Experience luxury guided touring through New Zealand’s dramatic South Island and diverse North Island with this grand adventure. Take in Rotorua, Wellington, Picton, Christchurch, Omarama, Dunedin, Te Anau, Queenstown and Franz Josef along with a stay in Auckland. Experience the incredible TranzAlpine train journey, a spectacular cruise on dramatic Milford Sound, a steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard TSS Earnslaw and huge mountain scenery. You’ll discover the instantly recognisable and our special hidden gems with HolidayMax’s immersive luxury touring. Everything is included in this amazing value package, luxury coach touring, flights, Auckland hotel and personalised transfers. Themes include: Departs from Auckland, Luxury Coach, Returns from Franz Josef. + Show more

Package Includes

Return international flights to New Zealand
14 Day New Zealand Grand Guided Tour
2 Night Auckland hotel (quality 4 Star)
2 Nights Queenstown hotel (quality 4 Star)
2 Nights Rotorua hotel (quality 4 Star)
2 Nights Christchurch hotel (quality 4 Star)
1 Night Wellington hotel (quality 4 Star)
1 Night Picton hotel (quality 4 Star)
1 Night Franz Josef hotel (quality 4 Star)
1 Night Dunedin hotel (quality 4 Star)
1 Night Te Anau hotel (quality 4 Star)
1 Night Omarama hotel (quality 4 Star)
Tour host and guide
13 Breakfasts, 8 Dinners
Cook Strait cruise, Milford Sound cruise, Lake Wakatipu cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw, Waitomo’s Glowworm Grotto cruise
TranzAlpine Train Ride
2 Special Dinner Experiences
Meet and Greet Personalised Return Airport Transfers

Highlights

Christchurch Franz Josef Queenstown Te Anau Dunedin Omarama Wellington Rotorua Auckland Picton

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Departure Dates

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Descriptions

DAY 1 Fly to Auckland

Named as the 3rd most livable city in the world, Auckland is built around two large harbours and is a fascinating mix of Polynesian culture, good food and wine and sunny climate. Fly to Auckland today to begin your grand tour of New Zealand’s North and South Islands.

Fly to Auckland today to begin your tour of New Zealand. You will be personally met at the airport by a HolidayMax representative and transferred from the airport to your hotel.

Meet and Greet Personalised Arrival Transfer, Overnight Auckland Hotel.

DAY 2 Explore Auckland

A relaxing start to your day, familiarize yourself with the city and explore the sights and sounds, Auckland has 5 distinct and very different regions – central Auckland is the CBD and waterfront promenade lined with bars and cafes, Auckland north has rolling hills and wineries, Auckland south is sweeping coastlines and tranquil bays, Auckland East has dense native forests, beautiful waterfalls and walking tracks, and Auckland west has coastal gardens and sculptures. In the evening, meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers at the Welcome Reception and dinner.

Luxury Tour, Dinner, Overnight Auckland Hotel.

DAY 3 Auckland to Rotorua

Start the day with a guided tour of Auckland, seeing the highlights before travelling alongside the Waikato River to the arrive in Waitomo. Known for their amazing Glowworm Grotto, explore the subterranean caverns of Waikomo and see first hand these luminescent glowworms. Once your eyes adjust above ground, it is back on the road to Rotorua where you will have a guided tour around the city, and visit Lake Rotorua for breathtaking views.

Breakfast, Overnight Rotorua Hotel.

DAY 4 Explore Rotorua

The day starts with the multi-awarding winning Agrodome Farm Show, followed by an afternoon at your leisure. The evening brings fun, laughter and insight into the traditional Maori culture, followed by a delicious Hangi Highlight Dinner at the Tamaki Maori Village.

Breakfast, Hangi Highlight Dinner, Overnight Rotorua Hotel

DAY 5 Rotorua to Wellington

Passing through lush, green farmland, arrive in lake Taupo and get out and stretch your legs and see the magnificent Huka Falls. Lake Taupo is approximately the same size as Singapore and formed in the basin of a collapsed volcano. The powerful currents of the river funneling through the 20m wide gorge and cascade into the blue / green pool below. Continuing on through the World Heritage listed Tongariro National Park, see the snow-capped Mt. Ruapehu, a volcano still active today, before arriving in Wellington.

Breakfast, Dinner, Overnight Wellington Hotel

DAY 6 Wellington to Picton

Today, travel from the north island to the south island. Start the day with a tour of Wellington, seeing the sights and visiting the Te Papa Museum of New Zealand. Cruising the Cook Strait, explore the Queen Charlotte Sound, a maze of inlets, before docking at the seaside town of Picton. See the sights of Picton, a very pretty and quaint town built in a sheltered harbour and dotted with cafés and restaurants.

Breakfast, Cruise, Dinner, Overnight Picton Hotel

DAY 7 Picton to Christchurch

Travelling south along the coast from Picton to Kaikoura, spend some time exploring the natural beauty of this slice of seaside paradise – where mountains meet the sea. Blessed with an abundance of wildlife and amazing seafood, you can expect to see super pods of dolphins, fur seals and the elusive sperm whales visiting this region. Back on the road, continuing the journey along the east coast, towards the next stop of the night, Christchurch.

Breakfast, Overnight Christchurch Hotel

DAY 8 Christchurch to Omarama

After a hearty breakfast, spend a relaxing morning exploring Christchurch at your own pace, before setting off for a day of truly magnificent scenery. Travelling into the Southern Alps region and the Mt. Cook National Park, home to New Zealand’s highest peak, Mt Cook. At 3724m high, Mt Cook was the training ground for Sir Edmund Hillary. Stop and stretch your legs in Lake Tekapo, blessed with Turquoise lakes and included in UNESCO’s Dark Sky Reserve. See the Church of the Good Shepherd, built in 1935 and still used for services today. Arriving in Omarama, meaning ‘the place of light’, relax and unwind, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, blue lakes and clay cliffs.

Breakfast, Dinner, Overnight Omarama Hotel

DAY 9 Omarama to Dunedin

On the way to the historic town of Oamaru, stop and visit the Waitaki Hydro Power Scheme for visit and see the nearby Benmore Dam spillover. Visit the quirky town of Oamaru, known for its rich history and heritage, before arriving in Dunedin, New Zealand’s most southerly city. The afternoon is yours to explore Dunedin.

Breakfast, Dinner, Overnight Dunedin Hotel

DAY 10 Dunedin to Te Anau

Following breakfast, you will be taken on a guided tour of Dunedin to see the highlights, including Larnach Castle, a Scottish inspired, baronial stately home with manicured gardens, built in 1871. In the afternoon, sheep-grazing country gives way to stunning scenery as you make your way to Te Anau, known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park. Spend the evening relaxing in the lakeside town of Te Anau.

Breakfast, Dinner, Overnight Te Anau Hotel

DAY 11 Te Anau to Queenstown

Passing through rainforest and rugged wilderness, arrive in Milford Sound for a magnificent cruise, seeing waterfalls, iconic Mitre Peak – the most photographed mountain in New Zealand – and hanging glacial valleys. The road to Queenstown is stunningly scenic - Mirror Lake, the impressive Cleddau Valley, with winding roads with hairpin turns that stretch out along the base between 2 steep mountain ranges, and the 162m Bowen Falls. Travel along the famed Devil’s Staircase to arrive in Queenstown for a guided tour of the city’s highlights.

Breakfast, Cruise, Overnight Queenstown Hotel

DAY 12 Explore Queenstown

Set against the backdrop of the dramatic Southern Alps and overlooking the crystal clear waters of Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown is also known as New Zealand’s adventure capital. There are jet-boat rides, skiing, mountain biking to white water rafting for those wanting to get the heart racing, and wineries, boat cruises, wildlife parks and more for those who enjoy a more leisurely pace. You have the day to explore Queenstown and in the evening board the 100-year old steamship, TSS Earnshaw for a relaxing cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for an evening of entertainment and a gourmet barbecue dinner.

Breakfast, Cruise, Highlight Dinner, Overnight Queenstown Hotel

DAY 13 Queenstown to Franz Josef

Today travel to Arrowtown, once a gold mining town in its heyday, then on to Cromwell, known for growing stone fruit, where you will have the opportunity to indulge in the local produce. Travel through some of the most beautiful scenery in New Zealand, Haast Pass is a 140km stretch of winding road, passing through rainforests, glacier country, rugged coastline and is dotted with walking tracks and lookouts. Stop at Thunder Creek Falls for some fresh air and rainforest walk before travelling to the extraordinary Franz Josef Glacier for the night. Franz Josef Glacier has been recognized by UNESCO as having outstanding natural value and has listed the area as a World Heritage site.

Breakfast, Dinner, Overnight Franz Josef Hotel

DAY 14 Franz Josef to Christchurch

This morning, travel to Hokitika and then on to Arthur’s Pass. At an elevation of 740m above sea level, it is the highest settlement on the South Island. Board the iconic TranzAlpine train, considered one of the great rail journeys’ of the world. Get uninterrupted views of amazing scenery from the open-air carriage, as the rocky gorges and peaks of the Southern Alps give way to green pasturelands. Arrive in Christchurch and join your host and fellow travellers for a farewell dinner, reflect on 14 amazing days touring New Zealand.

Breakfast, TranzAlpine Train, Farewell Dinner, Overnight Christchurch Hotel

DAY 15 Say Goodbye to Christchurch

Time to say goodbye beautiful Christchurch, your fellow travellers and friendly hotel and tour hosts. You will be transferred from your Christchurch hotel to the airport to meet your flight home.

Breakfast, Departure Airport Transfer

Luxury Coach Touring

You can expect to travel in style on a HolidayMax immersive escorted tour featuring unparalleled sightseeing and enriching cultural experiences. We are passionate about showing you the heart of the destination, enabling you to be truly touched by new experiences and unforgettable moments.

Stay in superior handpicked hotels in the best locations, with great amenities. Savour deliciously authentic local dining in outstanding restaurants with a mouth-watering array of culinary experiences.

Your knowledgeable tour director and host will ensure you get the best personal experience on your journey. Tours feature all the must-see sights along with our little-known exclusive hidden gems and special touches in each destination, with plenty of time for you to take it all in for yourself. Free flexi-days give you a choice of activities to suit your mood during the whole day. You’ll join like-minded fellow travellers from countries like United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, USA and New Zealand for a rewarding and truly enjoyable group adventure.

Travel in state-of-the-art modern coaches with comfortable reclining seats and plenty of legroom. The elegant high-end coaches have large expansive windows for an incredible view, along with on-board toilets, safety belts, air-conditioning and video screens to make this exciting road trip luxurious and very comfortable.

Live life to the full. We’ve taken care of the details; you just need to relax and embrace your sense of adventure. Discover more and enjoy exclusive extra touches with HolidayMax™. Where all surprises are great surprises.

Videos & Images

TSS Earnslaw steamship cruise, Queenstown, New Zealand

TranzAlpine journey past mountains, Christchurch, New Zealand

Historic Larnach Castle, Dunedin, New Zealand

Champagne Pool thermal lake at Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand

Aerial of Paroa, Bay of Islands, New Zealand

Gondola boat on Avon River, Christchurch, New Zealand

View of the immense Franz Josef Glacier, New Zealand

Prices flying from

New Zealand Grand Discovery

15 Day Touring Package

$ 4999 *

* AUD starting holiday costs, per person, for 2 people sharing, on selected travel dates (off-peak). Travel on other dates attracts a surcharge. As prices vary based on travel dates, be flexible with dates to get the best deals! Itinerary and vehicle types subject to change without notice. Subject to limited availability at these prices, after which higher prices apply, book now. See Important Information before booking. © DISCOVER AUSTRALIA Booking Code: mp436

The New Zealand Grand Discovery is very popular. Many dates book out well in advance, please book soon.

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