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    New Zealand by Rail, Cruise & Coach
    19 days | 18 nights
    from $7,219* per person twin share
    Exclusive $750 discount per couple + GPT tour jacket + 400-page New Zealand Eyewitness Travel Guide
    Experience the romance of rail travel, the majesty of cruising and the luxury of coach travel on this activity-packed holiday. Highlights include four scenic rail journeys on board the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Coastal Pacific, the world-renowned TranzAlpine and the Taieri Gorge Limited. Relax on four scenic cruises including an overnight cruise on the beautiful Milford Sound. The tour includes 2 night stays in the sub-tropical Bay of Islands; the geothermal wonder that is Rotorua; the "coolest little capital in the world", Wellington; Christchurch, New Zealand's Garden City; exhilarating Queenstown and Dunedin, New Zealand's best-kept secret.
    Your package includes: Your package highlights:

    Your package includes:

    Your package highlights:

    Your package includes:

    Your package includes:

    • Return economy class airfares and taxes
    • 17 nights in 4 star accommodation
    • 1 night cruise on Milford Sound
    • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
    • Fully escorted modern coach travel
    • Professional coach captain and tour leader
    • 18 breakfasts, 2 morning teas, 14 dinners
    • Sightseeing and attractions
    Your package highlights:

    Your package highlights:

    • 4 cruises: Hole in the Rock Cruise, Interislander ferry, Milford Sound overnight cruise and TSS Earnslaw
    • 4 rail journeys: Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Coastal Pacific, TranzAlpine Rail Journey and Taeri Gorge Limited
    • Traditional Māori Hāngi and concert in Rotorua
    • Te Papa – NZ’s National Museum
    • Larnarch Castle in Dunedin

    Package price: 

    • From $7,219* per person from Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane or Gold Coast
    • From $7,519* per person from Adelaide
    • From $7,744* per person from Perth
    Valid for travel
    10, 19, 26 Sep 2020, 21 Apr, 4 May 2021. Ask your personal travel manager for other discounts on other departures.
    Offer expires
    31 May 2020 unless sold prior

    Itinerary

    Collapse all Expand all

    Day 1

    Auckland

    On arrival into Auckland, you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel.

    Day 2

    Auckland - Bay of Islands

    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 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 Mãori tribes and the British.

    Day 3

    Bay of Islands

    Today is a day at leisure. 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 unscheduled, so you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

    Day 4

    Bay of Islands - Auckland

    This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Upon return to Paihia, travel south via Whangarei, call into the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree before returning to Auckland.

    Day 5

    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 and on return to Glenbrook Station, morning tea will be served. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua to visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand-feed rainbow trout.

    Day 6

    Rotorua

    Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling 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 Mãori Hãngi and Concert.

    Day 7

    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 the capital city of Wellington.

    Day 8

    Wellington

    A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon and evening. We recommend using the time to explore Wellington’s lively food scene.

    Day 9

    Wellington - Christchurch

    This morning board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that showcases the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side and the rugged scenic coastline on the other travelling through numerous tunnels and across several bridges. Enjoy a two-night stay in the garden city of Christchurch.

    Day 10

    Christchurch

    Today visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by a city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions. Free time this evening will allow you to explore the local cuisine.

    Day 11

    Christchurch - Arthur's Pass - Franz Josef

    This morning board the TranzAlpine, 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 arriving at the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

    Day 12

    Franz Josef - Queenstown

    See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south 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. Free time this evening will allow you to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

    Day 13

    Queenstown (day at leisure)

    Today is an unscheduled day to explore Queenstown. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader will assist with the 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.

    Day 14

    Queenstown - Milford Sound overnight cruise

    This morning travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via Te Anau to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner for your amazing overnight cruise. There is plenty of time to view the fjord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife – you’re bound to encounter seals and if you’re lucky maybe dolphins and penguins. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef.

    Day 15

    Milford Sound - Te Anau

    Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to explore more of the fjord. Return to the wharf to meet your coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

    Day 16

    Te Anau - Dunedin

    Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin. At Dunedin’s historic Edwardian Railway Station, board The Taieri Gorge Limited for a journey through spectacular scenery only accessible by rail. On arrival at Pukerangi, meet your coach for the journey back to Dunedin.

    Day 17

    Dunedin

    This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for a city tour followed by some free time. Optional activities you might be interested in include a tour of Speights Brewery or the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, Haggis Ceremony and gift.

    Day 18

    Dunedin - Christchurch

    This morning visit Olveston, a prosperous merchants’ home from the turn of the century before travelling to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with your new found friends.

    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.

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    * Conditions

    Advertised prices are per person twin share departing Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Adelaide and Perth in economy class. Prices are correct at time of publication and are subject to availability and change at any time without notification due to fluctuations in charges, taxes and currency. Savings are included in the advertised prices. Bonus offer: receive a GPT Tour Jacket per person and a 400-page New Zealand Eyewitness Travel Guide per booking. Offer is valid on new bookings only until 31 May 2020. Other conditions apply. Please contact your personal travel manager for full terms and conditions.

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