First Class Holidays · Small Group Escorted Tour

19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach

This small group tour combines rail, coach and an exclusive overnight cruise across New Zealand's North and South Islands.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Crowne Plaza Auckland

    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 as you meet your travelling companions.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)

    Auckland - Bay of Islands

    Board the luxurious Ultimate Coach and 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 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: Breakfast, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands

    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).

    Meals: Breakfast

  4. Day 4overnight: Crowne Plaza Auckland

    Bay of Islands - Auckland

    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, travel south, call into the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree before returning to Auckland.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  5. Day 5railovernight: Regent of Rotorua (2 nights)

    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 the magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua to visit the National Kiwi Hatchery, for a unique behind the scenes tour of the world's largest kiwi hatchery.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Regent of Rotorua

    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 Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education. 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: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

  7. Day 7overnight: InterContinental Wellington (Premium Room, 2 nights)

    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 then continue south to NZ's capital city, Wellington.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  8. Day 8overnight: InterContinental Wellington

    Wellington

    A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum. Reboard your Ultimate coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also at leisure.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9railovernight: The George (2 nights)

    Wellington - Kaikõura - Christchurch

    This morning board the Interislander Ferry, cross the Cook Strait 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 Kaikõura Ranges. Meet your Ultimate Coach in the fishing village of Kaikõura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  10. Day 10overnight: The George

    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 your leisure. This evening is free to enjoy one of the many eateries near your hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast

  11. Day 11railovernight: Distinction Fox Glacier

    Christchurch - Arthur's Pass - Fox Glacier

    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 located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your Ultimate Coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing via Franz Josef to the township of Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  12. Day 12overnight: Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)

    Fox Glacier - Queenstown

    See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into Arrowtown to visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

    Meals: Breakfast

  13. Day 13overnight: Heritage Queenstown

    Queenstown (Free Day)

    Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with 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: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

  14. Day 14overnight: Fiordland Navigator (overnight cruise)

    Queenstown - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

    Today travel via Te Anau to Manapouri. Enjoy lunch as you cruise across this glacial lake. A short ride over the Wilmot Pass brings you to the boarding point to join the Fiordland Navigator for an amazing overnight experience. As you cruise through the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound, naturalist guides will provide commentary and point out the resident wildlife. When evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared by the onboard chef.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  15. Day 15overnight: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas

    Doubtful Sound - Te Anau

    Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Deep Cove for the trip to Manapouri. Return to the wharf and meet your Ultimate Coach for the journey to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  16. Day 16overnight: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (2 nights)

    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. Today Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university city.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  17. Day 17overnight: Distinction Dunedin Hotel

    Dunedin

    Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour you will hear the tragic and scandalous stories followed by time to wander around this Garden of International Significance and an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Return to Dunedin for a city tour followed by some free time. Optional activities available include a tour of the Speight's Brewery, seeing wildlife in their natural habitat or a tour of Olveston Historic Home.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  18. Day 18railovernight: The George

    Dunedin - Christchurch

    This morning travel to the city of Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue north to Pleasant Point Museum and Railway for a short rail experience followed by lunch and time to explore the preserved heritage of the South Canterbury railway. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with selected beverages and your newfound friends.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Specialty Dinner

  19. 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.

    Meals: Breakfast

Included

  • Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • 17 nights 4.5 star accommodation
  • Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
  • 6 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 4 rail journeys
  • 4 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Activities
  • Ultimate Documentation Pack
  • 18 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
  • 14 sumptuous dinners including complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 3 specialty dinners: Mãori Hãngi and Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
  • 2 lunches: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise; Pleasant Point Museum and Railway
  • 2 delicious morning teas including an Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
  • Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)

Not included

  • Return flights from the UK
  • Meals, gratuities and sightseeing not shown as included

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