New Zealand and the Pacific

New Zealand & The Pacific Islands

You’ll be in awe of the natural and cultural diversity that abounds on both the North Island and South Island of New Zealand, where incredible destinations seem to appear at every turn. And on the islands scattered throughout the Pacific Ocean and neighbouring seas, immerse yourself in a shared spirit of positivity and a laid-back approach to life like you’ve never experienced – all while surrounded by sparkling waters and palm tree-lined shores.

NEW ZEALAND

Admire the cherry blossoms

When you think of cherry blossoms you most likely think of Japan, but did you know these pretty pink flowers bring colour and enchantment to springtime in New Zealand as well? The cherry blossom season is relatively short and sweet, the petals falling to the ground in a pink and white blizzard following a few weeks of bloom around mid-September to early October each year.

One of the best ways to enjoy the cherry blossoms in all their glory is to attend the NZ Cherry Blossom Festival at English Cherry Tree Manor in Hamilton, North Island, where visitors can revel in the beautiful gardens featuring magnificent blooms, multicultural entertainment, high tea and gourmet food vendors (blossfest.com). In 2023 the festival will run over two consecutive weekends (23-25 September and 30 September – 2 October).

Elsewhere in New Zealand, don’t hesitate to visit a hidden gem – Aston Norwood Gardens in Upper Hutt, North Island, where you’ll discover a whopping 400 cherry blossom trees – or North Hagley Park in Christchurch, South Island, where the path along Harper Avenue transforms into a boulevarde of blossoms. You can also admire the cherry blossoms at various other locations around the country including the Victoria Esplanade in Palmerston North, Cornwall Park in Auckland, the Cherry Walk in the Dunedin Botanic Garden, and Miyazu Japanese Garden in Nelson.

Be seduced by the Bay of Islands

Few holiday destinations can rival the breathtaking Bay of Islands, an enclave encompassing more than 140 subtropical islands in the far north of New Zealand. Renowned for its pristine beaches and rich Māori heritage, this area is bound to enthral Club members seeking a combination of natural beauty and culture. The Bay of Islands is home to the 19thcentury whaling port of Russell, where the waterfront promenade is lined with remnants from its colonial history. Other highlights to put on your itinerary include a trip to Cape Reinga via Ninety Mile Beach, an amazing scenic flight

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1. Take in Cape Reinga from up high on an epic scenic flight

2. The NZ Cherry Blossom Festival at English Cherry Tree Manor, Hamilton is the best place in New Zealand to view cherry blossoms

3. Premium wineries abound in Hawke’s Bay, but there’s so much more to discover in this lovely region

4. Learn of key events in the history of Aotearoa New Zealand at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds

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over the clear turquoise waters, a cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, or even a sailing adventure in a classic tall ship. Don’t forget to keep your eyes peeled for dolphins and other marine life!

And of course, no visit here is complete without visiting the ‘Birthplace of the Nation’, Waitangi Treaty Grounds. As the location of the signing of the treaty between the Mãori tribes and the British, this represents the most important historic site in Aotearoa New Zealand. While in the region, try to make time for a trip to Parry Kauri Park for a glimpse of a magnificent kauri tree.

Head to Hawke’s Bay

Your Club will not be disappointed with a journey to the wine-producing region of Hawke’s Bay on the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island. Renowned for its beautiful beaches and of course its premium wineries, Hawke’s Bay is also home to impressive Art Deco landmarks including the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings. But the destination of desire is undoubtedly Napier – ‘the Art Deco Capital’. Rebuilt after a 1931 earthquake, Napier is a coastal city with the most comprehensive collection of Art Deco buildings in the world. Here you’ll find the popular Municipal Theatre and the zigzag-patterned Daily Telegraph Building. Another important site is the Statue of Pania, located on the tree-lined waterfront promenade of Marine Parade. Created in 1954, the statue honours the life of ‘Pania of the Reef’, a maiden figure of Māori mythology and the symbol of this wonderful city.

AT A GLANCE

NZ Cherry Blossom Festival

+64 7 854 9277 (NZ) +61 2 7209 0345 (AU) blossfest.com

Also:

→ Aston Norwood

Gardens, Upper Hutt,

North Island → North Hagley Park in Christchurch,

South Island → Victoria Esplanade,

Palmerston North → Cornwall Park,

Auckland → Cherry Walk, Dunedin

Botanic Garden → Miyazu Japanese

Garden, Nelson

Bay of Islands

→ Russell → Cape Reinga → Hole in the Rock,

Cape Brett → Waitangi Treaty

Grounds → Parry Kauri Park

northlandnz.com

Hawke’s Bay

→ Hawke’s Bay Opera

House, Hastings → Municipal Theatre,

Napier → Daily Telegraph

Building, Napier → Statue of Pania, Napier → National Aquarium of

New Zealand, Napier

hawkesbaynz.com

Grand Pacific Tours New Zealand

1800 622 768 gptnz.com

While in Napier, you may also want to spend some time at the National Aquarium of New Zealand, which shelters endangered local species like kiwis and tuataras. The aquarium has an excellent viewing tunnel for marine life.

Grand Pacific Tours’ 9 Day Classic North Island tour takes your Club from Auckland to Wellington via Rotorua and features a city sights tour of Napier along with numerous other highlights, including Waitangi Treaty Grounds (gptnz.com).

See the Southern Lights

From locations with low light pollution on New Zealand’s South Island, it’s sometimes possible to witness the extraordinary yet elusive aurora australis – more commonly known as the Southern Lights – an electrical wonder created by solar winds reacting with the gases in our atmosphere. This rare display of green and pink skies is a light show like no other.

Some of the best vantage points to see the Southern Lights include the country’s third and most southern populated island, Stewart Island; the Catlins, located at the very south of the island; and Lake Tekapo, which along with the surrounding Mackenzie region is an internationally recognised ‘Dark Sky Reserve’, making it one of the best places in the world to stargaze.

You might also be lucky enough to glimpse the aurora from various points around Dunedin, such as Sandfly Bay, Second

1.Queenstown is a stunning destination built on the shores of Lake Wakatipu

2. The 1932 Halsbury Chambers building is a prime example of why Napier is considered the Art Deco capital of NZ

3.Witness the astonishing spectacle of aurora australis, aka the Southern Lights, from multiple locations on New Zealand’s South Island

4.The TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship docks at Queenstown ready to take passengers to Walter Peak Station Beach at St Clair, or Hoopers Inlet on the Otago Peninsula. Wherever you go, you’ll be hoping for clear weather conditions; the fewer clouds blocking your view the better, as aurora often appears only low on the horizon. To get the best Southern Lights viewing you should travel to New Zealand during the winter months (March to September), watch the forecast for a moderate to high aurora strength, and pick a night with clear skies. And here’s another tip – you could plan your Club’s trip for a ‘perfect solar cycle year’, which just happens to fall roughly in 2024 (and again in 2035).

AT A GLANCE

Southern Lights

→ Stewart Island → The Catlins → Lake Tekapo

Queenstown

→ Shotover River → Dart River → Skippers Canyon → Lake Wakatipu → Walter Peak Station → Arrowtown → Lakes District

Museum

queenstownnz.co.nz

Grand Pacific Tours New Zealand

1800 622 768 gptnz.com

4 Enjoy a trip to Queenstown

For many travellers, Queenstown might just be the ultimate holiday destination. Sitting on the shores of the South

Island’s magical Lake Wakatipu and set against the snowcapped peaks of the dramatic Southern Alps, Queenstown offers an ideal base to explore the region’s historic mining towns, outstanding vineyards and more.

Adventure sports are popular here, but you don’t have to be a thrill seeker to take advantage of Queenstown’s geographical diversity. Braver members might enjoy a jet boat ride on the narrow, fast-flowing Shotover River, while others will prefer a more leisurely kayak on the Dart River to admire the panoramic scenery and rugged forest surroundings. For a change of pace, take a heritage tour of scenic Skippers Canyon, or board the

TSS Earnslaw vintage steamship for a cruise across Lake

Wakatipu to historic Walter Peak Station at the base of the mountain. Queenstown is also a great place to explore epic film locations, spoil yourselves with a trip to a spa and hot pools, or tantalise your tastebuds at fine-dining restaurants.

And don’t miss the chance to spend a half-day in Arrowtown, an old gold mining village where members can visit the innovative Lakes District Museum – which is also partly responsible for the protection of the town’s historic buildings.

On Grand Pacific Tours’ 10 Day Classic South Island tour, your Club can experience the highlights of New

Zealand’s South Island including a few days in the fabulous city of Queenstown (gptnz.com).

PACIFIC ISLANDS

Venture to Vanuatu

Comprising roughly 80 islands that span 1,300km, Vanuatu is home to sublime coral reefs, natural lagoons, underwater caverns and a famous shipwreck, the World War II-era troopship SS President Coolidge at Espiritu Santo – said to be the largest, most accessible wreck in the world. But don’t worry if you have no interest in diving – Vanuatu has plenty to offer both by the shore and on land, too. Some may choose to bathe in the Rarru Cascades, while the wildlife-viewing opportunities here are truly superb. You can even swim with turtles at Crystal Blue Lagoon.

On the island of Efate you can find the nation’s capital, harbourside Port Vila, a city well worth visiting for the Vanuatu National Museum exploring Melanesian culture. And about a 45-minute flight from Port Vila is the island of Tanna, where members will find the world’s most accessible active volcano, Mount Yasur, plus numerous other mountains, hot springs, rainforests and coffee plantations. Tanna’s main town, Lenakel, has a port, market and shops to visit. Other highlights of the island include the Tanna Coffee factory, Giant Banyan Tree, Yatana Surf Beach and Port Resolution, a lovely bay with magnificent cliffs.

Take a break on Bora Bora

Situated north-west of Tahiti, the island of Bora Bora in French Polynesia is one of the most admired in the South Pacific. Surrounded by sand-fringed islets and a turquoise lagoon protected by a coral reef, this is a paradise your Club won’t soon forget. Bora Bora appeals to anyone with an appreciation for the good life – sitting back and relaxing on a delightful beach, soaking up the friendly island spirit, sunset dining by the pure

1. Mount Yasur , the world’s most accessible volcano, presides over Vanuatu’s Tanna island

2. You can feed stingrays – plus plenty more opportunities for encounters with sea life – on Bora Bora waters, or simply enjoying the hospitality at one of many luxury resorts. For more active members, Bora Bora is also a great place to get involved in outdoor activities like a lagoon cruise over coral gardens or black-tip reef shark and stingray feeding. You can also circle the volcanic island on a 4WD tour by open-air safari truck, with photo opportunities aplenty from several lookouts along the way. At the island’s centre, Mount Otemanu – one of two peaks of a dormant volcano – rises a spectacular 727 metres and changes shape depending on your viewpoint.

AT A GLANCE

Vanuatu

→ SS President Coolidge,

Espiritu Santo → Rarru Cascades, Efate → Crystal Blue Lagoon,

Port Vila, Efate → Vanuatu National

Museum, Port Vila,

Efate → Mount Yasur, Tanna → Lenakel, Tanna → Tanna Coffee

Factory, Tannna → Giant Banyan Tree,

Tanna → Yatana Surf Beach,

Tanna → Port Resolution,

Tanna

vanuatu.travel

Bora Bora

→ Mount Otemanu

tahititourisme.com.au

Come on tours of beauty and culture with events included in the itinerary

New Zealand is known as one of the most beautiful places on earth with an abundance of waterfalls, mountains, lakes, pure running streams, lush landscapes, rainbows and general ravishing scenery.

Many places have that, but more rare are thermal activity, glowworm caves, not to mention destinations like the Hobbiton fi lmset and Hot Water Beach

Unique to New Zealand is Māori culture. Experience a show and meal. What perhaps is also unique to our tours is the inclusion of events. The spring tours in late September / early October visit the NZ Cherry Blossom Festival. In addition to the most beautiful cherry blossoms and tens of thousands of other blooms, the festival has a wide variety of multicultural performances, street performers, high tea and much else, all in the most lovely garden setting.

Tours in early March include events such as Garden parties with music of classics, opera, jazz and folk; and dressup from former eras such as 1800s Jane Austen Britain and the roaring 1920s. Step back in time with so many wonderful photograph opportunities. Events are always exciting and attended en masse by the locals and not so many tourists. It’s a great opportunity to interact with jovial locals who are delighted to meet you.

The tours stay at the best of hotels and include food from top-rated establishments. Try fi ne NZ wine with luscious NZ green-lipped mussels and oysters. Optionally, indulge in spa pampering in a holiday of great variety and pure delight. With the AU dollar currently high against the NZ dollar and tourism numbers not yet back up to capacity, now is a great time to travel.

The tours cover a small area of New Zealand and, so, there are no long bus rides. The coaches are the fi nest and most comfortable available. Apart from a few short walks, the tours accommodate those with limited mobility.

Explore enticing New Caledonia

The vast French overseas territory of New Caledonia, comprising dozens of picture-postcard islands, is a true gem of the South Pacific. The tourism and hospitality options available here cater to everyone, with a fantastic variety of landscapes, activities, attractions and cultures making New Caledonia a major drawcard for those seeking an idyllic getaway.

This unique archipelago is best known for its palm-lined beaches and the world’s largest coral reef lagoon – home to endangered dugongs and an important nesting site for the green sea turtle. The main island, Grand Terre, is surrounded by the massive barrier reef.

While in the capital Nouméa, don’t miss the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre, a culturally and architecturally significant site that was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano and celebrates the culture of the Kanak, the archipelago’s indigenous Melanesian inhabitants. Elsewhere, members can explore the island’s sensational fauna and flora or visit the Musee De Bourail, a museum housed in an old stone building that displays objects relating to the presence of US and New Zealand troops during World War II, as well as a full guillotine brought over in 1867. Or take a boat to the crystalline waters of the Isle of Pines, the southernmost island of New Caledonia and one of the most spectacular locations in the Pacific.

Visit the Solomon Islands

If your Club fancies leaving the resorts behind, consider a trip to the lesser known yet absolutely gorgeous Solomon Islands – a volcano-studded archipelago defined by raw tropical beauty. When you’re not relaxing in a hammock at a traditional ‘leaf-house’ bungalow, head out to swim with dolphins, enjoy a gentle canoe ride down the river, or take pictures of the blooming orchids.

This nation of hundreds of islands bursts with ancient Melanesian culture. History buffs among the group will appreciate the region’s World War II-era sites. Visit the province of Guadalcanal, one of the archipelago’s largest islands, which honours fallen Allied soldiers at its US War Memorial. Guadalcanal is home to the nation’s capital, Honiara, where bustling Central Market showcases the fabulous produce and traditional handicrafts of these fascinating islands.

You’ll also have the chance to discover Skull Island – located in a serene lagoon teeming with colourful fish – the final resting place for the skulls of countless vanquished warriors. ■

1. The Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre is named after assassinated Kanak leader and peace activist Jean-Marie Tjibaou

2. Immerse yourself in Melanesian culture on the Solomon Islands

AT A GLANCE

New Caledonia

→ Grand Terre → Jean-Marie Tjibaou

Cultural Centre,

Nouméa → Musee De Bourail → Isle of Pines

newcaledonia.travel/en

Solomon Islands

→ US War Memorial,

Guadalcanal → Central Market,

Honiara, Guadalcanal → Skull Island

visitsolomons.com.sb

EXCLUSIVE TO GRAND PACIFIC TOURS

ULTIMATE

SMALL GROUP TOURING

Business Class on Wheels. Maximum 20 Travellers

THE ULTIMATE COACH. EXTENSIVE FEATURES

20 Business Class reclining leather seats with adjustable headrest and calf support

Panoramic viewing, air conditioning, seat belts and onboard restroom

Wood grain timber tray table with built-in cup holder

Seat side personal storage providing easy access to your travel bag

Personal audio control unit with multiple music channels and a complimentary set of headphones

Stylish centre galley area equipped with refrigerated drinking fountain and fridge units Complimentary daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance and USB charging port Access to daily newspapers and range of glossy magazines