Springtime provides a stunning panorama of magnificent southern mountain scenery, meandering rivers and coastal plains.Experience the scenic south in style travelling by exclusive charter train. We take the time to explore the City of Christchurch and the Akaroa Peninsula before we travel on the TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Greymouth and return. We continue by train South to Oamaru, Dunedin and Invercargill with surprises along the way. Our tour is planned at a leisurely pace with frequent two night stops and our tour escort ensures your 12 day tour is relaxing, fun and hassle free
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
Transfer to the airport for return flights to Auckland or other destinations (please ask)
• Airfare seat and bag - Auckland - Wellington // Christchurch Auckland (other destinations please ask)
• 12 nights hotel accommodation
• Travel by Exclusive Charter Train Christchurch to Invercargill
• Coastal Pacific Train included
• Trans Alpine Train – return included
• Cooked breakfasts daily
• Seven lunches and 10 dinners
• All sightseeing and entrance fees as specified
• Commentaries provided by your drivers and guides
• Comfortable air-conditioned coaches with panoramic windows
• All gratuities are included
• Oamaru guided walking Tour
• Dunedin City Sights Tour
• Akaroa Experience Day Tour
• Morning Tour to Bluff
• Vanished World Tour in Duntroon
Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland | Twin Share | Single |
---|---|---|
$5, 995 | $6, 795 |
*This is a cash or direct credit 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
•Travel insurance – please ask us for a quote
•Items of a personal nature
• A non-refundable deposit of $500 pe person will secure a place on the tour
• FULL PAYMENT is due no later than 2 July 2022
• Bookings made after 22 July 2022 must be paid in full at time of booking
• Deposit – non refundable
• After 22 July 2022 – the tour is non refundable
We strongly advise all participants to take out suitable travel insurance to cover cancellation costs. Please ask us for a quote.
The options below proved popular with our previous groups. They attract a
separate charge and can be included at time of final payment (see booking form)
Tuesday 13 Blue Penguin Colony visit (Oamaru) $32 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.
Sunday 18 September Royal Albatross Centre ( Dunedin) $52 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).
Walking tours are an important part of the itinerary and a good standard of health is required with the ability to walk on uneven surfaces and negotiate stairs. Walking frames and not practical or permitted.
• 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 restrictions 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 cost-effective manner.
• You cannot begin or continue to travel if you have received a positive Covid-19 test in the last 7 days
• 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