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Best of New Zealand Holiday of a Lifetime

Duration
8 Days
Prices From:
US$ 4,645

FIRST-CLASS | ESCORTED COACH TOUR: Take in the wonders of New Zealand on this Holiday of a Lifetime. Passing north to south, you’ll explore the cities of Auckland, Queenstown, and Christchurch, marvel at natural wonders in Rotorua and Milford Sound, and enjoy the incomparable hospitality and beauty of this South Pacific nation.


This 8-day fully-escorted Holiday of a Lifetime showcases the natural beauty and welcoming culture of New Zealand. As one of Goway’s specifically designed, fully-escorted Holidays of a Lifetime, it carries a promise of something special! Our professional Tour Director will take care of all the day-to-day details, allowing you to enjoy the history, culture, and natural beauty of New Zealand.

Your Holiday of a Lifetime begins in New Zealand’s largest city, Auckland, where you’ll tour the waterfront and climb Mt. Eden to enjoy stunning panoramic views of the city and its gorgeous twin harbours. Head south and stop off at Waitomo, where you’ll pass into the magical Glowworm Caves where thousands of bioluminescent glowworms light up the caves like the night sky. Continue on to Hobbiton Movie Set to explore all things Lord of the Rings. Continue along. Arrive at your destination, Rotorua, a natural marvel known for its geothermal activity, including boiling hot springs, bubbling mud pools, and exploding geysers. Rotorua is also one of New Zealand’s Maori cultural centres; you’ll enjoy a traditional Maori evening of food and entertainment and a sheep shearing exhibition during your stay.

Fly to the South Island to arrive in Queenstown, a lovely mountain resort town and the nation’s adventure capital. This is where you can indulge your inner daredevil by bungee jumping, sky diving, or jet skiing. From Queenstown, you’ll also take a day trip to the magnificent fjord, Milford Sound, where you’ll enjoy a cruise on the waters and take in the majesty of towering Mitre Peak. Continue overland, driving through some of New Zealand’s most picturesque countryside on the way to Christchurch, known as the nation’s Garden City. Explore its distinctly-English atmosphere and visit the neighbouring countryside to enjoy the island’s pastoral charms before closing out your New Zealand vacation.


HOLIDAYS OF A LIFETIME - Your Choice

The Waltzing Matilda - 20 Days Australia & New Zealand

The Best of New Zealand - 8 Days

The Best of Australia - 13 Days 


HOMESTAY OPTION (must be pre-booked)

Enjoy the opportunity to be guests of a "Kiwi" family in Rotorua. Your hosts will pick you up at the hotel at approximately 3:00 pm and take you to their homes for dinner and overnight. After a hearty country breakfast the next morning, you will be taken back to the hotel to rejoin the group. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity is included in the cost of the Waltzing Matilda but it must be pre-booked – so call now!


At Goway we are experts at designing personalized itineraries to suit your special interests, tastes and budget. Let us arrange your ultimate travel experience today.
Duration
8 Days
Prices From:
US$ 4,645

Itinerary View Trip Map

Day 1

Arrive Auckland

Kia Ora and Welcome to New Zealand! On arrival, you will be met and transferred to your Auckland hotel. Enjoy some free time to relax and freshen up before your afternoon city tour.  Join your Goway Tour Director for a city orientation tour including the bustling downtown and waterfront areas, and see panoramic views of the city from the Auckland Domain and the pretty north shore from the Auckland Harbour Bridge. Tonight you will meet your Tour Director and fellow travellers at a special ‘Welcome to New Zealand’ dinner with an amazing 360-degree view of Auckland at SkyCity Orbit restaurant.

Meal Plan Dinner
Duration1 Night
Accommodation

Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour

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Location View map
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    Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour



    Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour is located in the heart of Auckland, a unique maritime experience between vibrant Viaduct Harbour and the new Wynyard Quarter. Inspired by New Zealand's landscape and culture and boasting panoramic views of Waitemata Harbour, this beautifully designed hotel is a true …

    Sofitel Auckland Viaduct Harbour is located in the heart of Auckland, a unique maritime experience between vibrant Viaduct Harbour and the new Wynyard Quarter. Inspired by New Zealand's landscape and culture and boasting panoramic views of Waitemata Harbour, this beautifully designed hotel is a true landmark destination. The hotel features 172 luxury appointed bedrooms and suites.

    Facilities

    • Bar
    • Business Centre
    • Concierge
    • Conference Facilities
    • Day Spa
    • Gym/Fitness Centre
    • Laundry/Dry Cleaning Service
    • Offsite Paid Parking
    • Pool (s)
    • Valet Parking
    • Wheelchair Accessible Rooms

    More Details

Day 2

Auckland to Rotorua

This morning enjoy a delicious breakfast at your hotel before we depart Auckland. First, journey to Waitomo, where we enjoy a guided excursion underground through the Waitomo Cave Complex with its fascinating natural landforms including tiny glow-worms that shine in the dark like stars. After Waitomo, there will be a stop for lunch (own expense) and we continue our scenic journey through the rich farming country before reaching Rotorua, in New Zealand’s thermal heartland. Check-in and freshen up before this evening’s cultural performance and dinner.

This evening visits an authentic Maori village in the midst of Rotorua's ancient Tawa Forest and immerses yourself in the colourful culture of the Tamaki Maori Cultural Experience. It is an evening of ritual, ceremony, amazing Maori cultural performance, cultural storytelling, interaction and traditional feasting as you relive significant portions of New Zealand’s pre-European history and real events!

Meal Plan Breakfast and Dinner
Duration2 Nights
Accommodation

Millennium Hotel Rotorua

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Location View map
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    Millennium Hotel Rotorua



    This popular hotel in Rotorua is centrally located just a brief stroll to Lake Rotorua, Rotorua's International Convention Centre, world famous Polynesian Spa, the town centre and only minutes from Rotorua's key tourist attractions and adventure activities. At Millennium Hotel Rotorua, you will find 227 …

    This popular hotel in Rotorua is centrally located just a brief stroll to Lake Rotorua, Rotorua's International Convention Centre, world famous Polynesian Spa, the town centre and only minutes from Rotorua's key tourist attractions and adventure activities. At Millennium Hotel Rotorua, you will find 227 rooms offering you a wide choice of accommodation styles.

    Facilities

    • Business Centre
    • Concierge
    • Conference Facilities
    • Daycare/Babysitting Service
    • Gym/Fitness Centre
    • Internet Access
    • Massage Treatments
    • Parking
    • Pool (s)
    • Restaurant(s)
    • Room Service
    • Wheelchair Accessible Rooms

    More Details

    Preferred Hotel
Day 3

Rotorua Sightseeing

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From Te Puia, we are off to the Agrodome for your exclusive Wool Shed & Mustering Experience. Travel to the Wool Shed by tractor where you’ll experience a private demonstration of Sheep feeding, Dog mustering, sheep shearing, Wool grading & wool baling before returning to the main area. Spend time feeding the Alpacas and Llamas, sampling Kiwi juice and honey before a short tour of the farm for an introduction to the other breeds of sheep. Our day concludes at our hotel, where we will have dinner and relax for the remainder of the evening.


OPTION FARMSTAY – MUST BE PREBOOKED

For those passengers who have chosen to be guests of a "Kiwi" family tonight, your hosts will pick you up at the hotel at approximately 3:30 PM and take you to their homes for dinner and an overnight stay. After a hearty country breakfast the next morning, you will be taken back to the hotel to rejoin the group.

NOTE: We suggest you only take a small overnight bag and store your large suitcase at the hotel. You will need to check out of your room at the hotel in the morning before heading off on the Rotorua tour.

Meal Plan Breakfast and Dinner
Day 4

Rotorua to Queenstown

This morning after breakfast we leave the thermal wonderland and fly south to the mountain resort town of Queenstown (airfare not included in the tour cost, to be purchased separately). On arrival, we are met and transferred to our hotel. This region is home to the rugged, snow-capped Remarkable Mountains towering over the deep blue waters of Lake Wakatipu, fringed by poplars and weeping willows that form the backdrop to Queenstown - probably New Zealand's most spectacular and popular resort town. Magnificent scenery, lovely promenades, lake cruises and great shopping - there is something for everyone.

This evening we transfer to the Skyline Gondola for a scenic ride to the Stratosphere Restaurant, located at the top of the Gondola. As you dine, the panoramic view from the windows will captivate you. Enjoy a relaxing dinner while the sun sets over the Remarkable Mountains. After dinner, we will be transferred back to our hotel.

Meal Plan Breakfast and Dinner
Duration3 Nights
Accommodation

Millennium Hotel Queenstown

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Location View map
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    Millennium Hotel Queenstown



    Whether staying for business or pleasure this hotel has something for everyone to enjoy. The Millennium Hotel Queenstown is located in the heart of Queenstown close to the central shopping, entertainment areas and minutes from various other outdoors activities such as bungee jumping, white water …

    Whether staying for business or pleasure this hotel has something for everyone to enjoy. The Millennium Hotel Queenstown is located in the heart of Queenstown close to the central shopping, entertainment areas and minutes from various other outdoors activities such as bungee jumping, white water rafting and jet boating. All of the 220 rooms and suites have been created with touches of luxury and have an atmosphere of relaxation.

    Facilities

    • Bar(s)
    • Concierge
    • Conference Facilities
    • Currency Exchange
    • Daycare/Babysitting Service
    • Express Check In/Out
    • Gym/Fitness Centre
    • Internet Access
    • Massage Treatments
    • Parking
    • Restaurant(s)
    • Room Service
    • Sauna
    • Spa
    • Wheelchair Accessible Rooms

    More Details

Day 5

Milford Sound Tour

After a hearty breakfast, we depart on our full-day tour to spectacular Fiordland National Park and world-famous Milford Sound. Our route takes us along the shores of Lake Wakatipu, one of New Zealand's prettiest lakes, and through some of the world's finest vertical landscapes, hanging valleys, precipices and raging torrents surround us on our way to this beautiful Sound. The road follows through the Homer Tunnel and the Eglinton Valley to Milford and the famous mile-high Mitre Peak. Rudyard Kipling once described this Sound as the "eighth wonder of the world." Our cruise includes a picnic-style lunch and will cover the length of the fiord right up to the 1200-foot cliffs and thundering waterfalls. As our vessel turns at the point where the fiord meets the Tasman Sea, we will see how this majestic fiord, hidden at first, unfolds before us. The captain is an expert at seeking out playful schools of dolphins and fur seals basking on the sunny rocks. We return to our hotel in the early evening.

Meal Plan Breakfast and Lunch
Day 6

Queenstown at Leisure

We have a full day at leisure to relax or to join one of the many optional tours and activities that are available (additional cost). Some suggestions are: get a thrill on the famous Shotover Jetboats; take a guided walking tour of the Queenstown Wine Trail including an underground wine cave tour; cruise Lake Wakatipu on the historic Earnslaw Steamer; shop in all the stores and boutiques in the town centre or just relax in the sheer beauty of it all!  If you haven’t prebooked an activity, your Goway Tour Director will help arrange the activities for you. 

Meal Plan Breakfast
Day 7

Queenstown to Christchurch

This morning, we depart after breakfast, driving through some of the most scenic landscapes in New Zealand, We will journey through the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, renowned as the "most English city outside of England". We will make a stop en route for lunch (own expense).  On arrival to Christchurch enjoy an orientation city tour before checking in at the hotel. Tonight enjoy a lovely three-course dinner onsite.  

Meal Plan Breakfast and Dinner
Duration1 Night
Accommodation

Crowne Plaza Christchurch

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Location View map
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    Crowne Plaza Christchurch



    The hotel is 2 minutes' walk from New Regent Street, 6 minutes' walk from Christchurch Casino and 5 minutes' drive from the centre of Christchurch CBD (Central Business District). Christchurch Airport is 18 minutes' drive away.

    The hotel is 2 minutes' walk from New Regent Street, 6 minutes' walk from Christchurch Casino and 5 minutes' drive from the centre of Christchurch CBD (Central Business District). Christchurch Airport is 18 minutes' drive away.

    Facilities

    • 24 Hour Reception
    • Fitness Centre
    • Library
    • Luggage Storage
    • Wifi/Internet Access

    More Details

    Preferred Hotel
Day 8

Depart Christchurch

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning. This is the end of your Holiday of a Lifetime. If flying out of Christchurch there is a transfer included to Christchurch airport to connect with any onward travel arrangements.

Meal Plan Breakfast

16 Mar 2023
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