Day 1 (D) HOME PORTS, AUCKLAND
Fly from home ports to Auckland where we are met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to our home for two nights, Copthorne Hotel Auckland City.

Day 2 (B,D) AUCKLAND
This morning enjoy an extensive city sights tour of Auckland, including the Auckland Sky Tower, offering breathtaking views across Auckland. The rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore at leisure.

Day 3 (B,L,D) AUCKLAND, BAY OF ISLANDS
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. Our home for two nights is the Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge or Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands.

Day 4 (B,D) BAY OF ISLANDS
This morning we travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning via Russell to Paihia for a free afternoon. A range of optional activities are available or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront.

Day 5 (B,L,D) BAY OF ISLANDS, AUCKLAND, ROTORUA
Depart the Bay of Islands and travel via Auckland to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua. Visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout then continue to the Sudima Hotel, our home for the next two nights.

Day 6 (B,L,D) ROTORUA
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Cableway Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Some free time is available before an afternoon transfer to see the boiling mud pools and the geysers for which Rotorua is famous. This evening we experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.

Day 7 (B,D) ROTORUA, TAUPO, WELLINGTON
Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway before arriving at the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo where some free time is available to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Continue south along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital and our home for two nights, the Hotel Ibis Wellington.

Day 8 (B) WELLINGTON
Today explore this exciting city with a city tour which explains the history and culture on show in New Zealand’s capital. A highlight is the guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views of the land, environment and people. Enjoy some free time to explore at leisure this afternoon. This evening is also free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Day 9 (B,L,D) WELLINGTON, PICTON, CHRISTCHURCH
Today we board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as we travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Travel along the East Coast to the fishing village of Kaikoura before arriving in Christchurch. Home tonight is the Heartland Hotel Cotswold or The Elms Hotel.

Day 10 (B,L,D) CHRISTCHURCH, OMARAMA
After a city tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, visit The Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, own expense) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama. Home tonight is the Heritage Gateway Hotel.

Day 11 (B,L,D) OMARAMA, DUNEDIN
Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin, a well preserved Victorian city. Enjoy an informative tour including a visit to Olveston House, a prestigious historic home. Tonight enjoy a Scottish evening, complete with bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift. Our home tonight is the Mercure Leisure Lodge or Scenic Hotel Dunedin City.

Day 12 (B,D) DUNEDIN, TE ANAU
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where we hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Visit Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens and view the superb collection of flowers, followed by a delightful morning tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves tonight (optional, own expense). Our home tonight is the Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Rooms).

Day 13 (B,L) TE ANAU, MILFORD SOUND, QUEENSTOWN
Depart Te Anau for the spectacular drive to Milford Sound where we board our launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as we enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. Home for two nights is the Mercure Queenstown Resort.

Day 14 (B,D) QUEENSTOWN
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Our Coach Captain is available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, whether it be the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or the helicopter ride of a lifetime. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station where we are treated to the best of New Zealand’s high country cuisine in 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 15 (B,L,D) QUEENSTOWN, ARROWTOWN, FOX GLACIER
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as we travel to Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional, own expense) over the spectacular glaciers. Our home tonight is the Heartland Hotel Glacier Country or Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier.

Day 16 (B,L,D) FOX GLACIER, ARTHURS PASS, CHRISTCHURCH
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthurs Pass and board The TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as we travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival our coach is waiting to transfer us to our overnight home, Heartland Hotel Cotswold or The Elms Hotel. This evening enjoy a special farewell dinner with your new friends.

Day 17 (B) CHRISTCHURCH, HOME PORTS
Time to say goodbye. We transfer to the airport for our flights home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. (Some flights return via Auckland.)