Grand Rail Experience

Day 1. Auckland, Freedom of Choice Touring
On arrival in Auckland today be met and transferred to your hotel. This afternoon, you have your choice of our exciting Freedom of Choice Touring options, including a climb up Auckland Harbour Bridge, a cruise on Waitemata Harbour, an informative trip to Auckland’s museum and more.
Stay: Auckland, Skycity Hotel

Day 2. Auckland, Overlander Train, Rotorua, Hangi Feast
This morning board the Overlander Train and journey to Otorohanga. Continue to the Waitomo Caves by coach and enjoy a silent boat ride beneath millions of glow-worms. Continue by coach to Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi feast and cultural performance of song and dance, including the fierce Haka.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Heritage Hotel Bx1 Dx1

Day 3. Rotorua, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today choose your own touring from our range of activities. Perhaps visit Rainbow Springs to walk along clear streams teeming with trout and view native flora and fauna. Or learn about the country’s sheep farming industry at the Agrodome. Alternatively, indulge in a leisurely soak at the Polynesian Spa.
County Homestay option available tonight  Bx1 Dx1

Day 4. Rotorua, The Overlander, Tongariro National Park
This morning travel to Te Kuiti by coach and join the Overlander Train for a journey through the heart of the North Island. Travel over the world-renowned Raurimu Spiral. Spend this evening in the World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park.
Stay: Tongariro National Park, Chateau Tongariro  Bx1 Dx1

Day 5. TranzMetro Train, Wellington
This morning head south through Taihape, the Gumboot Capital of New Zealand. Continue through Manawatu Gorge and the Wairarapa region to the small township of Featherston. Here you’ll visit the Fell Locomotive Museum and board the TranzMetro Train for a short but scenic journey to Wellington.
Two Night Stay: Wellington, James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor  Bx1 Dx1

Day 6. Wellington
After breakfast, take a short stroll to the Wellington Cable Car. Settle in and ascend to the top of Kelburn Hill, where you can choose to visit the Cable Car Museum or take a relaxing walk around the Botanic Gardens. Rejoin your coach and journey to the top of Mt Victoria for the best views of the city, taking in the Parliament buildings and the Beehive. Continue on to Te Papa - The Museum of New Zealand. The remainder of today is at leisure for you to explore further.  Bx1

Day 7. Wellington, TranzCoastal Train, Christchurch
Join the Interislander cruise across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. On arrival join the TranzCoastal Train for a scenic journey between mountains and sea. Continue to Christchurch, the Garden City.
Stay: Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Centre  Bx1 Dx1

Day 8. TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef
Board the award-winning TranzAlpine train, voted one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the country’s greatest mountain range, the mighty Southern Alps. Disembark at Greymouth and continue to Franz Josef.
Stay: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier  Bx1 Dx1

Day 9. Franz Josef, Queenstown, Dine Around Dinner
Enjoy incredible scenery today as you leave this World Heritage-listed area. See spectacular mountain ranges, untouched native forests, lakes and glaciers. Journey along the shores of lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Continue to the alpine resort of Queenstown. Tonight choose from four different dining experiences.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Novotel Lakeside Hotel  Bx1 Dx1

Day 10. Queenstown, Freedom of Choice Touring
Today you have the opportunity to choose your activity and we will include it! Your options include a garden tour, a trip to some local wineries, an exhilarating jetboat ride on the Shotover River or a Double Decker Bus tour to the goldrush settlement of Arrowtown. Bx1

Day 11. Milford Sound, Te Anau
This morning journey along the Milford Road, down the Eglinton and Hollyford valleys and through the Homer Tunnel. On arrival at Milford Sound, cruise the full length of this stunning fjord. Following your cruise, drive to the tranquil lakeside settlement of Te Anau for this evening’s dinner and overnight stay.
Stay: Te Anau, Luxmore Hotel  Bx1 Dx1

Day 12. Dunedin, Freedom of Choice Touring
On arrival in Dunedin choose your touring activity. Options include a Taieri Gorge Railway Excursion, a wildlife experience on the Otago Peninsula and a tour of Speight’s Brewery.
Stay: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City  Bx1 Dx1

Day 13. Dunedin, Seasider Train, Mt Cook, Freedom of Choice Touring
Board the Seasider Train at Dunedin’s railway station and journey to Palmerston. Continue by coach into Mt Cook National Park. On arrival, join your selected Freedom of Choice Touring activity. Options include a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and a guided nature walk.
Stay: Mt Cook, the Hermitage Hotel  Bx1 Dx1

Day 14. Mt Cook, Christchurch
Visit the azure Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd and statue of the working collie dog, erected to honour the collie whose work was invaluable to the early settlers of this region. Leave the High Country behind and travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch where your tour concludes this afternoon with a transfer to the airport.  Bx1