FLIGHTS INCLUDED! Sensational New Zealand tour with the Travel at 60 community! (September 2020)

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

BONUS Night: Arrive Christchurch

On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel Quality Hotel Elms (2 nights)

DAY 1: Christchurch (Free Day) (B,D)

Today is free to explore Christchurch at leisure. You may like to take advantage of the discount coupons in your Optional Tours Directory.

DAY 2: 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, The Church of the Good Shepherd and 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

DAY 3: 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

DAY 4: 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)

DAY 5: Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown (B,L)

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. This evening is free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel - Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront or similar (2 nights)

DAY 6: Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader are available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, including the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. 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 7: 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 Fox Glacier

DAY 8: 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

DAY 9: 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)

DAY 10: Wellington (B)

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 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.

DAY 11: 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 or similar (2 nights)

DAY 12: Rotorua (B,SD)

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at the Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling 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. This evening experience an entertaining Māori Hāngi and Concert.

DAY 13: 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 Māori tribes and the British.
Hotel Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (2 nights)

DAY 14: Bay of Islands (B)

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’ 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).

DAY 15: Bay of Islands - Auckland (B,D)

Depart the Bay of Islands this morning 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 sights tour. This evening enjoy a final dinner with your new found friends.
Hotel - Rydges Auckland

DAY 16: Depart Auckland (B)

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

Depart Australia 9th September 2020 and return 25th September 2020

ALL INCLUSIVE TOUR PRICE - Fully escorted tour includes airfares, taxes, modern coach travel, 3.5 star hotel accommodation, most meals, sightseeing & attractions.

Departures from Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne:

• Twin Share from $5,424 pp + $195pp air taxes = $5,619 pp
• Sole use from $7,144 + $195 pp air taxes = $7,339

Departures from Perth:

• Twin Share from $5,974 pp + $195 pp air taxes = $6,169 pp
• Sole use from $7,694 + $195 pp air taxes = $7,889

Departures from Adelaide, Hobart & Launceston:

• Twin Share from $5,724 pp + $195 pp air taxes = $5,919 pp
• Sole use from $7,444 + $195 pp air taxes = $7,639

*Flights are currently out of date range. The best flight options will be provided once available. Air Taxes are subject to change.

• Hotel Quality Hotel Elms (2 nights)
• Hotel Heritage Gateway Hotel
• Hotel Heritage Dunedin Leisure Lodge
• Hotel Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Room)
• Hotel Copthorne Hotel and Resort Lakefront or similar (2 nights)
• Hotel Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier
• Hotel Quality Hotel Elms
• Hotel Ibis Wellington (2 nights)
• Hotel Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua or similar (2 nights)
• Hotel Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (2 nights)
• Hotel 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 Spring (Sep to Nov). They could vary by up to 4 - 6 degrees.

Auckland 11 - 18

Rotorua 07 - 17

Wellington 09 - 15

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.