New Zealand Classic Rail Cruise & Coach Tour
From Auckland, To Bay of Islands, Waitangi, Whangarei, Rotorua, Taupo, Palmerston North, Wellington, Picton, Blenheim, Christchurch, Franz Josef, Wanaka, Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Gore, Balclutha, Dunedin, Oamaru, Mount Cook, - 18 Nights

Package Details

Overview

This is one our most comprehensive and popular tours of New Zealand cover the North and South Islands from Cape Reinga and the Bay of Islands to the fare south. We have included a highlight overnight cruise on Milford Sound as well as some special train journeys.

Details

1 – Arrive Auckland (D)
On arrival into Auckland, you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
Hotel  – SkyCity Hotel or similar 

2 – Auckland – Bay of Islands (B,D)
Enjoy a city tour of Auckland, before travelling to Matakohe to enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Mãori tribes and the British. (2 night stay)
Hotel -Hotel Bay of Islands 

3 – Bay of Islands (Free Day) (B)
Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).
Hotel –  Hotel Bay of Islands 

4 – Bay of Islands – Auckland (B,D)
This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Upon return to Paihia, travel south via Whangarei, call into the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree before returning to Auckland.
Hotel – SkyCity Hotel or similar 

5 – Auckland – Rotorua (B,D)
This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15 kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train. Visit the restoration workshop and on return to Glenbrook Station, morning tea will be served. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua to visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand-feed rainbow trout. (2 night stay)
Hotel – Rotorua (Deluxe Room) 

6 – Rotorua (B,SD)
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Mãori Hãngi and Concert.
Hotel – Rotorua (Deluxe Room)

7 – Rotorua – Wellington (B,D)
Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and continue south to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington. (2 night stay)
Hotel – James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room) 

8 – Wellington (B)
A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon and this evening is also free to explore Wellington’s lively food scene.
Hotel – James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room)

9 – Wellington – Christchurch (B,D)
This morning board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that showcases the Kaikõura mountain ranges on one side and the rugged scenic coastline on the other travelling through numerous tunnels and across several bridges. Enjoy a two-night stay in the garden city of Christchurch. (2 night stay)
Hotel – Christchurch Hotel  

10 – Christchurch (B)
Today visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure. This evening is free to explore the local cuisine.
Hotel – Christchurch Hotel 

11 – Christchurch – Arthur’s Pass – Franz Josef (B,D)
This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before arriving at the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Hotel – Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing) 

12 – Franz Josef – Queenstown (B)
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine at one of the many fine restaurants. (2 night stay)
Hotel – Millennium Hotel Queenstown 

13 – Queenstown (Free Day) (B,SD)
Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader will assist with the many optional activities available. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.
Hotel – Millennium Hotel Queenstown 

14 – Queenstown – Milford Sound Overnight Cruise (B,D)
This morning travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via Te Anau to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner for your amazing overnight cruise. There is plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife – you’re bound to encounter seals and if you’re lucky maybe dolphins and penguins. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef.
Overnight – Milford Mariner

15 – Milford Sound – Te Anau (B,D)
Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to explore more of the fiord. Return to the wharf to meet your coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Hotel – Luxmore Hotel (Deluxe Room) 

16 – Te Anau – Dunedin (B,D)
Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. Today Dunedin is New Zealand’s oldest university city. (2 night stay)
Hotel – Hotel Southern Cross 

17 – Dunedin (B,SD)
This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for a city tour followed by some free time. Optional activities you might be interested in include a tour of Speights Brewery or the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat. Tonight, a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, Haggis Ceremony and gift.
Hotel – Hotel Southern Cross  

18 – Dunedin – Christchurch (B,D)
This morning visit Olveston Historic Home, a prosperous merchants’ home from the turn of the century before travelling to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. This evening enjoy dinner with your newfound friends.
Hotel – Christchurch Hotel 

19 – Depart Christchurch (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Inclusions

Prepaid Attractions
Kauri Museum
Waitangi Treaty Grounds
Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
Glenbrook Vintage Railway
Paradise Valley Springs
Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
Agrodome
Thermal mud pools and geysers
Te Puia traditional Mãori Hãngi and Concert
Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
Coastal Pacific Rail Journey i
International Antarctic Centre
Christchurch Tram
TranzAlpine Rail Journey
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
Lakes District Museum
HIGHLIGHT Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea
Haggis Ceremony and Gift
Olveston Historic Home
Auckland City Sights Tour
Wellington City Sights Tour
Christchurch City Sights Tour
Dunedin City Sights Tour

Tour Highlight: Milford Sound Overnight Cruise THE MILFORD MARINER
For a majestic experience, spend the night on board the Milford Mariner. Cruise the full length of Milford Sound with commentary by a specialist nature guide. View the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. You are bound to encounter seals, maybe dolphins and penguins. As evening falls, enjoy a delicious carvery buffet, prepared by an onboard chef. Relax in the company of your fellow travellers or take in some stargazing before retiring to your cabin. Next morning, indulge in a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) and exploring more of the breathtaking fiord.

Coach Features
48 seats on a Classic touring coach
2 door access; overhead travel bag storage
Restroom; panoramic viewing

Experience
Return airfares from your homeport
Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
Return airport transfers in New Zealand
Professional Coach Captain
Tour Leader
17 nights 4 star accommodation
Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
6 two night stays
Hotel porterage
3 rail journeys
4 cruises
All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
Extensive Optional Tours Programme
Classic Documentation Pack
Meals
18 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast: Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
14 sumptuous dinners including 3 specialty dinners: Mãori Hãngi and Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Haggis Ceremony, Dunedin
2 delicious morning teas
Enjoy GPT Hotel Wine Time (discounted drinks)
Day 1: Dinner not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

Travel Enquiry