Your Ultimate Tranz Alpine North tour includes free time in Wellington and Nelson where you can explore further with optional sightseeing activities such as Zest Wellington Food tours or a day in the Abel Tasman National Park.
Trip Type: Group Coach Tour
Tour Duration: Eleven Days
Start From: Auckland
End At: Christchurch
Tour price per person:
NZ$3155
Single Room Supplement NZ$800
Abel Tasman Day Tour NZ$140 per person
Included: Coach travel, airport transfers, accommodation (3 star hotels), dining inclusion - 10 breakfast, 8 dinners and some activities where specified in the itinerary such as:
Kauri Museum, Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Hole in the Rock Cruise, Skytower Auckland, Yacht Sailing on Auckland Harbour, Exclusive Kiwi Dundee Full Day Tour, Agrodome Sheep Show, Skyline Skyrides & Luge Ride, Rainbow Springs Park, Te Puia Thermal Reserve, Hangi & Concert, Te Papa Museum, Interislander Ferry, Brancott Estate Winery Tour & Tasting, Greenstone Gallery, TranzAlpine Train.
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 | |
- Itinerary
- Departure Dates
- Terms and Conditions
Welcome to New Zealand! You will be met at Auckland Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Dinner this evening is at your own arrangements.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel (1 night)
Day 2 – Auckland/Whangamata
Your tour departs from Rydges Hotel at 8.15am.
A tour of Auckland, to the summit of
Skytower, at 328 metres the tallest
building in the Southern
Hemisphere, the downtown city
area and waterfront drive, then
experience the thrill of sailing
aboard a 12m yacht on
Auckland Harbour and
visiting the Maritime
Museum, all before driving
to the Coromandel
Peninsula.
Accommodation: Breakers Motel
(2 nights)
A day of fun and entertainment with Kiwi Dundee Adventures. Explore regenerating Kauri forest and lush fern groves, the old roads to Puketui an 1890’s gold mining town and visit a gold mine studded with glow-worms. Walk on isolated beaches and if conditions permit, the springs at Hotwater Beach.
On to Rotorua and the Agrodome to see New Zealand’s various sheep breeds and a shearing demonstration. Stroll through Rainbow Springs Park to see Rainbow and Brown Trout plus native birds and animals including the Kiwi. Take the spectacular Skyline Skyride for superb views over the city, lake and mountains and try a luge ride with our compliments. This evening enjoy a Maori Hangi (meal), a selection of traditionally prepared meats and vegetables plus more conventional dishes, all followed by a concert featuring Maori songs, chants and the stirring haka.
Accommodation: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (1 night)
We head south to the Wairakei Geothermal Valley, visiting the powerful Huka Falls before arriving at Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake, short stop in Taupo before continuing on to the small fishing town of Turangi at the southern end of the lake.
Accommodation: Bridge Lodge Turangi (1 night)
As you travel south the volcanic mountains Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruhoe dominate the view. Stop for lunch at Pukaha, Mt Bruce for a chance to get up close with some of New Zealand's endangered species. Continuing south you head over the Rimutaka's before reaching the capital Wellington.
Accommodation: Bay Plaza Hotel (1 night)
Join the Interislander Ferry for the scenic cruise to Picton enjoying spectacular views of Wellington and the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte Sound. Upon arrival in the South Island you will be welcomed by your Kirra Tours Coach Captain and board the coach for the short drive to Brancott Estate Winery for a tasting and winery tour. From this renowned wine region it's a fascinating drive to Nelson, a town noted for its arts and crafts.
Accommodation: Leisure Lodge (2 nights)
Day 8 – Nelson or Abel Tasman
We recommend an optional day tour to the Abel Tasman National Park, inclusive of all transfers and a picnic lunch. By coach to Kaiteriteri then board a comfortable launch to cruise along the parks coastline. Either go ashore at Torrent Bay and walk 2 hours to Bark Bay or come ashore at Bark Bay and explore that area. From Bark Bay by launch, retrace your journey arriving in Nelson at 5.00pm. Alternatively, explore Nelson, follow the art trail, galleries and coffee shops featuring art, pottery, jewellery, wood and more or visit Tahunanui with its broad beaches and coastal panoramas.
Lush farmlands then forest covered ranges to the rugged Buller Gorge – a spectacular scenic drive. Visit Westport and the coast near Cape Foulwind, possibly lunch at the award winning Beach House Cafe and south to explore the Pancake rocks at Punakaiki. At Greymouth visit Jade Boulder Gallery to see native jade, mined in remote alpine valleys crafted into fine jewellery.
Accommodation: Hotel Ashley (1 night)
Day 10 – Greymouth/Christchurch
A morning to enjoy at leisure, visit Shantytown
an 1860’s mining town with steam train, horse
drawn buggies and working gold claim, or
explore the shops and galleries in town. A
courtesy transfer is provided from hotel to train
station to join the Tranz Alpine Train. Through
rainforests and past Lake Brunner to Otira in
the snowcapped Southern Alps. From Arthurs
Pass follow the Waimakariri River and across
the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Accommodation: Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Today is goodbye to all your new found friends before you make your homeward journey. You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport to join your flight home.
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.