12-day tour from Blenheim

Tour Includes:

A journey of a lifetime from Blenheim via Kaikoura, Christchurch, Aoraki/Mt Cook, Dunedin, Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown & Franz Josef, before the home stretch to Christchurch via Arthur’s Pass, using a combination of Train & Luxury Coach.

Accommodation of at least 4-star rated properties.

Attractions that are included: • Visit to The Store, Kekerengu • Private tram charter, Christchurch • International Antarctic Centre • Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre at Aoraki/Mt Cook • Celebrity guest speaker, Peter Hillary • Taieri Gorge Train Trip • Takahe Sanctuary • Milford Sound Day Trip & Cruise • Arrowtown Lakes District Museum • Kingston Flyer ride • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw • Walter Peak Homestead • Franz Josef Hot Pools • TranzAlpine Rail Journey • Private Train Charter.

Heritage rail highlights: From Marlborough to Kaikoura, you will be hauled under a full head of steam by the historic WW1 memorial steam locomotive Ab608 Passchendaele, named in honour of our fallen soldiers at The Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. South of Kaikoura, your rail journey continues with two magnificent heritage 1950’s DA locomotives in an impressive & powerful double-header formation.  In Dunedin, journey by rail over white water rapids, towering viaducts and historic tunnels along the remote Taieri Gorge. Further in the tour, a return journey between Kingston & Fairlight on the iconic Kingston Flyer steam train will the icing on the cake for our rail fans.

Meal inclusions: • 11 cooked breakfasts • 9 sumptuous dinners • Gourmet BBQ lunch at Walter Peak Homestead

Other included lunches: Kekerengu, Kaikoura, Christchurch, Oamaru, Invercargill, Milford Sounds (other lunches on your own)

Package includes 2x complimentary beverage vouchers to be enjoyed on board each train day.

A fleet of luxury coaches will escort the train throughout the journey, providing seamless transfers to your accommodation and excursions.

You will be accompanied by experienced Tour Leaders who are there to guide and assist you throughout your journey.

Tour Itinerary

Your journey begins at Blenheim Railway Station and we introduce you to the historic WW1 memorial steam locomotive Ab608 Passchendale, (named in honour of our fallen soldiers at The Battle of Passchendale in 1917). It is "all aboard" and onward South via the Dashwood Pass and Awatere Valley. We steam ahead for Kekerengu where we disembark for lunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean at "The Store". After taking on water for the steam train we pull away for the spectacular coastal journey to Kaikoura.

A morning visit to explore modern day Antarctica at the International Antarctic Centre and experience a taste of this unique and breath-taking continent - just like the explorers before you. After departing from Christchurch by train to Oamaru, luxury coaches then provide the link inland to Aoraki/Mt Cook, the tallest mountain in New Zealand, which helped Sir Edmund Hillary to develop his climbing skills in preparation for the conquest of Everest. Recognised as part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, the National Park is a breath-taking environment of glaciers, terminal lakes, turbulent rivers and Australasia’s tallest peak, the mighty Aoraki / Mt Cook soaring above at 3,724 metres. There is the option after dinner to enjoy star-gazing at the Planetarium, digitally immersed in what has been voted the world’s largest “International Dark Sky Reserve”.

Enjoy a leisurely morning and then a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, which is a tribute to New Zealand’s global icon as well as discovering New Zealand’s colourful transport, climbing and hotel history. Followed by a scenic drive through the National Park surrounded by the silent splendour of the Southern Alps. Afternoon optional activities include a glacier helicopter tour or a scenic flight with expert pilots navigating their way over a glacial lake, passing soaring mountain tops over NZ’s longest glacier - the 600 metre thick, Tasman Glacier. Dinner that evening is with celebrity guest speaker, Peter Hillary, son of Sir Edmund Hillary.

Departing from Aoraki / Mt Cook, we journey back to the coastal route via Omarama and Pukaki to meet the train in Oamaru and continue south by rail to Dunedin.

In the morning, we explore the remote Taieri Gorge by rail and be amazed by the magnificent stone and wrought iron viaducts and bridges, with sheer drops plunging down to the river gorge far below. Various tunnels guide you to the historic Wingatui Viaduct, a marvel of 1880s construction that remains the largest wrought iron structure in New Zealand.

Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula, Larnach Castle is one of New Zealand’s premier visitor attractions. Lovingly restored by the Barker Family, the Castle and surrounding grounds are at the heart of the Dunedin visitor experience. Arrive in time for refreshing high tea in the Ballroom Café followed by a guided garden tour.

We bid farewell to Dunedin by train and head towards the southern-most point of the main trunk line. We initially hug the coast, the train winds its way inland towards the town of Gore, and then southwards to Invercargill. Luxury coaches provide the link inland, traversing the Southern Scenic Route from Invercargill to the Fiordland National Park district, where we spend a couple of awe-inspiring days experiencing the wonders of Te Anau and Milford Sound.

Traveling along the Milford Road (between Te Anau and Milford) is one of the finest alpine drives in the world. The scenery is exceptional, ranging from broad grassy flats, dense rainforest and towering mountains through to glacial lakes and alpine herb fields. A day tour to Milford Sound offers some of the most spectacular natural scenery to be viewed anywhere in the world. Board the coach and travel through stunning scenery along the Milford Road and into Fiordland, where your cruise boat awaits you. The tour includes a cruise around the fiord so you can experience its wonders up close and see landmarks like Mitre Peak and amazing wildlife, such as dolphins and seals. Cruise the inner most reaches of Milford Sound to the open Tasman Sea and back. A one-day itinerary is enough to see all the beautiful views along the way, take a scenic cruise around the fiord, and get back to Te Anau in time for dinner.

Wake up to enjoy a visit to the Takahe Bird Sanctuary. Takahe are the stars of the show and meeting these prehistoric-looking characters is a ‘must do’ for Fiordland visitors. The sanctuary is a large part of the success of the Takahe Recovery Programme. Continuing to the village of Kingston nestled on southernmost end of Lake Wakatipu, is the iconic Kingston Flyer Steam Train, taking you on a memorable journey between Kingston & Fairlight. The adventure playground of Queenstown then awaits. Cap off a special day as we take in The Remarkables Mountain Range and lake views from the hotel.

Wake up to join a lake cruise on board the historic TSS Earnslaw, the 1912 Edwardian steamboat, which takes us across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet BBQ lunch. Enjoy an afternoon visit to the historic and picturesque goldmining town, Arrowtown, with a visit to the Lakes District Museum.

Leaving Queenstown, we pass by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Dunstan, Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea. Continuing through Makaroa on the boarder of Mount Apsiring World Heritage Park, we will travel through the Haast Pass, journeying through native beech forest and over the Southern Alps, before emerging on the West Coast. This remote area has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. Our last night is spent at Franz Josef and all guests are encouraged to wind down and enjoy some well-deserved pampering at the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools.

The final day and before departing Franz Josef - options are available for helicopter tours of the glacier. Then, the TranzAlpine awaits. Often regarded to be one of the world’s great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes. The journey is 223 kilometres in one direction, taking almost five hours. Along this journey you will see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest - the journey of a lifetime. 

Tour ends in Christchurch.

There is the option for post-tour accomodation at the Commodore Hotel.