Trip Type: Group Coach Tour
Tour Duration: Eleven Days
Start From: Christchurch
End At: Auckland
Tour price per person:
01 Oct 10 - 30 Apr 11 NZ$2730
01 May 11 - 30 Sep 11 NZ$2597
Included: Coach travel, airport transfers, accommodation (3 star hotels) and some activities such as:
TranzAlpine Train, Shantytown, Montana Winery Tasting & Afternoon Tea, Interislander Ferry Crossing, TePapa Museum, Huka Falls, Entry to Agrodome, Rainbow Springs, Te Puia Thermal Reserve, Skyline Skyrides, Waitomo Glowworm Caves, Skytower, Kauri Museum, Entry to Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Hole in the Rock Cruise and Maori Hangi & Concert in Rotorua.
Not Included: Expenses of a personal nature such as beverages, travel insurance, laundry, optional sightseeing, lunches and morning or afternoon teas are not included in the tour cost.
| Optional Extras Per Person | |
| Breakfast (10) Supplement | NZ$205 |
| Dinner (8) Supplement | NZ$276 |
| Single Room Supplement | NZ$808 |
- Itinerary
- Departure Dates
- Terms and Conditions
Welcome to New Zealand! You will be greeted at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Accommodation: Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Day 2 – Christchurch/Greymouth
Join the famous Tranz Alpine train, departing from Christchurch Station at 8.15am (report 7.45am) crossing the Canterbury Plains and through the Southern Alps to Greymouth. Visit Shantytown, a restored gold-mining town of the 1860’s where you pan for gold and ride on the steam train, all at no extra cost.
Accommodation: Hotel Ashley (1 night)
View the unusual rock formations and blowholes at Punakaiki and on past Charleston. Follow the Buller River through the gorge and on to Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes National Park, and down the long Wairau Valley to Blenheim. A short tour of the area includes a visit to Montana Winery. Enjoy a hosted tour of the winery, learn about and taste a range of the famous local wines (purchase if you wish) followed by afternoon tea.
Drive to Picton, nestled on the shores of the Marlborough Sounds, to board the Interislander ferry. Sail through picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound and across Cook Strait into Wellington Harbour for spectacular views of New Zealand’s Capital City. A city tour will incorporate the summit of Mt Victoria for panoramic views of the city and harbour, the Houses of Parliament and the distinctive “Beehive”,Wellington Cathedral, city centre and Oriental Bay. Also explore the city yourself. Don’t miss Te Papa, the “Museum of New Zealand”, or take a ride on the famous Cable Car.
Accommodation: Bay Plaza Hotel (1 night)
Drive to Paekakariki with views of Kapiti Island and on a clear day, the South Island. Cross the Himitangi Plains, through the towns of Levin and Foxton to Bulls. Across rolling farmland to the central North Island National Park, dominated by the volcanic cone of Mt Ruapehu. Follow the Desert Road to Lake Taupo, New Zealand’s largest lake and famous for trout fishing. Stop at Huka Falls and skirt massive pine forests to reach Rotorua, centre of Maori culture.
A sightseeing tour visits the Agrodome for a display featuring New Zealand’s various sheep breeds with a shearing demonstration. See pools of brown and rainbow trout at Rainbow Springs Park, the Kiwi and other native birds. Visit Whakarewarewa, the Maori Arts and Crafts Centre and Thermal Reserve, with boiling mud, silica terraces and Pohutu Geyser. The spectacular Skyline Gondola offers superb views over city, lake and mountains and for a little excitement, try a Luge ride with our compliments. Time for optional activities this afternoon before a Maori hangi (meal) with selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus conventional dishes, followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka.
Cross the Mamaku Ranges to the Waikato region, noted for dairy farming and world famous horse studs. At Waitomo, a guide will escort your group underground to the limestone caverns and glow-worm grotto. On through Hamilton to Ngaruawahia, centre for the region’s Maori people, then alongside the Waikato River before crossing the Bombay Hills to reach New Zealand’s largest city – Auckland. Enjoy a city tour including the summit of Skytower, at 328m the tallest building in the Southern Hemisphere provides superb city and harbour views, the downtown area and Waterfront Drive.
Cross Auckland’s Harbour Bridge and drive north along the Hibiscus Coast to Matakohe and the Kauri museum telling the story of the Kauri tree and the regions early settlement, the displays are superb and their story fascinating. Continue north through Kawakawa to Paihia, where we meet our local Maori guide, a descendant of the original settlers to the region, who will provide a comprehensive insight and history of the Bay of Islands before a visit to New Zealand's birthplace, Waitangi. A self guided tour through the famous treaty house and giant war canoe all set in spectacular grounds overlooking the bay.
Accommodation: Tanoa Hotel Paihia (2 nights)
Day 9 – Bay of Islands
A day free for you to relax and enjoy the many optional activities available. Your Coach Captain will happily assist with details. A full day tour to Cape Reinga, New Zealand’s northern most point and Ninety Mile Beach or explore historic Russell, New Zealand’s first settlement and visit its original Church, Mission House and Museum.
** There is the option to up-grade to the Ipipiri overnight cruise this evening, please ask for more details at time of booking
A launch cruise will take you across the Bay and world acclaimed fishing grounds to Cape Brett and the famous “Hole in the Rock”. Returning to Paihia, board your Coach for the journey south through Whangarei and Warkworth passing the satellite tracking station. Shortly Auckland city and Harbour come into view.
It is farewell to your travelling companions. An airport trasnfer is included if required.
For the group tours advertised on our web site, we use a very reputable New Zealand travel company known as Kirra Holidays. They have been proudly showing overseas visitors New Zealand's many scenic and cultural delights for over 40 years.
General Information about Kirra Tours:
Each tour has a Coach Captain that acts as both driver and guide. He will share with you his in-depth knowledge of New Zealand, its history, culture and lots of special anecdotes. He will also advise on optional activities and where to find a shopping bargain.
Included in the tariff is a travel kit which includes a strong travel bag, a distinctive ticket wallet containing your itinerary, hotel list, baggage labels, all necessary vouchers, maps and sightseeing information. Your travel kit will be presented to you at the beginning of your tour in New Zealand.
Kirra carry a minimum of 15, and a maximum of 48 on any one tour, using 3-3.5 star hotels.
All prices advertised are in New Zealand dollars and GST inclusive.
Single Travellers:
If travelling alone on a group tour you have the choice of paying the twin share rate and then Kirra with link you up with another single traveller (of the same sex), or pay the single supplement to guarantee yourself a single room.
Cancellation fee’s:
• After the booking has been confirmed, and up until 45 days prior a fee of NZ$150 per person will apply.
• Between 44-21 dyas prior to your travel departure date, 20% of the total price will apply.
• Between 20 and 11 days of your travel departure date, 50% of the total price will apply.
• Within 10 days of your travel departure date 100% of the total price will apply.
Pacific Travel reserves the right to alter fares, amend itineraries or to cancel tours. Pacific Travel shall not be held responsible for any loss or damage to luggage or personal effects and/or damage resulting in death or personal injury which may arise whilst on tour with Pacific Travel or its nominated suppliers.