Auckland to Christchurch

15 Days / 14 Nights from $4065 USD
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Duration: 15 days, 14 nights

Tour Code: NRN15

Accommodations: Superior

Style: Escorted Motor Coach Touring
Highlights: 7 scenic rail journeys, Auckland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch, Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dunedin, Mt. Cook

Description 

With seven spectacular scenic rail excursions, the Grand Rail Experience is not to be missed.  The Overlander Train journeys through the heart of the North Island, traveling from Auckland to the ski towns of Tongariro National Park and Ohakune.  Take a ride aboard the TranzCoastal between the delightful port of Picton and Christchurch.  This journey is a scenic feast, with the Kaikoura Mountain Ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other.  The TranzAlpine is rated one of the world's greatest rail journeys traveling between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of the South Island to the other.  From your carriage you will see the fields of the Canterbury Plains, followed by spectacular gorges and river valleys.  Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth.

Itinerary 

Day 1 - Arrive Auckland, Exclusive Experiences
You will be met and transferred to your hotel. Today, choose an activity. Perhaps visit Auckland's Maritime Museum or cruise on Waitemata Harbour.
Stay: Auckland, Skycity Hotel.

Day 2 - Auckland, The Overlander, Rotorua Theme Dinner
Ride the Overlander Train to Otorohanga. Then travel to the Waitomo Caves by coach and take a mystical underground tour of this limestone and glow worm grotto. Later journey to geothermal Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance of song and dance.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Park Heritage Hotel.

Day 3 - Rotorua, Exclusive Experiences
Today you choose an activity. Perhaps experience Rotorua's "Must See Three" activities - Te Puia Thermal Reserve, Rainbow Springs Nature Park and the Agrodome. Stay: Choose to stay in a Country Homestay tonight!

Day 4 - The Overlander Tongariro National Park
Join the Overlander Train and journey through the heart of the North Island. Spend this evening in World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park.
Stay: Tongariro National Park, Chateau Tongariro.

Day 5 - TranzMetro, Wellington
Head south through Taihape to the Wairarapa region and Featherston, where we visit the Fell Locomotive Museum. Then board the TranzMetro Train for a scenic journey to Wellington, the nation's capital.
Two Night Stay: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor.

Day 6 - Wellington at Leisure
Take a ride on the Wellington Cable Car. At the top perhaps visit the Cable Car Museum, then journey to Mt Victoria for the best view of the city. Continue onto Te Papa, the National Museum Image courtesy of Tourism New Zealand - Ian Trafford of New Zealand.

Day 7 - Wellington, TranzCoastal, Christchurch
Cruise between the North Island and South Island, across Cook Strait and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton. On arrival join the TranzCoastal train for a scenic journey between mountain and sea to Christchurch.
Stay: Christchurch, Hotel Grand Chancellor.

Day 8 - TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef
Board the TranzAlpine train, voted one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel through stunning gorges, river valleys and across the spectacular Southern Alps. Disembark at Greymouth and continue to Franz Josef and Te Wahipounamu in South-West New Zealand.
Stay: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.

Day 9 - Franz Josef, Queenstown Dining Options
Enjoy incredible scenery today as we leave this World Heritage-listed area. See spectacular mountain ranges, untouched native forests, lakes and glaciers. Journey along the shores of beautiful Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. Travel to the alpine resort of Queenstown and enjoy our Dining Options.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Gardens Hotel.

Day 10 - Queenstown Exclusive Experiences
Today you choose the activity. Perhaps enjoy a garden tour, visit some local wineries or take an exhilarating jetboat ride. You might like to venture to Skippers Canyon on a 4WD Safari.

Day 11 - Kingston Flyer, Milford Sound Cruise
Journey back in time aboard the Kingston Flyer, New Zealand's famous vintage steam train. Continue to Milford Sound for a cruise on this magnificent, glacier-carved fiord, through Eglington Valley and the Homer Tunnel to the lakeside settlement of Te Anau.
Stay: Te Anau, Luxmore Hotel.

Day 12 - Dunedin, Exclusive Experiences

Choose from a range of Exclusive Experiences: Perhaps venture to Dunedin's historic railway station and take a trip aboard the Taieri Gorge Railway for a glimpse of surrounding countryside otherwise inaccessible by road.
Stay: Dunedin, Dunedin City Hotel.

Day 13 - Dunedin, Seasider Train, Mt Cook

This morning board the Seasider Train and journey north along the east coast. Continue by coach to the World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia's highest mountain.
Stay: Mt Cook, The Hermitage.

Day 14 - Mt Cook, Christchurch
Today we visit picturesque Lake Tekapo and view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Leaving the High Country behind, we travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch, known as the Garden City.
Stay: Christchurch, Hotel Grand Chancellor.

Day 15 - Exclusive Experiences
Today you choose the activity. Perhaps punt on the Avon River or enjoy a Christchurch Bike Tour.  Your tour concludes after your sightseeing and a departure transfer to the airport is included.

Departure Dates:

Nov. 21

Dec. 5

2009

What's Included

• Overland train to Otorohanga
• Experience glow worms and limestone caves at Waitomo
• Enjoy Maori Hangi dinner and cultural performance in Rotorua
• Journey through the Te Puia Thermal Reserve, Rainbow Springs Nature Park full of New Zealand wildlife and visit the Agrodome all in Rotorua
• Hop on Overlander Train to Tongariro National Park
• Visit Fell Locomotive Museum in Featherston
• Take TranzMetro Train south to Wellington, New Zealand's Capital City
• Head to the top of Mt Victoria for breathtaking views
• Cruise from the North Island down to the South Island across Cook Straight
• Ride the rails to Christchurch aboard the TranzCoastal Train
• Journey to Franz Josef Glacier on the TranzAlpine Train
• Self exploration of Queenstown
• On board New Zealand's famous vintage steam train, the Kingston Flyer sweeps you off to Milford Sound for a cruise
• Choose to take a train through Taieri Gorge
• Seasider Trains takes you to Mt Cook National Park
• Travel through Burks Pass to Christchurch