Overview
Journey to New Zealand’s dramatic South Island on luxury leather reclining seats and panoramic views throughout your trip, the 10 Day Ultimate Small Group South Island Escape will take you to some of the best destinations in the south.
We start in Christchurch where you board the scenic TranzAlpine train. As you travel along the West Coast from Fox Glacier, see the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps and stay in the world-renowned resort town of Queenstown. You will have a free day to explore the city’s beautiful landscapes and its surrounding areas.
We continue the trip to Te Anau where you will stay the night and take a cruise on the magnificent Milford Sound the following morning. From Te Anau to Dunedin where you will visit historical and fascinating locations like Lanarch Castle and Olveston House. From Dunedin, we travel to Mt. Cook and marvel at the country’s highest mountain peak.
Details
Departure Dates
September | 2024 | 1*, 10* |
October | 2024 | 7 |
November | 2024 | 8, 13 |
December | 2024 | 1, 20# |
January | 2025 | 4, 17, 31 |
February | 2025 | 9, 17 |
March | 2025 | 1, 15, 23 |
April | 2025 | 4, 17 |
May | 2025 | 5*, 15* |
September | 2025 | 1*, 19* |
October | 2025 | 1, 16 |
November | 2025 | 8, 13 |
December | 2025 | 1, 20# |
January | 2026 | 2, 17, 31 |
February | 2026 | 9, 17 |
March | 2025 | 1, 15 |
April | 2026 | 4, 17 |
May | 2026 | 2*, 10* |
*SEASONAL OFFER AU$200 per person discount #FESTIVE SEASON: Seasonal Surcharge applies Departures are subject to availability (C) Tour Closed/Full / (L) Limited Slots |
Start: Christchurch
Finish: Christchurch
Includes:
Style: Ultimate Small Group
Coach: 20 seat Business Class
Accommodation: 4.5 star
Prepaid Attractions
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey*
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- Milford Sound Nature Cruise and Lunch
- Larnach Castle (Guided Tour)
- City sights tour of Dunedin and Christchurch
*TranzAlpine Train not operating on Sep 10 and May 5 departures -- a refund will be provided at time of final payment.
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
Experience
- Professional Coach Captain
- Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- 9 nights 4.5 star accommodation
- 2 two night stays
- Hotel porterage
- 1 rail journey
- 2 cruises
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Extensive Optional Tours Programme
- Ultimate Documentation Pack
- Airfares can be included in your package at an extra cost. Please enquire.
Meals
- 9 cooked breakfasts
- 8 sumptuous dinners including Complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
- 1 lunch: Milford Sound Nature Cruise
- 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
- Enjoy GPT Wine Time (discounted drinks)
*Note: Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Pricing:
Cost per person twin share
September 2024 - May 2025 | ||
Land Only |
AU$6,519 | |
Single Supplement |
AU$1,980 | |
Extra nights accommodation Pre/Post Tour | ||
City | Twin Share | Single |
Christchurch | AU$195 |
AU$390 |
Extra night rates are per person in Australian Dollars, based on room only. | ||
September 2025 - May 2026 | ||
Land Only |
AU$6,949 | |
Single Supplement |
AU$2,150 | |
Extra nights accommodation Pre/Post Tour | ||
City | Twin Share | Single |
Christchurch | AU$210 |
AU$420 |
Extra night rates are per person in Australian Dollars, based on room only. |
* Please Note*
Prices are correct at the time of printing, but are subject to exchange rate variations and component price changes.
PAYMENT
- Deposit: $600 per person on booking
- Full Payment: 75 Days before travel
- Airfares (if applicable): Paid in full on booking
CANCELLATION CHARGES
- 60 days or more prior to departure, loss of deposit plus the cost of the airline ticket if issued.
- Between 7 and 59 days prior to departure, 50% of the tour package price.
- Less than 7 days prior to departure, 100% of the tour package price.
If a traveller wishes to cancel their existing booking and transfer to a new departure date, the above cancellation fees still apply.
Currency ConverterOverview
Journey to New Zealand’s dramatic South Island on luxury leather reclining seats and panoramic views throughout your trip, the 10 Day Ultimate Small Group South Island Escape will take you to some of the best destinations in the south.
We start in Christchurch where you board the scenic TranzAlpine train. As you travel along the West Coast from Fox Glacier, see the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps and stay in the world-renowned resort town of Queenstown. You will have a free day to explore the city’s beautiful landscapes and its surrounding areas.
We continue the trip to Te Anau where you will stay the night and take a cruise on the magnificent Milford Sound the following morning. From Te Anau to Dunedin where you will visit historical and fascinating locations like Lanarch Castle and Olveston House. From Dunedin, we travel to Mt. Cook and marvel at the country’s highest mountain peak.
Larnarch Castle Garden, Dunedin
Olveston House Library, Dunedin
TranzAlpine Train
TSS Earnslaw in Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown
Cherry Blossoms, Christchurch
Business Class coach
Business Class seats
Ultimate view
Entertainment
Milford Sound Nature Cruise
Itinerary
Open AllOn 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.
Hotel Sudima Christchurch City
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 coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel Te Waonui Forest Retreat
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 picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)
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.
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (2 nights)
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Enjoy a city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. 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.
Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour with time to wander around this Garden of International Significance. This is followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.
Hotel The Hermitage Hotel (Aoraki Wing)
This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch for an introductory city sights tour. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends.
Hotel Sudima Christchurch City
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable
New Zealand holiday.
Cost per person twin share
September 2024 - May 2025 | ||
Land Only |
AU$6,519 | |
Single Supplement |
AU$1,980 | |
Extra nights accommodation Pre/Post Tour | ||
City | Twin Share | Single |
Christchurch | AU$195 |
AU$390 |
Extra night rates are per person in Australian Dollars, based on room only. | ||
September 2025 - May 2026 | ||
Land Only |
AU$6,949 | |
Single Supplement |
AU$2,150 | |
Extra nights accommodation Pre/Post Tour | ||
City | Twin Share | Single |
Christchurch | AU$210 |
AU$420 |
Extra night rates are per person in Australian Dollars, based on room only. |
* Please Note*
Prices are correct at the time of printing, but are subject to exchange rate variations and component price changes.
PAYMENT
- Deposit: $600 per person on booking
- Full Payment: 75 Days before travel
- Airfares (if applicable): Paid in full on booking
CANCELLATION CHARGES
- 60 days or more prior to departure, loss of deposit plus the cost of the airline ticket if issued.
- Between 7 and 59 days prior to departure, 50% of the tour package price.
- Less than 7 days prior to departure, 100% of the tour package price.
If a traveller wishes to cancel their existing booking and transfer to a new departure date, the above cancellation fees still apply.
Itinerary
Open AllOn 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.
Hotel Sudima Christchurch City
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 coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing to the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel Te Waonui Forest Retreat
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 picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)
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.
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (2 nights)
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema (optional).
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’. Enjoy a city tour followed by some free time to explore at leisure. 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.
Hotel Distinction Dunedin Hotel
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour with time to wander around this Garden of International Significance. This is followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you travel to Mt Cook.
Hotel The Hermitage Hotel (Aoraki Wing)
This morning marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water, the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue before arriving in Christchurch for an introductory city sights tour. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your newfound friends.
Hotel Sudima Christchurch City
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable
New Zealand holiday.