Grand New Zealand Rail

16 Days/15 Nights
Gateway: Auckland - Christchurch
£2315pp (valid 1 Oct - 31 Mar 08)

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Day 1: Arrive in Auckland

Welcome to New Zealand. Upon arrival transfer to your hotel.
Accommodation: 1 night in Auckland

Day 2: Longlands Homestead / Rotorua

Journey to the top of Mt Eden and then continue on to Goldfields Railway. This vintage train will carry you through the upper reaches of the stunning Karangahake Gorge. Visit Longlands Homestead for lunch and a farm tour. Then it’s on to the Whakarewarewa Forest for a stroll through the towering Californian Coastal Redwoods. Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 2 nights at Hamurana Country Estate or Treetops Lodge & Estate. Must be pre-booked, surcharge applies.
Accommodation: 2 nights in Rotorua

Day 3: Rotorua / Scenic Free Choice

This morning enjoy a guided tour of Te Puia Thermal Reserve and the Maori Arts & Crafts Institute. Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from the agrodome sheep shearing and farm dog show; explore Rotorua’s city and lakes; relax at the Polynesian Spa; take a thrilling 4WD Safari adventure; visit the Buried Village; enjoy trout fishing on one of Rotorua’s many lakes; visit Rotorua Museum. Tonight enjoy the ‘Realm of Tane’ cultural performance and Hangi dinner

Day 4: The Overlander Train Journey

Depart Rotorua and head south via Lake Taupo to Taumaranui where you will board The Overlander Train. Enjoy a magnificent afternoon’s journey up the famous Raumiru Spiral onto New Zealand’s awesome volcanic plateau. Travel through Tongariro National Park to Wellington.
Accommodation: 2 nights in Wellington

Day 5: Wellington

Visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s national museum. Rest of the day at leisure

Day 6: Marlborough Sounds / Christchurch

Cruise through the Marlborough and Queen Charlotte Sounds to the south island. Board the Tranz Coastal Train to enjoy one of New Zealand’s most spectacular rail journeys! Hugging the coastline you head south, passing vineyards, salt mountains and river valleys.
Accommodation: 1 night in Christchurch

Day 7: TranzAlpine / Franz Josef Glacier

Today enjoy an unforgettable journey through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine. Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue on by coach to Hokitika to see skilled craftsmen carving Pounama (Jade). View the Franz Josef Glacier before arriving in the village of Franz Josef.
Accommodation: 1 night at the Franz Josef Glacier

Day 8: Franz Josef / Queenstown / Scenic Free Choice Dining

A highlight today is a scenic jet boat ride on the mighty Haast river in Mt Aspiring National Park. Continue on to picturesque Queenstown. Scenic FreeChoice Dining: choose from cruising Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw then dine at Walter Peak Station; ride the gondola up to Skyline Restaurant and dine with views of Queenstown; enjoy a relaxing a-la-carte dinner at Lombardis Restaurant. Luxury Lodge Upgrade: Opportunity to upgrade to 2 nights at Evergreen Lodge. Must be pre-booked, surcharge applies.
>Accommodation: 2 nights in Queenstown

Day 9: Queenstown / Scenic Free Choice

Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from enjoying a therapeutic massage or foot revival; tour local country gardens including morning tea; take a guided walk through Mt Aspiring National Park; enjoy a guided tour of local wineries with lunch; take an exhilarating ride on a jet boat; see the beautiful Southern Lakes region on a 4WD tour; discover the secrets of bungy jumping followed by lunch or a bungy jump; enjoy a tour to historic Skippers Canyon.

Day 10: Kingston Flyer / Milford Sound / Te Anau

Join the Kingston Flyer, a fully restored vintage steam train, for magnificent views of Lake Wakatipu and the fascinating alpine desert. Rejoin the coach in Fairlight and travel to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland National Park, where you will experience an unforgettable cruise on Milford Sound.
Accommodation: 1 night in Te Anau

Day 11: Stewart Island / Invercargill / Scenic Free Choice

This morning journey to Bluff for your ferry ride to Stewart Island. Stewart Island is the smallest and most natural of New Zealand’s islands and home to the Rakiura National Park. Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from cruising Paterson Inlet and visit Ulva Island and its internationally acclaimed open wildlife sanctuary; explore Oban and the surrounding bays on a guided Village and Bays Tour; enjoy superb underwater viewing from a semi-submersible. Return to Invercargill.
Accommodation: 1 night in Invercargill

Day 12: Invercargill / Dunedin

Enjoy the spectacular Southland scenery today as we travel north to Dunedin. Home Stay: Opportunity to experience an overnight ‘Home Stay’ (included in tour at no extra cost, must be pre-booked).
Accommodation: 2 nights in Dunedin

Day 13: Dunedin / Scenic Free Choice

Scenic FreeChoice Inclusions: choose from: a guided tour of Larnach Castle; see the famous Yellow-Eyed Penguins or Albatross; enjoy a rail journey through Taieri Gorge; experience a guided tour of Speight’s Brewery.

Day 14: Dunedin / Mt Cook / Twizel

This morning we head north, stopping first at Moeraki Boulders and then continuing on to Mt Cook National Park, where we will stop and view Mt Cook (subject to weather).
Accommodation: 1 night in Twizel

Day 15: Lake Tekapo / Christchurch

Visit Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd. Continue on to Christchurch for tonight’s farewell dinner. Board the historic Christchurch Tram for Cocktail Hour then dine at a local restaurant.
Accommodation: 1 night in Christchurch

Day 16: Depart Christchurch

Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport

Price includes scenic freechoice activities and 27 quality meals (excludes international flights). Minimum numbers may apply to some optional activities. Some activities are seasonal and not available all year round.