New Zealand by Rail, Cruise and Coach

Day 1

Auckland

Upon arrival in Auckland you will be met by a representative and transferred to your hotel. Here you will meet your travel companions over a complimentary pre dinner drink

Crowne Plaza - Dinner included

Day 2

Bay of Islands

Today you will depart Auckland and journey to Parry Kauri Park to discover the unique Kauri Tree, before enjoying an informative talk at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe. Afterwards, you’ll travel via Whangarei to Paihia, a gorgeous town nestled in the Bay of Islands. Here you’ll enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds – where the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British took place.

Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 3

Bay of Islands

The whole day is free for you to explore the Bay of Islands at your own pace. There are plenty of optional activities you could enjoy, including the Coach Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach, or a laidback dinner cruise.

Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands - Breakfast included.

Day 4

Auckland

In the morning you will hop on a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, to see the impressive Hole in the Rock. Along the way, look out for bottlenose and common dolphins playing in the water. After your cruise, you will venture south to Auckland’s north shore to see dramatic views of Rangitoto Island, Auckland Harbour and the Hauraki Gulf.

Crowne Plaza - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 5

Rotorua

Your day will begin with a city tour around Auckland, before heading off to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a 15km trip back in time on a charming, restored vintage steam train. Explore the restoration workshop before returning to Glenbrook Station for a morning tea.

Once you’ve departed Glenbrook, you will journey through spectacular countryside to Rotorua, where you’ll discover the beautiful Paradise Valley Springs – a pretty wildlife park where you’ll get to hand feed rainbow trout.

Regent of Rotorua - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 6

Rotorua

Begin the day with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua, even making time for a fun luge ride. Afterwards, you’ll visit the Agrodome to enjoy a vibrant hour of farming entertainment and education.

The start of the afternoon is free for you to explore, and then you will journey to Te Puia to see the impressive boiling mud pools and geysers. In the evening, you and your fellow travellers will b treated to an entertaining Maori Hangi and concert.

Regent of Rotorua - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 7

Wellington

Today you will venture along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the wonderful Huka Falls, before continuing on to Lake Taupo for a bit of free time in this picturesque seaside town. After a few hours of exploring and relaxing, you’ll travel via Tongariro National Park and then continue south to Wellington.

Intercontinental Wellington - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 8

Wellington

The morning presents a great highlight of the trip, explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Informative and entertaining, you’ll enjoy cutting edge technology as you learn about extraordinary New Zealanders. The rest of the morning will be spent on a guided city tour, and then the afternoon and evening will be free.

Intercontinental Wellington - Breakfast included.

Day 9

Wellington - Christchurch

In the morning you will board the Interisland Ferry, crossing Cook Strait and travelling through the stunning Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Once there, you will journey to Picton and venture through the Alpine village of St Arnaud, the enchanting beech Maruia Forest and the scenic Lewis Pass to the garden city of Christchurch.

The George - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 10

Christchurch

Today you will explore the quaint alpine village of St Arnaud, as well as the enticing beech Maruia Forest and the Lewis Pass. In the afternoon, you’ll continue south to the Garden City of Christchurch for a fascinating city tour.

The George - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 11

Arthur’s Pass and Franz Josef

Day 11 will be spent on the TranzAlpine, one of the world’s best train journeys. Travelling over magnificent viaducts, over sweeping river valleys and over scenic gorges, there’ll be plenty of photo opportunities on your trip. Once you’ve discovered the stunning Arthur’s Pass in the centre of the Southern Alps, you’ll board your coach again and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone. The last port of call is Franz Josef, where you’ll have time for an optional scenic flight over the breath-taking glacier.

Distinction Fox Glacier - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 12

Queenstown

Today you will travel to Queenstown via the Haast Pass, and check in to your hotel overlooking Lake Wakatipu. The evening is free for you to explore the delicious restaurants Queenstown has to over.

Millennium Hotel Queenstown - Breakfast included.

Day 13

Queenstown

The whole day is free for you to explore Queenstown. In the evening you’ll board the TTS Earnslaw, a vintage steamship, and sail across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Here you’ll tuck in to a sumptuous gourmet BBQ dinner, watching as the chef cooks up a feast at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner you’ll have a short farm tour before reboarding the TSS Earnslaw for a sing-along by the piano.

Millennium Hotel Queenstown - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 14

Doubtful Sound

Today travel via Te Anau to Manapouri. Enjoy a picnic lunch as you cruise across this glacial lake. A short ride over the Wilmot Pass brings you to the boarding point to join the Fiordland Navigator for an amazing overnight experience. As you cruise through the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound, naturalist guides will provide commentary and point out the resident wildlife. When evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef.

Fiordland Navigator - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 15

Te Anau

Begin the day with a tasty breakfast, before travelling back out to see more of the fiord. You’ll then return back to the wharf to meet your coach and embark on a picturesque drive to Te Anau. A cruise across Lake Te Anau to visit the Glow Worm Caves is a great way to spend the afternoon today.

Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 16

Dunedin

Today you will travel to Dunedin. After a quick lunch you’ll board the Silver Fern railcar to soar up high into the clifftops and overlooking the Pacific Ocean and Blueskin Bay. Next up is the historic Edwardian Railway Station, and a great city tour. On return to Dunedin’s historic Edwardian Railway Station, board the coach for an informative city tour before arriving at your hotel.

Distinction Dunedin - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 17

Dunedin

A guided tour around Larnach Castle is the first port of call today. Afterwards, you’ll visit Glenfalloch Restaurant for a lovely morning tea before returning to the city for a bit of leisure time.

Distinction Dunedin - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 18

Christchurch

In the morning you will visit Olveston House – a prestigious historic home – before journeying to Oamaru to see its famous limestone. Your last evening will be spent at a farewell dinner with your fellow travel friends.

The George - Breakfast and dinner included.

Day 19

Christchurch

Today marks the end of your tour. You will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.