Ultimate Rail, Cruise & Coach Experience

Ultimate Rail, Cruise & Coach Experience

For the discerning traveller who appreciates the highest quality, this small group tour will redefine your opinion of a coach holiday. Travel on the Ultimate Coach, a vehicle designed especially to offer a level of comfort unparalleled by any other vehicle. Be pampered with premium accommodation and indulge in fabulous cuisine complemented with New Zealand’s highly distinctive wines.

This wonderful tour also allows you to experience the romance of rail travel, aboard the TranzAlpine, and the majesty of cruising through the beautiful Bay of Islands.

Our tour also includes overnight stays throughout the North and South Islands and a host of never to be forgotten experiences.

What’s Included:

• Return flights.
• 18 nights in hotels and 3 in flight (accommodation as specified or similar).
• Mixed meal plan basis.
• All touring and excursions as described in the itinerary.
• EXCLUSIVE Bay of Islands overnight cruise.
• Cruise on the Interislander Ferry.
• Coastal Pacific rail journey.
• TranzAlpine rail kourney.
• Milford Sound cruise & lunch.

Day 1-2: London - Auckland

Fly overnight to Auckland

Day 3: Arrive Auckland

Arrive in Auckland where you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre dinner drink.
Overnight - Crowne Plaza Meals - Dinner

Day 4: Auckland - Bay of Islands

Board the luxurious Ultimate Coach, depart Auckland and travel to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe then pass through Whangarei to Paihia. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.
Overnight - Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 5: Bay of Islands Cruise

A memorable day lies ahead. After breakfast you are free to explore Paihia before boarding Ipipiri, the Great Sights luxurious catamaran for your overnight cruise in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Cruise past spectacular landmarks, such as the Black Rocks and Urupukapuka Island before being anchored in a sheltered bay for a truly exclusive experience. You will be surrounded by nature, as the warm waters are home to an abundance of marine life such as dolphins, whales, seals and penguins. Tenders will ferry you to nearby islands as you learn of the rich history and ecology associated with this region. At sunset enjoy a buffet of local cuisine before retiring to your King Stateroom that has sea views.
Overnight - Ipipiri Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 6: Bay of Islands - Auckland

After a unique overnight stay, start the day with a leisurely breakfast before you cruise back to Opua Wharf mid-morning. Farewell the Bay of Islands and drive south via Whangarei, Wellsford and Warkworth to Auckland. Enjoy a short city tour and free time before transferring to your hotel.
Overnight - Crowne Plaza Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 7: Auckland - Rotorua

Depart Auckland and travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15 kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train. Visit the restoration workshop and on return to Glenbrook Station, morning tea will be served. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside to Longlands Farm & Restaurant. Enjoy a delicious home cooked lunch hosted by a rural New Zealand family. Next, continue to Rotorua and visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout.
Overnight - Regent of Rotorua Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 8: Rotorua

Today begins with a Gondola ride to Cableway Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.
Overnight - Regent of Rotorua Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 9: Rotorua - Wellington

Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway before arriving at the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo where some free time is available to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and this afternoon visit Southward Car Museum, home to the most comprehensive collection of veteran and vintage cars in the southern hemisphere. Enjoy afternoon tea before continuing to Wellington.
Overnight - Intercontinental Wellington Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 10: Wellington

Enjoy an extensive city tour in New Zealand’s capital, Wellington. A highlight will be a guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views. Enjoy free time at leisure this afternoon. This evening is also free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Overnight - Intercontinental Wellington Meals - Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Day 11: Wellington - Christchurch

This morning board the Interislander Ferry, cross the Cook Strait and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Ranges. Meet your Ultimate Coach in the fishing village of Kaikoura for the journey across the Northern Canterbury Plains to the garden city of Christchurch.
Overnight - The George Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 12: Christchurch

Enjoy an introductory city tour of Christchurch then on to the International Antarctic Centre designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This afternoon enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of your Lodge.
Overnight - The George Meals - Breakfast

Day 13: Christchurch - Fox Glacier

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing via Franz Josef to Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Overnight - Hotel Distinction Meals - Breakfast

Day 14: Fox Glacier - Queenstown

See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Overnight - Millennium Hotel Meals - Breakfast

Day 15: Queenstown

Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Tour Guide and Coach Captain are available to assist. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax, as you are treated to the best of New Zealand’s high country cuisine in the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then re-board the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Overnight - Millennium Hotel Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 16: Queenstown - Te Anau

This morning travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Te Anau and enjoy a scenic cruise across the Lake to visit the Glow Worm Caves where you admire the incredible limestone caverns, waterfalls and mystery of the Glow Worm Grotto.
Overnight - Distinction Hotel Te Anau Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 17: Milford Sound

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 onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available.
Overnight - Distinction Hotel Te Anau Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 18: Te Anau - Dunedin

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin known as the “Edinburgh of the South”. Enjoy an informative city tour including a visit to Olveston House, a prestigious historic home.
Overnight - Scenic Hotel Southern Cross Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 19: Dunedin

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you will hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by morning tea in the grand ballroom. Return to the city for some free time before boarding The Taieri Gorge Limited for a journey through spectacular scenery only accessible by rail. On return to Dunedin’s historic Edwardian Railway Station your coach will transfer to your hotel.
Overnight - Scenic Hotel Southern Cross Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 20: Dunedin - Christchurch

Travel to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. After a true Victorian welcome, enjoy an informative update on this unique Precinct where amazing buildings and shops are on show. Continue to Ashburton where you will visit The Plains Vintage Railway to experience a ‘K’88 Steam Locomotive at work, view informative displays and enjoy a delightful afternoon tea before travelling to Christchurch. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new found friends.
Overnight - The George Meals - Breakfast & Dinner

Day 21: Christchurch - London

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