FESTIVE SEASON TOUR! 17-day Christmas in New Zealand Guided Tour - includes flights!

(B) Breakfast. (L) Lunch. (D) Dinner. (SD) Specialty Dinner.

19 DEC 2020: ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH (D)

On arrival into Christchurch you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your travelling companions.

Hotel: Quality Hotel Elms (2 nights)

20 DEC 2020: CHRISTCHURCH (FREE DAY) (B, D)

Today is a free day to explore Christchurch. Enjoy a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at your leisure, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions.

21 DEC 2020: CHRISTCHURCH - OMARAMA (B, D)

After an introductory city sights 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) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama.

Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel

22 DEC 2020: OMARAMA - DUNEDIN (B, SD)

Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin and enjoy a city sights tour followed by some free time. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift.

Hotel: Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge (formally Mercure Leisure Lodge)

23 DEC 2020: DUNEDIN - TE ANAU (B, D)

This morning travel out 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. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).

Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Room)

24 DEC 2020: TE ANAU - MILFORD SOUND - QUEENSTOWN (B, L, D)

Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions.

Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront or similar (2 nights)

25 DEC 2020: QUEENSTOWN - CHRISTMAS DAY (B, L)

Merry Christmas! Today board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy a gourmet Christmas lunch and the best of NZ’s high country cuisine in the Colonel’s Homestead. Reboard the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a sing along by the piano on your return cruise to Queenstown. This evening is free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

26 DEC 2020: QUEENSTOWN - ARROWTOWN - FOX GLACIER (B, D)

Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers.

Hotel: Heartland Hotel Glacier Country

27 DEC 2020: FOX GLACIER - ARTHUR’S PASS - CHRISTCHURCH (B, D)

Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you 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 your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Hotel: Quality Hotel Elms

28 DEC 2020: CHRISTCHURCH - PICTON - WELLINGTON (B, D)

Travel along the East Coast to the seaside village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you will board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.

Hotel: Ibis Wellington (2 nights)

29 DEC 2020: WELLINGTON (B)

A highlight this morning will be time to explore Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also free to choose your own dining arrangements.

30 DEC 2020: WELLINGTON - TAUPO - ROTORUA (B, D)

Depart Wellington and view the snow capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.

Hotel: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (2 nights)

31 DEC 2020: ROTORUA - NEW YEAR’S EVE (B ,SD)

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at the Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a luge ride! Next stop is Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that’s unlike anything you’ve seen before. Visit Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. Enjoy some free time this afternoon, then see in the New Year at an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.

01 JAN 2020: ROTORUA - Auckland - BAY OF ISLANDS (B, D)

This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland. Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy an introduction to the Bay of Islands, location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.

Hotel: Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (2 nights)

02 JAN 2020: BAY OF ISLANDS (B)

This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands on board a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for bottle-nose and common dolphins before returning 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. This evening is also free and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

03 JAN 2020: BAY OF ISLANDS - AUCKLAND (B, D)

Depart the Bay of Islands and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city tour. This evening enjoy a final dinner with your new found friends.

Hotel: Rydges Auckland

04 JAN 2020: DEPART AUCKLAND (B)

Time to say goodbye. You’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

This tour commences in Christchurch on 19 Dec 2020 and ends in Auckland on 04 Jan 2021.

Departures from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or Gold Coast:

• Twin Share - from $6189 pp + $195 pp air taxes = $6384 pp
• Sole use - from $7929 + $195 pp air taxes = $8124

Departures from Perth:

• Twin Share - from $6739 pp + $170 pp air taxes = $6909 pp
• Sole use - from $8479 + $170 pp air taxes = $8649

Departures fromLaunceston & Hobart:

• Twin Share - from $6489 pp + $180 pp air taxes = $6669 pp
• Sole use - from $8229 + $180 pp air taxes = $8409

Call our local travel team on 1300 414 198 to secure your seat!

Accommodation includes:

• Quality Hotel Elms, Christchurch
• Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama
• Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge (formally Mercure Leisure Lodge)
• Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Room)
• Mercure Queenstown Resort
• Heartland Hotel Glacier Country 
• Ibis Wellington
• Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua 
• Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge, Bay of Islands
• Rydges Auckland

CLOTHING

Whilst on tour, dress is informal and relaxed on most occasions. Smart casual clothes are acceptable at most restaurants. The seasons are more pronounced and the weather is more changeable. In summer, a jacket and sweater should be included in your luggage should the weather turn cooler or you visit higher altitudes. You can expect some rain, so also include a light rainproof jacket or coat. If visiting during the months ofMay and September, pack warm winter garments and layer your clothing.You may have the option to relax and unwind in thermal hot pools so don’t forget to pack your swimwear.

MONEY MATTERS

New Zealand’s unit of currency is the New Zealand Dollar (NZD). All major international credit cards are accepted and provided they are encoded with a PIN, may be used to obtain cash from Automatic Teller Machines throughout New Zealand. Check with your bank whether this facility is available to you. It is highly recommended you obtain a small amount ofNew Zealand currency prior to your arrival in New Zealand.Cash Passports or Travel Money Cards are popular and are a safe and convenient way to allow you to access cash at Automatic Teller Machines throughout New Zealand.

WEATHER

These are average minimum/maximum temperatures in Celsius only during Summer (Dec to Feb). They could vary by up to 4-6 degrees.

• Auckland12 - 24
• Rotorua12 - 24
• Wellington13 - 20
• Christchurch12 - 22
• Queenstown10 - 22

TIPPING

New Zealanders do not depend on tips for their income, however tipping in appreciation for extra-special service is at the discretion of the individual traveller.Some tours may organise an envelope to be circulated for a group presentation to the Coach Captain and/or Tour Guide but any contribution is based on individual appreciation and is not mandatory.

INCIDENTALS

We suggest you allow a minimum of NZ $40 - $50 per day per person for incidental cash expenses such as lunch, morning and afternoon tea.

ROLE OF YOUR COACH CAPTAIN & TOUR GUIDE

Your Coach Captain is responsible for driving and maintaining the coach and for providing commentary throughout the tour. Your TourGuide is responsible for your wellbeing and for co-ordinating all the accommodation and activities. It is important whilst travelling on tour that you follow all Crew instructions.

COACH SEAT ROTATION

For the enjoyment of all travellers a daily seat rotation operates which all travellers must participate in as a condition of booking. The coach seat plan is displayed on the coach for your reference.