New Zealand Memorable Train Journey Tour Package
Tour Destinations : Christchurch – Dunedin – Queenstown – Kaikoura – International Antartic Centre
Duration - 11 Days | 10 Nights
Experiences :
- Taieri Gorge Train from Dunedin to Pukerangi (seat in coach only)
- TSS Earnslaw Walter Peak Farm cruise
- Shot over Jet Boat Ride
- Coastal Pacific Train from Picton to Kaikoura and Kaikoura to Christchurch
- Kaikoura Whale Watch tour
- International Antarctic Centre
- Hot Air Ballooning in Christchurch or Queenstown
On arrival at Christchurch Airport you will be met and transferred to your hotel. (Self-drive passengers collect your rental car for your exclusive use until the end of the package).
Today you will travel south across the Canterbury Plains through Timaru and Oamaru to reach Dunedin early afternoon. The rest of the afternoon is free for optional activities, such as wildlife cruises. (Self-drive passengers may wish to explore other parts of the city in the afternoon).
Morning is free for further optional activities. In the afternoon you will be collected for the spectacular Taieri Gorge Train to Pukerangi and connecting coach ride to Alexandra, Cromwell before arriving at Queenstown. (Self-drive passengers are free to participate in more optional activities before driving to Queenstown).
Today you will cruise on the vintage ‘Old Lady’, the TSS Earnslaw, to Walter Peak High Country Farm for an excursion of the Colonel’s Homestead. (The ‘TSS Earnslaw’ is on annual service in June and July and will be replaced with an alternative activity).
“Catch the Canyons” with Shotover Jet, the World’s most exciting Jet Boat ride and the only company permitted to operate in the spectacular Shotover River Canyons.
Travel through the Kawarau Gorge past Lake Dunstan on towards Wanaka. A stop is made in Makarora before crossing the Southern Alps as you enter the Haast Pass. At Knights Point you can view magnificent seascapes. From here pass Lakes Moeraki and Paringa then past Bruce Bay to arrive at the Glaciers.
Travel north to Westport before arriving at Punakaiki for a view of the amazing Pancake Rock formations. Then through the Buller River and Buller Gorge to arrive in Nelson in the late evening.
Take the scenic Queen Charlotte Drive along the Sounds to arrive at Picton to connect with the Coastal Pacific Train to Kaikoura, the whale watching centre of New Zealand. Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm whales are the stars of the show and year round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross. Depending on the season you may also see migrating Pilot Whales, Humpback Whales, Blue Whales and Southern Right Whales. Kaikoura often hosts the largest dolphin, the Orca, and it is home to the world’s smallest and rarest dolphin – the Hector’s dolphin. The area also attracts the largest concentration and variety of sea birds on mainland New Zealand including 13 species of Albatross, 14 varieties of Petrels and seven types of Shearwater. (Self-drive passengers will drive to Kaikoura)
Free time until you board your Coastal Pacific train back to Christchurch for the night. (Self-drive passengers will drive back to Christchurch).
The International Antarctic Centre is Christchurch’s leading visitor attraction and has twice been judged New Zealand’s best attraction. Located across from Christchurch International Airport it offers a fun, exciting and interactive experience of Antarctica. Visitors are invited to have fun in real snow and ice experience the Antarctic storm, see the little blue penguins and explore the Antarctic gallery.
Early this morning a tour on the “Hot Air Balloon” is suggested if time permits. Transfer to the airport is included for your departing flight. (Self-drive passengers return your car directly at the airport).
