY - Grand Pacific Merchandise

Quality merchandise is great value for money and will provide a special memento of your holiday for years to come. Tour jackets and tour caps are available for purchase. Merchandise items must be ordered at the time of booking and are not available for purchase in New Zealand

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Day Two - Wellington - New Year’s Eve
Tour day 2
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Wellington City

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 Ultimate Coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. This afternoon is at leisure. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink to toast the New Year with your fellow travellers.

Staying in Hotel InterContinental Wellington (Premium Room)

  • Adjacent to Wellington’s waterfront, InterContinental Wellington is the most centrally located and experienced global five-star hotel in New Zealand’s capital city. It is the seamless and personal service of the team that makes your Wellington accommodation and travel experience truly memorable. Staying in the sophisticated styling of a Premium Guest Room you will enjoy an enriching stay featuring walk-in showers, with handheld and rain shower heads, digital lighting controls and much more. Feel rejuvenated in the morning after a tranquil night’s sleep on your king bed inspired to uncover the New Zealand capital.

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Day Three - Wellington - Picton - Kaikōura
Tour day 3
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
View over Kaikoura

This morning board the Interislander Ferry and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy breakfast as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your Ultimate Coach for the short journey to Blenheim, where you will experience a personalised wine tasting at an iconic Marlborough Winery. You will taste award-winning wines and enjoy exploring the beautiful Marlborough vineyards before continuing south to Kaikōura.

Staying in Hotel Sudima Kaikōura

  • The Kaikōura District has some of the most breath-taking scenery in the country with a stunning coastline, a dramatic peninsula and some of the South Island’s highest mountains. With its superb location on the shoreline close to town, Sudima Kaikōura is blessed with stunning views of both the mountains and sea. This state-of-the-art new waterfront hotel has a 4.5 star rating with outstanding facilities. As always, you can expect that special Sudima service. They take care of the little things, so you’re all ready for a big day – of sightseeing.

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Day Four - Kaikōura - Christchurch
Tour day 4
Meals included: Breakfast
Christchurch Tram in the City Centre

This morning enjoy a leisurely start in this seaside village, where the mountains meet the sea. Kaikōura is renowned as one of the best places to see Sperm whales and other marine mammals. There is an opportunity to take a scenic flight to view the year-round population of Sperm whales (optional, weather permitting). Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch.

Staying in Hotel Sudima Christchurch City

  • Being in the hub of the city means you are within walking distance from shopping, activities and attractions. At Sudima Christchurch City you will find the rooms reflect the New Zealand landscape with tones and textures to create a relaxed atmosphere. The Luxe rooms have been tastefully decorated and offers guests comfort and space with a plush bed, beautiful luxury linen and a New Zealand based artists' work features on the headboard for you to enjoy as you relax.

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Day Five - Christchurch - Dunedin
Tour day 5
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Dunedin town hall

Depart Christchurch and travel south through Oamaru, famous for its limestone. In Dunedin enjoy a city tour followed by some free time. You might be interested in a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat (optional).

Staying in Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel

  • 2019 Travellers Choice Winner and ranked 3rd out of all hotels in NZ on TripAdvisor the Distinction Dunedin Hotel is elegant, luxurious and located in the rejuvenated and vibrant Warehouse Precinct in the heart of the city.  The ideal combination of style and functionality. These air-conditioned Dunedin Studios offer a cloud-like super king bed and modern ensuite bathroom with a luxurious dual fixture walk-in rain shower plus complimentary Distinction toiletries.

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Day Six - Dunedin - Te Anau
Tour day 6
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Larnach Castle

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

Staying in Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas

  • Surrounded by extensive, colourful gardens and overlooking spectacular Lake Te Anau and the Fiordland ranges this elegant 4 star hotel and villa accommodation sets the tone for your stay in one of the world’s most breathtaking regions. You will stay in a spacious and superbly appointed room with striking views of Lake Te Anau from your window.

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Day Seven - Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown
Tour day 7
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

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.

Staying in Hotel Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)

  • Queenstown, New Zealand’s mountain playground, is one of the great alpine regions of the world and the charming Heritage Queenstown Hotel calls this place home - the resort offers a hotel experience certain to leave you breathless.

    The vistas from Heritage Queenstown are awe-inspiring - soak in the view of the towering Remarkables mountain range, rising from the rippling waters of Lake Wakatipu from the comfort of the hotel. Crafted from centuries-old schist stone and cedar, this comfortable and sophisticated Queenstown hotel is the perfect place to relax.

    Our spacious, beautifully appointed Queenstown hotel rooms cater for all with rooms and suites taking in a variety of views of either the surrounding forest and towering mountains or the majestic Lake Wakatipu, surely one of the most beautiful views to be found in Queenstown, New Zealand.

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Day Eight - Queenstown (Free Day)
Tour day 8
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner, Speciality Dinner
Looking out at Lake Wakatipu

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 reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Staying in Hotel Millennium Hotel Queenstown

  • Right in the heart of the action, Millennium Hotel Queenstown is just minutes from Queenstown central shopping and entertainment district and offers accommodation with scenic views of Queenstown city and mountains, providing the perfect backdrop to your trip. Millennium Hotel Queenstown is a 4-star plus and Enviro-Gold Qualmark rated hotel.  All rooms at Millennium Hotel Queenstown are designed for complete relaxation with its inviting bed and cosy ambience, it’s a good nights rest for sure.

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Day Nine - Queenstown - Franz Josef
Tour day 9
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
The Makarora River in Haast Past

Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village where you 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 for your overnight stay.

Staying in Hotel Te Waonui Forest Retreat

  • Te Waonui Forest Retreat is truly luxurious and can be found in an area of native rainforest which has been carefully preserved. All the guest room balconies look out into the rainforest, which contains mature trees up to 20m high. Guests get a real sense of seclusion and privacy during their stay. Lavishly appointed guest rooms, generously proportioned and featuring the highest standard of room amenities, such as your own personal pillow menu, natural wool mattress underlay and high-speed Internet access. 

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Day Ten - Franz Josef - Arthur’s Pass - Christchurch
Tour day 10
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner, Speciality Dinner
The TranzAlpine train through Arthurs Pass

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory before arriving at Arthur’s Pass where you 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. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. This evening reminisce on the memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner which includes selected beverages.

Staying in Hotel Sudima Christchurch City

  • Being in the hub of the city means you are within walking distance from shopping, activities and attractions. At Sudima Christchurch City you will find the rooms reflect the New Zealand landscape with tones and textures to create a relaxed atmosphere. The Luxe rooms have been tastefully decorated and offers guests comfort and space with a plush bed, beautiful luxury linen and a New Zealand based artists' work features on the headboard for you to enjoy as you relax.

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Day Eleven - Depart Christchurch
Tour day 11
Meals included: Breakfast
The Avon River in Christchurch

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

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