Mini Rail Tour. 7 days/6 nights

NEW ZEALAND MINI RAIL TOUR.    7 Days/6 nights.

Independent departures Southbound:  (Minimum 2 passengers). Depart Auckland, Papakura, Hamilton and Otorohanga, Monday, Thursday, for minimum of 2 passengers subject to space available. Singles may join any departure on which we have other people reserved. Locally hosted in each city. Itinerary can be amended subject to schedules and availability. From $2,490 share room. $2,990 single

This tour is flexible. We can arrange stopovers in Ohakune, Picton, Kaikoura, or on the West Coast and the tour connects with our SOUTH ISLAND MINI TOUR, ICE AND FIRE., and BEST OF THE SOUTH ISLAND tours. Price does increase if breaking the rail journey en route.

Winter:  Tour departs Auckland (Southbound) and Christchurch (Northbound) every monday and Thursday (minimum 2 passengers) May - September but travel Picton to Christchurch and vv is by Intercity Coach as "Coastal Pacific" does not operate. 

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7 day itinerary.

Day 1. Monday/Thursday.  AUCKLAND - WELLINGTON     

7.45am Depart Auckland Strand Railway Station aboard the "Northern Explorer". Depart Papakura 8.40am, Hamilton 10.15am, and Otorohanga 10.54am.  (Transfers to train not included)

Sit back and relax and enjoy the scenes of suburban Auckland and rural Waikato dairy farmland and travel south through the central North Island including the famed Raurimu Spiral, a major engineering feat, and through the Tongariro National Park with magnificent views of the central North Island volcanoes in fine weather. Arrive Wellington 6.25pm. Transfer to your hotel. 

Day 2.  Tuesday/Friday.  WELLINGTON (B)

Explore the capital city on our included tour. Visit Oriental Bay. and enjoy part of the beautiful Marine Drive.  Visit Weta Workshop, Mt Victoria for a panoramic view over the city, the Botanical Gardens (optional cable car ride - extra expense), and a guided tour of Parliament Buildings. (Tour ends on arrival at Parliament Building. If you do not wish to tour Parliament our driver will drop  you off at your hotel, Zealandia, or Te Papa.). 

Day 3. Wednesday/Saturday.  WELLINGTON (B)

Free day to explore the capital city. Ride the local trains, take a day tour to Martinborough and the Wairarapa wine country or to the eco sanctuary of Kapiti Island, spend time at Te Papa and/or Zealandia, or try out the electric ferry to Days Bay. All activities extra expense.  

Day 4. Thursday/Sunday.  WELLINGTON - PICTON - CHRISTCHURCH      (B)

Transfer to the Interislander terminal. (Check your bags to Christchurch). Depart at 8.45am  for the 3 hour 30 minute scenic cruise across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton arriving 12.15pm

Join  the "Coastal Pacific" train  departing 1.40pm for the scenic ride down the Kaikoura Coast to Christchurch arriving 7.30pm. Transfer to our accommodation in the central city.

Day 5.  FridayMonday.   CHRISTCHURCH. (B)

We have left today free for your own activities. Optional tours are available to the  Port Hills, Hanmer Springs, Akaroa, etc. We recommend a visit to the Orana Wildlife Park and Antarctic Centre and ride the tram. All activities are extra expense.

Day 6.  Saturday/Tuesday.          CHRISTCHURCH - GREYMOUTH RETURN   (B)

Transfer to the rail station.

8.15am Depart Christchurch railway station aboard the  "Tranz Alpine" express for one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world crossing the Canterbury Plains and 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.   

Time to explore Greymouth. Rejoin  the "Tranz Alpine" train departing 2.05pm to recross the Southern Alps to Christchurch where arrival is scheduled for 7.00pm. Transfer back to your accommodation.

Day 7. Sunday/Wednesday    CHRISTCHURCH DEPART     (B)

You will be transferred to the airport  or why not stay longer and explore more of Canterbury and further south.

 

Tour cost Includes ;

**   All travel from Auckland to West Coast and  Christchurch  including  "Northern Explorer",   "Interislander", "Coastal Pacific" - Intercity coach between Picton and Christchurch May-September)., and "Tranz Alpine" 

** 3 nights Wellington

** Tour of Wellington including Weta Workshop, Zealandia, and tour of Parliament

**  Interislander cruise. (Lounge class available for additional $69 subject to availabilty).

** "Coastal Pacific" from Picton to Christchurch, (Intercity coach May - September)

** 3 nights hotel and breakfast in Christchurch with free day.

** "Tranz Alpine" Christchurch to Greymouth day  return.  

** 1 night hotel and breakfast in Christchurch

You are welcome to stay over on the West Coast if you wish - extra expense for train fares and local arrangements.

 

NORTHBOUND - 7 days/6 nights.

This tour can commence Christchurch every Monday and Thursday January 15 to  April 19 for 3 nights hotel and enjoying "Tranz Alpine" day tour one day, "Coastal Pacific" and "Interislander"  to Wellington for 3 nights and tour, "Northern Explorer to Auckland for 1 night in central city. Same costs apply. Nights in Auckland and Christchurch are interchangeable 

 

This tour is flexible. Stopovers can be arranged in Picton, Kaikoura, West Coast subject to availability and operation of trains.

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PICTON - BLENHEIM - KAIKOURA STOPOVER. 3 days/2 nights.

Day 1.  WELLINGTON - PICTON      (B)

Transfer to the Interislander terminal and depart at 8.45am  for the 3 hour 30 minute cruise across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton arriving 12.30pm. This afternoon visit the "Edwin Fox" ship restoration project and enjoy a mail boat cruise of the Marlborough Sounds. Depart Picton at 1.30pm and return about 5.30pm. Cruise the Sounds delivering the mail to the local residents and learn the history from the skipper. Enjoy about 15 minutes at Ship Cove where Captain Cook spent much time. Overnight Picton Yacht Club, or Scenic Marlborough hotels. 

Day 2.     BLENHEIM - KAIKOURA   (B)

Visit the Marlborough Museum, Aviation Heritage Museum, and a winery for some wine tasting. Join  the "Coastal Pacific" train at Blenheim departing at 2.05pm for the scenic ride down the Kaikoura Coast to Kaikoura  arriving 4.25pm. Transfer to our accommodation. Note: some tours may use mini bus or coach from Blenheim to Kaikoura with more en route sightseeing.

Day 3.     KAIKOURA - CHRISTCHURCH.  (B)

Free morning to explore and enjoy Kaikoura and visit the seal colony. Optional whale watch cruise or flight or Dolphin cruise. Depart Kaikoura 4.25pm aboard the "Coastal Pacific"  to continue our journey south to Christchurch arriving at 7.30pm.

Tour cost per person.

3 days/2 nights: 2 per room $890. Single room $1,180

2 days/1 night. Stopover Picton and continue to Christchurch friday: 2 per room     $650. Single room  $790

2 days/1 night. Stopover Kaikoura thursday and continue to Christchurch friday: 2 per room $350. simngle room $490

 

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WEST COAST STOPOVER 3 DAYS / 2  NIGHTS. Available any day for minimum of 2 subject to space available.

Day 1.       CHRISTCHURCH - HOKITIKA

Transfer to the rail station.

8.15am.  Depart Christchurch railway station 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.   

You will be met by your local guide  and visit Shantytown. Ride the train, pan for gold, and recapture something of the atmosphere of the gold rush era. On to Hokitika and catch up on Hokitika in its prime during the gold rush era.

Two nights accommodation and breakfast at the Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika.

Day 2. Tuesday.   HOKITIKA                  (B)  

This morning we go back to nature at the Hokitika Gorge for a short walk among the breathtaking scenery.  Enjoy  a leisurely Eco boat cruise on the Lake Mahinapua waterways originally used by pioneers, gold diggers, and early explorers. Drive south to the West Coast Treetop Walkway for an exhilirating treetop adventure  high in the ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees with great views (weather permitting) of Lake Mahinapua, the Southern Alps, and Tasman Sea.

Day 3.   Wednesday.       HOKITIKA - PUNAKAIKI  - CHRISTCHURCH   (B)

Drive to the amazing Punakaiki Rocks and explore the area before returning to Greymouth and travel to Christchurch aboard the Tranz Alpine and transfer to your accommodation.

Stopover cost per person: 2 per room $760. Single room $940

Includes: touring on the West Coast by minibus, 2 nights accommodation and breakfast in Hokitika, admissions to Shantytown and Treetops walk.

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THE COOK CONNECTION - Christchurch - Tekapo - Mt Cook - Queenstown or vv 2 days/1 night

Departs Chrstchurch and Queenstown daily

Day 1.   Depart Christchurch 7.30am by Great Sights tour coach for :Lake Tekapo with time to see the sheep dog monument and church of the Good Shepherd before continuing along the shores of Lake Pukaki to the Hermitage in the heart of the Mt Cook National Park arriving 12.50pm. Free afternoon for helicopter or ski plane flights, glacier lake, cruise, or alpine walks. Accommodation at the Hermitage hotel with breakfast.

Day 2.  Free morning and depart Mt Cook at 2.25pm travelling over the Lindis Pass and through the Kawarau Gorge to Queenstown arriving 6.20pm. The coach  departs from the travel centre in Lichfield st and arrives in the centre of Queenstown.

Tour cost per person - 2 days 1 night tour

Mount Cook Lodge rooms:     2 per room    $790      Single room  $970

Hermitage Mt Cook View Rooms:    2 per room     $890         Single room  $1,080

Hermitage. Premium rooms:      $990.   Single room    $1,210

 

Tour cost includes all travel from Christchurch to Queenstown or vv, 1 night accommodation at Hermitage Hotel or Lodge with breakfast, 

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THE GRAND RAIL AND SAIL TOUR COMBO

May special - includes

** Mini rail tour from Auckland and Hamilton to Christchurch. 7 days. Monday - Sunday.

** 1  extra night (sunday) in Christchurch or Queenstown (you choose) 

**  Fabulous Fiordland Tour 7 days/ 6 nights featuring Queenstown, Milford Sound cruise, Te Anau and 2 night cruise on beautiful Doubtful Sound (Tuesday - Monday). Read More: