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NEW ZEALAND
New Zealand Grand Rail Discovery
Detailed Tour Itinerary
Inclusions
Departure Dates
More Tours



The cruise and/or tour map shown is provided as a guide only.
The actual route of the cruise or tour may vary.
Tour Summary
Tour name: New Zealand Grand Rail Discovery
Tour code: EZGT  
Days: 18  
Overview:

  
Tour Itinerary
Day 1Arrive Auckland
“Haere Mai” (welcome) to New Zealand! You will be met upon arrival and transferred* to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure, before meeting your Evergreen Tours’ Tour director and travelling companions for a reception and welcome drink.
Two Night Stay: Auckland 
Day 2Auckland Sightseeing (B)
This morning enjoy a tour of the city including the Domain, Viaduct Harbour, Auckland Museum, Parnell and Devonport. This afternoon is at leisure or you may choose to pre-purchase one of the extra sightseeing activities to enhance your Auckland experience.
Day 3Kauri Museum – Treaty House – Bay of Islands (B,D)
Journey north to view the imposing Kauri Tree before continuing on to the Kauri Pioneer Museum. Arrive at the Bay of Islands for a guided tour, then visit the historic Waitangi Treaty Grounds, home to New Zealand’s founding document as a nation.
Two Night Stay: Bay of Islands
Day 4Bay of Islands at leisure (B)
Today is free to relax or to explore this picturesque and historical area at your own pace. You may choose to pre-purchase one of the extra sightseeing activities.  This evening is at leisure and there is an opportunity to enjoy a Culture North Night Show.
Day 5“Hole in the Rock Cruise” – Auckland (B)
This morning cruise through the scenic waters of the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett Lighthouse and through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’ (weather permitting). Rejoin the coach and enjoy the scenic return journey to Auckland.
Overnight Stay: Auckland
Day 6Goldfields Railway – Rainbow Springs & Kiwi Encounter (B)
Journey to the top of Mt Eden, Auckland’s highest extinct volcano, then head southward to Goldfields Railway. This vintage train will carry you through the upper reaches of the stunning Karangahake Gorge. Arrive in Rotorua, the heartland of New Zealand’s Maori culture. Visit Rainbow Springs Nature Park, a native wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout, and Kiwi Encounter, dedicated to the conservation of the National Kiwi bird.
Two Night Stay: Rotorua
Day 7Gondola – Thermal Reserve – Maori Hangi (HB,HD)
Enjoy a Gondola ride up to Skyline Restaurant for breakfast. After breakfast continue on to the Agrodome for an entertaining show of sheep shearing and farm dog trials. At the Te Puia Thermal Valley, Maori Arts and Craft Institute see bubbling mud pools and thermal geysers. This afternoon is at leisure. Tonight we journey out to Tamaki Maori Village where you will be entertained at a traditional Maori cultural performance followed by a Hangi feast.
Day 8Overlander Train - Raurimu Spiral - Wellington (B)
Journey to Taumaranui and board the Overlander for a magnificent afternoon’s journey up the famous Raurimu Spiral and onto New Zealand’s awesome volcanic plateau. After the ‘drop’, the route becomes green and lush again. See the dramatic white cliffs and viaducts of the Rangitekei River and closer to Wellington, view Kapiti Island.
Overnight Stay: Wellington
Day 9Marlborough Sounds – TranzCoastal Train – Christchurch (B,D)
Cruise through the picturesque Marlborough and Queen Charlotte Sounds to the south island. On arrival in Picton board the TranzCoastal train for one of New Zealand’s most spectacular coastal journeys! Hugging the Kaikoura Coast, the train passes scenic vineyards, salt mountains and river valleys.
Overnight Stay: Christchurch
Day 10TranzAlpine Rail – Jade Factory – Franz Josef & Fox Glacier (B,D)
Today’s touring takes you for an unforgettable rail journey through the Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine rated as one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world.  From your carriage see the fields and farmlands of the Canterbury Plains and follow the gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River into the Southern Alps.  Disembark at Arthurs Pass and continue on to Hokitika to see skilled craftsmen carving Pounamo (Jade). Its then on to view the awesome Franz Josef Glacier.
Overnight Stay: Fox Glacier

Opportunity to experience a scenic helicopter flight with snow landing.  Weather permitting and at own expense.
Day 11Arrowtown – Queenstown (B,D)
Travel to Haast Pass, view the spectacular Thunder Creek Falls and travel to the small mountain town of Wanaka. Visit popular Arrowtown, a quaint and historic gold mining town, previously one of the  richest rivers in the world. Continue on to picturesque Queenstown and your hotel overlooking beautiful Lake Wakatipu.
Two Night Stay: Queenstown
Day 12Queenstown at leisure (B,HD)
Today is free to explore at your own pace. Your Tour Director will assist with suggestions. Late this afternoon cruise Lake Wakatipu on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Enjoy wine tasting and highlight dinner at Walter Peak High Country Station followed by a farm tour
Day 13Milford Sound Cruise (B,D)
Today travel through the breathtaking Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound, where you will experience an unforgettable cruise. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak. Return to the lakeside town of Te Anau.
Overnight Stay: Te Anau
Day 14Larnach Castle - Taieri Gorge Rail - Dunedin (B,D)
Journey to Dunedin, a university city of Scottish heritage and New Zealand’s oldest city, and onto the Otago Peninsula for a visit to Larnach Castle. Experience a guided tour of the castle with its tragic and fascinating history. This afternoon join the Taieri Gorge for a scenic rail journey through Central Otago.
Overnight Stay:Dunedin

Dunedin Homestay Option: Stay with a local family overnight, included in tour price. Must be pre-booked.
Day 15Moeraki Boulders – Omarama (B,D)
This morning we will take a spectacular train journey from the historic Railway Station in Dunedin on the Seasider train. The seasider travels high on the cliffs of coastal Otago giving you stunning views of the sea and is one of the "must do" train trips in New Zealand. Take in picturesque West Harbout suburbs, Otago Harbour rail causeway, Mihiwaka Tunnel and spectacular cliff-top coastal scenery before reaching Palmerston. Our coach meets us in Palmerston where we continue on to the intriguing Moeraki Boulders, before following the Waitaki River to Omarama.
Overnight Stay: Omarama
Day 16Mt Cook - Lake Tekapo - Christchurch (B,HD)
Pass picturesque Lake Pukaki, then stop and view Mt Cook (weather permitting). Continue on to visit Lake Tekapo and the Church of the Good Shepherd, and then on to Christchurch, the Garden City, for a sightseeing tour. Tonight enjoy a special highlight farewell dinner.
Two Night Stay:  Christchurch
Day 17Christchurch Historic Tram (B)
Today is free to enjoy this beautiful city at your own pace on the Christchurch historic tram. This beautifully restored heritage tram follows an inner city route providing an entertaining and informative tour of the most interesting and historic city sights. Choose to hop on and off as you like, to explore the city further.
Day 18Depart Christchurch (B)
After breakfast transfer* to the airport for your flight home. (Flight at own expense, please pre-book with Travel Agent). It’s “haere ra” (goodbye) to New Zealand.

*Check transfer entitlements with your travel agent. For passengers who have already received documentation -  refer to your booking summary.
Tour itinerary is valid from 01/06/2009 to 31/05/2010 and is subject to change. Enquire for itinerary details that fall outside of these dates. If you have booked on a tour please refer to the itinerary provided in your tour documentation or on Tour Personaliser for any changes that have been made.


Evergreen Tours (a division of Scenic Tours Pty Ltd)
Lic No 2TA 002 633