13 Day Tour, Christchurch to Wellington
TranzAlpine • Kingston Flyer • Taieri Gorge • Coastal Pacific • Marlborough Flyer
2023/24 DEPARTURE DATES
• 16 - 28 October 2023 SOLD OUT
• 29 November - 11 December 2023
• 15 - 27 April 2024
• 23 September - 5 October 2024
• 7 - 19 October 2024
• 21 October - 2 November 2024
• 4 - 16 November 2024
• 18 - 30 November 2024
Your guided journey begins in The Garden City, Christchurch, where you board one of the world’s great train journeys, The TranzAlpine, and traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass.
Luxury coaches await in Greymouth to escort you to the glacial beauty of Franz Josef and some well-deserved pampering at the Hot Pools.
We then track inland to experience the wonders of Queenstown, Te Anau, and Milford Sound. Cruise on the steamship TSS Earnslaw and ride the iconic steam train, The Kingston Flyer.
Onward to Dunedin where we enjoy another iconic rail journey with Dunedin Railways through the remote and rugged landscape of the world-famous Taieri Gorge, an epic rail journey over white water rapids, towering viaducts, and historic tunnels.
We then continue along the coastal route to Oamaru, before detouring inland to “mountain country”, staying in Aoraki Mount Cook where you will banquet after a keynote address from a Hillary family member.
Back to Christchurch to join The Coastal Pacific Scenic Train. On this picturesque journey, you will meander along the Pacific coast across remote beaches, between mountains and sea, on a timeless journey of breathtaking beauty to Kaikoura.
From Kaikoura through to Marlborough, the grand finale sees you hauled under a full head of steam by the glorious Marlborough Flyer - the historic WW1 memorial steam locomotive, Ab608 Passchendaele, named in honour of our fallen soldiers at The Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. A journey to end all journeys from a bygone era.
The final day continues with one of the most scenic and picturesque ferry crossings in the world, as we weave our way from Picton through the Queen Charlotte Sound and cruise across the Cook Strait to the harbour city of Wellington.
Price: $7,950 per person shared
Single Supplement $995
Only a 20% deposit is required to secure your booking, 40% after six months and the balance due the month before your tour departs.
Tour Includes:
Highlights Include: TranzAlpine Rail Journey • Franz Josef Hot Pools • Walter Peak Homestead • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw • Arrowtown Lakes District Museum • Kingston Flyer ride • Milford Sound Day Trip & Cruise • Takahe Sanctuary • Croydon Aviation Museum • Waimea Plains Railway (Rogers K92) • Taieri Gorge Train Trip • Guest speaker from the Hillary family • Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at Aoraki Mt Cook visit • International Antarctic Centre • Coastal Pacific Scenic Train journey • Marlborough Flyer Steam Train journey • Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
Meal inclusions: • 12 cooked breakfasts • 10 sumptuous dinners. Gourmet BBQ lunch at Walter Peak Homestead. Other included lunches: 8 picnic lunches (other lunches on your own)
Accommodation: All accommodation will be at least 4-star rated.
Tour Guides: You will be accompanied by experienced Tour Captains who are there to guide and assist you throughout your journey.
Plus: A fleet of luxury coaches will escort the train throughout the journey, providing seamless transfers to your accommodation and excursions.
Tour Itinerary
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Day 1: Christchurch to Franz Josef
Meet & Greet at Christchurch Railway Station
TranzAlpine via Arthurs Pass
Franz Josef Hotpools
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel, Franz Josef
Meal inclusions: Dinner
Mode: Train & Coach
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Day 2: Franz Josef to Queenstown
Franz Joseph Glacier Helicopter Tour (optional)
Haast Pass Canyon Lookout
Accommodation: Novotel Lakeside Hotel, Queenstown
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Mode: Coach
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Day 3: Queenstown
TSS Earnslaw Lake Wakatipu Cruise
Walter Peak Homestead
Arrowtown - Lakes District Museum
Accommodation: Novotel Lakeside Hotel, Queenstown
Meal inclusions: Breakfast & lunch
Mode: Coach & Steam Ship
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Day 4: Queenstown to Te Anau
Kingston Flyer Steam Train
Visit the Takahe Brid Sanctuary
Te Anau glow worm cave tour (optional)
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Luxmore, Te Anau
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Mode: Steam Train & Coach
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Day 5: Te Anau to Milford Sound to Te Anau
Coach to Milford Sound via Homer Tunnel
Milford Sound Cruise (or optional Doubtful Sound tour)
Accommodation: Distinction Hotel Luxmore, Te Anau
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Mode: Coach & Cruise
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Day 6: Te Anau to Dunedin
Croydon Aviation Museum
Waimea Plains Railway
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Mode: Coach
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Day 7: Dunedin
Taieri Gorge Train trip
Larnach Castle (optional)
Albatross Colony & Fort Taiaroa (optional)
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin
Meal inclusions: Breakfast.
Mode: Coach& Diesel Train
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Day 8: Dunedin to Aoraki/Mt Cook
Travel by train to Oamaru then coach to Mt Cook
Stargazing in the planetarium (optional)
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Mode: Diesel Train & Coach
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Day 9: Aoraki/Mt Cook
Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
Ski plane scenic flight (optional)
Dinner with celebrity guest speaker, Peter Hillary (son of Sir Edmund Hillary)
Accommodation: Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook
Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner
Mode: Coach
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Day 10: Aoraki/Mt Cook to Christchurch
Travel by coach to Christchurch via Tekapo & Fairlie
Visit Christchurch’s International Antarctic Centre
Accommodation: Commodore Hotel, Christchurch
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Mode: Coach
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Day 11: Christchurch to Kaikoura
Coastal Pacific scenic train to Kaikoura
Whale-watching cruise (optional)
Scenic flights (optional)
Accommodation: Sudima Hotel (or equivalent), Kaikoura
Meal inclusions: Breakfast & dinner
Mode: Diesel Train
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Day 12: Kaikoura to Marlborough
Travel under a full head of steam on the Marlborough Flyer Steam Train from Kaikoura to Marlborough.
Accommodation: Picton Yacht Club (or equivalent)
Meal inclusions: Breakfast, lunch & dinner
Mode: Steam Train
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Day 13: Marlborough to Wellington
Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound on the Interislander Ferry
Tour concludes in Wellington
Meal inclusions: Breakfast
Mode: Ferry
Or call 0800 373 363 to book your tickets for the journey of a lifetime
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