NEW ZEALAND HOSTED GRAND RAIL TOUR. 22 days/ 21 nights.
Includes: Northern Explorer", Wellington (2 nights), Picton (1 night) , Kaikoura (1 night), "Coastal Pacific", Christchurch (2 nights), (7 day tour ends) "Tranz Alpine", Shantytown, Hokitika (1 night), Reefton, Denniston, Nile River Railway, Punakaiki (1 night), Christchurch (1 night) (10 day tour ends), Extension to Mt Cook, Queenstown, Doubtful Sound overnight cruise, Queenstown (16 day tour including "Kingston Flyer" ends), Invercargill (Stewart Island option) Catlins, Dunedin, Taieri Gorge and Seasider trains. (22 day tour ends)
Departs Auckland November 04, 2024: February 17, 2025.
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You may join or leave this tour at Wellington, Christchurch, or Queenstown.
Part Tour - (Other options available - please ask us).
16 days including West Coast. Arrive Christchurch Saturday November 09 - end Dunedin Monday November 25. $9,700 share twin. $12,300
14 Days. excluding West Coast. Join Christchurch Tuesday 12 November - end Dunedin Monday November 25. $7,950 share twin. $10,630 single.
11 Days. Join Christchurch Saturday 09 November - end Queenstown tuesday November 19. $5,900 share twin, $7,650 single.
8 days. Each option $2,990 share twin. $4.300 single room
Option 1. Join Christchurch day 7 tuesday 12 November - end Queenstown day 16 - tuesday November 19
Option 2. Join Queenstown Monday 18 November - end Dunedin Monday November 25
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ITINERARY - Ultimate Grand Rail tour 22 Days 04 - 24 November, 2024
Day 1. Monday. November 04. AUCKLAND - WELLINGTON
Please note: Northern Explorer" is currently full and space is subject to waitlist. You are welcome to join in Wellington by air.
Transfer to your nearest railway station. Complimentary transfer from home between Orewa and Pukekohe and in Hamilton City provided
7.45am. Depart Auckland Strand Railway Station aboard the "Northern Explorer". Depart Papakura 8.40am, Hamilton 10.15am, and Otorohanga 10.54am.
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 in the central city.
Day 2. Tuesday. November 05. WELLINGTON. (B)
Explore the capital city on our included tour. Visit Oriental Bay and enjoy part of the beautiful Marine Drive. Enjoy a guided tour of Weta Workshop and visit Seatoun and Mt Victoria for a panoramic view over the city, guided tour of Government House (subject to approval at the time), the Botanical Gardens (optional cable car ride - extra expense). Optional visit to Zealandia Eco reserve, a guided tour of Parliament Buildings, and/or Te Papa. (Tour ends at Parliament Building. Guided tours of Parliament are available but should be prebooked. If you do not wish to enjoy the tour of Parliament our vehicle can drop you off at, Zealandia, your hotel, or Te Papa).
Day 3. Wednesday. November 06. WELLINGTON - PICTON. (B)
Transfer to the Interislander terminal and depart at 8.45am for the 3 hour 45 minute cruise across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton arriving 12.15pm. 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 4. Thursday. November 07. BLENHEIM - KAIKOURA (BD)
Visit the Marlborough Museum, Petere Jackson's 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. Seafood dinner tonight.
Day 5. Friday. November 08. 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.
Day 6. Saturday. November 09. CHRISTCHURCH. (BD)
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. Optional visit to Ferrymead's collection of trams and trains.
Enjoy the Tramcar dinner tonight
Day 7. Sunday. November 10. CHRISTCHURCH - HOKITIKA
7 day tour ends with checkout in Christchurch this morning. Transfer to the airport provided.
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
Accommodation and breakfast at the Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika.
Day 8. Monday. November 11. HOKITIKA - REEFTON - DENNISTON - WESTPORT - PUNAKAIKI (B)
Drive north to Reefton. Visit the Reefton Distillery Co with a little tasting and the Bearded Mining Company for a visit to a recreated miners hut and cup of billy tea. Drive to the Denniston lookout and on to Denniston to see the famous incline and discover the history of the area,. See the Banbury Drystone Arch and the historic mine workshop. Visit the Westport coal museum and Cape Foulwind seal colony before arriving at the Scenic Punakaiki Hotel.
Day 9. Tuesday. November 12. PUNAKAIKI - GREYMOUTH - CHRISTCHURCH (B)
We visit the historic gold mining town of Charleston for a ride on the Nile River railway through the rainforest. Explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Paparoa National Park.
Return to Greymouth for a short tour and time to explore. Rejoin the "Tranz Alpine" train departing 2.05pm to recross the Southern Alps to Christchurch where arrival is scheduled for 7pm. You will be transferred back to your accommodation.
Day 10. Wednesday. November 13. CHRISTCHURCH - LAKE TEKAPO OR MOUNT COOK. (B)
10 day tour ends at checkout this morning. We will transfer you to the airport.
We drive across the Canterbury Plains to 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. Free time for helicopter or ski plane flights, alpine walks, or a cruise among the icebergs on the lake at the base of the Tasman Glacier.. Accommodation at the Hermitage hotel with breakfast.
Prefer to stay at Tekapo for the Dark Sky experience (sorry we cannot guarantee clear skies)? No problem. Cost remains the same with accommodation and breakfast at Bluewater Resort.
Day 11. Thursday. November 14 TEKAPO OR MOUNT COOK TO TE ANAU (B)
Time for activities if you missed yesterday and we depart late morning. Drive through the Mckenzie Country and over the Lindis Pass to the fruit growing region of Cromwell then on to Te Anau.
Day 12. Friday. November 15 TE ANAU - MILFORD SOUND - TE ANAU (BL) A day of magnificent scenery as we drive through the Eglinton and Hollyford Valleys to Milford Sound for a, leisurely cruise to the Tasman Sea under majestic Mitre Peak and return to Te Anau. See the waterfalls and seals and usually dolphins will come and play.
Day 13. Saturday. November 16. TE ANAU - DOUBTFUL SOUND (BD)
Transfer to Manapouri and cruise across the bush clad Lake Manapouri to the West Arm. Drive across Wilmot Pass, and join our cruise to the head of the Sound. Doubtful Sound is much more extensive than Milford Sound. Return to Te Anau late afternoon. Picnic lunch included.
As at 30 September we have 1 cabin available on the Fiordland Navigator overnight cruise departing saturday returning sunday in time to get to "Kingston Flyer" - extra cost $300 share twin cabin - $500 single cabin
Day 14. Sunday. November 17. DOUBTFUL SOUND - QUEENSTOWN. Includes Kingston Flyer. (B)
Disembark after breakfast and return to Manapouri. Drive to Kingston to join the historic "Kingston Flyer' steam train for a 2 hour round trip journey and continue to Queenstown.
Day 15. Monday. November 18. QUEENSTOWN (BD)
The day is free for your own activities or to relax
This evening cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak sheep station for a barbecue dinner.
Day 16. Tuesday. November 19. QUEENSTOWN - INVERCARGILL (B)
The 16 day tour ends at checkout this morning. Transfer to the airport provided.
We drive from Queenstown to Lumsden and on to the Croydon Aviation Centre at Mandeville to see the Tiger Moth and other vintage aircraft restoration and it is usually possible to arrange a Tiger Moth and/or Dominie flight and aerobatics (must be prebooked) (www.croydonaviation.co.nz). Continue to beautiful Riverton and enjoy Te Hikoi at Riverton en route. 2 nights in Invercargill.
Day 17. Wednesday 20 November INVERCARGILL. Stewart Island options by boat or air (B)
The day is free to explore Invercargill including the botanical gardens, Tuatara centre, Bill Richardson Transport World www.transportworld.nz), E Hayes Motorworks (www.ehayes.co.nz), Motor Cycle Mecca (www.motorcyclemecca.nz), and unleash your big kid operating bulldozers and diggers (www.digthisinvercargill.nz). All activities today are extra expense.
STEWART ISLAND options
Cruise: Transfer to Bluff and visit Stirling Point. Cruise to Stewart Island for a 90 minute tour of Oban to learn of its history before cruising to the bird sanctuary of Ulva Island. Explore the island and meet the friendly birds before returning to Invercargill for the night. A picnic lunch is included. Extra cost $490
Air: Transfer to Invercargill airport for the 20 minute flight to Stewart Island. Tour Oban for an hour and a half and take a water taxi to the bird sanctuary of Ulva island for a self guided walk (this option requires a 15-20 minute walk to and from the Water taxi) before returning to Invercargill. Cost $ 440 per person
Air/cruise: To maximise your time on Stewart Island and see it from the air and sea we suggest flying to Stewart Island at 8am for a few hours to explore 'downtown' including the DOC information centre. Enjoy a 1.5 hour tour of Oban which covers virtually all the roads on Stewart island. Depart Oban at 12.45pm by catamaran for a cruise on Patterson Inlet to Ulva island for a guided island walk. Return to Oban at 3.15pm and stay on the boat to cruise to Bluff. You will be met and visit Stirling Point before returning to Invercargill. Tour cost $550
Please note. It is possible to stay for 1 or both nights on Stewart Island if accommodation is available for additional cost. Book early as accommodation is scarce.
Day 18. Thursday 21 November. INVERCARGILL - CATLINS - DUNEDIN. (B)
Enjoy a scenic drive through the Catlins. one of New Zealand's most beautiful and unspoiled wilderness areas. See the wildlife, waterfalls,and beautiful coastal scenery and visit Curio Bay and Nugget Point lighthouse, and the Owaka museum to catch up on shipwrecks on the coast! Continue to Dunedin for 4 nights.
Day 19. Friday 22 November DUNEDIN (BD)
Visit historic "Olveston House", Dunedin Chinese Garden, Knox Church, The Octagon, and the world's steepest street. This afternoon tour the Otago Peninsula including Larnachs Castle, Royal Albatross Centre, and see the local wildlife including seals, and Yellow Eyed penguins. Dinner at Larnachs Castle tonight.
Day 20. Saturday 23 November. DUNEDIN - SEASIDER train (B)
The morning is free to explore the Botanic Gardens, the excellent Otago Museum and/or Port Chalmers Maritime Museum or whatever you wish until transferring to the iconic Dunedin Railway Station to join the Dunedin Railways "Seasider" train operated with Taieri Gorge equipment. Depart at 3pm and travel around the coast of Otago Harbour. You have the option of stopping over at the Arc Brewery for refreshments or continuing around the spectacular coastline to Seacliff and Merton. Unfortunately we cannot disembark at Merton. A light meal can be purchased on board. Return to Dunedin at 6.30pm and return to our hotel.
Day 21. Sunday 24 November TAIERI GORGE RAILWAY (B)
Today we join the TAIERI GORGE INLANDER train to travel into Central Otago to Pukerangi and return. Depart Dunedin 9.30am and return 2.15pm. Photostops at cliffs, ravines, and viaducts and a full history of gold hunting in the area.
Day 22. Monday 25 November. DUNEDIN DEPART
Transfer to Dunedin airport for departure.
You are welcome to stay longer in Dunedin if you wish.
'TAIERI GORGE RAILWAY" is back!!! 9.30am - 2.15pm $99
The iconic "Taieri Gorge Railway operating from Dunedin to Pukerangi in central Otago is back from 05 October.
Operates: October. 05, 06, 10, 12, 19, 20,24, 26. November 03, 09, 17, 23, 24, 30, December 06, 07, 13,14, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 31
"Taieri Gorge" train can be added to our DEEP SOUTH AND STEWART ISLAND tour, RAIL AND SAIL, and CITIES OF THe SOUTH. Our 22 day Grand Rail Tour departing Auckland 04 November includes all mainline trains plus nile River railway, "Kingston Flyer as well as Croydon aircraft factory at Mandeville, "Taieri Gorge Railway" and "Seasider" ,
THE SEASIDER. 3pm - 6.30pm. $59
On many days it connects with "The Seasider" operating on the main trunk line from Dunedin to Merton via Seacliff for spectacular ocean views. You may disembark at ARC Brwerey for around 90 minutes if you wish missing the coastal scenery.
Operates: October 12, 19, 26, November 03, 17, 23, 30. December 07, 21,
THE TWILIGHT TRAIN. 6.30pm - 9.50pm $59
Same route as The Seasider but enjoy an evening out.
Operates: October 25, November 22, December 20, 27
Timetable for early 2025 is not available yet.
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