12 DAY SOUTH ISLAND WINTER RAIL ESCAPE

Your Tour Registration starts from 3pm and then you get to spend the afternoon exploring Christchurch by Tram at a leisurely pace. The “Ice-breaker” Welcome Dinner and Tour Briefing will be held at the hotel restaurant at 6pm.

Your journey begins at Christchurch Railway Station, where the iconic TranzAlpine awaits. Often regarded to be one of the world’s great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes. The journey is 223 kilometres one-way, taking almost five hours. You will see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps, and see large tracts of native beech forest.

On arrival in Greymouth, the “Pounamu Pathway” is a newly opened immersive visitor experience highlighting the rich Māori Culture, history, and West Coast heritage – crafted by Wētā Workshop. 

High quality coaches await to transport you to your hotel in the ruggedly beautiful Franz Josef.

Leaving Franz Josef, we travel down the West Coast to Fox to enjoy the option of a helicopter tour of the Fox Glacier. Continuing on through the Haast Pass, journeying through large tracts of native rain forest and over the Southern Alps. This remote area has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow- capped mountains. Continuing through Makarora on the border of Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, we pass by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan.

The adventure playground of Queenstown then awaits! Cap off a special day as we take in The Remarkables Mountain Range and the view of Lake Wakatipu.

Wake up to join a winter lake cruise which takes us across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet BBQ Lunch. Enjoy the afternoon on your own exploring Queenstown.

Before departing Queenstown enjoy unforgettable views sky high with a trip up the iconic Queenstown Gondola, followed by a delicious buffet on top of the world at Stratosfare Restaurant and Bar.

We then travel by luxury coach to Te Anau, known as the gateway to Fiordland National Park.

Take in the breathtaking landscapes and for those who wish to add on a unique experience, take part in a guided Glowworm cave tour for a truly magical experience.

Accommodation

Distinction Hotel Luxmore in Te Anau

Traveling from Te Anau to Doubtful Sound is one of the finest scenic drives in the world.The scenery is exceptional, ranging from glacial lakes, deep fiords, towering mountains and dense rainforest. Board the coach and travel through stunning scenery from Te Anauand into Fiordland, where it is a short cruise across Lake Manapouri to get you to the base of Wilmot Pass. After travelling over Wilmot Pass by coach, you will find the remote & magical Doubtful Sound. The tour includes a cruise around the fiord so you can experience its wonders up close and see waterfalls and amazing wildlife, such as dolphins and seals. Cruise the inner most reaches of Doubtful Sound to the open Tasman Sea and back.

A one-day itinerary is enough to see all the beautiful views along the way, take a scenic cruise around the fiord, and get back to Te Anau in time for dinner.

As we depart Te Anau for Invercargill, we start the morning with a visit the Takahe Bird Sanctuary. Takahe are the stars of the show and meeting these prehistoric-looking characters is a ‘must do’ for the Fiordland visitors.The sanctuary is a large part of the success of the Takahe Recovery programme.

Driving to Riverton via the small rural town Tuatapere we stop at Te Hikoi Museum which showcases the history of how Māori and Europeans adapted to life in this area. Arriving in Invercargill we will stay at the brand new Distinction Invercargill hotel.

In the morning, we will visit Invercargill’s Bill Richardson Transport World which features over 300 classic vehicles. Then board “The Mainlander Train” to Dunedin and travel on the historic Main South Railway Line, weaving its way through rolling hills and lush scenic rural landscapes of the deep south of New Zealand.

In the morning, we explore the remote Taieri Gorge by Dunedin Rail over river gorges, weaving our way through a myriad of historic tunnels and guide you to the historic Wingatui Viaduct, a marvel of 1880s construction that remains the largest wrought iron structure in New Zealand.

An afternoon at leisure is planned or there is the optional excursion visit to Larnach Castle for a decadent high tea & garden tour.

Departing from Dunedin by rail on board the Mainlander Train, we continue to hug the coast towards Oamaru.

We then detour inland via Waitaki Valley & Omarama by coach and onwards towards the spectacular Aoraki Mt Cook. Here, we find the home of the tallest mountain in New Zealand, which helped Sir Edmund Hillary to develop his climbing skills in preparation for the conquest of Mt Everest. Recognised as part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, the National Park is a breath taking environment of glaciers, terminal lakes, turbulent rivers and Australasia’s tallest peak, the mighty Aoraki Mt Cook soaring above at 3,724 metres.

Enjoy a leisurely morning and then a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, which is a tribute to New Zealand’s global icon as well as discovering New Zealand’s colourful transport, climbing and hotel history. Followed by an afternoon scenic drive through the National Park surrounded by the silent splendour of the Southern Alps.

Morning optional activity includes a scenic ski plane or Helicopter flight with expert pilots navigating their way over the glacial lake, passing soaring mountain tops over NZ’s longest glacier – the 600-metre thick, Tasman Glacier. A true highlight to round of a magical day is a Hillary family representative presentation in the Sir Edmund Hillary Centre Theatre before dinner. The optional Planetarium show takes place in the theatre after the Hillary Presentation.

A morning departure from the hotel leaving Aoraki Mt Cook by coach, we journey back to the coast via Tekapo, Geraldine and Rakaia on the way to Christchurch.

On arrival in Christchurch at 4pm, this brings us to the end of the tour. There is the option for a drop off at Christchurch Airport or optional post-tour accommodation at the Distinction Hotel in Christchurch. Ask us if you would like to extend your stay in Christchurch.