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Itineraries |
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 Day
1: Auckland to Wellington
Depart: 7.25am - Arrive: 7.25pm
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 a stop at Tongariro National Park.
From Tongariro National Park you
pass Mt Ruapehu the home of the North Island skifields of Whakapapa
and Turoa, the ski town of Ohakune before descending through stunning river gorges to
the rolling farming landscape of the Palmerston North region to
Wellington - the Harbour Capital for an overnight stay in New
Zealand's capital city.
Day 2: Wellington
A free day to enjoy the many attractions that this boutique city has
to offer.
Day 3: Wellington to Christchurch
Depart: 8.25am - Arrive: 6.25pm
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 theatres, 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 harbour where you will
have time to experience this charming small town.
From Picton, you board The TranzCoastal train travelling 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. From Kaikoura you
travel south following the stunning coastline and the northern
Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of
Christchurch.
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. |
