Grand Rail Experience
Auckland – Christchurch
With six scenic rail excursions, this 14 Day Premier Tour is not to be missed, journey through the top of the North Island on the Overlander. Travel aboard the TranzCoastal Train between Picton and Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city. The TranzAlpine Train journey is rated one of the worlds greatest, taking you from Christchurch to the wild West Coast. You’ll also board the vintage Kingston Flyer and the Seasider to round out this rail adventure.
TOUR CODE APNRC14
HIGH SEASON OCT 2010 - APRIL 2011
TOUR COST FROM nz$5745 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (With Breakfasts)
TOUR COST FROM nz$6340 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (Breakfasts & Dinners)
LOW SEASON SEPT 2010; MAY 2011 - SEPT 2011
TOUR COST FROM nz$5055 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (With Breakfasts)
TOUR COST FROM nz$5580 PER PERSON SHARE TWIN (Breakfasts & Dinners)
DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2010
10 SEPT 8 22 OCT; 12 26 NOV; 3 DEC
DEPARTURE DATES FOR 2011
14 JAN; 11 18 FEB; 4 18 MARCH 8 APRIL; 9 SEPT; 7 21 OCT;
11 25 NOV; 9 DEC
Most dates are guaranteed - ask when booking
Day 1
Arrive Auckland
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon choose from a range of exciting activities.
Stay Auckland, Skycity Hotel
Day 2
Auckland – Waitomo Caves - Rotorua
Overlander Train
Today ride The Overlander train to Otorohanga. Continue to the Waitomo caves by coach and enjoy a silent boat ride beneath millions of iridescent glow-worms. Continue by coach to Rotorua, where tonight you’ll enjoy a Maori hangi feast and cultural performance.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Heritage Hotel
Day 3
Rotorua
Today you have the opportunity to choose an activity. Perhaps indulge in a leisurely soak at the Polynesian Spa, explore the Rotorua Museum or take a tour of the eco-thermal highlights of the region.
Country Homestay option available tonight
Day 4
Rotorua – National Park
Overlander Train
This morning travel to Te Kuiti by coach and join The Overlander train for a tour through the heart of the North Island. Travel over the world-renowned Raurimu Spiral. Spend this evening in the World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park.
Stay: Tongariro National Park, Chateau Tongariro
Day 5
National Park – Wellington
TranzMetro Train
This morning you’ll head south through Taihape, known as the Gumboot Capital of New Zealand. Continue through the Manawatu Gorge and the Wairarapa region and onward to the small township of Featherston. Here, you’ll visit the Fell Locomotive Museum and board the TranzMetro train for our short but scenic journey to Wellington.
Two Night Stay: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Day 6
Wellington
Today begins with a short stroll to the Wellington Cable Car. Ascend to the top of the Botanic Gardens and perhaps visit the Cable Car Museum or take a relaxing walk around the Botanic Gardens. Continue to the Museum of New Zealand - Te Papa. The remainder of today is at leisure for you to explore Wellington, the nation’s capital, at your own pace.
Day 7
Wellington - Christchurch
TranzCoastal Train
This morning board the Interislander for a cruise between the North and South islands. This cruise takes you across Cook Strait and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton. On arrival join the TranzCoastal train for a scenic journey between mountains and sea. Pass Kaikoura and continue over the North Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, the Garden City.
Stay: Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Centre
Day 8
Christchurch – Franz Josef
TranzAlpine Train
This morning step aboard the award-winning TranzAlpine train, voted one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the country’s greatest mountain range, the mighty Southern Alps. Disembark at Greymouth and continue to Franz Josef on the West Coast.
Stay: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel
Day 9
Franz Josef - Queenstown
Enjoy incredible scenery today as you leave this World Heritage-listed area. See spectacular mountain ranges, untouched native forests, lakes and glaciers. Journey along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea, continue to the alpine resort of Queenstown and tonight choose from four different dining experiences.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Gardens Hotel
Day 10
Queenstown,
Freedom of Choice Touring
Today choose an activity from our Freedom of Choice options. Perhaps enjoy a garden tour or visit some local wineries. You may join an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River or choose to join a double-decker bus tour through the streets of Queenstown and to the small gold rush settlement of Arrowtown.
Day 11
Queenstown – Te Anau
Kingston Flyer Steam Train
Take a trip back in time today aboard the Kingston Flyer, New Zealand’s famous vintage steam train. Travel from Kingston to Fairlight through alpine desert and tussock grasslands. Continue to Milford Sound and on arrival join a cruise for a journey on this magnificent, glacier-carved fiord.
Stay: Te Anau, Luxmore Hotel
Day 12
Te Anau – Dunedin
Freedom of Choice Touring
On arrival in Dunedin choose your touring activity. Perhaps jump aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway Excursion, or view the magnificent Royal Albatross or Yellow-eyed Penguin colonies on the Otago Peninsula. You could even visit Speight’s Brewery, where one of New Zealand’s best-known beers is made.
Stay: Dunedin City Hotel
Day 13
Dunedin - Mt Cook,
Freedom of Choice Touring
This morning board the Seasider train at Dunedin and journey up the east coast to Palmerston. Continue by coach through the High Country, passing wide expanses of tussock grasslands, High Country sheep stations and beautiful glacier-fed lakes of incredible colour. Journey into World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia’s highest mountain, Mt Cook, and chose your touring activity.
Stay: Mt Cook, The Hermitage
Day 14
Mt Cook - Christchurch
Visit the azure Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd and statue of the working collie dog, erected to honour the collie whose work was invaluable to the early settlers of this region. Leave the High Country behind and travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch. This afternoon, your tour concludes and a departure transfer to the airport is included.
Post tour accommodation is available form nz$160 per night (room only)
Included rail journeys
• The Overlander – Auckland to Otorohanga – Te Kuiti to Tongariro National Park
• The TranzMetro – Featherston to Wellington
• The TranzCoastal – Picton to Christchurch
• The TranzAlpine – Christchurch to Greymouth
• The Seasider – Dunedin to Palmerston
• Ride the Wellington Cable Car
Premier Accommodation
• Stay overnight at the Chateau Tongariro
• Stay at The Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook
Premier Dining
• 13 hot breakfasts 11 dinners (Dinners optional cost),
• Maori Hangi (feast) in Rotorua
• Queenstown Dine Around Dinner
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