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Probus 17 Day Highlights of New Zealand Tour


Exclusive* Departure Dates for Probus Tours
Thursday 18 September 2008
Wednesday 8 October 2008
Wednesday 15 October 2008
Sunday 9 November 2008 (*18 seats released for general sale) 
Thursday 19 March 2009
Monday 23 March 2009

New Zealand Tour Prices
Twin share per person: £1689 
Single Supplement: £460

Flights and stopovers are not included in these prices but we can arrange these - please enquire 

Extra nights in Christchurch and Auckland
Twin share per person: £44 per night (room only)
Single room: £88 per night (room only) 

Special Probus Bonus Features
FREE One night pre tour accommodation on arrival in Christchurch including dinner and breakfast
FREE City tour of Christchurch
 
ONE LOW TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
 
Pre Paid Attractions
Olveston House*
Haggis Ceremony & Gift
Larnach Castle*
Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens
Milford Sound Cruise
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
Lakes District Museum
TranzAlpine Rail Journey
Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum*
Skyline Gondola and Luge
Agrodome
Paradise Valley Springs*
Thermal mud pools and geysers*
Waitangi Treaty Grounds*
Hole in the Rock Cruise
Kauri Museum*
City sights tours of Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland

* Denotes a guided tour is included with one guide per 24 travellers

Touring
Luxury coach travel with 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
Professional coach captain
Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
Return airport transfers in New Zealand
16 nights quality hotel accommodation
Five 2 night stays 
Hotel porterage
4 cruises
All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
New Zealand Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Comprehensive documentation pack

Meals16 cooked breakfasts including a speciality breakfast at Skyrides Restaurant, Rotorua
14 dinners including 4 specialty dinners: Maori Hangi & Concert in Rotorua, Haggis Ceremony in Dunedin, Walter Peak Homestead in Queenstown and Farewell Dinner in Auckland
1 picnic lunch
1 morning tea 

 ITINERARY
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch        (D) Dinner      (SD) Specialty Dinner
 
Day 1 Christchurch                                                                                                                            (D*)
Fly to Christchurch where you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: All Seasons Christchurch or The Elms Hotel (2 nights)
 
Day 2 Christchurch                                                                                                                                (BD)
This morning enjoy a city sights tour that will showcase the grand architecture, immaculate parks and the picturesque Avon River. This afternoon is free and you may like to take advantage of the discount coupons in your Optional Tours Directory.
 
Day 3 Christchurch - Omarama                                                                                       (BD)
After a city tour depart Christchurch and travel through the southern Canterbury Plains to Lake Tekapo. See the brilliant turquoise water, visit The Church of the Good Shepherd and view the Sheep Dog Statue. Marvel at the spectacular mountain ranges including Mt Cook, New Zealand’s highest peak. The opportunity is available (time and weather permitting) to enjoy a scenic flight (optional) over the Southern Alps before travelling to Omarama. 
Hotel: Heritage Gateway Hotel
 
Day 4 Omarama - Dunedin                                                                                               (B SD)
Depart Omarama and see Lake Benmore, before following the Waitaki River to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue south to Dunedin, a well preserved Victorian city. Enjoy an informative tour including a visit to Olveston House, a prestigious historic home. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift.
Hotel: Mercure Leisure Lodge
 
Day 5 Dunedin – Te Anau                                                                                     (BD)
This morning travel out along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Visit Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens and view the superb collection of flowers followed by a delightful morning tea. Farewell Dunedin and travel through Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland and your overnight stay. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). 
Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Superior Rooms)
 
Day 6 Te Anau – Milford Sound - Queenstown                                                             (BL)
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. 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 free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel: Mercure Resort (2 nights)
 
Day 7 Queenstown (Free Day)                                                                                         (B SD)
Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown at leisure. Your Coach Captain is available to assist with the many sightseeing options available, whether it be the thrill of a jet boat ride, a heritage tour to Skippers Canyon or the helicopter ride of a lifetime. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax as you are treated to the best of New Zealand’s high country cuisine in the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for the sing along the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
 
Day 8 Queenstown – Arrowtown – Fox Glacier                                                                         (BD)
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via the Haast Pass to the mighty West Coast, an area of stunning beauty.  See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel to Fox Glacier. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel: Scenic Circle Glacier Country Hotel
 
Day 9 Fox Glacier – Arthur’s Pass – Christchurch                                                                       (BD)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue into 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 to the elegant city of Christchurch. On arrival your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.
Hotel: All Seasons Christchurch or The Elms Hotel
 
Day 10 Christchurch – Picton - Wellington                                                                                 (BD)
Travel along the East Coast to the fishing village of Kaikoura. Enjoy the spectacular scenery as you travel through Marlborough Country, famous for its food and wine. Continue to Picton, where you board the Interislander Ferry for your journey through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington.
Hotel: Hotel Ibis (2 nights)
 
Day 11 Wellington                                                                                                               (B)
Today explore this exciting region and enjoy an extensive city tour which explains the history and culture on show in New Zealand’s Capital, Wellington. A highlight will be a guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum, with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views of the land, environment and people. Enjoy some free time to explore at leisure late this afternoon. This evening is also free and you may choose to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
 
Day 12 Wellington – Taupo – Rotorua                                                                                          (BD)
Depart Wellington and view the snow capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro as you travel to Lake Taupo. Visit the spectacular Huka Falls, then travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua.
Hotel: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (2 nights)
 
Day 13 Rotorua                                                                                                                                (B SD)
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Skyrides Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Next visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout. Some free time is available before an afternoon transfer to see the boiling mud pools and the awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening you will experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.
 
Day 14 Rotorua – Auckland – Bay of Islands                                                                              (BD)
This morning depart Rotorua and travel north via Auckland to the Parry Kauri Park to see the magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Continue via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.
Hotel: Hotel Paihia or Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge (2 nights)
 
Day 15 Bay of Islands                                                                                                                      (BD)
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Stopover at Otehei Bay before returning via Russell to Paihia for a free afternoon. A range of optional activities are available or you may choose to relax and enjoy the pleasant atmosphere of the waterfront.
 
Day 16 Bay of Islands – Auckland                                                                                                (B SD)
Depart the Bay of Islands this morning and travel via Whangarei and Dargaville to Matakohe.   Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum before continuing to Auckland for a city sights tour. This evening you will be treated to a special farewell dinner including entertainment with your new friends.
Hotel: Copthorne Anzac Avenue
 
Day 17 End of Tour                                                                                                                           (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. 
 
*Note: Dinner on Day 1 is not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.  

Documentation Pack
This comprehensive pack includes: travel bag, ticket wallet, toiletry wet pack, New Zealand travel diary, personal name badge, luggage label, personalised itinerary, touring map, postcard and Optional Tours Directory.

For further information about our New Zealand escorted coach tours that are exclusively for Probus members,  to check on availability or to make a booking please call us on +44 1932 770530 or use the Contact Us form.