CHRISTMAS WITH KARL AND MARIAN ON THE WEST COAST
23 December 2026 - 7 January 2027
Join Karl, Marian and Grant for a Nelson, West Coast and Central Otago Odyssey - an easygoing, fun-packed way to spend Christmas and New Year with great company, plenty of laughs, and lots of music along the way. Travel through wild coastlines, glaciers, mountains and lakes, with scenic drives, lake cruises, bush walks and stops in some of New Zealand’s most iconic spots. It’s a fabulous, relaxed trip full of good times, shared moments and unforgettable scenery from start to finish.
$11250 per person twin share
Single Room Supplement Add $3495
Initial Deposit On Booking $1500
Second Deposit Due:10 July 2026 $2000
Final Balance Due: 9 September 2026
Days
15 Days
Highlights
Christmas and New Year celebrations with Karl, Marian and Grant with fabulous music, fun and festivities, cruises, train ride, spectacular scenery, rugged West Coast, with Nelson and Queenstown.
Group Size
28 Travellers
Meals
All Breakfasts
12 Lunches
14 Dinners
Mobility
Moderate Tour
SPECIAL FEATURES
• A fantastic 15-day Christmas and New Year tour of the West Coast and Central Otago, discovering the most beautiful scenery in New Zealand, the rugged beauty and quirkiness of the West Coast and Central Otago!
• Fantastic music events including: Memories Are Made of This our welcome dinner and concert, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas! - we bring you tidings of great joy with a very special day planned for you all! If you’re Irish, Come into the Parlour! in a historic parlour, Welcome to the Wacky West, with music from a wacky local West Coast band, New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance with songs from country,
and the 50s & 60s and a chance to do some dancing and Showtime Spectacular featuring hit after hit for our final night.
• Scenery all the way: mountains, wild coastlines, rock formations, bush walks, glaciers, lake cruises with
driving tours: Nelson - Punakaiki Rocks - Tauranga Bay - Greymouth - Hokitika - Hokitika Gorge - Franz
Josef and Fox Glaciers - Haast - Wanaka - Cromwell - Queenstown!
• Numerous activities including tours of Treetops, cruise the Waterways around Hokitika, train ride through the bush at Charleston, visit Punakaiki Rocks, Shantytown, Franz Josef wildlife centre, foodies tour and walking tour in Nelson, seal colony, goldmine tour and arts tour and talk, cruise of Haast River, cruise on the Earnslaw and so much more!
• Fun, care and music provided by Karl Perigo, Marian Burns and Grant Winterburn. What a team to enjoy Christmas and see in 2027!
TRIP ITINERARY
Experience the Exceptional:
WEDNESDAY 23 DECEMBER 2026 (L, D)
Rutherford Hotel, Nelson (3 nights)
Rutherford Hotel, Nelson is a 4-star hotel, located in sunny Nelson, offering a comfortable base to explore the region's vibrant arts scene and coastal surroundings.
Highlights Include:
•Meet at the airport late morning before we visit Nelson
Founder’s Park, a historic park filled with old buildings and
wonderful atmosphere for lunch and a tour.
• Time to check in and enjoy our handy position to town by
doing some Christmas shopping and wandering on arrival.
• Then it’s off to an iconic venue for dinner and our welcome
concert entitled Memories are Made of This presented by our
great team. What a way to start our great two weeks of music,
adventure and scenery.
THURSDAY 24 DECEMBER 2026 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• Enjoy a relaxed walking tour through Nelson with a
knowledgeable local guide. Discover the city’s rich history,
vibrant arts scene, and hidden gems while exploring its
charming streets and landmarks.
• Go behind the scenes at the famous Pic’s Peanut Butter
Factory. Learn how their iconic peanut butter is made, see the
production process up close and enjoy some tastings.
• Experience Nelson’s thriving craft beer scene with a guided
brewery tour. Gain insight into the brewing process and
sample a selection of locally crafted beers.
• Indulge in a scenic visit to a local vineyard. Enjoy wine
tasting followed by lunch, surrounded by beautiful views.
• Unwind in the evening with a relaxed dinner at the hotel.
FRIDAY 25 DECEMBER 2026 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas! We bring you tidings
of great joy with a very special day planned for you all!
• A very special lunch and dinner today is planned to
celebrate Christmas. We have all sorts of plans including
gifts for everyone, the appearance of Santa Elvis, a special
Christmas cracker which reveals special song requests, games
and general festivities and more than a few laughs as well.
And you can be sure that Karl, Marian and Grant have plenty of mischief and surprises up their sleeves too!
SATURDAY 26 DECEMBER 2026 (B, L, D)
Scenic Hotel, Punakaiki (2 nights)
Highlights Include:
• Journey through lush native bush and breathtaking
landscapes as you travel from Nelson to the wild West Coast,
with winding rivers, dense forest, and towering mountains.
Pause in Murchison for a chance to stretch our legs.
• Continue onward to the renowned Punakaiki Pancake Rocks,
where nature has sculpted extraordinary limestone formations
that resemble stacked pancakes. Enjoy a leisurely late lunch in
this iconic coastal setting.
• Check into our hotel with the sound of the surf and the fresh
sea air.
• Enjoy dinner at the hotel, reflecting on a day filled with
stunning scenery.
SUNDAY 27 DECEMBER 2026 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• Travel along the dramatic West Coast, where the rugged
shoreline meets the powerful Tasman Sea, as we make our
way to Charleston. Once a thriving gold rush town in the
mid-19th century, Charleston boasted over 20 hotels during
its boom years, offering a fascinating glimpse into New
Zealand’s rich mining heritage.
• Step back in time with a scenic train journey through lush
native forest, followed by a guided bush walk that immerses
you in the region’s natural beauty and tranquil surroundings.
• Continue our exploration with a visit to an ancient gold
mine. Enjoy an informative talk and guided tour, where you’ll
learn about the hardships and ingenuity of early miners and
experience the atmosphere of this historic site.
• Later, visit the seal colony at Tauranga Bay, where you can
observe these playful marine mammals in their natural coastal
habitat, often seen basking on the rocks or swimming in the
surf.
• Return to our hotel in the evening and enjoy a relaxing
dinner with a little music from the team, reflecting on a day
rich in history, nature and unique West Coast experiences.
MONDAY 28 DECEMBER 2026 (B, D)
Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika (3 nights)
Highlights Include:
• Fabulous scenic drive through Paparoa National Park
with lush West Coast native rainforest, mountain tops and
expansive rugged beaches.
• Free time to wander in Greymouth, grab some lunch and
enjoy some shopping.
• This afternoon, travel to the stunning Hokitika Gorge, where
vivid turquoise waters wind their way through a dramatic
landscape of native forest and striking rock formations - truly
one of the region’s natural highlights.
• Continue on to Hokitika, a laid-back coastal town known
for its artistic flair and rugged beauty. Check in to our hotel,
located right on the wild Tasman beach.
• Unwind this evening with a casual dinner at the hotel, the
perfect way to relax after a day rich in history, scenery and
discovery.
TUESDAY 29 DECEMBER 20246(B, D)
Highlights Include:
• Enjoy Hokitika with some free time to explore this vibrant
and artistic town at your own pace.
• Browse the local galleries and boutiques and enjoy a
guided talk and demonstration from a skilled jade carver and
glass blower - an opportunity to learn more about the region’s
strong creative traditions.
• Step back in time with a visit to Shantytown, a faithfully
recreated gold rush village that brings the pioneering days of
the West Coast to life.
• Enjoy a nostalgic ride on a vintage train, explore historic
buildings and take a peaceful walk through native bush. Try
your luck at gold panning—who knows, you might strike it
lucky!
• Then stay on for an evening in Shantytown enjoying a fun
event in their historic parlour with dinner entitled If you’re
Irish, Come into the Parlour!
WEDNESDAY 30 DECEMBER 2026 (B, D)
Highlights Include:
• Cruise through the waterways of Hokitika on our private
charter this morning and then free time for own lunch.
• A chance to enjoy some West Coast hospitality with our
wacky local band providing a fun evening of entertainment
this evening: Welcome to the Wacky West. The band plays
everything from a comb to banjo and everything in between.
It promises to be a great fun evening for all.
THURSDAY 31 DECEMBER 2026 (B, L, D)
Scenic Hotel, Franz Josef (3 night)
Highlights Include:
• Enjoy the scenic coastal drive south to Franz Josef, travelling through one of New Zealand’s most spectacular regions.
• Check into our hotel, where private balconies offer stunning
outlooks across the surrounding mountains.
• Visit the renowned treetop walk, where elevated platforms and suspended bridges take you high above the forest floor, offering a unique perspective of the ancient canopy and surrounding landscape.
• As evening falls, enjoy a lively and memorable New Year’s Eve celebration, ringing in the New Year, surrounded by great company, good atmosphere and charm: New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance.
FRIDAY 1 JANUARY 2027 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• Visit the West Coast Wildlife Centre, the official home of the Rowi kiwi breeding and incubation programme, run in partnership with the Department of Conservation. Here, you’ll gain insight into conservation efforts to protect one of New Zealand’s rarest kiwi species and have the chance to view these remarkable birds up close in a specially designed environment.
• Savour lunch at a local restaurant, showcasing fresh regional flavours in a relaxed West Coast setting.
• Return to our hotel and enjoy a casual dinner at the hotel.
SATURDAY 2 JANUARY 2027 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• Morning free time with the option to take a scenic helicopter flight (own cost, weather dependent), offering aerial views of glaciers, alpine peaks and the surrounding wilderness.
• Visit Franz Josef Glacier, a 12 km glacier located within Westland Tai Poutini National Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage area. Enjoy the opportunity to walk to designated viewing areas and experience the glacier’s impressive scale up close, depending on access and conditions.
• Stop at Lake Matheson for lunch, set in a tranquil natural environment known for its still waters and mirror-like reflections. Take a walk around the well-formed track, with
viewing points along the way that showcase reflections of surrounding peaks, including Aoraki / Mount Cook on clear
days, making it a highlight for photography and relaxation.
• Casual dinner at our hotel this evening with a bit of music
from our fab team of wonderful artists.
SUNDAY 3 JANUARY 2027 (B, L, D) - Glaciers - Haast
Haast Heartland Hotel (1 night)
Highlights Include:
• Coastal drive through South Westland, travelling along one
of New Zealand’s most remote and breathtaking stretches
with its dramatic scenery, rugged shoreline, dense native
rainforest and views of the Southern Alps.
• Private cruise on the Haast River, for a relaxed look at the
surrounding wilderness.
• Casual dinner at the hotel in the evening.
MONDAY 4 JANUARY 2027 (B, L, D)
Rendevous Hotel, Queenstown (3 nights)
Highlights Include:
• Drive to Queenstown, travelling through the scenic Central Otago region.
• Stop in Wānaka to enjoy the town’s relaxed atmosphere.
Situated on the shores of Lake Wānaka and surrounded by
mountains, we explore local shops, cafés and waterfront views.
• Continue to Cromwell for lunch. Cromwell is a charming town known for its historic precinct and surrounding orchards and vineyards.
• Arrive in Queenstown with casual dinner in the evening.
TUESDAY 5 JANUARY 2027 (B, L)
Highlights Include:
• Morning in Queenstown with free time to enjoy shopping, cafés, or a relaxed walk along the lakefront, taking in views of the surrounding mountains and lake scenery.
• Cruise on Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic 1912 coal-fired
steamship TSS Earnslaw.
• Stop at Walter Peak High Country Farm for lunch in its lakeside setting, followed by a guided tour of the farm to experience rural life and farm demonstrations.
• Free evening to enjoy Queenstown at your own pace, with dinner arrangements of your choice and time to explore or relax by the lake.
WEDNESDAY 6 JANUARY 2027 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• Free time to wander in the cute township of Arrowtown, check out the museum and do some shopping.
• Lunch at a vineyard and enjoy some wine-tasting.
• Gala final night dinner at the hotel, featuring live music provided by our artist escorts in a performance Showtime Spectacular, featuring favourite songs from all sorts of different genres. What a great way to finish our spectacular trip!
THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2027 (B)
Time for home today, after the most amazing time
experiencing the rugged West Coast with the cheer of
Christmas and fun of the New Year.
This Trip Includes:
• A fantastic Christmas and New Year tour of the West Coast and Central Otago, discovering the most beautiful scenery in New Zealand, the rugged beauty and quirkiness of the West Coast and Central Otago!
• Accommodation in 4-star hotels in Nelson (3 nights), Punakaiki Rocks (2 nights), Hokitika (3 nights), Franz Josef (3 nights), Haast (1 night), Queenstown (3 nights).
• Fantastic music events including: Memories are Made of This our welcome dinner and concert, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas! - we bring you tidings of great joy with a very special day planned for you all! If you’re Irish, Come into the Parlour! in a historic parlour, Welcome to the Wacky West, with music from a wacky local West Coast band, New Year’s Eve Dinner and Dance with songs from country, and the 50s and 60s and a chance to do some dancing and Showtime Spectacular featuring hit after hit for our final night event.
• Scenery all the way: mountains, wild coastlines, rock formations, bush walks, glaciers, lake cruises with driving tours: Nelson - Punakaiki Rocks - Tauranga Bay - Greymouth - Hokitika - Hokitika Gorge - Franz and Fox Glaciers - Haast - Wanaka - Cromwell - Queenstown!
• Numerous activities including tours of Treetops, cruise the Waterways around Hokitika, train ride through the bush at Charleston, visit Punakaiki Rocks, Shantytown, Franz Josef wildlife centre, foodies tour in Nelson, walking tour in Nelson, seal colony, goldmine tour and arts tour and talk, cruise of Haast River, tour of Wanaka and lunch and cruise on the Earnslaw!
• All tours, activities and transfers as listed in this itinerary.
• All breakfasts, 12 lunches and 14 dinners plus selected drinks at included meals.
• Fun, care and music provided by Karl Perigo, Marian Burns and Grant Winterburn. What a team to enjoy Christmas and see in 2027!
PLEASE NOTE: As our travellers are coming from all over NZ, airfares are not included. If you require us to book your flights at an additional cost, please contact us.
Important Information
• All itinerary details are subject to change, but changes will be replaced with a comparable or better option.
• Initial & Second deposits are fully refundable up until final balance due date, minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs.
• All monies are non-refundable at final balance due date. This becomes an insurance claim.
• Bank transfer payments incur no surcharge. Credit card payments incur surcharge of 1.5%.
• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.
• Bookings will only be accepted with initial deposit & booking form.
• All travellers must obtain comprehensive travel insurance for international travel and insurance for domestic travel is recommended.
• Please refer to our terms and conditions on booking form.
Mobility - Moderate Tour
This trip has a little more walking than an easy tour. It is a moderate tour for one of the following reasons - you may need to walk with ease for up to one hour at a slow pace or be able to climb stairs or be able to get on and off boats, trains and buses. This trip will not suit those on walkers and a moderate level of mobility is required.