Icons of New Zealand Tour - North to South including 4 spectacular Rail Journeys
4 iconic rail journeys, Auckland, Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Wellington, Interislander Cook Strait Ferry, Blenheim, Franz Josef Glacier, Fox Glacier, Otago, Queenstown, Milford Sound Cruise,Te Anau, Twizel, Christchurch
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| Price |
$4,995pp Twin Share | $6,125 Sole Use | includes Air Ex Brisbane, Sydney & Melbourne.
Although flights are correct at time of printing they are subject to airline pricing and scheduling changes |
Departure
dates 2011 |
9 November
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Tour overview
& inclusions |
· 4 iconic rail journeys on the Overlander, TranzCoastal, TranzAlpine & Taieri Gorge Railway
· 2 nights Scenic Airedale Hotel, Auckland
· Overnight Scenic Bay of Islands Hotel
· Hole in the Rock & Dolphin Cruise
· Waitomo Glow Worm Caves, Paradise Valley Springs
· Skyline Gondola & Luge, Agrodome
· 2 nights Rydges Hotel at Rotorua
· Themal mud pools & geysers
· Tamaki Maori Village Hangi & concert
· Overnight Kingsgate Hotel at Wellington
· Interislander Cook Strait Ferry cruise
· Overnight Scenic Hotel at Blenheim
· Gem Stone Factory, Franz Josef Glacier
· Overnight Scenic Glacier Country Hotel at Fox Glacier
· Otago, 2 nights Rydges Lakeland Resort at Queenstown
· Milford Sound Cruise, Overnight Distinction Luxmore Hotel at Te Anau
· Larnach Castle, Overnight MacKenzie Country Inn at Twizel
· Flights as specified, all meals daily (45 provided) (except 2 lunches where free time is given)
· 2 nights Elms Hotel at Christchurch
· Same coach & driver for both Islands· |
Bay of Islands
Hole in the Rock Cruise
Rotorua
Lake Taupo
Interislander Ferry
TranzCoastal Train
TranzAlpine Train
Milford Sound Cruise
Larnach Castle
Lake Tekapo
Day 1 - Wed 9th Nov 2011 (D)
Depart from your home airport to be welcomed in Auckland, New Zealand, by your coach captain. We take an Auckland Highlights Tour which features views from Mt Eden, the Domain, Parnell Village and Queen Street, the heart of Auckland. Arrive and check in at the Scenic Airedale Hotel.
Day 2 - Thu 10th Nov 2011(B,L,D)
Leaving Auckland this morning we travel up the hilly north. Our first stop will be at the Matakohe Kauri Museum, featuring the old milling ways. We continue on through to Whangarei and on to Paihia to stay at the Scenic Bay of Islands Hotel. Tonight we are treated to a visit to Culture North, for an amazing cultural experience.
Day 3 - Fri 11th Nov 2011 (B,L,D)
This morning we travel aboard the Great Sights catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Enjoy a stopover at Otehei Bay before returning to Paihia early afternoon. We then travel south again via Whangarei and back to Auckland for an overnight stay at the Scenic Airedale Hotel.
Day 4 - Sat 12th Nov 2011(B,L,D)
After breakfast we head out to Waitomo for a guided tour of Waitomo Limestone Caves and the Glow Worm Grotto. We continue on through Waikato, arguably the best dairy farming region in the country, over the Mamaku Ranges and on to Rotorua, where we’ll spend the next two nights. This afternoon we enjoy a visit to Paradise Valley Springs, a natural farm setting and wildlife park featuring trout and native animals. Overnight at Rydges Hotel, Rotorua.
Day 5 - Sun 13th Nov 2011(B,L,D)
We begin our day with a Skyline Gondola ride to the top of Mt Ngongataha for stunning views and buffet breakfast. Enjoy an exhilarating luge ride before heading off to the Agrodome Sheep Show. Enjoy some free time before we rejoin for lunch, then head off to Te Puia Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve, home of the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute. Experience the silica terraces, bubbling hot mud pools, boiling springs and geysers. After a drive around the sights of Rotorua, and a walk along the lake’s edge, we head back to our hotel. Tonight we visit Tamaki Maori Village for traditional Maori Hangi & concert. Overnight at Rydges Hotel, Rotorua.
Day 6 - Mon 14th Nov 2011 (B,L,D)
We leave Rotorua this morning and journey south towards Wellington. We pass through picturesque Lake Taupo, then head in to the central volcanic area, with the mountains of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngaruahoe. We travel on to the National Park, boarding the Overlander for a fascinating rail journey through the army town of Waiuru. See some of New Zealand’s rugged and natural farmland and travel along the rugged west coast to Wellington. We re-board the coach for transfers to the Kingsgate Hotel, for an overnight stay.
Day 7 - Tue 15th Nov 2011 (B,L,D)
We have some free time this morning before we take a city sights tour, including a trip to the top of Mt Victoria for amazing views. We then board the Interislander Cook Strait ferry a stunning cruise across Cook Strait, and through Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. After a short driving tour of Picton we travel on to Blenheim for an overnight stay at Scenic Hotel Blenheim.
Day 8 - Wed 16th Nov 2011 (B,L,D)
Blenheim is a premier wine growing region, and after a drive tour we continue south past Lake Grassmere, (New Zealand’s salt works), and travel down the east coast of the South Island to Kaikoura, where we briefly stop to watch hundreds of seals who make this coastline their home. We take the TranzCoastal Train Journey to Christchurch, where we board the coach for a city sights tour of this garden city, showcasing grand architecture, historic homesteads, immaculate parks and the picturesque Avon River. Overnight at Elms Hotel.
Day 9 - Thu 17th Nov 2011 (B,L,D)
This morning travel across the Canterbury Plains to the foot of the Southern Alps where we board the TranzAlpine Train at Springfield. One of the most scenic train journeys in the world, you will wind your way up to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass. We re-board the coach and descend the mountain range and travel out to the mighty West Coast, stopping at Hokitika to view 'Jade Stone’ and the Gem Stone Factory. Weather permitting we will spend some time in Franz Josef, for those who would like to take an optional scenic flight over the Glaciers (own expense). We then head to Fox Glacier for the night, staying at the Scenic Glacier Country Hotel.
Day 10- Fri 18th Nov 2011 (B,L,D)
Leaving the rainforest of the West Coast, we pass the most southern village, Haast. Travelling across the Haast Pass, begin to see some completely different landscapes of the Otago province, passing the lakes of Wanaka and Hawea, the lovely fruit growing town of Cromwell, then in to Queenstown. On arrival enjoy a town drive tour taking in sights such as Lake Wakatipu, offering views across the Frankton Arm towards the Remarkable Ranges. Accommodation for the next two nights is at Rydges Lakeland Resort, Queenstown.
Day 11 - Sat 19th Nov 2011 (B,D)
Today is a free day to explore this stunning town. Consider getting on the double decker bus to travel out to the charming historic old gold mining town of Arrowtown, or try a thrilling ride on a Jet Boat on the Shotover River.
Day 12 - Sun 20th Nov 2011 (B,L,D)
We travel to Milford Sound, around Lake Wakatipu to Kingston and across the picturesque Southland countryside to Te Anau. Enter Fiordland National Park, featuring magnificent high mountain and deep valley scenery, formed by Ice Age glaciers, and dense unspoiled native rainforest. Stop to see the Mirror Lakes and walk through the bush to see the popular Chasm where a mountain stream surges spectacularly through huge rocks. On arrival at Milford Sound board your cruise of the fiord, enjoy a picnic-box lunch on board, and look out for the seals and dolphins often seen in the fiord. Return to Te Anau via the Cleddeau Gorge, through the Homer Tunnel and the pretty Eglinton Valley. Overnight at Distinction Luxmore Hotel.
Day 13 - Mon 21st Nov 2011 (B,L,D)
This morning we head for the East Coast, via the Southern most point of New Zealand, Invercargill and Bluff, before travelling on to Dunedin. Here you’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour of the city and see the steepest street in the world before checking in to our central hotel for a 2 night day at Scenic Southern Cross Hotel.
Day 14 - Tue 22nd Nov 2011 (B,D)
Today we enjoy a full day in Dunedin. This morning is free for you to have a sleep in or spend time wandering the shops. After lunch we meet at the Dunedin Railway Station for an afternoon excursion on the Taieri Gorge Railway, one of the greatest journeys offering stunning scenery. We return to Scenic Southern Cross Hotel.
Day 15 - Wed 23rd Nov 2011 (B,L,D)
Before leaving this Scottish City, we take a guided tour through the old Larnach Castle, then drive around the Dunedin Peninsula. We journey on through landscape of high country tussock, farmland and snow-capped mountains to Twizel, a picturesque historic town outside of Mt Cook, home to the rarest wading bird in the world – the Black Stilt. Arrive and check in at the MacKenzie Country Inn.
Day 16 - Thu 24th Nov 2011 (B,L,D)
This morning we hug the edge of Lake Pukaki on our way to the mighty Mt Cook, situated in the heart of the Southern Alps which features seventeen peaks over 10,000 feet - the scenery is spectacular. We travel north through golden tussock land to Lake Tekapo, visiting the striking Church of the Good Shepherd before returning via the scenic route to Christchurch to check in to the Elms Hotel for our last night.
Day 17 - Fri 25th Nov 2011 (B)
A leisurely start this morning before we take in more sights of Christchurch. We then head to the airport for our respective flights home.
Deposit required to secure this booking $800pp.
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