6 Day Trains‚ Fiords & Glaciers – Economy Coach Tour
$1,879*
PER PERSON
Description
If you’ve heard of Planes, Trains and Automobiles then we have a new twist that involves Fiords, Glaciers, Planes (optional) Trains, Boats and Automobiles!
Taking off on your southern scenic fest from Christchurch on a coach to Dunedin you will cross over several snow fed rivers, passing notable towns of Timaru, white stone Oamaru, the Moeraki-big as cars- boulders and down the rugged coastline to arrive in Dunedin.
There is time to explore before boarding the Taieri Gorge train and then Coach to Exotic Queenstown for a wonderful cruise through the pristine waters of Milford Sound, and afterwards at your leisure, you can discover Queenstown’s many exciting attractions.
On leaving Queenstown you will be heading to the West Coast via Cromwell and Mt Aspiring National Park, with its many rivers, waterfalls and spectacular views, where you will arrive at the Glaciers. These are rivers of ice cascading out of the mountains and are frozen wonders to behold.
After you have had time to relax and revell in the West Coast you will board the famous Tranzalpine Express for Christchurch.
Now you can reflect on all you have seen and experienced while being treated to a thrilling journey of steep climbs, tunnels, valley floors and more to your final destination of pretty Christchurch.
Inclusions
- Transport
- 5 nights accommodation
- Transfers within journey
- Taieri Gorge Train Journey
- Milford Sound Cruise
- Skyline Gondola – Queenstown
- TranzAlpine Train Journey
- Franz Josef or Fox Glacier viewing
Other Information
Duration
- 6 Day(s) 5 nights
Departure
- Reporting time 7.30 am at the Intercity terminal, 118 Bealey Ave (between Colombo St and Durham St intersections). Departs at 8.00 am EVERY DAY.
Additional Nights – Available to any destination of your choosing. You can add an extra night for a competitive rate. If you would like to extend your tour, please advise your consultant when making your booking. We definitely recommend that you spend extra nights prior to and after your tour to explore the gateway destinations, as these provide many unique attractions worth going the extra mile for.
Flexible Itineraries
All our New Zealand coach tours can be adapted to your individual specifications. If a tour does not entirely suit you, we can provide a personalised coach touring holiday that fits you like a glove. All you need to do is let us know what you want to do, and we will organise it for you.
Transfers Included
Transfers are included between your accommodation and transport on the Tour. If you need to we can book your pre-tour arrangements or you can make your own way to the Tour departure location.
Daily Departures
The tours operate every day and use routine train, ferry and motor coach services. All hotel, motel accommodation, transportation and essential sightseeing are pre-arranged for you.
Are meals included on your Tours?
Hotel and Motel accommodation on the tour are not inclusive of meals. There are many local restaurants and cafe’s from which you can sample, for your dining pleasure. Breakfast options are available to you and these can be provided on enquiry with your consultant.
Is there a Tour Guide travelling with us on the trip?
As you will be travelling independently, on scheduled coach and rail services, this is an unescorted tour. Unless otherwise stated your tour drivers will provide commentary for you to enjoy while you relax in comfort.
Can you tell me the difference between Silver and Bronze accommodation.
With Silver accommodation your stay will be in selected hotels or motor inns that are centrally located. They have a selection of bars and restaurants for your perusal, and deluxe rooms with the facilities expected of superior accommodation. With Bronze accommodation your stay will be in motels or hotels centrally located at your destination. Some of the motel accommodation will provide kitchen facilities, TV, radio etc.
Do I have to carry my own bags or will somebody do it for me?
With Gold and Silver hotels accommodation a porter will be able to assist you with your bags. Bronze accommodation does not have porters, but should you need assistance your driver will be happy to help.
I am travelling alone but I do not want to pay the single room supplement. Can you find me a roommate?
Regrettably we are unable to match you up with another traveller as the occurrence of another person travelling on the same tour with the same dates and class as you is extremely unlikely.
Where do your tours depart from?
The Auckland coaches depart from the Intercity terminal, at Sky City , Hobson Street . Auckland trains depart from the Britomart railway station. The Christchurch coaches depart from the Intercity Terminal at 118 Bealey Ave (between Colombo St and Durham St intersections). Christchurch trains depart from the Addington railway station at Clarence Street in Riccarton.
Christchurch - Dunedin - Dunedin - Taieri Gorge - Queenstown - Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown - In Queenstown - Queenstown - Glaciers - Glaciers - Christchurch
Christchurch - Dunedin
Leaving Christchurch on your Intercity Coach, sit back and enjoy the scenery as you cruise through to South Canterbury, passing over some spectacular snow-fed rivers – the Rakaia, Rangitata and Waitaki, to name a few. Long, flat Ashburton glides past, as does Temuka, home of famous pottery, Timaru on the shores of Caroline Bay and the white stone buildings of Oamaru. Then down the rugged Otago coastline passing Palmerston and Moeraki, final resting place of some incredible boulders – giant rocks the size of cars, and as symmetrical as pearls.
The Kilmog Hills are the next major landmark before you sight Waitati inlet and follow Port Chalmers into the Edinburgh of the South – Dunedin.
The afternoon is at your leisure to explore this city, which features Victorian and Edwardian spires and towers, neo-Gothic buildings and stately homes. Perhaps visit Speights Brewery for a tour through a working brewery. Cadbury Chocolate World offers a fascinating and fun filled guided Chocolate Factory tour. You may choose to visit Olveston House, a modern masterpiece of the Edwardian Era, this 35 room mansion was offered as a gift to the city of Dunedin in 1966.
The city is also renowned for its proximity to incredible wildlife. The Otago Peninsula, a brief drive from the city centre, is home to a colony of the world’s rarest penguins, the only mainland breeding colony of the royal albatross, rare New Zealand sea lions and the magnificent Larnach Castle. Dunedin is also known for such tourist attractions as the Taieri Gorge Railway, recognised as one of the world’s great train journeys.
Dunedin - Taieri Gorge - Queenstown
Leave Dunedin on the famous Taieri Gorge Train, and travel across the city, plains and forested hills to the wonders of the Taieri Gorge. See Victorian stonework on tunnels and bridges, as well as lofty iron latticework viaducts spanning deep ravines.
As you arrive in Queenstown in the evening and there are limited stops between Pukerangi and Cromwell, you may like to take advantage of the refreshment options on board the train.
After arriving at Pukerangi you join your coach for the journey across the Taieri Plains, beneath the Rock and Pillar Ranges, to Middlemarch, and then follow the “Pig Route” to Ranfurly and Clyde.
Follow the shores of Lake Dunstan and through a major fruit growing area to Cromwell, before the rocky and formidable Kawerau Gorge brings you in to Queenstown.
Queenstown - Milford Sound - Queenstown
In the morning you will board your Great Sights coach to Milford Sound.
Journey along the edge of Lake Wakatipu, through Kingston and Mossburn in to Te Anau, through the Eglinton Valley to the Mirror Lakes, before following the “Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain”, past Cascade Creek and Lake Gunn and on to The Divide. Proceed through the Hollyford Valley to the Homer Tunnel, a man-made tunnel cut out of the rock wall, to emerge into the Cleddau Valley, and on to Milford Sound.
Join your Milford Sound Cruise to explore the wonder of this majestic fiord while your buffet lunch is served on board. Cruise past Mitre Peak one of the highest mountains in the world which rises directly from the ocean floor. View Stirling and Bowen Falls as your cruise takes you out to the mouth of the Pacific Ocean, passing the lonely lighthouse at the mouth of the sound. Spot seals and watch out for dolphins who surf the bow wave of the boat.
After your cruise, re-board your coach to enjoy the scenery as you return to Queenstown.
Please note: An optional scenic return flight to Queenstown is available. Let the coach driver on the day of your trip, help you with this should you wish to take this option.
A Skyline Gondola ride is included in your tour package – you can take this any time during your stay in Queenstown.
In Queenstown
Today is completely at your leisure in this alpine playground – we have included the Skyline gondola in your tour. There are dozens of optional activities as well, from thrilling jet boat rides to leisurely lake cruises, 4WD safaris, bungy jumping.
Queenstown - Glaciers
Leaving Queenstown on your Intercity Coach, we follow the Frankton arm to the source of the Kawarau River. Here the road twists and coils its way through the formidable Kawarau gorge, until its union with the Clutha River at Cromwell.
From Cromwell you turn north along the Clutha river valley, passing Queensbury and Luggate before reaching beautiful Lake Wanaka. Now the road crosses to the scorched flanks of Lake Hawea before returning to the eastern shores of Lake Wanaka and on into the thick beech forests around Makarora.
This is the heart of Mt Aspiring National Park and you climb up to the Gates of Haast with spectacular views of Mt Brewster and the many rivers and waterfalls of this rocky terrain. The ancient greenstone trail then drops down to Pleasant Flat and Haast town ship.
The drive takes you along the rugged and wild west coast, crossing the Karangarua and Cook rivers, and passing tranquil Lakes Paringa and Moeraki, where the graceful white heron is often seen. Magnificent Mt Tasman imposes to your right as you enter glacier country, where massive blocks of ice sweep kilometres down the valleys in their slow motion journey to the sea.
In the afternoon a shuttle will take you to the viewing platform where there are wonderful views of the glacier.
You can choose to overnight in Fox or Franz Joseph Glacier
Glaciers - Christchurch
Glaciers to Greymouth
Leaving the Glaciers behind the dense rain forests line the road as we travel north along the narrow coastal plain between the mountains and the sea. Picturesque lakes nestled in the bush lead to more open farmland north of Hari Hari and Ross.
Hokitika was once a seaport and a city based on gold mining. Then we cross the Arahura River, the main source of New Zealand’s Greenstone (Nephrite Jade) before arriving in Greymouth.
The TranzAlpine
Leaving Greymouth we travel through the Otira tunnel to emerge at Arthurs Pass, the base for the National Park of the same name. We follow the Waimakariri river down to Cass and then travel through the Craigeburn State Forest park to rejoin the river and then on to Springfield The sheep and grain growing country of the Canterbury Plains is soon crossed to our destination, Christchurch.
| Bronze Accommodation | Silver Accommodation | Gold Accommodation | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single | NZ $2,589.00 | NZ $2,919.00 | NZ $3,219.00 |
| Twin Share | NZ $1,879.00 | NZ $2,089.00 | NZ $2,259.00 |
