Rail Spectacular

Experience some of the world’s most scenic rail journeys on this tour of New Zealand, finishing with the world famous Coastal Pacific train that traverses the dramatic Southern Alps.

Guide

This tour is escorted by an experienced professional Tour Director and Tour Driver and is operated by our touring partner AAT Kings.

MEAL PLAN → Daily breakfast from Day 2, 1 lunch and 11 dinners.
ACCOMMODATION → Accommodation is provided in centrally located four star hotels, although three star hotels may be provided in smaller regional areas.
TRANSPORT INFORMATION → Arrival and departure airport transfers are included. Modern luxury coaches are airconditioned with reclining seats, two door access, onboard toilet, ample legroom and large panoramic windows. All AAT Kings coaches and the New Zealand trains operate a non-smoking policy.
TOUR INCLUDES → Trains as described and tour coach for sightseeing. Sightseeing and entrance fees as detailed and hotel porterage.
GROUP SIZE → 25-50 passengers per coach. Minimum numbers apply, please call for details.
NB → International flights are not included

DAY 1 → Arrive in Auckland and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure before meeting your tour director and fellow travellers in the evening for a welcome drink and dinner.

DAY 2 → Board the Overlander for a journey through the heart of the North Island to Otoronhanga (approx. 3 hours) where you join the coach and travel to Waitomo for a tour of the enchanting Glowworm Grotto. Continue to Rotorua for a traditional Maori concert and Hangi feast. Take a breakfast cruise aboard the historic Lakeland Queen on Lake Rotorua and visit the Agrodome Sheep Show before taking a guided tour of the geothermal reserve.

DAY 4 → Visit the spectacular Huka Falls and Lake Taupo, the country’s largest lake. Board the Overlander at Taumarunui, bound for Wellington and traverse lush forest, gorges and sprawling plains before entering the Raumiru Spiral, one of the great surveying and engineering achievements of the main trunk line.

DAY 5 → Take a tour of Wellington city and visit Te Papa, the National Museum. Cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The seaside town of Picton is the next destination, followed by the wine region of Blenheim for a city tour. Enjoy dinner and wine-tasting at Allan Scott Wines.

DAY 6 → Morning at leisure before boarding the Coastal Pacific for a scenic journey down the east coast between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Kaikoura Ranges. Continue to the lovely English-style city of Christchurch.

DAY 7 → Begin the day with a ride on the vintage Christchurch Tram followed by a visit to a working sheep farm where you can enjoy a barbecue in the 750-acre garden. Continue by coach to Lake Tekapo, Lake Pukaki and the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd. Soak up the stunning alpine scenery of Aoraki Mount Cook National Park. Optional scenic flights over Mount Cook are available (extra charge, weather permitting).

DAY 8 → Travel to the historic city of Dunedin which overlooks Otago Harbour and the surrounding hills. Join the historic Taieri Gorge Railway for a fascinating journey through rugged scenery only accessible by train. Cross stonework bridges, travel through tunnels and over iron latticework viaducts built in the 1880’s.

DAY 9 → Enjoy a guided tour of Lanarch Castle and free time before heading for Te Anau which is set on the shore of the South Island’s largest lake.

DAY 10 → Amazing nature and photo opportunities await you in the Fiordland National Park, home to beautiful rainforest, ancient glaciers, mountain ranges and the hand-made Homer Tunnel, the Mirror Lakes, the Chasm, Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Continue to Queenstown for an optional dinner at the Skyline Restaurant on Bob’s Peak via the Southern Hemisphere’s steepest gondola (extra charge locally).

DAY 11 → Explore Queenstown, the ‘Adventure Capital of the World’ where you can either relax amid spectacular alpine scenery or go wild with jet boat rides, whitewater rafting and the world’s highest canyon swing. Later take the TSS Earnshaw, New Zealand’s oldest steamship, to the Walter Peak Sheep Station for dinner and a sheep shearing demonstration.

DAY 12 → Visit the historic gold mining town of Arrowtown, stunning Lake Wanaka, Thunder Creek Falls and travel over the Haast Pass. Continue along the dramatic West Coast to Franz Josef.

DAY 13 → Explore the glacier town of Franz Josef – perhaps take an optional flight (weather permitting and at extra cost locally) or a glacier hike. Depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. Continue to Punakaiki to see the unique Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.

DAY 14 → Continue to the historic village of Shantytown for a ride on the vintage steam train. Join the award-winning TranzAlpine train at Arthur’s Pass, travelling through spectacular gorges and river valleys, across the Southern Alps and over the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

DAY 15 → Explore Christchurch yourself and then transfer to Christchurch airport for your onward flight.