Top of the South Island. 8 day rail/road tour. 6 Six day road tour

TOP OF THE SOUTH ISLAND

Wellington - Marlborough Sounds overnight - Picton - "Coastal Pacific" - Christchurch - "Tranz Alpine" - Greymouth - Hokitika - Punakaiki - Westport - Karamea - Nelson Lakes - Golden Bay - Abel Tasman National Park - Nelson.  

8 days/7 nights. Depart Wellington March 09, 2023.

Unsolicited comment from past client: 

The Top of the South Island tour was superb. I found it really well organised and of a very good standard. Your front line people were most congenial. (E.S. New Zealand).  

Optional rail connection from Auckland and Hamilton to Wellington monday and 3 nights in Wellington with 1 full day sightseeing and 1 day free. (see Grand Rail tour) - extra cost $700 per person share twin $1,050 single

Day 1. Thursday. March 09.  WELLINGTON - PICTON       (B)

9.00am. Depart  the Interislander terminal for the 3 hour 30 minute cruise across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Transfer in Picton to our local vessel and cruise down Queen Charlotte Sound to the historic Portage Hotel for the night. 

Day 2.   Friday.  March 10. MARLBOROUGH - BLENHEIM.  (B)

We cruise back to Picton and visit the "Edwin Fox" ship restoration project  and Picton Museum. Enjoy a tour of Marlborough including Marlborough Museum to discover Marlborough's 700 year old history and visit a winery.  Also visit Omaka and Peter Jackson's KNIGHTS OF THE SKY World War 1 and DANGEROUS SKIES World War 2 exhibitions and the Classic cars museum. Overnight in Blenheim. 

Day 3. Saturday. March 11.  BLENHEIM - CHRISTCHURCH.  (B)

Free time to explore Blenheim before joining the "Coastal Pacific" train departing Blenheim 2pm for the scenic ride down the Kaikoura Coast to Christchurch arriving 6.45pm. We will be met and transferred to our accommodation.  

Day 4.  Sunday. March 12.   CHRISTCHURCH (B)

We have left today free for your own activities. Your hotel is in the centre of the city. Optional tours are available of the city, Port Hills, Hanmer Springs, Akaroa, etc. We recommend a visit to the Orana Wildlife Park and Antarctic Centre.

Day 5. Monday. March 13.   CHRISTCHURCH - GREYMOUTH - HOKITIKA   (B) 

Transfer to the railway station and depart at 8.15am aboard the  "Tranz Alpine" express for one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world across the Canterbury Plains climbing through the foothills of the Southern Alps criss crossing the Waimakariri River on the way to Arthurs Pass for a brief break. Travel through the Otira tunnel and descend into the rainforest of the West Coast. Pass Lake Brunner and the Grey River and arrive Greymouth 1.05pm.   

Visit Shantytown to recapture the atmosphere of the gold rush era. Ride the train and pan for gold and after a short tour of Greymouth drive to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks in the Paparoa National Park. Accommodation right on the beach at Oceanview Retreat. 

Day 6. Tuesday. March 14.    PUNAKAIKI - WESTPORT - NELSON LAKES      (B)

Explore the Punakaiki area and continue through Westport with a visit to the coal museum and drive through the Buller Gorge to the Nelson Lakes National Park. Overnight at Alpine Lodge.

Day 7. Wednesday. March 15.    NELSON LAKES - GOLDEN BAY.   (BD)

Drive to Takaka and Visit the amazing Pupu Springs and on through Collingwood to visit  spectacular Wharariki beach for a 1 hour walk to enjoy the sea caves, seal pups,wind swept sand dunes, and coastal rock formations. A 30 minute walk to Pillar Point will give spectacular views of Farewell Spit and Golden Bay. Also visit Abel Tasman monument. Overnight in Takaka or Motueka

Day 8. Thursday. March 16.   ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK - NELSON     (BD) 
Transfer to Kaiteriteri and join your scenic cruise along the shores of the Abel Tasman National Park. Drop in to Tonga Quarry, Medlands Beach, Anchorage and Apple Tree Bay before returning to Kaiteriteri.You have the option to land at Tonga Quarry for a 2 hour walk over a forested saddle to Medlands Beach and cruise to Kaiteriteri. Transfer to Nelson for a short tour.

Day 9. Friday.  March 17.   NELSON DEPART.    (B)

Explore Nelson this morning. You will be transferred to the airport for departure. Fly back to the North island or south, or take the Intercity coach and ferry back to Wellington. Fares from Nelson are not included.

Tour cost per person. 

2 per room $2,980

Single room $3,700

ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK GUIDED WALK WITH 2 NIGHTS AT PRIVATE LODGES IN THE PARK. Available. Stayover on wednesday and transfer to Nelson friday afternoon for 1 night finsihing the tour on Saturday. 

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TOP OF THE SOUTH ROAD TOUR. 6 days/5 nights

Depart Christchurch November 27, 2022, March 12, 2023 

This tour links from and to our BEST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND TOUR.

Day 1. Sunday.    CHRISTCHURCH - HANMER SPRINGS   

2pm. Depart Christchurch city. Pickup anywhere in the city prior.

2.30pm. Depart Christchurch airport.

Drive to Hanmer Springs for 1 night

Admission to the hot springs included and time for an alpine walk if you wish.

Day 2. Monday.      HANMER SPRINGS - WESTPORT - NELSON LAKES - GOLDEN BAY      (B)

Drive over Lewis Pass for a visit to Westport with a visit to the coal museum and drive through the Buller Gorge to the Nelson Lakes National Park and to the Golden Bay area for 2 nights accommodation.

Day 3. Tuesday. GOLDEN BAY   (B)

Drive to Takaka and Visit the amazing Pupu Springs and on through Collingwood to visit  spectacular Wharariki beach for a 1 hour walk to enjoy the sea caves, seal pups,wind swept sand dunes, and coastal rock formations. A 30 minute walk to Pillar Point will give spectacular views of Farewell Spit and Golden Bay. Also visit Abel Tasman monument. Overnight in Takaka or Motueka

Day 4. Wednesday. ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK - NELSON     (B) 
Transfer to Kaiteriteri and join your scenic cruise along the shores of the Abel Tasman National Park. Drop in to Tonga Quarry, Medlands Beach, Anchorage and Apple Tree Bay before returning to Kaiteriteri.You have the option to land at Tonga Quarry for a 2 hour walk over a forested saddle to Medlands Beach and cruise to Kaiteriteri. Transfer to Nelson for a short tour and overnight.

ABEL TASMAN NATIONAL PARK GUIDED WALK WITH 2 NIGHTS AT PRIVATE LODGES IN THE PARK. Available. Stayover on wednesday and transfer to Nelson friday afternoon for 1 night finishing the tour on Saturday. 

Day 5.   Thursday. March 10. NELSON - PICTON       (B)

Drive to Picton and visit the "Edwin Fox" ship restoration project before boarding your eco cruise to travel down the Marlborough Sound and stopover at Ship Cove where Captan Cook spent much time during two voyages. Overnight at Picton Yacht Club

Day 6.    Friday.       PICTON - BLENHEIM - KAIKOURA - CHRISTCHURCH

Visit Omaka and Peter Jackson's KNIGHTS OF THE SKY World War 1 and DANGEROUS SKIES World War 2 exhibitions and the Classic cars museum then down the coast to the charming seaside town of Kaikoura. Time for a whale watch cruise or flight if you wish before returning to Christchurch arriving at the airport about 5pm and city about 5.30pm.