Rail Spectacular – 17 days

AAT Kings is Australia and New Zealand leading escorted holiday tour operator offering Escorted Motor Coach Vacations, Independent Touring, Outback Adventures, 4WD safaris, Camping, Day Tour Sightseeing.

Tour code ZRBC
17 days
Priced from A$4890
Premium Escorted
Departs from Auckland, finishes at Christchurch

Highlights

SPECTACULAR SIGHTSEEING EXPERIENCES

• EXCLUSIVE! Enjoy a Skyline Gondola ride and breakfast with sparkling wine
• EXCLUSIVE! Sample wine and enjoy dinner at the Montana Winery
• EXCLUSIVE! Discover the sights of Christchurch on the Christchurch Tram
• EXCLUSIVE! Experience the Scottish heritage of Dunedin at Larnach Castle
• Walk amongst the magnificent Kauri trees at the Parry Kauri Park
• Visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve
• Discover the beautiful Bay of Islands
• Cruise to Cape Brett and through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’
• Experience a Maori Hangi and Concert
• Explore Whakarewarewa
• Visit Te Papa
• View mighty Mt. Cook
• Explore spectacular Milford Sound

View magnificent Franz Josef Glacier Travel on 7 amazing rail journeys:

• The Overlander (Days 2 & 4)
• TranzCoastal
• Taieri Gorge Railway
• Kingston Flyer
• TranzAlpine
• The Shantytown Express

FIRST CLASS HOLIDAY INCLUSIONS

Transportation

• Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, reclining seats, seat belts and large panoramic windows

Professionally Escorted

• Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Dining Inclusions

• Full Buffet Breakfasts (16) (B)
• Exciting Highlight Dinners (4) (HD)
• Hotel Dinners (7) YOUR CHOICE

Accommodation

• Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels

Plus

• Welcome drink
• All purpose travel bag and map
• Airport transfers (Day 1 Auckland Airport to hotel – flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm; Day 17 to Christchurch Airport – flights anytime)
• Hotel porterage included

Itinerary

Day 1 Sat: Arrive Auckland

On arrival at the hotel the remainder of your day is at leisure to explore Auckland. Perhaps you would like to visit the Sky Tower. Tonight enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director.
Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Auckland.

Day 2 Sun: Auckland – Bay of Islands

Cross the Auckland Harbour Bridge and take in the amazing scenery of the Hibiscus Coast. Walk amongst the Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park, then journey to the Bay of Islands where you will visit the Waitangi Treaty Reserve.
Accommodation: Copthorne Hotel & Resort, Bay of Islands, 2 nights. (B)

Day 3 Mon: Bay of Islands

Today is free for you to experience the beauty of the Bay of Islands at your own pace – perhaps take a coach trip to Cape Reinga, via idyllic Ninety Mile Beach ; enjoy a guided sea-kayaking trip or a day of sailing. (B)

Day 4 Tue: Auckland

This morning take a scenic cruise through game fishing waters to Cape Brett and, weather permitting, through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ formation. This afternoon return to Auckland.
Accommodation: Stamford Plaza, Auckland. (B)

Day 5 Wed: Auckland – Rotorua

This morning we board The Overlander for our journey through the heart of the North Island. Enjoy stunning views of lush farmland and the Waikato River. We join our coach at the farming town of Otorohanga and travel to Waitomo where we experience a guided tour of the Glow-worm Grotto. Enjoy a special cultural evening with a visit to The Realm of Tãne followed by a Maori concert and Hangi feast. You will be greeted with a traditional Maori welcome ceremony, called a Powhiri, before experiencing a night of authentic traditional culture, entertainment and a Hangi feast.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Rotorua, 2 nights. (B) (HD)

Day 6 Thu: Rotorua

We begin our day with a ride on the Skyline Gondola and breakfast with sparkling wine overlooking Rotorua. We also visit Paradise Valley Springs and the Agrodome’s Sheep Show. Later, tour Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve where a local Maori guide escorts us past pools of boiling mud and geysers. We also view kiwis here. This afternoon there is free time to explore or join an
optional tour. (B)

Day 7 Fri: Rotorua – Wellington

This morning visit Taupo and mighty Huka Falls. This afternoon we board The Overlander at Taumarunui bound for Wellington. Enjoy lush forest, farmland and stunning alpine views as we cross the volcanic plateau of the central North Island. We traverse gorges and sprawling plains, before entering the world famous Raurimu Spiral. Enjoy dinner aboard The Overlander this evening, before arriving in Wellington.
Accommodation: Novotel Capital, Wellington. (B) (HD)

Day 8 Sat: Blenheim

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington and panoramic views from the top of Mount Victoria. Visit Te Papa, New Zealand ‘s National Museum. Later, join the inter-island cruise across Cook Strait and tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. Enjoy a wine tasting and dinner at the Montana Winery.
Accommodation: Blenheim Country Hotel or Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim. (B) (HD)

Day 9 Sun: Christchurch

Time at leisure in Blenheim. Later, board the TranzCoastal and journey down the East Coast of the South Island. Travel over 100 kilometres pinned between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Kaikoura Ranges. Travel over the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. (B)

Day 10 Mon: Mt. Cook

Discover the sights of Christchurch this morning on the Christchurch Tram. Visit beautiful Lake Tekapo and see the Church of the Good Shepherd. We also take in the scenery of Mt. Cook National Park, home to New Zealand ‘s highest mountain.
Accommodation: MacKenzie Country Inn – Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. (B)

Day 11 Tue: Dunedin

See the pretty Oamaru region today, before journeying on to Dunedin. This afternoon we join the historic Taieri Gorge Railway for our fascinating journey through rugged, spectacular scenery, only accessible by train. Cross stonework bridges, through tunnels and over iron latticework viaducts built in the 1880’s.
Accommodation: Southern Cross Hotel, Dunedin. (B)

Day 12 Wed: Dunedin – Te Anau

This morning enjoy a guided tour at Larnach Castle, followed by the highlights of Dunedin on a sightseeing tour. This evening stay in pretty Te Anau.
Accommodation: Village Inn, Te Anau. (B)

Day 13 Thu: Milford Sound

Cruise on spectacular Milford Sound with Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls high above you.
This afternoon journey on the historic Kingston Flyer from Fairlight to Kingston with Devonshire tea. Continue to Queenstown. Why not experience the entertaining Kiwi Haka & Dinner tonight?
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. (B)

Day 14 Fri: Queenstown

Explore Queenstown at your leisure today. Tonight board the historic steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station where you experience a sumptuous carvery dinner. (B) (HD)

Day 15 Sat: Franz Josef

Colourful Arrowtown is our first stop today. We also see Kawarau Gorge, Cromwell, Lake Wanaka, travel over the Haast Pass and stop at Thunder Creek Falls. Continue along the coastal road to Franz Josef.
Accommodation: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel, Franz Josef. (B)

Day 16 Sun: Franz Josef – TranzAlpine

Discover the magnificent Franz Josef Glacier this morning. Continue to the historic village of Shantytown and enjoy gold panning and a ride on the vintage steam train. This afternoon we join the TranzAlpine at Greymouth and climb over the spectacular Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass, then across the Waimakariri River Valley and Canterbury Plains, before arriving in Christchurch.
Accommodation: The Heritage Hotel, Christchurch. (B)

Day 17 Mon: Christchurch

You will be transferred to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. (B)

Tour Dates & Prices

* = Guaranteed Departure