First Class Holidays · Premium escorted touring

Classic Rail, Cruise & Coach Tour

Classic Rail, Cruise & Coach Tour, a rail journey with First Class Holidays

AUCKLAND | BAY OF ISLANDS | ROTORUA | WELLINGTON | CHRISTCHURCH | TRANZALPINE TRAIN | FRANZ JOSEF | QUEENSTOWN | OVERNIGHT MILFORD SOUND CRUISE | TE ANAU | DUNEDIN

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Auckland SkyCity Hotel

    Arrive Auckland

    On arrival into Auckland you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Please note: Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.

  2. Day 2overnight: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands or similar

    Auckland - Bay of Islands

    Enjoy a city tour of Auckland, dubbed the 'City of Sails', before travelling to Matakohe to enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.

  3. Day 3overnight: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands or similar

    Bay of Islands - Free Day

    Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free and you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

  4. Day 4overnight: Auckland SkyCity Hotel

    Bay of Islands - Auckland

    This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Keep an eye out for bottlenose and common dolphins before returning to Paihia. Travel south via Whangarei, call into the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree before returning to Auckland.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua

    Auckland - Rotorua

    Depart Auckland and travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15 kilometre trip back in time through beautiful rural countryside aboard a beautifully restored vintage steam train. Visit the restoration workshop and on return to Glenbrook Station, morning tea will be served. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside to Rotorua and visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout.

  6. Day 6overnight: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua

    Rotorua

    Today begins with a gondola ride at Skyline Rotorua where a buffet breakfast and spectacular views are on offer. Travel to the Agrodome where you see performing sheep, a shearing display and sheep dog trial. Enjoy some free time before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.

  7. Day 7overnight: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

    Rotorua - Wellington

    Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park to the Wellington Tramway Museum to view a display of tramway history and enjoy a nostalgic trip on one of the original trams that served Wellington city.

  8. Day 8overnight: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor

    Wellington

    A highlight this morning will be time to explore Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum with exhibits that embrace both Maori and European views. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon and this evening is also free to explore Wellington's lively food scene.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Distinction Christchurch

    Wellington - Christchurch

    This morning board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that showcases the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side and the rugged scenic coastline on the other travelling through numerous tunnels and across several bridges.

  10. Day 10overnight: Distinction Christchurch

    Christchurch

    Today visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at your leisure, one of Christchurch's leading attractions.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier

    Christchurch - Arthur's Pass - Franz Josef

    This morning board the TranzAlpine, one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur's Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before arriving at Franz Josef.

  12. Day 12overnight: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront

    Franz Josef - Queenstown

    See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu.

  13. Day 13overnight: Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront

    Queenstown - Free Day

    Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown. Your Tour Guide and Coach Captain are available to assist with the many options available. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station for a farm dinner, then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano on your return cruise.

  14. Day 14overnight: Milford Mariner (overnight cruise)

    Queenstown - Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

    Travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum, then continue to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner for your overnight cruise. View the fiord's spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet.

  15. Day 15overnight: Distinction Luxmore

    Milford Sound - Te Anau

    Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) and exploring more of the fiord. Return to the wharf to meet your coach for the scenic drive to Te Anau. This afternoon perhaps take an optional cruise across Lake Te Anau to visit the Glow Worm Caves.

  16. Day 16railovernight: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross

    Te Anau - Dunedin

    Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Pukerangi to board The Taieri Gorge Limited for a journey through spectacular scenery only accessible by rail. On return to Dunedin's historic Edwardian Railway Station your coach will transfer you to the hotel.

  17. Day 17overnight: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross

    Dunedin

    This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to the city for an informative city tour followed by some free time. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented.

  18. Day 18overnight: Distinction Christchurch

    Dunedin - Christchurch

    Visit Olveston Historic Home, designed by acclaimed English architect Sir Ernest George, furnished with fine art, furniture and artefacts purchased from all around the world. Later, travel to Oamaru, famous for its limestone, and explore the Victorian Precinct including the Loan and Merc restaurant, the Woolstore complex, auto museum, galleries and the penny farthing shop.

  19. Day 19

    Depart Christchurch

    Time to say goodbye; you will be transferred to the airport for your onward flight.

Included

  • 17 nights 4 star hotel accommodation plus 1 night on the Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
  • 18 breakfasts, 14 dinners and 2 morning teas
  • Kauri Museum
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds
  • Hole in the Rock Cruise
  • Glenbrook Vintage Railway
  • Paradise Valley Springs
  • Skyline Rotorua Gondola & Luge Ride
  • Agrodome
  • Thermal mud pools & geysers
  • Traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
  • Wellington Tramway Museum
  • Te Papa, NZ's National Museum
  • Interislander Ferry
  • Coastal Pacific Rail Journey
  • International Antarctic Centre
  • Christchurch Tram
  • TranzAlpine Train
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • Lakes District Museum
  • Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
  • Taieri Gorge Limited Rail Journey
  • Larnach Castle
  • Haggis Ceremony & Gift
  • Olveston Historic Home
  • City sights tour of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch & Dunedin
  • Baggage handling - 1 bag per person
  • Modern coach travel with 2 door access, restrooms, reclining seats and panoramic windows
  • Personalised Meet & Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • Professional Coach Captain & Tour Guide

Not included

  • Return flights to New Zealand, please contact us we can arrange them for you
  • Meals and sightseeing not shown as included or shown as optional
  • Gratuities

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