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New Zealand Rail Spectacular

21 DAY TOUR FROM £3875

Discover the very best of New Zealand on this spectacular rail tour, experience amazing journeys including the TranzAlpine and see stunning Franz Josef Glacier, Milford Sound and Mount Cook.

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Mount Cook

Tour Pace

Leisurely Lively

Tour experience

Scenic City

Highlights


  • Bay of Islands

  • Auckland

  • Waitomo

  • Rotorua

  • Wellington

  • Picton

  • Marlborough Region

  • Christchurch

  • Mount Cook

  • Dunedin

  • Milford Sound

  • Walter Peak Station

  • Franz Josef

  • Punakaiki

Sightseeing Highlights


  • Bay of Islands Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous 'Hole in the Rock'.

  • Auckland Visit the Waitangi Treaty Reserve.

  • Waitomo Guided boat tour visiting the Glow Work Grotto.

  • Rotorua Orientation tour. Experience the Realm of Tane and a traditional Maori Hangi and concert. Cruise Lake Rotorua and visit the Agrodome Sheep Show and the Geothermal Reserve.

  • Wellington Sightseeing tour and visit to Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand.

  • Picton Cruise Queen Charlotte Sound and Cook Straight.

  • Marlborough Region Dinner and wine tasting at the Allan Scott Winery.

  • Christchurch Ride the Christchurch tram.

  • Mount Cook See the National Park and New Zealand's highest peak.

  • Dunedin Guided tour of Larnach Castle and gardens.

  • Milford Sound Cruise this spectacular wonder of nature.

  • Walter Peak Station Cruise on the T.S.S. Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu and explore this sheep station.

  • Franz Josef See the Franz Josef Glacier. Visit the jade factory for a demonstration.

  • Punakaiki View the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.

Dining Highlights


  • Welcome Drink with your Tour Director in Auckland (WD)

  • 16 buffet breakfasts (BB)

  • 9 three-course dinners in hotels (D)

  • Traditional Maori Hangi in Rotorua, 1 dinner with wine tastings in Blenheim and 1 dinner in the Colonel's Homestead at Walter Peak Station. (HD)

  • 28 included meals in total (see day by day itinerary)

First Class Travel Highlights


  • Return scheduled flights.

  • The services of one of Trafalgar's professional Tour Directors on tour.

  • Complimentary transfers on Day 3 from Auckland International Airport to your hotel in Auckland and on Day 20 from your hotel to Christchurch International Airport.

  • Seven amazing rail journeys - The Overlander (days 7 and 9), TranzCoastal, Taieri Gorge Railway, Kingston Flyer, TranzAlpine and the Shantytown Express.

  • Travel on Trafalgar's luxury air-conditioned coaches with reclining seats and restroom facilities.

  • Stay in twin-bedded rooms with private facilities.

  • All hotel service charges, baggage handling fees (one suitcase per person) and local taxes.

  • A stylish travel wallet.

Luxury Private Car UK Transfers


  • Exclusive door to door airport transfers

 

See your tour

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map of this tour
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Milford Sound

Day 1 (Door to Door)

In flight

Enjoy your luxury private car door to door transfer to your departure airport before your scheduled flight to Auckland.

Day 2

In flight

Continue with your scheduled flight to Auckland.

Day 3

Arrive Auckland

On arrival in Auckland, you are transferred to your hotel and the rest of the day is yours to see Auckland your way. Tonight, enjoy a welcome drink with your Tour Director and fellow travelling companions. (WD, D)
Hotel: Stamford Plaza (D)

Day 4

Auckland - Bay of Islands

This morning we travel over the Auckland Harbour Bridge and through Orewa and the scenic Hibiscus Coast. We walk amongst the Kauri trees at Parry Kauri Park and have time to explore Whangarei, the northern-most city in New Zealand. Then it's off to Paihia and the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a scenic cruise through to Cape Brett and the famous 'Hole in the Rock'. We'll meander through picturesque islands, see sandy beaches, secluded bays and explore Urupukapuka Island on our return to Paihia. (BB, D)
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort (FC)

Day 5

Bay of Islands at leisure

The day is yours to explore. Dolphin watch, catch a ferry to Russell, take a coach ride along the Ninety Mile Beach, sail or sea kayak - whatever takes your fancy. Why not top off your day with a night on the town? (BB)
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel and Resort (FC)

Day 6

Bay of Islands - Auckland

Today we first visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Reserve, where New Zealand's founding document was signed. You will have time on your own to take in highlights such as the magnificent Maori War Canoe (Waka) and Marae (Meeting House) before being inspired by the lush farmland scenery on our way back to Auckland. (BB, D)
Hotel: Stamford Plaza (D)

Day 7

Auckland - Rotorua

This morning we board The Overlander to journey through the heart of the North Island. Travel along the Waikato River with stunning views of lush farmland to the Waitomo Caves for a guided tour and to discover the amazing Glow Worm Grotto. Then it's on to Rotorua and our orientation tour where you willl soak up views of Lake Rotorua. Tonight, experience The Realm of Tãne and a traditional Maori Hangi feast and concert. (BB, HD)
Hotel: Millennium Hotel (D)

Day 8

Rotorua excursion

Sparkling wine aboard the historic Lakeland Queen kicks off our breakfast cruise on Lake Rotorua. Next is the Agrodome Sheep Show before we enjoy a guided tour of the Geothermal Reserve. (BB)
Hotel: Millennium Hotel (D)

Day 9

Rotorua - Wellington

Travelling from the mountains to the sea, today we will see Lake Taupo, the Huka Falls and the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu. We board The Overlander at Taumarunui and take in the lush forest, farmland and stunning alpine views as we cross the volcanic plateau of the central North Island. We traverse gorges, sprawling plains and then enter the world famous Raurimu Spiral. (BB, D)
Hotel: Novotel Capital (FC)

Day 10

Wellington - Blenheim

Today we enjoy a sightseeing tour of Wellington and panoramic views from the top of Mt. Victoria. We visit Te Papa, the Museum of New Zealand. Later we cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The seaside village of Picton is our next destination before visiting Blenheim and taking an orientation tour. (BB, HD)
Hotel: Chateau Marlborough (FC)
Dining Highlights: We enjoy a tour, dinner and wine tasting at Allan Scott Wines, a family-owned and run winery which has developed its own reputation as a Marlborough icon.

Day 11

Blenheim - Christchurch

Time to relax this morning in Blenheim before later boarding the TranzCoastal and journeying down the East Coast of the South Island. Travel over 100 kilometres pinned between the Pacific Ocean and the rugged Kaikoura Ranges. Next we head through the Canterbury Plains en route to Christchurch. (BB)
Hotel: Novotel Christchurch (SFC)

Day 12

Christchurch - Mount Cook

We begin the day with a ride on the Christchurch Tram. Continuing our travels we see Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the spectacular alpine scenery ofMt. Cook National Park. (BB, D)
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn (MD)

Day 13

Mount Cook - Dunedin

En route to Dunedin we see the famous white limestone buildings of Oamaru before joining the historic Taieri Gorge Railway for the journey through rugged, spectacular scenery only accessible by train. Cross stone work bridge, ride through tunnels and over iron lattice-work viaducts built in the 1880's. (BB, D)
Hotel: Southern Cross Hotel (FC)

Day 14

Dunedin - Te Anau

Today we take a guided tour of New Zealand's only castle - Larnach Castle and its gardens. Then we head off across rich fertile, sheep-filled farming land on the way to Te Anau on the shores of Lake Te Anau. (BB, D)
Hotel: Distinction Hotel (FC)

Day 15

Milford Sound - Queenstown

Be awe-struck by the magnificence of the Fiordland National Park, not only aWorld Heritage Park but also New Zealand's largest. Amazing and photo opportunities await as we see rainforests, ancient glaciers,mountain ranges and the handmade Homer Tunnel, Mirror Lakes, Pop's Lookout, Claudu Valley and The Chasm,Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. We take a cruise on Milford Sound before we ride the famous vintage Kingston Flyer from Fairlight to Kingston. We continue to Queenstown. The optional dinner tonight is at the sensational Skyline Restaurant on Bob's Peak via the Southern Hemisphere's steepest Gondola! A bonus Kiwi Haka Maori Show makes for a top night. (BB)
Hotel: Millennium Hotel (D)

Day 16

Queenstown at leisure

Explore Queenstown your way. Take it easy with a wine or garden tour or go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. Be back in time for dinner and a sheep shearing demonstration at Walter Peak Sheep Station. We travel there and back across Lake Wakatipu on board the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand's oldest steamship. (BB, HD)
Hotel: Millennium Hotel (D)

Day 17

Queenstown - Franz Josef

Today we experience Arrowtown, the sensational stone fruit of Cromwell, Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka, Haast Pass and Thunder Creek Falls. A small rainforest walk before the 'piéce de rèsistance' - Franz Josef Glacier - the world's most accessible, and still advancing, glacier. (BB, D)
Hotel: Franz Josef Glacier Hotel (FC)

Day 18

Franz Josef - Punakaiki

Enjoy some free time to explore Franz Josef Glacier - take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike. We then depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration.We then continue to our waterfront hotel at Punakaiki, where we view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. (BB, D)
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort (SFC)

Day 19

Punakaiki - TranzAlpine - Christchurch

We first visit the historic village of Shantytown for a ride on the vintage steam train before travelling onward via Greymouth to Arthur's Pass where we board the TranzAlpine, one of the top six train journeys in the world, to travel through the Southern Alps to Christchurch. (BB, D)
Hotel: Novotel Christchurch (SFC)

Day 20

Depart Christchurch

This morning, after breakfast, take your complimentary transfer to Christchurch International Airport for your return scheduled flight back to the UK. (BB)

Day 21 (Door to Door)

Arrive UK

On arrival at your UK airport, your driver will greet you and escort you to your waiting luxury private car for your door to door transfer to your home.

 

See your tour

To view our interactive
map of this tour
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Stamford Plaza Auckland

Stamford Plaza Auckland (D)

Stamford Plaza Auckland is just a stroll from the Viaduct harbour and the shopping and nightlife districts. The hotel boasts an award-winning restaurant, three bars and a heated roof-top swimming pool.

Millennium Hotel Rotorua (D)

Rotorua's largest deluxe hotel is perfectly situated in the heart of the city overlooking Lake Rotorua. Hotel facilities include a large heated swimming pool, private spas and three restaurants.

Franz Joseph Glacier Hotel (FC)

Situated on the edge of the Westland World Heritage Park, the Scenic Circle, Franz Josef
Glacier Hotel features private spa pools, three restaurants and two bars.

Millennium Hotel Queenstown (D)

This luxury hotel is beautifully positioned at the heart of the town. It is near to the major places of interests in Queenstownand features a restaurant and gymnasium.

Southern Cross Hotel (FC)

This superbly appointed hotel is situated in the centre of Dunedin. Hotel amenities include three restaurants and two bars. It is also home to the city's premium entertainment venue, the boutique Dunedin casino.

MacKenzie Country Inn (MD)

The MacKenzie Country Inn in the heart of the Aoraki Mount Cook Mackenzie region is just over an hour's scenic drive along the shores of Lake Pukaki to Mount Cook National Park. The hotel offers a restaurant and bar.

Chateau Marlborough (FC)

A chateau-styled building set over two floors and located in the central area of Blenheim overlooking Seymour Square Gardens. The hotel features an outdoor swimming pool and offers well appointed studio rooms.

Novotel Capital Wellington (FC)

A modern ten-storey building overlooking the city of Wellington, this hotel's guestrooms feature spacious bathrooms as well as many other facilities. The hotels amenities include an onsite restaurant and fitness room.

Distinction Hotel (FC)

The Hotel is one of the most treasured hotels in Te Anau. Its amenities are both modern and extensive including a spa, swimming pool and a sauna.

Copthorne Hotel and Resort (FC)

Located next to the historic Treaty House, this hotel offers a restaurant, bar and swimming pool. The rooms offer expansive glass panels looking out to the charming surrounding gardens of the hotel.

Novotel Christchurch (SFC)

Located in the very heart of Cathedral Square, this hotel features a restaurant, bar, fitness centre and nightclub.

Punakaiki Resort (SFC)

All rooms are architecturally designed to maintain a sense of privacy and maximise the incredible ocean and rainforest views while ensuring harmony with the local environment.

 

Dates and prices

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Preferred Departures Definite Departures

We are aware that you need to plan your travel arrangements early to take advantage of our early booking discounts. To assist you, we have designated a number of tours as “Preferred Departures” based on their reliable booking history. We have also highlighted our “Definite Departures” that are now guaranteed to operate.

Prices based on per person sharing a twin or double room. For single room supplements and triple room reductions please call for details.

 

Destination Info

Please note: Route displayed may not be an exact representation of the actual route taken.

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Tour pace:

For each itinerary we have created this simple guide to clearly illustrate the nature of your tour from a gentle, leisurely pace to a more lively experience.

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Tour experience:

For each itinerary we have created this simple guide to clearly illustrate your touring experience, from the scenic delights of the world's natural wonders to city chic with included excursions and entrances, or a comfortable blend of both.

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