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New Zealand Tours



WHATS INCLUDED
FLIGHTS WITH AUSTRALIA’S NATIONAL CARRIER:

  • Return economy flights with one of the following airlines: Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Emirates, QANTAS or Malaysia Airlines
  • Premium Economy and Business Class upgrades available on selected routes. Please call us for upgrade prices

CHOICE OF THREE NIGHT OUTBOUND STOPOVER:

  • Choose from: Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Bangkok, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Kuala Lumpur (subject to airline choice)
  • Your three night stopover includes return airport hotel transfers, accommodation, breakfast (room only in North America) and a city sightseeing tour or attraction pass

SCENIC FREE CHOICE INCLUSIONS:

  • Bay of Islands - choice of 8 Scenic FreeChoice inclusions
  • Rotorua - choice of 7 Scenic FreeChoice inclusions
  • Queenstown - choice of 7 Scenic FreeChoice inclusions
  • Stewart Island - choice of 3 Scenic FreeChoice inclusions
  • Dunedin - choice of 4 Scenic FreeChoice inclusions

SCENIC DINING:

  • 35 superb meals including; 21 breakfasts, 1 highlight lunch, 5 highlight dinners, 8 dinners (excluding in-flight meals)

SCENIC FREECHOICE DINING:

  • Auckland, Rotorua and Queenstown

SO MUCH MORE INCLUDED WITH SCENIC TOURS:
Our tours are fully inclusive, with no hidden extras. In addition to the many things highlighted above, we also include:
  • Services of an experienced Scenic Tour Director in New Zealand
  • First class air-conditioned coaches with experienced coach captains
  • All accommodation as detailed in the itinerary (or of a similar standard)
  • All non-UK airport/hotel transfers if making arrangements with Scenic Tours
  • All excursions, tours and entrance fees as detailed in the itinerary
  • All pre-payable airport taxes, security charges and UK Air Passenger Duty (APD)
  • All porterage (one piece of luggage per person)

25 Day
Grand New Zealand Rail

Auckland to Christchurch (DGZR.1)



Please call reservations or contact us to enquire about dates and availability for this tour.
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1: to Day 5 : Depart the UK for your pre-tour stopover
Choose from five world class airlines to begin your journey. Whichever airline you choose there’s no extra cost: Air New Zealand, Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines,    QANTAS.

Choose from seven outbound stopovers. Whichever destination you choose there’s no extra cost: Singapore, Dubai*, Los Angeles**, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, San Francisco**, Bangkok.

Arrive into your selected stopover destination for a three night stay - all included in your holiday price. You will be transferred to your hotel with the remainder of the day at leisure. *Flights operate overnight to Asia and Dubai. **Los Angeles and San Francisco flights arrive on day 1.

Stopovers are dependent on which airline you choose to fly with.

  



Day 6: Arrive Auckland (D)
Welcome to New Zealand! On arrival you will be met at the airport by your Scenic Tours Representative and transferred* to your hotel. Tonight meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers at our welcome briefing followed by dinner.
Overnight Stay: Auckland

Meals: Dinner


Day 7: Auckland - Bay of Islands (FB,D)

Your first touring day starts with a drive to the Bay of Islands. Visit the unique Kauri and Pioneer Museum. Continue north to the Bay of Islands. Meet your Maori guide for a personal insight into the history of this important area before visiting Waitangi Treaty Grounds.
Two Night Stay: Bay of Islands

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Unique, Boutique & Luxury - W
hy not upgrade your accommodation to spend two nights at the Bay of Islands Lodge?



Day 8: Bay of Islands (FB)
Today is a SCENIC FREE CHOICE day where you choose what you would like to do from the following inclusions: (1) ‘On the Edge’, the ultimate day sailing in the bay; or (2) A scenic lunch cruise around the beautiful bays; or (3) A cruise and tour of historic Russell and Pompallier; or (4) Full day Cape Reinga Tour to the country’s northernmost tip; or (5) Cruise and swim with dolphins (weather permitting); or (6) Play 18 holes of golf at Waitangi Golf Club; or (7) Enjoy a Perfect Day cruise to the Poor Knight Islands; or (8) Try your hand at fishing in the bay. 

Meals: Breakfast


Day 9: Bay of Islands - Auckland (FB,HD)
This morning cruise the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett Lighthouse and through the famous Hole in the Rock (weather permitting). This afternoon enjoy the scenic return journey to Auckland. Tonight is a SCENIC FREE CHOICE Dining evening where you choose your meal from the following inclusions: (1) A delicious buffet dinner in SBF Brasserie; or (2) Fine Italian cuisine in Barolo Restaurant (limited availability)
Overnight Stay: Auckland 

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner


Day 10: Auckland - Rotorua (FB,HL)

This morning journey south to Longlands Homestead, a working dairy farm, for a tour by the farm host followed by a home cooked roast lamb lunch. Continue to Rotorua.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Lunch

Unique, Boutique & Luxury - Why not upgrade your accommodation to spend two nights at the at the Hamurana Country Estate or Treetops Lodge & Estate?



Day 11: Rotorua (FB,HD)

Today is an Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE activity day where you choose what you would like to do at no extra cost.  Choose from: (1) Enjoy the Agrodome Sheep Show and then see the rare Kiwi at Rainbow Springs; or (2) an amphibious duck tour of Rotorua’s city and lakes; or (3) enjoy a tour of Te Puia Thermal Reserve and the Maori and Crafts Institute; or (4) relax in the geothermal pools of the Polynesian Day Spa; or (5) take a thrilling 4WD safari adventure; or (6) visit the unique Buried Village; or (7) visit Rotorua Museum.  Tonight is an Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE  Dining evening.  Choose from: (1) Tamaki Village Hangi and Cultural Show; or (2) dinner at the Atlas Café and Restaurant.

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner



Day 12: Rotorua - Wellington (FB)
Included today are visits to Huka Falls, the Wairakei Steam Valley and Lake Taupo. Continue to Taumaranui where you will board the Overlander train. Included this afternoon is a magnificent journey up the famous Raurimu Spiral onto New Zealand’s awesome volcanic plateau. Travel through Tongariro National Park to Wellington.
Two Night Stay: Wellington

Meals: Breakfast


Day 13: Wellington (FB,D)
Included today is your pass on the Hop On - Hop Off bus, which visits the main sights of Wellington. Included in your pass is entry to Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum. Relax and explore the city at your own pace.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 14: Wellington - Ashburton (FB,D)

Included this morning is your cruise across Marlborough Sounds to New Zealand’s South Island. SCENIC ENRICH onboard you will have exclusive access to the Kaitaki Plus Premier lounge including breakfast. On arrival in Picton board the TranzCoastal train for your Included journey south along the spectacular Pacific Ocean coastline to Kaikoura.  Disembark the train and continue by coach to Ashburton.
Overnight Stay: Ashburton 

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner



Day 15: Ashburton - Franz Josef (FB,D)

Included in today’s touring is an unforgettable journey through the magnificent Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine railway. Disembark at Arthur’s Pass and continue to Hokitika and then stop and view awesome Franz Josef Glacier, a stunning landscape hewn by ice and a living remnant of the last Ice Age. Tonight settle into your accommodation in the charming little village of Franz Josef at the luxurious Te Waonui Forest Retreat. This lodge style hotel has been built to respect and preserve the surrounding rainforest and is at the cutting edge of sustainable, luxury accommodation. This evening enjoy dinner at the Retreat.
Overnight Special Stay: Franz Josef

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner



Day 16: Franz Josef - Queenstown (FB,HD)
A highlight today is a scenic jet boat ride on the mighty Haast River in Mount Aspiring National Park. Continue to picturesque Queenstown. Tonight is a SCENIC FREE CHOICE Dining evening where you choose your meal from the following inclusions: (1) A cruise on Lake Wakatipu onboard the TSS Earnslaw, then dine at Walter Peak Station; or (2) Ride the gondola up to Skyline Restaurant and dine with views of Queenstown; or (3) Enjoy a relaxing à la carte dinner at Lombardi’s Restaurant; or (4) Dine at Threesixty Restaurant.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner

Unique, Boutique & Luxury - Why not upgrade your accommodation to spend two nights at the Evergreen Lodge?


Day 17: Queenstown (FB)
Today is a SCENIC FREE CHOICE day where you choose what you would like to do from the following inclusions: (1) A tour of local country gardens followed by morning tea; or (2) Relax onboard the legendary Million Dollar Cruise; or (3) A guided tour of local wineries with lunch; or (4) An exhilarating ride through Shotover Canyon in a jet boat; or (5) See the scenery of the Southern Lakes region on a 4WD tour; or (6) Enjoy a scenic guided tour to historic Skippers Canyon; or (7) An indulgent therapeutic massage or foot revitalization.

Meals: Breakfast


Day 18: Queenstown - Te Anau (FB,HD)
Enjoy the beauty of the Fiordland National Park. Included today is an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound, the most accessible of Fiordland’s magnificent glacier-carved fiords. Tonight stay in the heart of the village of Te Anau at your modern hotel.  Tonight is an Included SCENIC FREE CHOICE Dining evening.  Choose from: (1) a delicious buffet dinner at Hilights Restaurant; or (2) a casual café style dinner at Bailiez Café; or (3) authentic Japanese cuisine. 
Overnight Stay: Te Anau

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner


Day 19: Te Anau - Invercargill (FB,D)
This morning journey to Bluff for your ferry trip to Stewart Island (weather permitting), home to the Rakiura National Park. Today is a SCENIC FREE CHOICE day where you choose what you would like to do from the following inclusions: (1) Cruise Paterson Inlet and visit Ulva Island’s open wildlife sanctuary; or (2) Explore Oban and the surrounding bays on a guided tour; or (3) Enjoy a guided walking tour of the island.Return to Invercargill.
Overnight Stay: Invercargill

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner


Day 20: Invercargill - Dunedin (FB,D)
Enjoy the scenery today as we travel to Dunedin. This afternoon depart from the magnificently restored Dunedin station for your rail journey into the heart of Taieri Gorge. Marvel at the spectacular scenery, wild landscapes and towering viaducts.
Two Night Stay:  Dunedin

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Home Stay - Alternatively, experience the warmth and hospitality of a local family during an overnight Home Stay. These are included in your tour at no extra cost, but must be pre-booked.


Day 21: Dunedin (FB)
Today is a SCENIC FREE CHOICE day where you choose what you would like to do from the following inclusions: (1) A guided tour of Larnach Castle and gardens; or (2) A trip to see the famous Yellow-eyed penguins; or (3)  Visit the albatross centre; or (4) A trip to see the famous Yellow-eyed penguins or albatross; or (5) A guided tour of Speight’s Brewery.

Meals: Breakfast


Day 22: Dunedin - Lake Takapo (FB,D)

Included this morning is the historic Seasider train taking you on one of the most spectacular rail journey’s in the world along the coastal cliffs of the Otago region. Reboard the coach and Included is a stop at the Moeraki Boulders before arriving at Lake Tekapo.  Relax and enjoy dinner at the Resort tonight.
Two Night Special Stay: Lake Tekapo

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner



Day 23: Lake Tekapo (FB,HD)

A highlight today is your Included visit to Mount Cook National Park to view the spectacular peaks (weather dependent), glaciers and permanent snow fields. SCENIC ENRICH Included is entry into the fascinating Sir Edmund Hilary Centre. This afternoon visit the Church of the Good Shepherd situated on Lake Tekapo's edge. SCENIC ENRICH Tonight enjoy a private cocktail party and farewell dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Highlight Dinner



Day 24: Lake Tekapo - Christchurch - Your Flight Home (FB)

Depart Tekapo this morning and travel north. Your tour ends today when you are transferred* to the airport for your flight home (flight not included – please book flights after 2pm).

Meals: Breakfast

Alternatively why not extend your holiday in New Zealand, visit family and friends or arrange a stopover on the way back?



Day 25: Arrive UK!
Welcome home!

*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation - refer to your booking summary.


Brochure: IS/AUNZ/GBP1112
Tour code: DGZR.1