This site is used only for full details of
NEW ZEALAND SCENIC TOUR
for our main website go to www.eastern-taranaki.co.nz
NEXT TOUR 20th-28th April 2020
Deposit ($1,000.00pp) required by 13th December 2019, balance April 2020
See details below:
Price: $2,600.00 per person - 9 days/8 nights - Otorohanga to Queenstown and flight home
Price depends on ticket price deals and deadlines met etc
Price includes all train and ferry tickets, 8 nights accommodation in at least 3+-4 star motels, breakfast each morning for first 6 mornings (breakfast not included in Queenstown), all road transport as discribed and flight to either Auckland or New Plymouth.
Does not include lunches or dinners and the side trips outlined.
TRAIN – FERRY – ROAD JOURNEY AUCKLAND TO QUEENSTOWN
Day 1 Taranaki to Otorohanga then to Wellington - note it is possible to start in Auckland or Hamilton
Depart 7:00am Taranaki to Otorohanga by van to meet the train at 10:55am.
You are welcome to BYO your own lunch or purchase on train (all food and drinks can be delivered to your seat). Every seat has either a table (per 4) or a pull down tray. From the train station a shuttle will be arranged to take us to our accommodation to a 4 star city hotel. Restaurants are within a few minutes’ walk from hotel.
Day 2 Wellington to Picton
Our city hotel will be providing a continental breakfast delivered to each room, please have this by 7:30am. A shuttle will be arranged at 7:40am to transfer us to the Wellington Ferry Terminal. Ferry departure is at 8:20am – arrival to Picton is 12:30am. Once we have checked into our motel you will have a free afternoon.
There is a wine tour running from 1-5:45pm for around $75.00 per person; pick up and drop off is at the motel.
A boat nature tour of the sounds is available @$110.00pp; this includes 1.5 hours on an island. This tour has been very enjoyable with past groups. You will also have the following morning free until about 12 noon. Our accommodation tonight is in a 4 star motel in Picton.
Day 3 Picton to Christchurch
After your relaxed morning we board the Coastal Pacific train journey from Picton to Christchurch. Departure is 1:15pm with arrival at Christchurch Station at 6:30pm. A shuttle will be arranged to take us to our accommodation – once there we can decide on dining.
Day 4 Free day in Christchurch - options include Antartic Centre, Punting on the Avon, Christchurch museum etc
Day 5 Christchurch to Greymouth
Motel owners will transport us to the Christchurch Train Station albeit will have to make 2 or 3 trips to do so, first trip will be approx 7:20am. Our train journey today is the TranzAlpine departing at 8:15am and arriving in Greymouth 12:45pm. A 12 seater van will be waiting for the group at the station. Once booked into our accommodation we will take visit the Punakaiki area(Pancake Rocks) a 45km each way drive – this trip is optional and complimentary; you may wish to undertake an activity in Greymouth e.g. Montieth’s Brewery etc.
Day 6 Greymouth to Fox Glacier
Today we head south in our rental van. Group can choose between Shantytown or Tree Top Walk near Hokitika (unfortunately it is whole group to either place, split is not possible).
There is a 2 hour guided tour to Fox Glacier if anyone is interested approx. $70.00pp, this needs to be booked prior to arriving. This tour is easy going with just over one hour, easy grade walking involved; it doesn’t go onto the glacier itself but right up to it. Tonight stay is in the Fox Glacier area, another free option, for this afternoon, is to walk around Lake Matheson 4.5km easy grade walk. Possible for group to split to do either of these options.
Day 7 Fox Glacier to Queenstown
Our biggest road trip day leaving by 9am we will head down through West Coast Forest areas to Haast then past Lake Wanaka and Lake Hawea to Wanaka. Several refreshment stops will be had on the way before heading down through Cardrona and finally Queenstown.
Day 8 Free Day in Queenstown
There is many options i.e. Gondola ride, Earnslaw Boat that can include a BBQ at Walter Peak Station. Own cost for activities van can be used for drop off locations however may not be always available for return trips so own cost for taxi etc may be necessary. We are happy to prebook any Earnslaw tours - other option that needs to be booked is dinner in the Gondola building at the top of the hill.
Van can be taken to Coronet Peak for views if road conditions allow (complimentary)
Day 9 Queenstown to New Plymouth or Auckland
Recommend we spend 1.5-2 hours at Arrowtown before travelling to airport for flights - Arrowtown is amazing at this time of the year and a "must see"
Van needs to be returned to airport by 11am for flights to New Plymouth or Auckland
info@eastern-taranaki.nz - to request PDF file or make enqueries etc
Labour Weekend 2020 - 24th-27th October 2020
ALL ABOARD for the ultimate RIDIN' THE RAILS TOUR.
Do you like train travel? Do you like someone to book and organise all the connections for you?
If you answer yes to both questions register your interest for this,fully hosted, Labour Weekend (25th-28th October 2019) tour.
24th October - depart Taranaki and be transported (by road) to Otorohanga to join the Northern Explorer Train to Wellington. - night stay Wellington
25th October - Interislander Ferry then after a stroll around Picton board the Coastal Pacific Train to Christchurch for a 2 night stay
27th October - Tranzalpine Train to Greymouth and then return to Christchurch on the returning Tranzalpine journey.
28th October - Visit the amazing International Antarctic Centre before your flight back to Taranaki or Auckland.
At the Antarctic Centre you experience the Storm Room, Buckle up and hold on for your ride in a real Hagglund, 4D Theatre and Live Penquins.
Mountains will still have a lot of snow for great photos.
Price $1800.00pp for all train tickets, flight, travel to Otorohanga and all shuttles from/to stations as required, entry into Antarctic Centre, 3 nights accommodation in 4 star motels with breakfast each morning on twin/double share basis. 50% deposit payable in July 2020 with balance in October 2020.
Lunches and dinners not included.
Please note if you would like to join this tour in Wellington and avoid day 1. Also possible to change where you fly to e.g. Auckland or Wellington etc. Price can be modified to suit changes ALL ABOARD for the ultimate RIDIN' THE RAILS TOUR.
All above 4 photos taken by Carol Digby on previous tours
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