13 Day Classic Warbirds South Island

Starting From NZD $6,761
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On this Classic Escorted Group tour, travel on a 48 seat coach with a professional Coach Captain and Tour leader. This tour departs from Christchurc and tours through the spectacularly scenic South Island of New Zealand, including a visit to the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow finishing in Christchurch. We take care of it all leaving you to get on with creating incredible holiday memories.

Tour Highlights

  • Air Force Museum of New Zealand
  • Larnach Castle*
  • Curioscape
  • Bill Richardson Transport World*
  • Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Lakes District Museum
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Dunedin City Sights Tour
    *Guided Tour

Airshow Inclusions

  • 3 Day Warbirds Over Wanaka Gold Pass
  • Grandstand seating
  • Exclusive marquee access with CCTV
  • Souvenir Gold Cap and Badge
  • Airshow Programme
  • Opportunity to walk the flight line
  • Complimentary drink voucher
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and water throughout the Airshow

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 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 - Dunedin (B, D)
Day 2
Christchurch - Dunedin (B, D)
Before departing Christchurch, enjoy a ‘behind the scenes’ visit to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Here you will witness restoration projects in progress and have a rare chance to climb inside a Bristol Freighter aircraft. Continue south to Oamaru, renowned for its stunning limestone architecture, before arriving in the charming city of Dunedin.
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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3
Dunedin Sightseeing (B)
Day 3
Dunedin Sightseeing (B)
Begin your day with a city tour of Dunedin, showcasing its remarkable architecture, including the iconic Dunedin Railway Station. Travel along the beautiful Otago Harbour viewing many scenic highlights. At Larnach Castle, enjoy a guided tour that delves into its tragic and scandalous history. Explore the castle’s Garden of International Significance before indulging in a delightful Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for free time for optional activities. This evening is also free to dine at leisure.
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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4
Dunedin - Invercargill (B, L, D)
Day 4
Dunedin - Invercargill (B, L, D)
Today travel through the remarkable region of The Catlins, where lush rainforest spills onto brilliant beaches. Along the way, take in the dramatic coastal scenery with plenty of opportunities to admire the views. Visit Purakaunui Falls, a magnificent triple tiered waterfall, perfect for capturing unforgettable photos. A visit to Curioscape located on picturesque Curio Bay will provide an interactive experience on the region including lunch. Later continue to Invercargill, home of the legendary Burt Munro, Speed Bike Racer as depicted in the movie ‘The World’s Fastest Indian’ to view memorabilia.
Distinction Hotel Invercargill
This Invercargill hotel presents a variety of premier accommodation to suit everyone.
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5
Invercargill - Te Anau (B, D)
Day 5
Invercargill - Te Anau (B, D)
This morning visit the Bill Richardson Transport World for a tour of this amazing private collection. Housed in a purpose-built Art Deco building, displays include vintage trucks, rare classic cars, petrol pumps as well as an ever-growing showcase of Wearable Arts. Travel via Gore to Mandeville Airfield to visit the Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre where aircraft, mostly from the 1920s and 1930s includes the largest collection of de Havilland aircraft in the southern hemisphere. Continue to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland.
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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6
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B, L, D)
Day 6
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 lunch onboard. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available, you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).
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 - Arrowtown - Queenstown (B)
Day 7
Te Anau - Arrowtown - Queenstown (B)
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Mercure Queenstown Resort
Located on an elevated site overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
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8
Queenstown - Wanaka - Queenstown (B, D)
Day 8
Queenstown - Wanaka - Queenstown (B, D)
Today you have the choice of either a free day in Queenstown or travelling to Wanaka for the opening day of the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow. No flying will occur today, however there may be some practice happening overhead. On the ground check out the static displays which include classic cars and Warhorses (military vehicles), sport aircraft and aviation trade stands. This is also the opportunity to taste wine and food from the Central Otago region.
Mercure Queenstown Resort
Located on an elevated site overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
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9
Warbirds Over Wanaka (B, D)
Day 9
Warbirds Over Wanaka (B, D)
Travel to Wanaka over the next two days where Wanaka Airport will become your home as you are entertained by the world’s best display pilots flying aircraft overhead. Your ticket will gain you access to the Gold Pass Enclosure. Enjoy the ultimate in Airshow luxury as you will be situated on the flight line with grandstand seating and a plush marquee where you can relax in comfort and watch the show from the best seats in the house.
Mercure Queenstown Resort
Located on an elevated site overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
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10
Warbirds Over Wanaka (B, D)
Day 10
Warbirds Over Wanaka (B, D)
On the final day, all eyes will be in the air as you watch some of the world’s most iconic Warbird aircraft plus modern military machines, aerobatics, sport aircraft and so much more. The aerial action is backed by world-class pyrotechnics when the Airfield is defended by the fighters from an attack by enemy aircraft. The show culminates in a massed Fighter flypast, a sight not to be missed!
Mercure Queenstown Resort
Located on an elevated site overlooking Lake Wakatipu and the surrounding mountains.
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11
Queenstown - Franz Josef (B, D)
Day 11
Queenstown - Franz Josef (B, D)
Depart Queenstown and travel 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. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before continuing to Franz Josef.
Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Located in the heart of Franz Josef village and close to Franz Josef Glacier.
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12
Franz Josef - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch (B, D)
Day 12
Franz Josef - Arthur's Pass - Christchurch (B, D)
Travel to Hokitika, famous for its greenstone then continue to Arthur’s Pass where you 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 to the elegant city of Christchurch. This evening enjoy dinner with your newfound friends and reminisce on memories shared.
Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Situated right in the centre of Christchurch overlooking Cathedral Square.
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13
Depart Christchurch (B)
Day 13
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

  • Air Force Museum of New Zealand
  • Larnach Castle*
  • Curioscape
  • Bill Richardson Transport World*
  • Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre
  • Milford Sound Cruise and Lunch
  • Lakes District Museum
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Dunedin City Sights Tour
    *Guided Tour

Coach Features

  • 48 seats on a Classic touring coach
  • 2 door access; overhead travel bag storage
  • Restroom; panoramic viewing

Experiences Included

  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Experienced Tour Leader
  • Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • 12 nights 4 star accommodation
  • 1 four night stay: Queenstown
  • 2 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 1 rail journey
  • 1 cruise
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive Optional Tours Programme
  • Classic Documentation Pack
  • A bonus Grand Pacific Tour Jacket

Airshow Inclusions

  • 3 Day Warbirds Over Wanaka Gold Pass
  • Grandstand seating
  • Exclusive marquee access with CCTV
  • Souvenir Gold Cap and Badge
  • Airshow Programme
  • Opportunity to walk the flight line
  • Complimentary drink voucher
  • Complimentary tea, coffee and water throughout the Airshow

Meals Included

  • 12 cooked breakfasts
  • 10 sumptuous dinners
  • 2 lunches: The Catlins, Milford Sound Cruise
  • 1 delicious Devonshire Tea: Larnach Castle
  • Enjoy GPT 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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  • Oamaru
    South Island town, Oamaru is North Otago's largest town. It is well known for remarkable geological formations, local stone, wildlife, and its unique history and historical buildings.
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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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  • Invercargill
    Invercargill is a city near the southern tip of Aotearoa’s South Island. The Southland Region's "Capital", it is New Zealand’s southernmost city and was founded in the 1850s.
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  • Gore
    The rural town of Gore in the Southland region of the South Island. It is the official home of country music in New Zealand, boasts a number of museums and gallerys, and is known for its fly fishing.
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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.
    Read more
  • 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.
    Read more
  • 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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  • Wanaka
    Wanaka is a lively resort town surrounded by some stunning alpine scenery. It offers a picture-perfect location and easy access to the outdoors. The town has the buzz of a genuine alpine town and is the ultimate hub for outdoor adventures. 
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  • Haast Pass
    The drive north from Wanaka to the West Coast passes through the spectacular scenery of Haast Pass. Makarora, at the northern tip of Lake Wanaka, is a launching point for several multi-day walks in Mount Aspiring National Park. It also marks the start of the drive over the pass.
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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.
    Read more
  • 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.
    Read more

Attractions

  • Airforce Museum of New Zealand
    The Air Force Museum of New Zealand had its origins in the RNZAF Historical Centre. Today, the Museum covers 37 hectares of land and spreads across six buildings. It is a world class cultural institution, employing a team of over 30 professional staff, and attracting around 150,000 visitors per year.
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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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  • Burt Munro World’s Fastest Indian Memorabilia
    Visiting E Hayes and Sons' Invercargill store to see a remarkable vintage motorcycle with your own eyes is a must do. You'll stand in the presence of a legendary machine and an exciting collection of vintage motorcycles and transport memorabilia. It’s the story of "The World’s Fastest Indian". The legend of Burt Munro.
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  • Bill Richardson Transport World
    Bill Richardson's Transport World is the largest private automotive museum of its type in the world! More than 300 vintage vehicles. Plenty of family fun. And Invercargill café The Grille onsite. This is a great experience for all.
    Read more
  • Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre
    The Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre is located in Gore in Southland. It houses mostly aircraft from the 1920s and 30s, including an extensive collection of de Havilland aircraft. And it is unique as most of the aircraft on display actually fly.
    Read more
  • Milford Sound Cruise
    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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  • 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.
    Read more

Available Dates

Dates Price per person
Available
27 Mar 2026 - 08 Apr 2026
$ 7349.00 - $ 9549.00
$ 6761.00 - $ 8785.00
13 Day Classic Warbirds South Island
Days
13
Price from
NZD $6,761
Save up to NZ$420 per person!