Trip Type: Group Coach Tour
Tour Duration: 15 Days
Start From: Wellington
End At: Christchurch
Tour price per person:
NZ$4485
Single Room Supplement NZ$1565
Abel Tasman day Tour add NZ$140
Hollyford Track Walk add NZ$1580
Hollyford Single Supplement NZ$1340
Included: Coach travel, airport transfers, 14 nights accommodation (3 star hotels), dining inclusion - 14 breakfast, 12 dinners and some activities where specified in the itinerary such as:
Te Papa Museum, Interislander Ferry, Brancott Winery Tour & Tasting, Punakaiki Rocks, Franz Josef Glacier, Cruise to Stevenson Island & Jet Boat Ride, Visit Arrowtown, Skyline Dinner in Queenstown, Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise, Scottish haggis Ceremony, Olveston House, Moeraki Boulders, Tasman Glacier Experience.
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 Wellington Airport and transferred to your hotel.
Dinner this evening is at your own arrangements.
Accommodation: Bay Plaza Hotel (1 night)
Day 2 – Wellington/Blenheim/Nelson
Your tour departs from the Bay Plaza Hotel at 7:45am. Join the
Interislander Ferry for the scenic cruise to
Picton, enjoy spectacular views of Wellington
and the sheltered waters of Queen Charlotte
Sound. Welcomed by your Coach Captain then
on to Montana Winery for a tasting and winery
tour. From this renowned wine region it’s a
fascinating drive to Nelson noted for its arts
and crafts.
Accommodation: Leisure Lodge (2 nights)
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 Tahunahui 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)
Your journey to Franz Josef is highlighted by remote farms, tiny landlocked lakes and dense native bush & forest dominated by the towering Southern Alps. Upon reaching the township, there is plenty of time to enjoy a guided walk to the glacier's terminal face, a half day glacier walk, or a glacier heli-hike. Or, to see the glacier from a different angle, we highly recommend a helicopter flight and snow landing. Alternatively you may choose to simply relax in the Glacier Hot Pools.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef (1 night)
Follow the rugged coastline then inland across the Alps and the Haast Pass to the impressive bushlands of the Aspiring National Park. At Wanaka a choice of two afternoon activities. Either a launch cruise across the lake to Stevensons Island, a nature reserve, for a bush walk followed by refreshments. Look for the native Buff Weka, a small, flightless bird whose curiosity is likely to attract them close to you. Alternatively a very picturesque walk along a track beside the Clutha River as it flows from Lake Wanaka to a picnic spot. Enjoy light refreshments and a thrilling jet boat excursion on the river tailored to suit – full on exciting, leisurely scenic cruising or somewhere in between.
Accommodation: Grand Mecure Oakridge Resort (1 night)
Drive through a picturesque region that has a fascinating history of early settlement and goldmining for a late morning arrival into the ever–popular resort of Queenstown. Dinner tonight is at the spectacular Skyline Restaurant. (entire group) You have 2 choices for the next three days and Kirra Tours enthusiastically recommend.
Today enjoy the sights, sounds and activities of Queenstown plus attend a pre-walk briefing.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel (1 night)
By coach to the beginning of the Hollyford track, follow ancient Maori footsteps through beech forests, past impressive waterfalls to reach Pyke Lodge. Walking 17kms.
See the beautiful reflections of Lake Alabaster before crossing Fiordlands longest swing bridge to board your jet boat along the Hollyford River and onto lake McKerrow to reach martins Bay. Walking 12kms.
This morning explore Martins Bay Spit, a famous landmark seperating the Hollyford Valley and powerful Tasman Sea. Learn about the diversity of this truly remote area before taking an afternoon scenic flight into Milford Sound to rejoin your tour group for the Milford Mariner Overnight Cruise.
Board the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise – an undoubted highlight. (1 night)
Jet boating, lake cruises, a day on the Routeburn Track, Lord of the Rings Tours, rafting and more shops, galleries and boutiques than you can count – enjoy. Dinner day 8 is not included allowing the opportunity to dine at a restaurant of your choice.
Accommodation: Rydges Hotel (3 nights)
Follow the lake to Kingston, across fertile farmlands to Fiordland. Visit moody Lake Manapouri then Lake Te Anau. Follow the Eglinton Valley, native forests, lakes, waterfalls and towering mountains. At The Divide collect the Greenstone Trek group and travel through the Hollyford Valley and Homer Tunnel to Milford Sound.
Board the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise – an undoubted highlight. (1 night)
Wake to the sounds of silence in a pristine world. Rugged and remote mountains change to lush green countryside, which in turn gives way to rolling hills as you approach Dunedin, the “Edinburgh of the South”. This evening prior to Dinner you will be treated to a traditional Scottish Haggis Ceremony, complete with piper, address to the Haggis and gift.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City (2 nights)
A day to enjoy at your leisure with a multitude of optional activities available. A Monarch Wildlife Cruise, Natures Wonders Tour (both featuring penguins, seals and birdlife), the Taieri Gorge Railway, a Citibus Newtons Tour, fascinating Larnach Castle or Tour the Cadbury Factory or Speights Brewery. Have fun!
Visit Olveston, Dunedin’s majestic historic home with its original furnishings. See bush clad hillsides, tidal estuaries and a rocky coastline, view the unusual Moeraki Boulders then explore Oamaru. Follow the Waitaki Valley, passing several hydro lakesuntil you reach Mt Cook National Park & Village. This afternoon visit the Tasman Glacier where you will be amazed by the floating icebergs in the nearby lake.
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel (1 night)
Visit Lake Tekapo, view the Church of the Good Shepherd and Collie Dog memorial with time for a highly recommended (optional) flight with Air Safaris. Descend Burkes Pass to the Canterbury Plains and Christchurch.
Accommodation: Pavilions Hotel (1 night)
Day 15– Christchurch/Home
Today is goodbye to all your new found friends before making your homeward journey. A transfer to Christchurch Airport is included.
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.