Luxury and adventure come together on the Ultimate Highlights Small Group Tour, where just 20 guests experience New Zealand’s most famous sights in comfort. Travelling in a purpose-built Business Class coach, every detail has been designed for ease, from spacious seating and Wi-Fi to seamless service from your professional coach captain. The itinerary is packed with unmissable moments, including the world-renowned TranzAlpine rail journey, a Milford Sound cruise with lunch, the historic TSS Earnslaw, and a premium Interislander ferry crossing.
Time is built in to explore key destinations, with two-night stays in Queenstown, Rotorua, Wellington, and the Bay of Islands ensuring a relaxed pace. Prepaid entry to cultural and natural landmarks like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Te Puia, and Larnach Castle adds depth without hassle. Paired with 4.5-star accommodation, curated inclusions, and small group exclusivity, this 16-day tour is one of the most rewarding ways to experience New Zealand.
*Book by 31 August 2026*
Note on meals included: (B) Breakfast | (L) Lunch | (D) Dinner | (SD) Specialty Dinner
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On arrival in Christchurch, a Grand Pacific Tours representative will greet you and transfer you to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink as you meet your fellow travellers.
Accommodation: The George or similar
Itineraries are subject to change.
Start the day with a city sights tour before travelling through the Canterbury Plains to the stunning Lake Tekapo. Visit The Church of the Good Shepherd and the iconic Sheep Dog Statue. Take in the breathtaking views of Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak, with the option of a scenic flight (weather permitting).
Accommodation: The Hermitage Hotel
Journey past Lake Benmore and follow the Waitaki River to Oamaru before continuing to Dunedin. After a city tour, enjoy free time to explore or opt for a wildlife tour to see native species in their natural habitat.
Accommodation: Distinction Dunedin Hotel
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, where a guided tour reveals its fascinating history. Wander the internationally recognised gardens before enjoying an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom. Continue through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. You may wish to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Accommodation: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Experience a breathtaking drive to Milford Sound, where you’ll board a cruise to admire the dramatic cliffs, Bowen Falls, and Mitre Peak while enjoying lunch. Travel onwards to Queenstown, set on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, for a two-night stay. The evening is free to explore the city’s vibrant dining scene.
Accommodation: Rendezvous Heritage Queenstown (2 nights)
Visit Arrowtown, a historic goldmining village, before travelling via the scenic Haast Pass to the wild West Coast. Stop at Fox Glacier before arriving in Franz Josef, where an optional scenic flight over the glaciers is available (weather permitting).
Accommodation: Te Waonui Forest Retreat
Stop in Hokitika, famous for its pounamu (greenstone), before boarding the TranzAlpine, one of the world’s most scenic train journeys. Travel through dramatic gorges, the Waimakariri Basin, and the Canterbury Plains before arriving back in Christchurch.
Accommodation: The George
Journey along the East Coast to Kaikōura, then continue through Marlborough wine country to Picton. Board the Interislander Ferry, where you’ll enjoy the exclusive Premium Lounge as you sail through the Marlborough Sounds to Wellington.
Accommodation: InterContinental Wellington (2 nights)
Visit Te Papa Museum to explore the Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition, which brings history to life through cutting-edge technology. Then, enjoy a city tour before free time in the afternoon and evening to explore Wellington’s cafés, shops, and waterfront at your leisure.
Travel north, passing the majestic peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro, before stopping at Huka Falls. Continue along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal city of Rotorua.
Accommodation: Regent of Rotorua (2 nights)
Start the day with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua, with spectacular views over the city. Take an optional luge ride before visiting the Agrodome, where an interactive farm show provides insight into New Zealand’s agricultural heritage. In the evening, visit Te Puia to see bubbling mud pools and powerful geysers, followed by a traditional Māori hāngi dinner and cultural performance.
Depart Rotorua and travel north through Whangārei to the Bay of Islands. Visit the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where New Zealand’s founding document was signed between Māori chiefs and the British in 1840.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (2 nights)
Set off on a scenic cruise around the Bay of Islands, stopping at an island before sailing to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. The afternoon is free for optional activities, such as a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Travel south via Matakohe, where you’ll visit the Kauri Museum to learn about New Zealand’s ancient forests. Continue to Auckland for a city tour before a farewell dinner with selected beverages.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza Auckland
After a memorable New Zealand adventure, transfer to the airport for your departure
Grand Pacific Tours (GPT) can accommodate limited dietary requests, including Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free, Lactose-Free, Diabetic, and life-threatening allergies (requiring an EpiPen). These requests are forwarded to hotels and attraction suppliers but cannot be guaranteed and do not form part of your contract with us.
Meal options may be limited, as GPT operates volume group tours with buffet or à la carte menus. Due to the complexity of coordinating meals across an extended itinerary, religious dietary requests (such as Hindu Vegetarian, Kosher, or Halal) cannot be accommodated. Any additional dietary intolerances must be self-managed.
Airline meal options are subject to airline restrictions and may vary.
Award-Winning Travel Documentation
Grand Pacific Tours provides one of the most comprehensive documentation packs in the travel industry. Our travel agent partners have recognised our commitment to quality, awarding us multiple accolades for delivering the best documentation packs available.
Each traveller receives a durable travel bag, ticket wallet, luggage tag, and personal name badge. The ticket wallet includes a detailed tour itinerary, an Optional Activities Directory, a map, a questionnaire, and an emergency contact card.
Note: Contents of the Documentation Pack can vary each season.
Your Grand Pacific Tours (GPT) documentation, including any merchandise, will be sent to you approximately two weeks before departure. These items will not be available once you have departed Australia.
Your personalised itinerary will be emailed to you. Your GPT documentation and any merchandise will be available for collection at your first night's accommodation, as per your tour itinerary.
If you do not require certain items from the Documentation Pack, please return them to the GPT Representative on the first morning of your tour, and they will be recycled. You can also view the contents of the Documentation Pack on our website before arriving in New Zealand. If your pack is not available at your hotel, please contact GPT.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide documentation in advance.
Optional activities must be booked with the Grand Pacific Tours Crew while on tour. Payment is made directly to the activity operator.
Please contact us if you want a soft copy of the brochure.
Packing for a trip overseas can be tricky, but we recommend travelling light. If you forget something, you’ll be able to pick it up along the way.
To make travel easy, please limit your luggage to:
We understand that everyone wants a great view of New Zealand’s stunning landscapes, so we operate a seat rotation policy on all our tours. This ensures fairness and gives everyone the chance to enjoy different perspectives during the journey.
While we can’t guarantee seats near the front, rotating seats keeps things fair for everyone.
If you’re prone to motion sickness, we recommend bringing any medication you might need.
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