New Zealand : Ultimate Rail, Cruise & Coach Experience

Day 1 arrive Auckland (D) upon arrival in Auckland you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel Hyatt Regency Auckland

Day 2 Auckland-Bay of Islands (B,D) board the luxurious coach, depart Auckland and travel to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a kauri tree. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe then pass through Whangarei to Paihia. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.
Hotel Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (Deluxe Rooms)

Day 3 Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise (B,D) after breakfast enjoy time at leisure to explore Paihia before boarding ‘Ipipiri’ - a brand new luxurious catamaran - for your overnight cruise in the beautiful Bay of Islands. Cruise past spectacular landmarks, such as the Black Rocks and Urupukapuka Island before anchoring in a sheltered bay where you will be surrounded by an abundance of marine life such as dolphins, whales, seals and penguins. Tenders will ferry you to nearby islands as you learn of the rich history and ecology associated with this region. At sunset enjoy a buffet of local cuisine before retiring to your stateroom with sea views.
Overnight Bay of Islands Overnight Cruise

Day 4 Bay of Islands-Auckland (B,D) after a memorable night have a leisurely breakfast before cruising back to Opua Wharf mid-morning. Farewell the Bay of Islands and drive south via Whangarei, Wellsford and Warkworth to Auckland. Enjoy a short city tour and free time before transferring to your hotel.
Hotel Hyatt Regency Auckland

Day 5 Auckland-Rotorua (B,L,D) travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 12 km trip on a beautifully restored vintage steam train. Visit the restoration workshop and on return to Glenbrook Station, morning tea will be served. Continue through magnificent countryside to Longlands Dairy Farm. Enjoy a short farm talk followed by a delicious home cooked lunch before heading to Rotorua. Visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout.
Hotel Millennium Rotorua (Lakeview Rooms. 2 nights)

Day 6 Rotorua (B,SD) begin with a Gondola ride to Skyrides Restaurant where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling out to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.

Day 7 Rotorua-Wellington (B,D) travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to spectacular Huka Falls then continue to Lake Taupo. In the afternoon travel via Tongariro National Park and snow capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro. Visit the Southwards Car Museum, home to the most comprehensive collection of veteran and vintage cars in the southern hemisphere. Afternoon tea will be enjoyed before continuing south along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital for a two-night stay.
Hotel James Cook Grand Chancellor (Superior Rooms, 2 nights)

Day 8 Wellington (B,D) an extensive city sights tour this morning will highlight Wellington’s tremendous history and culture. Enjoy a guided tour at Te Papa, New Zealand’s fabulous National Museum. Enjoy some leisure time this afternoon.

Day 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 links the port of Picton to Christchurch. Follow the thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Ranges. Continue across the Northern Canterbury Plains to the garden city of Christchurch.
Hotel Huntley Lodge (2 nights)

Day 10 Christchurch (B,D) enjoy an introductory city tour of Christchurch this morning followed by a visit to the International Antarctic Centre. Explore this world class attraction which is designed to provide an entertaining and informative account of life on Antarctica. This afternoon some free time is available to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of your Lodge.

Day 13 Dunedin-Te Anau (B,D) head to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland and visit the glow worm caves - incredible limestone caverns, waterfalls – en route to your hotel for 2 nights.
Hotel Distinction Te Anau Hotel and Villas (2 nights)

Day 14 Te Anau-Milford Sound-Te Anau (B,L,D) drive to Milford Sound where you board a launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon return to Te Anau for some time at leisure.

Day 15 Te Anau-Queenstown (B,SD) travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum.  Continue to Queenstown, a year round resort town situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax, as you are treated to the best of New Zealand’s high country cuisine in 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 for 2 nights.
Hotel Millennium Queenstown (2 nights)

Day 16 Queenstown (B) enjoy a full day at leisure. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your coach captain and tour escort will be happy to assist.

Day 17 Queenstown-West Coast (B,D) travel via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to Fox Glacier. Time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before continuing to Franz Josef for an overnight stay.
Hotel Distinction Fox Glacier

Day 18 Fox Glacier-Christchurch (B,SD) travel to Hokitika, famous for its greenstone then continue to Greymouth where you board The TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel through lush beech forest, skirt lakes and follow rivers till you climb through the Otira Tunnel to Arthur’s Pass in the centre of the Southern Alps. Descend through spectacular gorges, river valleys and over massive viaducts before completing your journey at Christchurch.  This evening enjoy a special farewell dinner with selected beverages with your new found friends.
Hotel Huntley Lodge, Christchurch

Day 19 Christchurch (B) transfer to the airport.