New Zealand Rail Tour
Tour #TT9743
Day 1: Auckland - Waitomo - Rotorua Travel south to Waitomo Caves for a boat ride under a galaxy of glowworms. Continue east to to Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and concert. Stay 2 nights in Rotorua.
Day 2: At Rotorua This morning see roaring geysers and boiling mud pools at the thermal areas, tame trout at the springs and see performing sheep and dogs at the Agrodome. Your afternoon is free.
Day 3: Rotorua - Wellington You will be transferred to Rotorua airport to meet your flight to Wellington. On arrival into Wellington you will be taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy at leisure. Stay 1 night in Wellington.
Day 4: Wellington - Christchurch Cross Cook Strait by ferry, to the Marlborough Sounds and Picton. The TranzCoastal train skims the spectacular coastline. Continue through north Canterbury to Christchurch. Stay 2 nights in Christchurch.
Day 5: At Christchurch A day at leisure to enjoy the 'Garden City'.
Day 6: Christchurch - Dunedin Travel south across the Canterbury Plains through seaside Timaru, and historic Oamaru to Dunedin 'the Edinburgh of the South'. Arrive early afternoon. Stay 1 night in Dunedin. Please note no commentary is provided on this journey.
Day 7: Dunedin - Taieri Gorge - Queenstown This morning is at your leisure for optional sightseeing. Board the Taieri Gorge train for a journey through spectacular gorges and over historic viaducts to Pukerangi where you will join your coach for the remainder of the journey to Queenstown. Arrive in Queenstown in the late evening. Stay 3 nights in Queenstown.
Day 8: Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown An early start around the southern shores of Lake Wakatipu to Lake Te Anau, then into Fiordland National Park. Pass through pristine beech forests and the Homer Tunnel to view the majesty of Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls, aboard a cruise on the Sound. Depart Milford Sound to return to Queenstown by evening.
Day 9: At Queenstown Today is free for you to enjoy this fabulous alpine resort. We have included the Skyline Gondola in your tour. There are dozens of optional activities from thrilling jet boat rides to leisurely lake cruises, 4WD safaris and bungy jumping.
Day 10: Queenstown - Glaciers Travel to Cromwell and on through the Southern Lakes district to the Haast Pass. Travel north, through dense rainforest broken by rugged coastal vistas, towards the glaciers. A shuttle will take you to view one of these massive rivers of ice. Stay 1 night in Fox or Franz Josef Glacier townships.
Day 11: Glaciers - Christchurch Travel north along the narrow, bush clad, coastal plain past Hokitika, to Christchurch. Board the renowned TranzAlpine train and travel through the Otira Tunnel, over Arthur's Pass and across the Canterbury Plains. Arrive Christchurch early evening.
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