The Ultimate Train Journey

Thursday 08 September

Today we fly south to Wellington arriving early afternoon. After checking into our
central hotel there will be time to relax and enjoy the city waterfront before a welcome dinner

Friday 09 September

After breakfast, enjoy a Wellington city tour including the Botanical Gardens and Mt
Victoria before crossing Cook Strait by ferry to Picton. On arrival, travel by coach and check into our centrally-located hotel in Blenheim

Saturday 10 September

After breakfast, we include the Omaka Aviation Museum before a local vineyard lunch. We join the Coastal Pacific Train for a leisurely journey to Christchurch. This special section of picturesque coastline railway line has recently opened following the 2016 earthquake and the opportunity to see the progress as you pass through Kaikoura, will create a lot of interest. Continue inland through the hill country of North Canterbury to Christchurch, arriving at our inner city hotel in the evening for a two night stay. 

Sunday 11 September

Depart by coach for a tour of the Banks Peninsula. The drive has spectacular views
overlooking bays and beaches before arriving in Akaroa with time to enjoy the history, harbour and French character. We return to Christchurch and the afternoon is free for you to enjoy the city. 

Monday 12 September

Today board the Tranz Alpine train to traverse the spectacular Southern Alps to the West Coast. Cross the Canterbury Plains through Darfield and climb the
mountain range including a stop at Arthurs Pass. Our descent takes us through Otira and the renowned rain forests and wetlands to Greymouth. After some time to explore this West Coast town rejoin the train for your return journey to Christchurch.

Tuesday 13 September

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)
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. 

Wednesday 14 September

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 then travel onto Duntroon to visit the Vanished World Centre and learn about the unique fossil history of this area.

Thursday 15 September

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.

Friday 16 September

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.

Saturday 17 September

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.

Sunday 18 September

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
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).

Monday 19 September

After breakfast we head north along the coastal rail route through Palmerston, Oamaru, Timaru and the plains via Ashburton to return to Christchurch and say farewell to our charter train. Enjoy a farewell Dinner tonight to end our wonderful southern rail experience.

Tuesday 20 September

Transfer to the airport for return flights to Auckland or other destinations (please ask)