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Itineraries |
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 Day
1: Auckland to National Park
Depart: 7.25am - Arrive: 12:50pm
This morning you board the Overlander train at Auckland and head
south passing through the farming landscape of the Waikato region to
the rugged bush country ascending to the Volcanic Plateau via the
famous Raurimu Spiral, passing the the Volcano's of Mt Ngauruhoe and
Mt Tongariro for your destination at National Park. In the summer
you will find every thing you need to get out and enjoy the
Tongariro and Whanganui National Park from hiking, biking and
kayaking. In the winter National Park Village is the ideal base to
Ski Whakapapa Ski field on Mt Ruapehu.
Day 2: National Park to Wellington
Depart: 1.35pm - Arrive: 7.25pm
The next morning board the Overlander train at National Park
Station. From National Park you pass Mt Ruapehu before descending
through stunning river gorges of the central North Island to the
rolling farming landscape of the Palmerston North region to
Wellington - the Harbour Capital for a 2 night stay in New Zealand's
capital city.
Day 3: Wellington
A free day to enjoy the many attractions that this boutique city has
to offer.
Day 4: Wellington to Kaikoura
Depart: 8.25am - Arrive: 3.20pm
From Wellington you board an Interislander ferry for a daytime
sailing from Wellington, with it's picturesque harbour, crossing
Cook Strait before entering the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. The
3 hour (92 kilometers) ferry journey is aboard the ferry “Kaitaki',
a modern ship with a range of on board facilities from eateries, a
shop, two movie theaters, a games arcade, a large bar with live
entertainment, numerous passenger lounges, 3 open air decks and a
friendly on board crew to assist you. Your Interislander journey
ends at Picton located in a sheltered marine harbor where you will
have time to experience this charming small town. From Picton you
board The TranzCoastal train traveling South along the eastern coast
of the South Island, passing through the local Marlborough
vineyards, Lake Grassmere Salt Ponds and stopping at Kaikoura -
famous for viewing whales and dolphins.
Day 5: Kaikoura to Christchurch
Depart: 3.28pm - Arrive: 6.20pm
The next day you board the TranzCoastal Train at Kaikoura Station to
travel south following the stunning coastline before heading inland
through the Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of
Christchurch.
Day 6: Christchurch
A free day to explore the many attractions that Christchurch has to
offer.
Day 7: Christchurch to Greymouth Day Excursion
Depart: 8.15am - Return: 6.05pm
Today travel between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of
New Zealand to the other and return. From your carriage you'll see
the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the
spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River, as
you ascend through the Southern Alps to the alpine village of
Arthurs Pass. From Arthurs you descending through the Otira Tunnel
to the lush beech rain forests to the West Coast to Greymouth. After
a hour stopover in Greymouth, The TranzAlpine train departs
Greymouth heading east heading east to the Southern Alps ascending
up through the Otira Tunnel to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass
slowly descending to the Canterbury through river valleys of the
Waimakariri River, crossing the Canterbury Plains to
Christchurch.
Or
Christchurch to Greymouth
Depart: 8.15am - Arrive: 12.45pm
Today travel between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of
New Zealand to the other and return. From your carriage you'll see
the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the
spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River, as
you ascend through the Southern Alps to the alpine village of
Arthurs Pass. From Arthurs you descending through the Otira Tunnel
to the lush beech rain forests to the West Coast to
Greymouth. – a
great base for visits to
Punakaiki and the always popular glaciers. From
Greymouth you can head south to the the Glaciers for 1 or 2 night
stopover in the townships of
Franz Josef or
Fox Glacier and onto
Wanaka and
Queenstown or north to
Westport through the Buller Gorge
to
Nelson.
The Auckland to Wellington train service operates Friday, Saturday and Sunday
from 01 May 2010 to 19 September 2010, Daily from 24 September 2010
to 03 May 2010 and Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 6 May 2011 to 30
September 2011.
Train services does not operate on Christmas Day - 25 December.
Please note - You must purchase a Scenic Rail Pass before you can make
any travel travel sector reservations/s.
You can add to your Scenic Rail Pass travel, a range of
'Hop On/Hop Off' Bus/Coach Passes
or purchase
Bus/Coach tickets,
for any onward travel
with fares starting from NZ$1.00.
There are a range of optional independent touring travel packages
from
Christchurch to Queenstown, ranging from 3 days to 7 days, if you wish to continue
your journey to Queenstown via the West coast of the South Island or
via Dunedin. |
