The Great New Zealand Train Journey - SIC

DAY 1 Arrive Auckland (See operating days above)

On arrival you will be met and privately transferred to your accommodation. Auckland is New Zealand's largest city, set between two harbours with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands Overnight stay in Auckland.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
* Auckland Sky Tower
* Orbit Restaurant Sky Tower
* Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise
* Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour

DAY 2 Auckland - Hobbiton - Rotorua

Today’s coach tour takes you through the rolling green hills to the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set, one of New Zealand’s ‘must-see’ destinations.  See where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed as your tour guide shares behind-the-scenes tales. You’ll see sights like Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and The Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth.  After exploring Hobbiton, tuck into a delicious lunch before continuing to Rotorua. Overnight stay in Rotorua.

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: * Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: * Redwoods Nightlights      * Polynesian Spa Deluxe Lake Spa

DAY 3 Rotorua

Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends.  This morning you will be transported to Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland for a two hour visit.   Wai-O-Tapu is considered to be New Zealand’s most colourful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction.  This evening you’ll be transported to Te Puia for an Indigenous Evening Experience including a buffet dinner and cultural performance. The evening culminates with hot chocolate and pudding on the geyser terrace.  Overnight: Rotorua

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: * Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland Admission       * Te Po Indigenous Evening Experience
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: * Gondola Ride

DAY 4 Rotorua - Hamilton - Wellington

You’ll be transferred to Hamilton to connect with the Northern Explorer train to Wellington.  Experience the extremes of New Zealand’s scenery, from fertile farmlands to the volcanic peaks and sparkling coast. Journey through Tongariro National Park, with its three spectacular volcanic mountains, is a highlight, a place of extremes and surprises, where snow-blanketed fields, ancient lava flows and dense beech forests can be seen side by side.  Overnight stay in Wellington.

DAY 5 Wellington

Set between a sparking harbour and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot.  Great shopping, arts culture, cafes and restaurants are all within minutes of the city’s untouched nature spots.   Make your own way around the city to experience a charming cable car ride to enjoy stunning views of the city and harbour, and visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum.  Overnight stay in Wellington

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: * Te Papa Museum of New Zealand     * Wellington Cable Car Return Trip

DAY 6 Wellington - Picton - Kaikoura

New Zealand's North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and ocean fresh air.  Transfer to Wellington Ferry Terminal where your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton.   Here, you’ll be met and transferred to the train station to climb aboard one of the most picturesque journeys on New Zealand railways. 

Meandering along the Pacific Coast the Coastal Pacific Train journeys breathtakingly close to the sea, where the roaring Pacific Ocean meets the rising Kaikoura mountains. Explore the stunning Kaikōura Coastline, famous for its marine life and whale watching. Voyage through vineyards and idyllic countryside. The Coastal Pacific train takes you along rugged coastlines, across remote beaches, between mountains and sea, on a timeless journey of breathtaking beauty.  Overnight stay in Kaikoura

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: * North to South Island Ferry Crossing

DAY 7: Kaikoura - Christchurch

The seaside settlement of Kaikoura is set midway and overlooked by majestic mountains.  The unique marine geography at this location provides the perfect environment for Sperm Whales and other marine life. 

This afternoon you’ll be transferred to Kaikoura Railway Station for the next section of the Coastal Pacific Train Journey into Christchurch. Christchurch is set between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps.  This is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River. Overnight stay in Christchurch

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: * Whale Watch Tour - Ocean Cabin       * Dolphin Encounter Watch

DAY 8 Christchurch

Enjoy a half day city sightseeing tour around the historical and scenic sights of Christchurch.  View grand architecture, beautiful gardens and stunning scenery on a morning or afternoon tour.  The rest of the day is at leisure.  Overnight stay in Christchurch

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: * Christchurch Tram Dinner

DAY 9 Christchurch - Greymouth

Today you will be transported to the Christchurch Railway Station for the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Journey. Crossing from coast to coast in New Zealand's South Island, the TranzAlpine is one of the world's most spectacular train journeys. Cross fertile farmlands and enjoy the majesty of the chiselled alpine landscape as you travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River and through miles of unique native beech forests. Witness epic vistas and the striking beauty of the mighty Southern Alps. On arrival in Greymouth, you will be met and transferred to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes for a short self-guided walk to view the fascinating pancake-shaped rock formations before being delivered to your accommodation.  Overnight stay in Greymouth

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: * Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Journey    * Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes

DAY 10 Greymouth - Glacier Region

This morning, you’ll be transferred to Shantytown Heritage Park for a sense of what it was like to live in New Zealand during the gold rush before returning to Greymouth for your transfer to Glacier Country.  The temperate climate at a low altitude makes Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world.  Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia and here, the ice age is still underway.  Overnight stay in Franz Josef

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: * Shantytown Experience

DAY 11 Glacier Region - Queenstown

This morning you will be collected from your accommodation for your transfer through wilderness towns, waterfalls and river scenery on the journey to Queenstown.  Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: * Gondola Ride      * Original Onsen Exclusive Indoor Pool

DAY 12 Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown

Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses.  Today's stunning tour takes you past mirror lakes and waterfalls into Milford Sound, carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the eighth wonder of the world. On arrival, board your vessel for a cruise of the fiord surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs that plunge into the sea.  Feel the refreshing spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces before returning to shore.  After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your coach return to Queenstown. Overnight stay in Queenstown

INCLUDED ACTIVITIES: * Milford Sound Coach & Cruise ex Queenstown

DAY 13 Queenstown

Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.

Today is a free day to add some of the endless optional activities Queenstown has to offer. Overnight stay in Queenstown

OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES: * Essential Queenstown 4WD Tour + Shotover Jet

DAY 14 Queenstown - Mt Cook/Tekapo - Christchurch

Today’s journey departs Queenstown through the stunning Kawarau Gorge and fruit and wine growing region of Cromwell.  The journey follows beautiful Lake Dunstan and meanders through the dramatic Lindis Pass.   Travel the vast plains of the Mackenzie district, alongside magnificent turquoise blue lakes, framed by Aoraki Mt Cook and the spectacular Southern Alps to Mt Cook Village where you have some free time.  Leaving Mt Cook it’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed nearby.  Make a stop close to the popular Church of the Good Shepherd sitting in solitude on the banks of Lake Tekapo before continuing through the amazing countryside to Christchurch. Overnight stay in Christchurch

DAY 15 Depart Christchurch

Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer to Christchurch Airport.