16 Day Signature Highlights

Experience New Zealand across both islands on this 16-day Signature tour, travelling by premium mid-size coach with expert guidance. From Aoraki/Mount Cook and Milford Sound to Rotorua, Wellington and the Bay of Islands, enjoy iconic rail and cruise experiences, 4-star accommodation, and a relaxed pace.

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Duration

16 Day / 15 Night Tour

Price

$10,059

PEOPLE GOING

101+ Booked

PACKAGE

Itinerary

Itinerary Details
  1. Day 1
    Arrive in Christchurch

    Arrive in Christchurch and transfer to your hotel. This evening, enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your Tour Leader and fellow travellers as your New Zealand journey begins. Overnight in Christchurch.

  2. Day 2
    Christchurch → Lake Tekapo → Mount Cook → Twizel

    Enjoy a city sights tour before travelling across the Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue past Aoraki/Mount Cook’s alpine scenery to Twizel. Overnight in Twizel.

  3. Day 3
    Twizel → Oamaru → Dunedin

    Travel along the Waitaki River to Oamaru, known for its limestone buildings, then continue to Dunedin. Enjoy a guided city tour and free time to explore the Octagon or waterfront. Overnight in Dunedin.

  4. Day 4
    Dunedin → Larnach Castle → Te Anau

    Visit Larnach Castle for a guided tour, Devonshire Tea, and garden strolls. Travel south through Otago and Southland to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland. Optional glowworm caves available. Overnight in Te Anau.

  5. Day 5
    Te Anau → Milford Sound → Queenstown

    Journey to Milford Sound and cruise beneath towering cliffs, waterfalls, and Mitre Peak with lunch onboard. Continue to Queenstown beside Lake Wakatipu for a free evening. Overnight in Queenstown.

  6. Day 6
    Queenstown Free Day & Walter Peak Dinner

    Enjoy a free day in Queenstown with optional activities such as gondola rides or wine tours. In the evening, cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard the TSS Earnslaw for a gourmet dinner at Walter Peak. Overnight in Queenstown.

  7. Day 7
    Queenstown → Arrowtown → Franz Josef

    Visit historic Arrowtown and the Lakes District Museum before crossing the Haast Pass into the rainforest landscapes of the West Coast. Arrive in Franz Josef with optional glacier flights available. Overnight in Franz Josef.

  8. Day 8
    Franz Josef → Arthur’s Pass → Christchurch

    Stop in Hokitika to learn about greenstone carving, then board the TranzAlpine train at Arthur’s Pass. Cross the Southern Alps and return to Christchurch via dramatic alpine scenery. Overnight in Christchurch.

  9. Day 9
    Christchurch → Kaikōura → Picton → Wellington

    Travel the scenic East Coast via Kaikōura before continuing to Picton. Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds aboard the Interislander Ferry to Wellington. Overnight in Wellington.

  10. Day 10
    Wellington

    Visit Te Papa Museum including the Gallipoli exhibition, followed by a comprehensive city tour. Enjoy free time in Wellington’s waterfront and dining precincts. Overnight in Wellington.

  11. 11
    Wellington → Tongariro → Taupō → Rotorua

    Travel north through volcanic landscapes with views of Mount Ruapehu. Stop at Huka Falls and Lake Taupō before continuing to Rotorua, New Zealand’s geothermal heartland. Overnight in Rotorua.

  12. 12
    Rotorua

    Ride the Skyline gondola for a specialty breakfast and luge experience. Visit the Agrodome before an evening at Te Puia featuring geysers, a Māori hāngī dinner, and cultural performance. Overnight in Rotorua.

  13. 13
    Rotorua → Whangārei → Bay of Islands

    Travel north through lush Northland countryside to the Bay of Islands. Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, where New Zealand’s founding document was signed. Overnight in the Bay of Islands.

  14. 14
    Bay of Islands Cruise

    Cruise to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock, watching for dolphins and marine life. Enjoy a free afternoon in Paihia with optional activities or waterfront relaxation. Overnight in the Bay of Islands.

  15. 15
    Bay of Islands → Kauri Museum → Auckland

    Visit the Kauri Museum at Matakohe before returning to Auckland. Enjoy an Auckland city sights tour and a farewell dinner celebrating your journey. Overnight in Auckland.

  16. 16
    Depart Auckland

    After breakfast, transfer to Auckland Airport for your onward flight, concluding your Signature Highlights New Zealand experience.

Tour Highlights
    • Arrive in Christchurch and transfer to your hotel.
    • Settle into the Garden City and enjoy time to relax.
    • Meet your Tour Leader and fellow travellers.
    • Enjoy a welcome dinner following a pre-dinner drink.
Accommodations
  • 1 night in Christchurch 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
  • 1 night in Twizel 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
  • 1 night in Dunedin 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
  • 1 night in Te Anau 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
  • 2 nights in Queenstown 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
  • 1 night in Franz Josef 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
  • 1 night in Christchurch (Airport area) 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
  • 2 nights in Wellington 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
  • 2 nights in Rotorua 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
  • 2 nights in Bay of Islands 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
  • 1 night in Auckland 4 Star Hotel with breakfast.
Package Includes

Coach & Transfers:

  • Premium Economy mid-size coach with 32 comfort seats, tray tables, cup holders, onboard restroom and daily Wi-Fi allowance.
  • Personalised meet and greet on arrival.
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand.
  • Professional Coach Captain and experienced Tour Leader.
  • Hotel porterage and luggage handling.
  • Signature Documentation Pack.

 

Exclusive Experiences:

  • Christchurch City Sights Tour
  • Larnach Castle guided tour + Devonshire Tea
  • Milford Sound Cruise with lunch
  • TSS Earnslaw Cruise + Walter Peak gourmet dinner
  • Lakes District Museum
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Interislander Ferry crossing
  • Te Papa National Museum
  • Wellington City Sights Tour
  • Skyline Rotorua Gondola + Luge Ride
  • Agrodome Farm Show
  • Te Puia geothermal valley
  • Māori Hāngi Dinner + Cultural Concert
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds guided tour
  • Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
  • Kauri Museum visit and talk
  • Auckland City Sights Tour
  • Accommodation in a 4 Star Hotel for 15 nights with Breakfast.

 

Meals:

  • 15 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast at Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
  • 12 dinners including Welcome Dinner with pre-dinner drink, specialty dinner at Walter Peak, Māori Hāngi dinner, and Farewell Dinner with pre-dinner drink in Auckland
  • 1 lunch on Milford Sound Cruise
  • 1 Devonshire Tea at Larnach Castle
  • Interislander Ferry: 1 meal voucher per person

 

Additional:

  • Extensive optional activities available throughout the tour
  • GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)”

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