SAVE up to nz$580 PER COUPLE, if you book and pay in full for your tour before 31st August 2010 (see below for details)

           15 DAY FULLY ESCORTED
                        RAIL TOUR
             Auckland - Christchurch

Discover New Zealand on a 15 day Rail Spectacular premium tour, experience amazing rail journeys including the Tranzalpine, see spectacular Franz Josef Glacier, Milford Sound, Mt Cook and more

TOUR CODE PA-ZRNS

Tour cost from nz$5850 Oct – April 2011 per person share twin 

Red dates are guaranteed departure dates

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT nz$1430

Day 1
Arrive Auckland
After we transfer you from the airport, settle into your hotel, then see Auckland your way - visit the Sky Tower, Viaduct Harbour or explore the Waitemata Harbour by ferry. A welcome drink with your Tour Director and travel companions ends the day.
Hotel: Stamford Plaza, Auckland.

Day 3
Rotorua
Sparkling wine aboard the historic Lakeland Queen kicks off our breakfast cruise on Lake Rotorua. Next is the Agrodome Sheep Show then a guided tour of the Geothermal Reserve. B

Day 4
Rotorua - Wellington
Travelling from the mountains to the sea, today we’ll see Lake Taupo, the Huka Falls, the alpine scenery of Mt. Ruapehu. We board The Overlander at Taumarunui. Take in the lush forest, farmland and stunning alpine views as we cross the volcanic plateau of the central North Island. Traverse gorges, sprawling plains then enter the world famous Raurimu Spiral.
Hotel: Novotel, Wellington. B D

Day 5
Wellington - Blenheim
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’ll cruise the Cook Strait into tranquil Queen Charlotte Sound. The seaside village of Picton is our next destination then Blenheim and a city orientation tour. We’ll then 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.
Hotel: Chateau Marlborough, Blenheim. B HD

Day 6
Blenheim - Christchurch
Relax this morning in Blenheim. Later board the TranzCoastal and journey 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.
Hotel: Novotel, Christchurch. B

Day 7
Christchurch - Mt. Cook
We begin the day with a ride on the Christchurch Tram. You are Invited - enjoy a taste of country life with a barbecue lunch on a working farm. Continuing our travels we see Lakes Tekapo and Pukaki, visit the Church of the Good Shepherd and soak up the spectacular alpine scenery of Mt. Cook National Park. If you like take a scenic flight over Mt. Cook (weather permitting).
Hotel: MacKenzie Country Inn, Deluxe Rooms, Twizel. B L D

Day 8
Mt Cook - Dunedin
En route to Dunedin we’ll see the famous white limestone buildings of Oamaru. Join 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 latticework viaducts built in the 1880’s.
Hotel: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin. B D

Day 9
Dunedin - Te Anau
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. Tonight you can choose to travel by boat to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.
Hotel: Distinction Hotel, Te Anau. B D

Day 10
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Milford Sounds
Be awe-struck by the magnificence of the Fiordland National Park, not only a World Heritage Park but also New Zealand’s largest. Amazing nature and photo opportunities await us as we see rainforest, ancient glaciers, mountain ranges and the hand-made Homer Tunnel. Mirror Lakes. Pop’s Lookout. Claudu Valley and The Chasm. Mitre Peak. Bowen Falls. Cruise on Milford Sound. Continue to Queenstown. Dinner option tonight is 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.
Hotel: Millennium Hotel, Queenstown, 2 nights. B

Day 11
Queenstown ‘Free Time’
Explore action adventure Queenstown your way. Take it easy with a wine or garden tour. Or go wild with jet boat rides or white water rafting. Just be back in time for dinner and a sheep shearing demonstration at Walter Peak Sheep Station. We travel there and back across Lake Wakatipu via the TSS Earnslaw, New Zealand’s oldest steamship. B HD

Day 12
Queenstown - Franz Josef
Today experience Arrowtown, the sensational stone fruit of Cromwell, Lake Dunstan, Lake Hawea, Lake Wanaka, Haast Pass, Thunder Creek Falls. A small rainforest walk. Then the ‘piéce de rèsistance’ - Franz Josef Glacier - the world’s most accessible, and still advancing, glacier.
Hotel: Te Waonui Forest Retreat, Franz Josef. B D

Day 13
Franz Josef - Punakaiki
Explore Franz Josef Glacier - take an optional flight (weather permitting) or a glacier hike! Then we depart for Hokitika, home of the native greenstone (jade) for a factory visit and jewellery demonstration. It’s on to our waterfront hotel at Punakaiki, where we’ll view the Pancake Rocks and Blowholes.
Hotel: Punakaiki Resort, Punakaiki. B D

Day 14
Punakiki -TranzAlpine - Christchurch
Visit the historic village of Shantytown for a ride on the vintage steam train. Onward via Greymouth to Arthur’s Pass where we’ll board the TranzAlpine, one of the top 6 train journeys in the world, to travel through the Southern Alps to Christchurch.
Hotel: Novotel, Christchurch. B D

Day 15
Depart Christchurch
‘Free Time’ in Christchurch until we transfer you to Christchurch Airport for your onward flight. B

Spectacular sightseeing experiences
6 amazing rail journeys
 •  The Overlander (Days 2 & 4)
 •  TranzCoastal
 •  Taieri Gorge Railway
 •  TranzAlpine
 •  The Shantytown Express
 •  Dinner at Allan Scott Wines
 •  Larnach Castle Dunedin
 •  Maori Hangi and concert
 •  Thermal Reserve Rotorua
 •  View mighty Mt. Cook
 •  Cruise on Milford Sound
 •  View Franz Josef Glacier

Premium holiday inclusions
Transportation
 •  Tour by luxury air-conditioned coach with 2-door access, restroom, seatbelts, reclining seats, panoramic windows
 •  Tour with an experienced, professional Tour Director and Tour Driver

Dining Inclusions
 •  14 Full Buffet Breakfasts  
 •  1 Lunch 
 •  3 Exciting Highlight Dinners 
 •  8 Hotel Dinners

Accommodation
 •  Twin share rooms with private facilities in centrally located hotels
Plus
•Welcome drink
•Travel wallet and map
•Airport transfers (Day 1 from Auckland Airport - flights to arrive prior to 4.00pm; Day 18 to Christchurch Airport - flights anytime)
•Hotel porterage included