Grand Pacific Tours 19 Day Ultimate Showcase

On arrival into Auckland, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative who will transfer you to your hotel. This evening, meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre-dinner drink.

Depart Auckland and travel to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, then travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.

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 and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

This morning you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands 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 before returning to Paihia. Travel south via Whangarei to Auckland.

This morning enjoy a city sights tour including a visit to Sky Tower, one of New Zealand's most spectacular attractions. Continue through the picturesque countryside to Hobbiton for a buffet lunch. This is followed by a guided tour of the Movie Set from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Your guide will recount details of how this beautiful piece of farmland was transformed into The Shire from Middle Earth.

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that's unlike anything you've seen before. 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 Maori Hangi and Concert.

Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls and Lake Taupo. Continue to Napier known as "The Art Deco Capital", where the most comprehensive collection of art deco buildings in the world can be found. Hear informative commentary on the city's fascinating history. Enjoy some free time this afternoon to explore the city, you might choose to do a guided walk (optional).

Travel south this morning into Wellington for a city tour of the nation's capital which will highlight the history and culture on show here.  At Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum, there is time to explore Gallipoli. A scale of War exhibition. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances.

This morning board the Interislander Ferry and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your Ultimate Coach for the short journey to Blenheim. This afternoon you will be treated to a unique wine and cheese tasting experience, set amongst the wine barrels at Cloudy Bay Estate, one of the original winemakers in the Marlborough region.

Tour through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine, then travel to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch.

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 via Franz Josef to Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

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 free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner 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.

This morning travel to Arrowtown, best known for its spectacular autumn colours. Visit the Lakes District Museum a treasure trove of stories and exhibits about the exciting mining era of the late 1800s. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).

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 a picnic lunch on board. 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 sightseeing activities available include a tour of the Speight's Brewery, which produces New Zealand's most popular beer, a tour to the Royal Albatross Centre to see Albatross in their natural habitat or a tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing many treasures of a bygone era.

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle, hear the tragic and scandalous stories on a guided tour. There is time to wander around this Garden of International Significance 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.

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 into Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with selected beverages with your new-found friends.

After breakfast (included) your tour concludes this morning. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home.