9 TRAVEL DAYS - AUCKLAND TO CHRISTCHURCH
This travel itinerary would suit a 14 to 30 day stay in New Zealand.
Travel Day 1: Auckland to Paihia (Day Excursion)
By Scenic Coach - Depart: 7.30am - Return: 8.10pm
Travel north to Paihia in the beautiful Bay of Islands on a comfortable and air conditioned deluxe coach that has reclining seats with head rests and panoramic windows and enjoy the informative commentary by your friendly driver, as you cross iconic Auckland's Harbour Bridge and New Zealand's spectacular scenery of rural countryside and sub-tropical bush as you approach the Bay of Islands.
After arriving in Paihia, you'll board the Dolphin Seeker, a purpose built catamaran licensed by the Department of Conservation for dolphin and whale viewing. Enjoy the large outdoor viewing decks as we cruise past the islands of the Bay. Keep a look out for common and bottlenose dolphins, whales and other marine life as our experienced local skippers get you up close to the action. Cruise past the Cape Brett Lighthouse, before arriving at the majestic Hole in the Rock. Admire the rock walls towering above you as the skipper navigates right through the narrow space. Take in the unique sights of the Grand Cathedral Cave before heading back into the inner islands of the Bay.
Optional guide tour of the Waitangi Treaty House - is an additional cost, ask for details
Travel Day 3: Auckland to Wellington
By Train - Depart: 7.50am - Arrive: 6.25pm
This morning you board the Northern Explorer 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 Volcano's of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro for a short 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 1 or more nights stay in New Zealand's capital city.
This train service operates Monday, Thursday and Saturday
Travel Day 4: Wellington to Kaikoura
By Ferry/Train - Depart: 9.00am - Arrive: 5.10pm
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 on a modern ship with a range of on board facilities from eateries, a shop, movie theater, a games arcade, a large bar with live entertainment, numerous passenger lounges, 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 Coastal Pacific 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, for 1 or more nights stay.
Travel Day 5: Kaikoura to Christchurch
By Train - Depart: 5.20pm - Arrive: 8.30pm
The next day you board the Coastal Pacific train at Kaikoura Station to travel south following the stunning coastline before heading inland through the Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch for 1 or more nights stay.
Travel Day 6: Christchurch to Greymouth and Franz Josef
By Train - Christchurch to Greymouth - Depart: 8.15am - Arrive: 1.05pm
By Coach - Greymouth to Franz Josef - Depart: 1.30pm - Arrive: 5.04pm
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 Pass you'll descend through the Otira tunnel to the lush beech rain forests of the West Coast through to Greymouth. This is a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the always popular glaciers. From Greymouth you can head south by coach through native alpine rain forest and over swift rivers to arrive at the South Island's glacial town of Franz Josef for 1 or more nights stopover.
Travel Day 7: Franz Josef to Queenstown
By Scenic Coach - Depart: 8.00am - Arrive: 4.15pm
This morning you leave the Glacial region by coach, heading south through lush alpine rainforests forests passing tranquil lakes encircled with native forest. Cross the Haast River and climb past towering mountains with their cascading waterfalls to Haast Pass. Leaving Westland the scenery changes from West Coast Rain Forest to the arid conditions of Central Otago. Journey along the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea to the peaceful alpine community of Wanaka. From Wanaka, follow the Clutha River to the hydro lake, Lake Dunstan before entering the Kawarau Gorge with its turbulent river, passing Lake Hayes and onto to Queenstown for 2 or more nights stay.
Travel Day 8: Queenstown to Milford Sound (Day Excursion)
By scenic coach - Depart: 7.20am - Return: 7.45pm
This morning is your day excursion to Milford Sound, leaving Queenstown by coach, skirting Lake Wakatipu and cross northern Southland to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland region and Fiordland National Park. Travel through the remote wilderness of Eglinton Valley, emerging from Homer Tunnel for a spectacular view of the 'Chasm' and on to Milford Sound for your cruise of Milford Sound. The cruise provides the opportunity to inspect the waterfalls and shear rock walls which rise to over 5000 feet above the Sound. From Milford Sound retrace your journey back to Queenstown. Optional scenic flight to or from Milford Sound is available. All flights are subject to weather conditions.
Optional Milford Sound Cruise - is an additional cost, ask for details
Optional one way Scenic Flight Milford Sound to Queenstown - is an additional cost, ask for details
Travel Day 9: Queenstown to Mt Cook/Aoraki and Christchurch
By Scenic Coach - Depart: 7.45am - Arrive: 6.55pm
This morning, you leave Queenstown by coach, travelling through the rugged Kawarau Gorge and ascending up the Lindis Pass to the Mackenzie Country with its expanses of tussock framed by the snow capped Southern Alps to Mount Cook for a lunch break. If time permits optional scenic flights are available. Optional lunch is available at the Hermitage Aoraki Mt Cook hotel. After lunch, you leave Mt Cook, passing Lakes Pukaki and Tekapo, before descending through Burkes Pass to the perfectly ploughed fields of the Canterbury Plains to arrive at Christchurch.
Please note: You must purchase a RailBus Scenic Freedom Pass before you can make any travel sector reservations.
Itineraries are a guide only and times / schedules are subject to change. Accommodation is additional and not included with your pass.
