16 Day Signature Highlights Mid-Size Group Tour

Note on meals included: (B) Breakfast | (L) Lunch | (D) Dinner | (SD) Specialty Dinner

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A Grand Pacific Tours representative will greet you on arrival and transfer you to your hotel. In the evening, enjoy a pre-dinner drink while meeting your Tour Leader and fellow travellers.

A morning city sights tour introduces Christchurch before heading across the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. Marvel at the brilliant turquoise waters, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd, and see the Sheep Dog Statue. The journey continues to Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, with an opportunity for an optional scenic flight (weather permitting). The day ends in Twizel, nestled in the heart of the Mackenzie Country.

Travel past Lake Benmore before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, known for its limestone architecture. Continue south to Dunedin, where a city tour highlights its rich history, followed by free time to explore.

A morning visit to Larnach Castle includes a guided tour filled with fascinating stories, plus time to explore its internationally recognised gardens. A Devonshire Tea in the Grand Ballroom follows. The journey continues through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland National Park. An optional visit to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves is available in the evening.

A scenic drive through Fiordland National Park leads to Milford Sound, where a cruise reveals towering cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and Mitre Peak. Lunch is served onboard while taking in the incredible scenery. The journey then continues to Queenstown, set against the backdrop of Lake Wakatipu. The evening is free to dine at one of the city’s many excellent restaurants.

A free day allows time to explore Queenstown at leisure, with optional activities including a jet boat ride or a Skippers Canyon tour. In the evening, board the TSS Earnslaw steamship for a scenic cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. A gourmet barbecue dinner awaits at the Colonel’s Homestead, followed by a farm tour. The return cruise features a live piano singalong.

A visit to Arrowtown, a historic goldmining village, includes time at the Lakes District Museum. The journey continues via Haast Pass to the West Coast, offering breathtaking views of the Southern Alps. In Franz Josef, an optional scenic flight over the glaciers is available (weather permitting).

Travel north to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone (pounamu) craftsmanship, before arriving in Arthur’s Pass. Board the world-renowned TranzAlpine train, travelling through gorges, viaducts, and the Canterbury Plains back to Christchurch.

Journey along the East Coast to Kaikōura, then continue through Marlborough wine country to Picton. Board the Interislander Ferry for a scenic cruise through the Marlborough Sounds before arriving in Wellington.

A morning visit to Te Papa Museum includes time at the Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition. A city tour follows, with the afternoon and evening free to explore Wellington’s vibrant waterfront and dining scene.

Travel north past the snow-capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro before stopping at Lake Taupō and the Huka Falls. Continue along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Rotorua, famous for its geothermal activity and Māori culture.

A gondola ride to Skyline Rotorua offers spectacular views, followed by breakfast at the top. There’s time for a luge ride before heading to the Agrodome for an entertaining farm show. The afternoon is free before a visit to Te Puia, home to boiling mud pools, steaming geysers, and Māori arts and crafts. The evening features a traditional Māori Hāngi dinner and cultural performance.

Travel north to Whangārei, then continue to Paihia in the Bay of Islands. In the afternoon, visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where New Zealand’s founding document was signed.

A cruise through the Bay of Islands takes in Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock, with a chance to see dolphins and marine life. The afternoon is free to explore, with optional activities such as a dinner cruise available.

A visit to the Kauri Museum in Matakohe provides insight into New Zealand’s forestry history. The journey continues to Auckland, where a city sights tour introduces key landmarks. In the evening, enjoy a pre-dinner drink and farewell dinner.

A transfer to the airport is provided for your departing flight, marking the end of a memorable New Zealand journey.