Journey through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train, marvel at snow-capped mountains, lakes and incredible gorges, the rugged West Coast, from coastline to glaciers and one of the most beautiful roads from Haast, Wanaka, and Queenstown, to the majestic Milford Sound.
We journey through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine train, marvelling at snow-capped mountains, lakes and incredible gorges, then travel down the rugged West Coast, from coastline to glaciers, with tours to the Punakaiki Rocks (Pancake Rocks), explore gold mining history, and walks through the lush rainforests.
We then travel down one of the most beautiful and deserted parts of New Zealand from Haast, Wanaka, and Queenstown, to the majestic Milford Sound.
All of this we combine with music, extraordinary experiences and lots of fun with Lynette and Stuart on board to help with the merriment.t.
Novotel Hotel Cathedral Square
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Antarctic Life Centre, our first glance at a winter wonderland with its displays of Antarctica, the snow and ice experience, Scott Base, and hang out with little blue penguins!
• Our welcome dinner at the fabulous Hinton’s Vineyard and Restaurant with our first concert is entitled What A Wonderful World.
AKAROA DAY TRIP
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Day trip to Akaroa, a gorgeous seaside settlement with its history and French influenced cottages and buildings, including lunch.
• Stop at the Giant’s House, a historic Akaroa house with original artworks, terraced gardens with sculptures and mosaics.
Kingsgate Hotel
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• We journey on the TranzAlpine Rail, one of the world’s most famous train journeys, between Christchurch and Greymouth. We traverse the mighty Southern Alps, where spectacular views of the chiselled alpine landscape will take our breath away at every turn.
• A visit to Shanty Town with its exceptional display of the gold mining.
PUNAKAIKI & WESTPORT DAYTRIP
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Visit the famous Punakaiki Pancake Rocks beside the rugged West Coast.
• Fabulous scenic drive through Paparoa National Park with lush West Coast native rainforest, mountain tops and expansive rugged beaches, with a stop at the Nile River Train.
• Visit Westport to explore the coal museum.
• A hearty meal at Speights Ale House with the odd tipple, maybe a stout to end the day and warm the cockles of your heart! A chance to enjoy some West coast hospitality with our local band providing a fun evening.
Scenic Circle Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• A scenic coastal drive down to Hokitika.
• A magnificent tree top walk.
• Visit to Franz Josef, a 12 km glacier, part of the World Heritage Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• A choice of the Fox Glacier Terminal Face Walk or a scenic drive around the area.
• Lake Matheson for lunch with views over the reflection of Lake Matheson with its reflections of Mt Cook.
• A mid-winter wonderland Christmas dinner and concert entitled I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas.
Haast Hotel
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• A leisurely drive down the coastline of one of the most deserted and gorgeous regions of New Zealand between the glaciers and Haast.
• Visit the South Westland Salmon Farm with time to explore the farm.
• Have a delightful salmon lunch.
• A private two-hour cruise down the Haast River.
• Evening at leisure.
St Moritz Hotel
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• A tour of Wanaka on route to Queenstown today with more glorious scenery along the way.
• Visit Puzzling World in Wanaka.
• A chance to wander the shops in Wanaka, a beautiful town set on Lake Wanaka and surrounded by mountains.
• Drive through to Cromwell with lunch at Wild Earth Kitchen & Vineyard, set on the bank of Lake Dunstan.
• Tour of the goldfields on route to Queenstown.
• Dinner at hotel on arrival this evening.
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Milford Sound full day tour, again with an amazing drive and views along the way.
• Two-hour cruise of Milford Sound with its steep sides, cascading into the sound!
• Lunch on the boat, what a backdrop for us today!
HIGHLIGHTS include:
• Arrowtown morning tour with a chance to wander and shop.
• Free afternoon in Queenstown to wander and shop as well or enjoy the ambience of this beautiful waterfront town.
• Gala final night dinner at hotel with music provided by our escorts entitled Showstoppers, celebrating all the hits of music theatre!
Today we check out of our hotel with the knowledge that this trip has simply re-confirmed for us, that we do live in the most beautiful country in the world!
10 nights’ accommodation with breakfast included: Christchurch (2 nights), Greymouth (2 nights), Franz Josef (2 nights), Haast (1 nights) and Queenstown (3 nights).
TranzAlpine Railway between Christchurch and Greymouth with glorious vistas, viaducts, gorges, lakes and snow-capped mountains.
All tours as listed on the itinerary including day trip to Akaroa, tours to Punakaiki Rocks, Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers, Lake Matheson, Haast, Wanaka, Cromwell, Milford Sound and Queenstown.
Special flavours including welcome dinner and concert What A Wonderful World at Hinton’s vineyard and restaurant final night gala event in Queenstown entitled Showstoppers, a variety show with local characters and gold mining stories, I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas with a mid-winter Christmas dinner beside the glaciers, visit to the Giant’s House, lunch at Lake Matheson with its incredible reflections of Mt Cook.
Numerous activities including Milford Sound day trip and cruise, visits and tours to the Antarctic Centre, Treetop Walk, Nile River Rain Forest Train, Fox Glacier Terminal walk, visit the Salmon Farm and Haast River Safaris cruise, Cromwell Goldfields tour and Queenstown and Arrowtown tours.
All tours and transfers listed in itinerary.
Meals as listed in itinerary, all breakfasts, 5 dinners, 7 lunches, tips, porterage included.
Hosted by Lynette Martin and Hamish McGregor.
PLEASE NOTE: As our travellers are coming from all over NZ, airfares are not included.
GENTLE TOUR This tour will suit most people, even with a stick or a walker, but sorry not someone in a wheelchair. The activity level is gently paced, but you still need to be able to get on and off buses easily. There will be walking, but not a lot. “I love travelling, but at a gentle pace. I like to avoid stairs or too much activity, but I am able to get on and off buses easily.”
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• All trips are subject to change but any changes will be of equal or greater value.
• Deposits refundable until final payment date minus any costs incurred, or an administration fee of up to $300.
• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.
• Travellers are required to obtain comprehensive travel insurance for all international trips.
Please refer to terms & conditions on our booking form.
PLACES WE STAY
Novotel Hotel Cathedral Square, Christchurch - Situated in the centre of the city, the Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square is a 4.5-star contemporary hotel, with city views in all rooms.
TranzAlpine Train - Considered one of the greatest train journeys in the world, the famous TranzAlpine train travels through some of New Zealand’s most incredible scenery on its route from Christchurch to Greymouth.
Kingsgate Hotel, Greymouth - For easy access to the wild landscapes and stunning scenery of New Zealand’s unspoilt West Coast, look no further than the historic Kingsgate Hotel Greymouth.
Scenic Franz Josef Glacier - The Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is close to the edge of one of New Zealand’s most spectacular natural attractions, welcoming us to this enticing and dramatic region.
Heartland Haast Hotel - Dwarfed by the mountains, rivers, beaches and lush rainforest of the South Westland World Heritage Area, the Heartland Hotel Haast provides the perfect resting spot for travellers and adventurers alike.
St Moritz, Queenstown - Overlooking Lake Wakatipu to The Remarkables mountains, this refined hotel is a short walk from the Skyline Gondola and 20min drive from Coronet Peak ski-field.
MUSICAL HIGHLIGHTS
What a Wonderful World! Our welcome dinner at the fabulous Hinton’s Vineyard and Restaurant with our first wonderland concert.
I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas A mid-winter wonderland Christmas dinner and concert.
Gala final night dinner at hotel with music provided by our hosts entitled Showstoppers.
Every customer is required to take out insurance for all international travel when taking a trip with Operatunity Ltd.
DOMESTIC INSURANCE
Insurance for Domestic travel is currently available from many companies. Insurance for New Zealand trips is entirely at your discretion. Please email our office for our current recommendation if you wish our advice.
INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE
Insurance for International travel is currently available from many companies. For our trips overseas it is a requirement that proof of cover be sent to our office some time before departure from NZ. We can not accept travellers who hold no cover for international travel as per our term and conditions.
Please email our office for our current recommendation if you wish our advice. Email travelbookings@operatunity.co.nz Phone 0508 886 489
Operatunity provides group senior travel and with this in mind we plan trips to suit our target market. But not every trip is created equal in terms of mobility. We want to give you the best possible experience but that will only be achieved if you are able to enjoy everything that our trips have to offer.
Most of our long haul trips require a better level of mobility. We will look after everyone as well as we possibly can, but we cannot look after one at the expense of the rest of the group. We also cannot have one person slowing the rest of group to the point where the group is not able to enjoy every experience we are able to provide.
With this in mind we have put a mobility clause into every trip. Under each explanation here I have popped a statement. Ask yourself if this is ‘you’, when booking on a trip.
None of the following mobility clauses preclude you from ordering a wheelchair at the airport if required.
1. GENTLE TOUR This tour will suit most people, even with a stick or a walker, but sorry not someone in a wheelchair. The activity level is gently paced, but you still need to be able to get on and off buses easily. There will be walking, but not a lot. “I love travelling, but at a gentle pace. I like to avoid stairs or too much activity, but I am able to get on and off buses easily.”
2. EASY TOUR This tour will suit people with a stick, but not a walker. You will be required to walk to get from place to place and stand in museums, but it is designed to be an easy tour with lots of times to rest, travel on a coach and walk easy leisurely distances. ”Walking is fine. I can get on and off a coach. I am happy to stand for an hour or two in museums and galleries and gently stroll through places of interest. I am happy to climb the odd set of stairs.”
3. MODERATE WALKING TOUR This tour requires a better level of fitness with no wheelchairs or walkers. Generally, there may be times when we can’t get the coach close. In some of our Pacific Island tours we will need you to transfer onto a tender and walk on soft sand. We also will have much longer flights and long walks through airports. “I like walking at a moderate pace. I love to keep my days full and experience everything the tour has to offer. Stairs, tender transfers and cobblestones don’t bother me.”
4. EXPLORING TOUR This is still a moderately paced tour, but you will be required to walk longer distances, walk on cobblestones and stand in museums. To really get the best out of this tour you need to be able to stand or walk for a couple of hours comfortably, be it at a leisurely pace. “I like to spend most of the day exploring. Whether walking historic neighbourhoods on cobblestones at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I want my days full. Stairs don’t bother me and I am keen to see and do as much as I can with the odd day off to recuperate.”
Operatunity is a company specialising in music lovers tours to the senior market. Each trip has been especially planned to include music and arts experiences and has a level of friendliness and care which cannot be found anywhere else! Our trips are packed with features not found anywhere else
Yes we have lots of people who travel on their own. We endeavour to match you up with someone who lives close to you or is close in age to you. Often you will get a chance to meet with your matchup or ring them before you leave on your trip. You also may prefer to travel solo and pay the single supplement price. We travel as a happy band so there will be lots of chances to meet people. You will find fellow music lovers and those with other similar interests. In fact those like the nicer things of life so you will travel with like-minded people. It is also important to remember that our singers are our escorts so you will see at least a couple of familiar faces as you leave.
If you live outside of Auckland, we can arrange travel and accommodation on your way to meet up with our group. We have access and can book domestic airfares in conjunction with Air New Zealand international airfares. Plus we can book your pre and post tour accommodation if required.
It is compulsory for our international trips and highly recommended for our domestic tours.
No as most airlines offer various special meals and any restaurants we visit are happy to accommodate special dietary requirements.
We seek to accommodate the needs of guests with disabilities whenever possible. However in most cases we are unable to take customers with walkers, wheelchairs or other mobility issues. Certain trips may be unsuitable due to walking or limited availability of accommodation with disabled facilities. We cannot be responsible for the care of customers suffering from significant cognitive illness (such as dementia). We ask such customers to consult with your doctor to obtain medical clearance. Guests needing assistance mustbe accompanied by an able companion who will be available to assist them and assume full responsibility for their wellbeing.
We ask that you can walk at least 100 metres unaided and be able to get on and off buses with little or no assistance. We cater for a senior market but it is important that you do not jeopardise the enjoyment of others by requiring more care and holding up the rest of the group. Talk to our office or staff at concerts and any advisory notes for individual trips to get a better idea of your suitability for each trip.
We stay at 4 and 5 star character hotels, avoiding package, tourist or big hotel chains. We choose hotels with a more personal feel often with historic content or hotels of beauty and character, centrally located or in parks, by the water, or with beautiful gardens.
Breakfast is included daily, and many dinners and lunches are also included as per our itinerary.
There are no hidden costs. Included in the trip are tips, taxes, porterage, breakfast, meals where specified, inclusions listed in the itinerary, entry fees where listed in the itinerary, concert/show tickets where listed in the itinerary, tour escorts and local specialised guides.
Some of our trips sell out very quickly and we recommend you make your booking as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
We will ask you to pay an initial deposit when making your booking. We will then follow up for a second deposit and then a final balance payment prior to travel.
All deposits up until final payment are refundable minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs the company may incur.
After final deposit refunds are unlikely and the refund becomes an insurance claim.
Our numbers vary from destination to destination, please contact our office for further information. We have a minimum number required to operate a tour. Should minimum numbers not be met, a full refund will be made.
For international trips, all guests must have a valid passport that does not expire earlier than at least 6 months beyond their intended stay.
Music is a key element in making our experiences special. There are special experiences and events every day, such as themed dinners, impromptu concerts, music, art tours with art experts and garden tours with garden experts.
Most hotels now have internet connection and all hotels have telephones in the room or at reception. If using your mobile telephone check calling and text rates, and disable data roaming before leaving New Zealand. Consider purchasing a prepaid SIM card. And you can keep in touch using social media such as Facebook. We have a copy of your next of kin details in case of emergency and we are also happy to help out with texts, phone calls and emails if you can’t get in touch with your family and need to while away. We are also happy to help out with getting your phones, ipads and cameras to work if needed while away.
We spend less time travelling between regions, allowing more time to enjoy experiences when you arrive. We avoid one night stops and “conveyor belt” travel, so you really can capture the local colour and vitality of the region. Our trips are planned so that there is a balance of included activities and free time for you to relax or do some exploring on your own.
Contact Operatunity Travel
Phone toll free: 0508 886 489
Mail your booking form to PO BOX 132 150, Sylvia Park, Auckland 1644
Email: travel@operatunity.co.nz
Phone toll free: 0508 886 489
Email: travelbookings@operatunity.co.nz
Receive up to the minute news about our current and upcoming productions and trips.
