New zealand has its own winter wonderland. We have combined a coach into the hermitage at mt Cook with a chartered private train that will give you the opportunity to experience the lower South island at a different time of year.
Your journey starts by private train down the coast from Christchurch pauses for two nights in Oamaru to explore this Victorian town and sightsee in the area. Then rejoin the train and travel on to Invercargill for a further two nights before returning to Dunedin. From here travel is by coach up the Waitaki River via Lake Aviemore and Omarama to Mt Cook and the iconic Hermitage Hotel which promises to be a winter highlight.
Depart mid-morning from Auckland on Air New Zealand to arrive Christchurch at midday. This afternoon enjoy walking tour of rebuilt Christchurch, with the
balance of the day free. Welcome Dinner tonight.
We join our exclusive chartered train and travel south through rolling farmland and coastal inlets via Timaru to arrive in Oamaru for a two night stay. This evening join
an optional tour to visit the Blue Penguin Colony of Oamaru.
Optional Tour Blue Penguin Colony visit (Oamaru) $36 per person
The birds return from their days fishing, make their way across the beach, up a
stony ramp and cross to the colony. The colony began when a small number of blue
penguins began nesting in a rock quarry area at the edge of Oamaru Harbour in the
early 1990s. Today it is Oamaru’s largest tourist attraction.
After breakfast join our local guide for a fascinating walking tour of Oamaru with its Victorian Precinct built of Oamaru stone. Steampunk has grown rapidly over the past 10 years to make Oamaru the “capital of Steampunk” in the world. Free time to enjoy lunch. Continue onto Duntroon to visit the Vanished World Centre and learn about the
unique fossil history of this area.
After breakfast, board our train and travel through Dunedin, Gore and Balclutha before arriving in Invercargill, to enjoy one of the southernmost cities in the world.
This morning we will have an excursion to Bluff before a free afternoon to explore the city. Why not discover the world class vintage truck collection at Bill Richardson Transport World, or learn about the legend of speed - Burt Munro at E Hayes Motorworks. Or simply take a stroll through the botanical gardens.
Rejoin our train and travel to Balclutha where we will join our coach and have short visit into the Caitlin’s to Nugget Point lighthouse before continuing onto Dunedin for
a two night stay.
This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ including Signal Hill, the world’s steepest street, Botanical Gardens, University and the Forsyth Barr sports stadium. The afternoon is free. An optional tour to the
Dunedin Royal Albatross Centre is available this Afternoon
Optional Tour Royal Albatross Centre $60 per person
Albatrosses are the world’s largest seabirds. They normally breed on remote islands and spend at least 85 percent of their lives at sea, well away from land and human view. Dunedin’s Taiaroa Head is the only mainland Royal Albatross breeding colony in the world and is a great day out from Dunedin (group numbers are limited).
After breakfast we travel north to Oamaru and then inland alongside the Waitaki river passing through Duntroon, Kurow, the Benmore Dam, Omarama, the gliding Capital
of New Zealand before arriving at Mt Cook for our two night stay.
A day to participate in optional activities and / or simply enjoying the area at your leisure. The Sir Edmund Hilary Alpine Centre is included in your stay.
AVAILABLE ACTIVITIES
Indoor Stargazing Where science meets entertainment for an unrivalled 360 degree cinematic experience in New Zealand’s first full dome, digital Planetarium. Leave Earth, fly to the edge of our galaxy and far beyond to the reaches of our known universe.You will be given an introduction and orientation in the Planetarium, a guided tour through our solar system and beyond.
Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre Your Explorer pass will enable you to visit the centre which features a 3D movie theatre, planetarium and museum – valid for the duration of your stay. You’ll find the museum showcasing the history of the Mount Cook region through transport, climbing, and pioneer extraordinaire, Sir Edmund Hillary himself.
Mt Cook Day Walks For the more energetic walks are available, taking in some of the breath-taking views of the mountains and valleys. The Hooker Valley walk is the best.
We depart Mt Cook National Park after breakfast returning again past the azure waters of Lake Pukaki, through Tekapo, Fairlie and Geraldine across the
Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. Late afternoon flight home from Christchurch airport.
• Airfare Auckland – Christchurch return (other destinations please ask)
• Nine nights hotel accommodation
• Travel by exclusive private charter train
• Travel comfortable coaches with panoramic windows
• Cooked breakfast daily
• Three lunches, Seven dinners
• All sightseeing and entrance fees as specified
• Christchurch and Oamaru walking tours
• Dunedin city sights tour
• Catlins experience
• Pukekohe Travel escorts
Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland | Twin Share | Single |
---|---|---|
$4,197 | $5,146 |
*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 2% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment
• Cancellation insurance
• Items of a personal nature
• Items not specified
• A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is required to secure your place on the tour.
• Full payment is due not later than 24 June 2022
• Bookings made after 24 June 2022 – full payment at time of booking
• Deposit – non-refundable
• After full payment – non-refundable
• All cancellations are on a per person basis
• No refund can be made once the tour is underway.
We strongly recommend participants to take out suitable insurance to cover cancellation costs. Please ask for quote.
Covid-19 Vaccination
All travelers must be fully vaccinated and be able to provide a copy of the Ministry of Health Vaccine Record Card with proof of your full Covid-19
vaccination.
Covid-19 Tour Disruption
• If this tour is cancelled/postponed due to Covid-19 Government travel restrictions Pukekohe Travel reserves the right, in addition to any supplier imposed amendment and cancellation fees, to charge a service and administrative fee of $500 per person.
• If self-isolation requirements are imposed by the Ministry of Health whilst on tour, Pukekohe Travel accepts no liability for any additional costs incurred.
• Pukekohe Travel will assist in every way possible to ensure any additional travel arrangements required are made with the minimal amount of
disruption and in the most costeffective manner.
• You cannot begin or continue to travel if you have received a positive Covid-19 test in the last 14 days.
Temperatures Max Min
• Christchurch 12 3
• Invercargill 11 2
• Mt Cook 10 0
To ensure the tour is enjoyable for the whole group, a good standard of fitness is required and clients should be able to walk comfortably for at least 500 metres. Walking frames and wheelchairs are not practical or permitted.
For full terms and conditions please visit our website www.pukekohetravel.
co.nz/ termsandconditions or ask our tour consultant for a copy
Note:
Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change