11 Day Ultimate New Year

Starting From NZD $7,322
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We Tour NZ > Tours > 11 Day Ultimate New Year

Celebrate the festive season Kiwi style, witness spectacular scenery and unique attractions of New Zealand. On New Year’s Eve celebrate with your fellow travellers, spend time with new friends and create unique memories.  Travel with maximum of 20 travellers in Business Class seats on a full-size coach.

Tour Highlights

  • Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
  • Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, (premium lounge for departures after April 2024)
  • Marlborough Winery and Tasting
  • Larnach Castle*
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • Lakes District Museum
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
  • 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle

Tour Itinerary

(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner

1
Arrive Wellington (D)
Day 1
Arrive Wellington (D)
On arrival into Wellington you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.
Hotel Intercontinental Wellington
A central Wellington location close to all the city's main sights.
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2
Wellington - New Year's Eve (B,D)
Day 2
Wellington - New Year's Eve (B,D)
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your Ultimate Coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. This afternoon is free before preparing to see in the New Year with your fellow travellers.
Hotel Intercontinental Wellington
A central Wellington location close to all the city's main sights.
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3
Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura (B, D)
Day 3
Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura (B, D)
This morning board the Interislander Ferry and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy breakfast as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Board your Ultimate Coach for the southbound journey along the rugged coastline, offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean, to Kaikōura.
Sudima Kaikoura
A great location, across the road from the ocean and close to the centre of town.
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4
Kaikoura - Christchurch (B)
Day 4
Kaikoura - Christchurch (B)
This morning enjoy a leisurely start in this seaside village, where the mountains meet the sea. Kaikōura is renowned as one of the best places to see Sperm whales and other marine mammals. There is an opportunity to take a scenic flight to view the year-round population of Sperm whales (optional, weather permitting). Continue onto the garden city of Christchurch.
Sudima Hotel Christchurch City
A boutique hotel located right in the cafe, restaurant and bar precinct of Christchurch
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5
Christchurch - Dunedin (B, D)
Day 5
Christchurch - Dunedin (B, D)
Depart Christchurch and travel south through Oamaru, famous for its limestone. In Dunedin enjoy a city tour followed by some free time. You might be interested in a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat (optional).
Distinction Dunedin Hotel
In the centre of the city, a 1937 building transformed into an elegant hotel.
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6
Dunedin - Te Anau (B, D)
Day 6
Dunedin - Te Anau (B, D)
This morning 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 an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland and your overnight stay. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Distinction Hotel Te Anau Hotel & Villas
Located on the Te Anau lake front, a short stroll from the Te Anau town centre.
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7
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown (B, L)
Day 7
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Queenstown (B, L)
Depart Te Anau for a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a nature cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon travel to Queenstown, overlooking magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort which offers a wide range of activities and attractions. This evening is at leisure, you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. Accommodation at Millennium Hotel Queenstown for all departures up to April 2024, accommodation at Heritage Hotel Queenstown for all departures after April 2024.
Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Only a short downhill walk into central Queenstown.
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Heritage Hotel Queenstown
An elevated setting, overlooking Lake Wakatipu and a short drive from the town centre.
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8
Queenstown Free Day (B, SD)
Day 8
Queenstown Free Day (B, SD)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many optional activities available. You may wish to enjoy the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or to get up close to a Kiwi bird. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown. Accommodation at Millennium Hotel Queenstown for all departures up to April 2024, accommodation at Heritage Hotel Queenstown for all departures after April 2024.
Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Only a short downhill walk into central Queenstown.
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Heritage Hotel Queenstown
An elevated setting, overlooking Lake Wakatipu and a short drive from the town centre.
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9
Queenstown - Franz Josef (B, D)
Day 9
Queenstown - Franz Josef (B, D)
Travel to Arrowtown, an old goldmining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to the township of Fox Glacier. Continue to Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers before arriving at your hotel.
Te Waonui Forest Retreat
A great example of sustainable accommodation in Franz Josef and near to the glacier and natural wonders of this region.
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10
Franz Josef - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch (B, SD)
Day 10
Franz Josef - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch (B, SD)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur’s Pass and board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin, over massive viaducts and through the patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. On arrival into the elegant city of Christchurch, your Ultimate Coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner including selected beverages with your new friends.
Sudima Hotel Christchurch City
A boutique hotel located right in the cafe, restaurant and bar precinct of Christchurch
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11
Depart Christchurch
Day 11
Depart Christchurch
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Inclusions

Attractions Included

  • Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
  • Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, (premium lounge for departures after April 2024)
  • Larnach Castle*
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • Lakes District Museum
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • City Sights tour of Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin
    *Guided tour.

Coach Features

  • 20 Business Class seats on a full-size coach
  • 2 door access; dedicated seat side storage with tray table; cup holder
  • Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance

Experiences Included

  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • 10 nights 4.5 star accommodation
  • 2 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 rail journey
  • 3 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Tours Programme
  • Deluxe Documentation Pack

Meals Included

  • 10 cooked breakfasts
  • 8 sumptuous dinners including Complimentary pre-dinner drink at the Welcome Dinner and 2 specialty dinners: Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Intimate Farewell Dinner, selected beverages, Christchurch
  • 1 picnic lunch: Milford Sound Nature Cruise
  • 1 Ultimate High Tea: Larnach Castle
  • Enjoy GPT Wine Time (discounted drinks)
    Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

 

Visited Locations

  • Wellington
    Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city and the location of our parliament. Located at the bottom of the North Island it sits on the Cook Straight, which divides the North and South Islands.  Strong winds through the Cook Strait give it the nickname "Windy Wellington".
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  • Picton
    Right in the heart of the Marlborough Sounds you will find Picton. This picturesque port town is home to great cafés, restaurants, galleries and specialty shops. It is the heart of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds.
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  • Blenheim
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  • Christchurch
    Christchurch is an fascinating city to explore. It was once a historic garden city. Since the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes it has turned into a fascinating city of regeneration and growth.
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  • Dunedin
    Known as the 'Edinburgh of the South', Dunedin is a city that wears its Scottish heritage with pride. The small city boasts some eye-catching architecture and is one of the best-preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere.
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  • Te Anau
    A two hour drive from Queenstown, Te Anau is a Southland town. A pretty lakeside town, it’s known as a gateway to Fiordland National Park.
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  • Milford Sound
    Famously described by Rudyard Kipling as the "eighth wonder of the world", Milford Sound is a stunning fiord in the southwest of New Zealand’s South Island.
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  • Queenstown
    Queenstown is a stunning resort town, renowned for its beauty and wealth of adventure activities, it sits on the shores of the South Island’s Lake Wakatipu. Set against the dramatic backdrop of the Southern Alps mountains, Queenstown is also a base for exploring the region’s vineyards and historic mining towns.
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  • Franz Josef
    Franz Josef is the name of both the glacier and the nearby village. The small but lively Franz Josef Waiau village is surrounded by lush rainforest with the high snow-capped Alps rising above it.
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  • Arthur’s Pass
    A small alpine village of Arthur's Pass is located between Canterbury and the West Coast of the South Island. Climbing to more than 900 metres through Arthur's Pass National Park, it is the highest and most spectacular pass across the Southern Alps.
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Attractions

  • City sights tour of Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin
  • Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum
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  • Interislander Cook Strait Ferry
    Considered one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world, The Interislander is one of The Great Journeys of New Zealand. It is New Zealand's original Cook Strait ferry, sailing between Wellington and Picton several times a day connecting the North & South Islands' road and rail networks.
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  • Larnach Castle
    Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula, a short distance from Dunedin, Larnach Castle is one of New Zealand’s premier visitor attractions. It took more than 200 workmen three years to build the Castle shell. Then master European craftsmen spent a further 12 years embellishing the interior.
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  • Milford Sound Cruise & Lunch
    Cruise Milford Sound, the most well-known and accessible of all the fiords in New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Area. Its 16 kilometre (14 nautical miles) length is lined by sheer rock faces that soar 1,200 metres (3,900 ft) or more from the water. 
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  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
    The TSS Earnslaw offers one of the best ways to see Queenstown’s surrounding landscape. Cruise across Lake Whakatipu aboard the iconic century-old coal-fired steamship taking in the views at a leisurely pace.
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  • Lakes District Museum
    Arrowtown's Lakes District Museum was established in 1948 as a Centennial of Otago project. Appropriately set in the former gold mining town, the museum started life in the billiard rooms of the Ballarat Hotel. It then shifted to the current home, the former Bank of New Zealand building, in 1955.
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  • Tranzalpine Rail Journey
    Enjoy a very special view of the South Island’s striking natural landscape. Take the Tranz Alpine train between Christchurch and Greymouth. See epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest.
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Available Dates

Dates Price per person
On Request
30 Dec 2024 - 09 Jan 2025 Guaranteed Departure
$ 8259.00 - $ 10879.00
$ 7322.00 - $ 9732.00
11 Day Ultimate New Year
Days
11
Price from
NZD $7,322 per person twin share