Ride the Rails
Soak up spectacular views on the Coastal Pacific Railway
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Destinations
By Destination
Special DealsBy Mode of Travel
Your Vacation Includes
- 14 nights in premium accommodation
- The services of a Travelmarvel Tour Director and experienced Driver
- 24 meals – 14 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 9 dinners
- Take a ride aboard the Glenbrook Vintage Steam Train
- Savour an authentic Maori Hangi feast in Rotorua
- Ride the Coastal Pacific Train along the Kaikoura coastline
- Take the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth
- Cruise the full length of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, a magnificent fiord with views of waterfalls
Map & Itinerary
Auckland → Christchurch
Insider Experiences
Designed exclusively for our guests
Insider Experience
Enjoy an included special or unique excursion or event
Enhance Your Journey
Travelmarvel provides further opportunity to pursue your special interests and enhance your holiday with a range of optional experiences
Day
1
Arrive Auckland
Arrive in the ‘City of Sails’ and be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner as you get to know your fellow travellers.
Stay: Two Nights, Sudima Auckland City
Daily :
Day
2
Auckland, Glenbrook Vintage Steam Train
Insider Experience
Ride the historic Glenbrook Vintage Steam Train.
This morning travel to Glenbrook and board the Glenbrook Vintage Steam Train. Take a journey through the beautiful rural Franklin countryside before stopping at the Pukeoware Depot to explore the workshop, view other historic locomotives, and enjoy a morning tea. After your time here, return to Auckland by coach.
Daily :
Day
3
Auckland, Rail Cruise Experience, Rotorua
Insider Experience
Enjoy a unique self-drive Rail Cruising experience. In your hybrid vehicle, you will have a first-class view of the ranges, with an audio guide to inform you about the region.
Insider Experience
Delight in a Hangi feast and Maori cultural performance.
After breakfast, board your coach and head towards the Mamaku Ranges for a special rail experience. In Rotorua, visit Te Puia Cultural Centre, and tour the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute before an evening of traditional culture and food.
Stay: Two Nights, Sudima Rotorua
Daily :
Day
4
Rotorua
ENHANCE YOUR JOURNEY
Discover more with our Enhance Your Journey optional experience in Rotorua - perhaps enjoy a visit to the Hobbiton Movie Set from the Lord of the Rings series (additional charges apply) enquire for details.
Rotorua captures the essence of New Zealand with its geothermal geysers, fascinating Maori culture and rich heritage. Your sightseeing continues with a visit to one of New Zealand’s best-loved attractions, the Agrodome, and then enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore further or simply relax.
Daily :
Day
5
Rotorua, Wellington
Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway through the heart of the North Island travelling through green countryside, beautiful native bush, and some of the largest alpine forests in the Southern Hemisphere. We view the Wairakei Steam Valley, then visit the spectacular Huka Falls and tranquil Lake Taupo, the water filled crater of an ancient volcano. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city bound by its magnificent harbour.
Stay: Two Nights, Travelodge Hotel Wellington
Daily :
Day
6
Wellington
After breakfast today, head to Featherston to visit the fascinating Fell Locomotive Museum which houses the only remaining steam-powered Fell locomotive in the world. It ran from 1877, using a unique system of four grip wheels on a raised centre rail to enable it to pull carriages up the steep Rimutaka Incline. After heading back to Wellington, set off on a sightseeing tour of the city’s best-loved landmarks and sights, including New Zealand’s national museum, Te Papa Tongarewa. This innovative and interactive museum celebrates the treasures of the country. Later, enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure to explore the city.
Daily :
Day
7
Wellington, Picton, Coastal Pacific Train, Christchurch
Insider Experience
View the beautiful Pacific coastline from the Coastal Pacific Train.
This morning, step aboard the Interislander ferry to cruise from Wellington Harbour across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific train to Kaikoura. Return to your coach to travel to Christchurch.
Stay: Christchurch, Quality Hotel Elms
Daily :
Day
8
Christchurch, TranzAlpine Train, Fox Glacier
Insider Experience
On your TranzAlpine journey, considered to be one of the world’s greatest rail adventures, you will follow the Waimakariri River and travel across the Southern Alps within Arthur’s Pass National Park.
ENHANCE YOUR JOURNEY
Discover more with our Enhance Your Journey optional experience in Franz Josef - Helicopter Ride (additional charges apply - enquire for details)
This morning after breakfast, you will board the renowned TranzAlpine trains to cross the South Island. Upon arrival at Greymouth, you will disembark and travel by coach to the incredible natural surrounds at Franz Josef and Fox glaciers.
Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier
Daily :
Day
9
Fox Glacier, Queenstown
Enjoy a day of truly beautiful scenery as you travel to the alpine resort of Queenstown. Known as the country’s ‘adventure capital’. Queenstown is also renowned for its world-class culinary scene. This evening you may like to sample some of the region’s fresh flavours at one of the many restaurants in walking distance from your hotel (own expense).
Stay: Two Nights, Queenstown, Copthorne Hotel and Apartments Queenstown Lakeview
Daily :
Day
10
Queenstown
INSIDER EXPERIENCE
Ride the Skyline Gondola 450 metres above the city to the top of Bob’s Peak.
ENHANCE YOUR JOURNEY
Discover more with our Enhance Your Journey optional experiences in Queenstown - Shotover Jet Boat Ride, TSS Earnslaw Cruise or the Million Dollar Cruise (additional charges apply - enquire for details)
Soar to the top of a Queenstown peak and check out the view as all of Queenstown spreads below you. Following this, enjoy lunch at one of the FergFoods restaurant located throughout the city centre (Fergburger, FergsBar, Mrs. Ferg & FergBaker). The rest of the day is at leisure so you have the freedom to simply relax or choose one of Travelmarvel’s exciting Select Experiences. For the adventurous, perhaps head out on a jet boat ride. The Shotover Jet Boat roars through dramatic river canyons within centimetres of sheer rock walls.
Daily :
Day
11
Queenstown, Milford Sound, Te Anau
Insider Experience
Cruise the full length of Milford Sound, a magnificent fiord with views of waterfalls, dense rainforest and sheer cliffs.
Follow The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. Today, enjoy a memorable cruise on Milford Sound.
Stay: Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau
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Day
12
Te Anau, Dunedin
Enjoy spectacular scenery today as you drive from Te Anau to the Scottish-flavoured southern city of Dunedin.
Stay: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
Daily :
Day
13
Dunedin, Lake Tekapo
Journey north to view the Moeraki Boulders then continue to Oamaru and visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo. Later, arrive at your resort.
Stay: Lake Tekapo, Peppers Bluewater Resort
Daily :
Day
14
Aoraki Mt Cook, Christchurch
Insider Experience
View majestic Aoraki Mt Cook, the highest point in Australasia.New Zealand's highest peak
Head into the stunning scenery of Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park. Later, head back to Christchurch for a special Farewell Dinner.
Stay: Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport
Daily :
Day
15
Depart Christchurch
Your tour concludes after breakfast with a transfer to the airport.
Daily :Our people are passionate about dreaming up once-in-a-lifetime experiences for our guests and making them possible
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