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12 Days New Zealand by Rail
Auckland - Rotorua - Otorohanga, Wellington - Dunedin - Fox Glacier
DAY1: ARRIVE AUCKLAND
Pick up self drive rental vehicle on arrival at Auckland International Airport. Transfer by self drive rental car to your hotel in the “City of Sails”. The rest of the day is at leisure
DAY2:AUCKLAND / WAITOMO / ROTORUA
Travel south through the Waikato Province to the Waitomo Caves and take a guided tour through the Waitomo Glow worm caves. Continue on to Rotorua through the lush green dairy farming area & via the bushclad Mamaku Ranges to arrive at the “Thermal City”of Rotorua. The rest of the day is at leisure to explore on your own.
DAY 3: ROTORUA
Enjoy a ½ day morning sightseeing tour of some of the highlights of Rotorua including a visit to Te Puia Thermal Reserve to see boiling mudpools and geysers. Also visit the Rainbow Springs to see New Zealand trout, birds and wildlife before continuing on to the Agrodome where you will watch a New Zealand Farm show featuring sheep dog demonstrations, cow milking and learn about the New Zealand sheep farming industry and the different breeds of sheep. The afternoon is at leisure for Optional activities or exploring on your own. You may like to visit the Polynesian Pools and relax in the thermal waters which are sourced from the earth directly below. (Optional sightseeing and entrance fees not included in tour cost.) This evening enjoy an authentic Maori Concert and Hangi Dinner.
DAY 4: ROTORUA / OTOROHANGA / WELLINGTON
Transfer from your hotel in Rotorua to the Otorohanga Railway Station and board the Overlander train for your rail journey south through the heartland of the North Island and on to Wellington. Travel through the engineering feat of the Raurimu Spiral as the train climbs up onto to central volcanic plateau and view the three volcanoes of the Tongariro National Park, the first area to be designated a National Park in New Zealand - Mount Nguaruhoe, Mount Ruapehu and Mount Tongariro. Continue through small townships of National Park, Waiouru, Taihape, Hunterville and pass over massive steel railway viaducts that bridge steep valleys. Met on arrival at Wellington and transfer to your hotel.Rest of day at leisure.
DAY 5: WELLINGTON
½ day morning sightseeing tour of the “Capital City” of Wellington, including Parliament Buildings, Wellington Cathedral, Botanical Gardens, Oriental Bay, and a panoramic view from the top of Mount Victoria looking over the city and harbour towards the Hutt Valley to the north, and south across the Cook Strait to the South Island and the Marlborough Sounds. Return to your hotel afterwards. The afternoon is at leisure to explore on your own and a visit to Te Papa - Museum of New Zealand is highly recommended.
DAY 6: WELLINGTON / PICTON / CHRISTCHURCH
Transfer from your hotel to the Wellington Ferry Terminal and board the Inter-Island Ferry for your cruise to the South Island. Depart Wellington and sail out of the harbour and across the Cook Strait to the Marlborough Sounds and cruise through the picturesque Queen Charlotte Sound to the ferry terminal at Picton. Here you will board the Coastal Pacific train that will take you down the east coast of the South Island to Christchurch via Kaikoura Coast. Transfer from the Christchurch Railway Station to your hotel. The evening is at leisure.
DAY 7: CHRISTCHURCH / MOUNT COOK / DUNEDIN
Transfer to Dunedin today traveling across the Canterbury Plains to Geraldine and through green rolling hill country to Fairlie. Climb up through the Burke’s Pass to the MacKenzie High Country. Stop at the “Church of the Good Shepherd” on the shores of Lake Tekapo before following Lake Pukaki to the highest mountain in New Zealand – Mt Cook. Time here for an Optional scenic flight over the mountains with a snow landing on the Tasman Glacier subject to the weather on the day. (Not included.) Continue via Twizel and Omarama and follow the Waitaki River to Oamaru and then on to Dunedin via Palmerston and Wakouiti. Rest of the day is at leisure.
DAY 8:DUNEDIN / TAIERI GORGE TRAIN / QUEENSTOWN
This morning you will be taken on a ½ day city sightseeing tour of this Scottish influenced city of Dunedin, with a statue of Robbie Burns in the Octagon. View some of the historic buildings in the distinctive Gothic style of architecture including the First Church, Knox Church, & University of Otago - the first in New Zealand. This afternoon transfer to the Dunedin Railway Station and board the Taieri Gorge Train for the scenic rail trip through to Central Otago via the remote Taieri Gorge to Pukerangi. Continue on to Queenstown by scheduled coach service through Alexandra, and the fruitgrowing area around Cromwell and the rugged Kawarau Gorge. The rest of the day is at leisure to relax and explore this lovely town.
DAY 9:QUEENSTOWN / MILFORD SOUND / QUEENSTOWN
Full day excursion to Milford Sound. Travel alongside the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath the towering Remarkables mountain range and across the flat Southland Plains to Te Anau, gateway to the Fiordland National Park, a World Heritage Park. Pass through Beech forests, glaciated valleys, the Homer Tunnel and stunning scenery to reach the majestic Milford Sound. Enjoy a cruise on this world famous fiord which is dominated by Mitre Peak and the Bowen Falls. Return to Queenstown arriving in the early evening.
DAY 10: QUEENSTOWN / FOX GLACIER
Transfer to Fox Glacier this morning traveling through the Kawarau Gorge once more and the fruit growing area around Cromwell and along the shores of Lakes Hawaea and Wanaka to the small settlement of Makarora before climbing up and over the bush clad Haast Pass to the West Coast beyond. Pass through the small townships of Haast at the mouth of the Haast River and finally arrive at Fox Glacier further north. At leisure.
DAY 11: FOX GLACIER / GREYMOUTH / CHRISTCHURCH
Depart Fox Glacier this morning and travel via Franz Josef Glacier and head north towards Greymouth, passing through the small settlements of Harhari, Ross and Hokitika on the way. Board the Tranz Alpine Express at Greymouth and travel via the scenic Arthur’s Pass route across the Southern Alps mountain range back to Christchurch arriving in the late afternoon. Transfer from Christchurch Railway Station to hotel by SIC. At leisure.
DAY 12: DEPART CHRISTCHURCH
Your arrangements conclude with a departure transfer by SIC to Christchurch Airport. We trust that you have enjoyed your New Zealand holiday with Adventure Pacific.
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