11 Day Signature South Island Christmas Tour

Starting From NZD $6,807
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Experience the beauty of New Zealand’s South Island in the Premium Economy Comfort of a full-size coach, tour with a mid-size group of up to 32 travellers, fully escorted. The Signature coaches are beautifully crafted, designed for New Zealand touring with delivering excellence in mind.

Tour Highlights

  • Christchurch Tram
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • Lakes District Museum
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea
  • Dunedin City Sights Tour
  • Christchurch City Sights Tour

Tour Itinerary

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

1:
Arrive Christchurch (D)
Day 1:
Arrive Christchurch (D)
On arrival into Christchurch, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Situated right in the centre of Christchurch overlooking Cathedral Square.
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2:
Christchurch (Free Day) (B)
Day 2:
Christchurch (Free Day) (B)
Today is a free day to explore Christchurch. Enjoy a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure, one of Christchurch’s leading attractions.
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Situated right in the centre of Christchurch overlooking Cathedral Square.
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3:
Christchurch - Arthur's Pass - Franz Josef (B, D)
Day 3:
Christchurch - Arthur's Pass - Franz Josef (B, D)
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 to Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Located in the heart of Franz Josef village and close to Franz Josef Glacier.
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4:
Franz Josef - Queenstown (B, D)
Day 4:
Franz Josef - Queenstown (B, D)
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty. Continue to picturesque Queenstown, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. Spend the next two nights at this year-round resort.
Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Only a short downhill walk into central Queenstown.
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5:
Queenstown - Christmas Day (B, L)
Day 5:
Queenstown - Christmas Day (B, L)
Merry Christmas! Today board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy a gourmet Christmas lunch and the best of NZ’s high-country cuisine at the Colonel’s Homestead. Reboard the TSS Earnslaw and enjoy a sing along by the piano on your return cruise to Queenstown. This evening is free to dine at leisure.
Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Only a short downhill walk into central Queenstown.
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6:
Queenstown - Te Anau (B, D)
Day 6:
Queenstown - Te Anau (B, D)
Enjoy a leisurely start this morning before travelling to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where you visit the Lakes District Museum. This innovative museum is heavily involved in the protection of the historic buildings scattered around town. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland. Today you may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.
Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau
Located in the heart of Te Anau's town shopping centre and just a short stroll from Lake Te Anau.
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7:
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B, L, D)
Day 7:
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B, L, D)
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. You might like to cap off your Fiordland experience by watching the breathtaking film, Ata Whenua - Shadowland, which screens at the Fiordland Cinema.
Distinction Luxmore Hotel Lake Te Anau
Located in the heart of Te Anau's town shopping centre and just a short stroll from Lake Te Anau.
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8:
Te Anau - Dunedin (B, D)
Day 8:
Te Anau - Dunedin (B, D)
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. Enjoy a city tour before travelling 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 a delicious Devonshire Tea.
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
Right in the heart of Dunedin city this hotel is close to the railway station, shops and the Octagon.
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9:
Dunedin - Mt Cook - Twizel (B, D)
Day 9:
Dunedin - Mt Cook - Twizel (B, D)
Farewell Dunedin and travel to Oamaru famous for its limestone. Follow the Waitaki River and see Lake Benmore as you continue to marvel at Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available to enjoy a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the Southern Alps. Travel to Twizel for your overnight stay.
Distinction Mackenzie Country
Located in a beautiful garden setting in Twizel, the heart of the Mackenzie region.
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10:
Twizel - Christchurch (B, SD)
Day 10:
Twizel - Christchurch (B, SD)
Continue to Lake Tekapo and view the brilliant turquoise water. You will also view the Church of the Good Shepherd and the Sheep Dog Statue, iconic landmarks of the Mackenzie region. Arrive in the elegant city of Christchurch for a city tour. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Situated right in the centre of Christchurch overlooking Cathedral Square.
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11:
Depart Christchurch (B)
Day 11:
Depart Christchurch (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Inclusions

Attractions Included

  • Christchurch Tram
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • Lakes District Museum
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea
  • Dunedin City Sights Tour
  • Christchurch City Sights Tour

Coach Features

  • 32 Premium Economy Comfort seats on a full-size coach
  • 2 door access; seat back tray table; cup holder
  • Restroom; daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance

Experiences Included

  • Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Tour Leader
  • 10 nights 4 star accommodation
  • 3 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 rail journey
  • 2 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Tours Programme
  • Classic Documentation Pack

Meals Included

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

Visited Locations

  • 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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  • Twizel
    Twizel is the largest town in the South Island's Mackenzie District. It was purpose-built in the 1960s to provide a home for workers involved with the Upper Waitaki Power Scheme. And today's its location makes it great base of mountain climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, skiing, horse trekking and hiking.
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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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Attractions

  • Dunedin City Sights Tour
  • Christchurch City Sights Tour
  • Christchurch Tram
    The Christchurch Tram is a unique experience combining history and sightseeing. The beautifully restored heritage trams are one of the city’s best loved attractions.
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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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  • 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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  • 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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  • 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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Available Dates

Dates Price per person
Available
21 Dec 2025 - 31 Dec 2025 Guaranteed Departure
$ 7399.00 - $ 9329.00
$ 6807.00 - $ 8582.00
11 Day Signature South Island Christmas Tour
Days
11
Price from
NZD $6,807 per person twin share