New Zealand by Rail, Road and Sea Tour

Depart from the UK airport most convenient for you with Qantas & Emirates. Choose from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle or Glasgow. Alternatively, fly direct to Singapore with Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow or Manchester. No matter which airline or airport you choose, there will be no additional cost.

Flights from London Heathrow may travel direct to Singapore. All UK regional flights will travel via Dubai. Arrive into the wonderful city of Singapore and transfer to the four-star M Hotel City Centre, situated in an enviable position close to the banks of the Singapore River.

Alternative stopover

We have based days 2-4 of this itinerary on a stopover in Singapore. If you have chosen to fly with Qantas & Emirates, you may choose to stop in Bangkok or Dubai for the same price. Your stopover includes transfers, accommodation, daily breakfast and a city sightseeing tour. Flight timings will vary. Please speak with one of our personal travel experts for more details.

Singapore is a perfect blend of east and west, with an interesting cultural mix of ancient Chinese and modern European influences. Highlights of this morning’s sightseeing tour of Singapore include the impressive Marina Bay, with its iconic architecture and world-famous Merlion. We also explore historic Thian Hock Keng Temple and the Civic District, as well as the city’s wonderful botanical gardens, which are home to an incredible array of orchids. The remainder of the days is ours to spend as we please. High Tea or a Singapore Sling at Raffles are both highly recommended and can be easily combined with a visit to the Gardens by the Bay, which are arguably at their most impressive after the sun sets.

A day at leisure in Singapore until it’s time to leave for our evening flight to Auckland. Perhaps use your day to visit the nearby tropical island of Sentosa.

For those flying with Qantas & Emirates, there is a change of aircraft in Australia. If travelling Singapore Airlines, the flight is direct to Auckland. On arrival, we are transferred to the centrally located Sudima Auckland City Hotel or Grand Millennium Hotel (if travelling before September 2022) for the first two nights of our New Zealand adventure.

This morning we explore Auckland, taking in the natural beauty of Waitemata Harbour and the numerous volcanic hills dotting the landscape. We also visit fashionable Parnell Village, and the bustling Viaduct Harbour area with its many waterside bars and restaurants. The remainder of the day is free to relax or further explore Auckland. A trip to enjoy the views of Auckland and its harbour from the top of the southern hemisphere’s tallest building, Sky Tower, is highly recommended.

We journey north from Auckland, crossing the city’s imposing Waitemata Harbour Bridge, into a landscape of rolling hills and farmland. In the afternoon we explore Northland’s Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve, home to gigantic kauri trees, the most famous of which is Tane Mahuta, ‘Lord of the Forest’. A stop is made in Omapere, where the panoramic views of the spectacular sand dunes and Tasman Sea are truly magnificent. Our journey ends in Paihia, gateway to the Bay of Islands, and our next three nights at either the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands or the Copthorne Hotel.

Tour Highlight

This morning we board our catamaran as we go in search of the dolphins which inhabit the deep-sea fishing grounds around the Bay of Islands. We explore the spectacular scenery of Red Head Passage, Cape Brett and Piercy Island before our skipper navigates through the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’. On the return journey, there’s an opportunity to visit the picturesque township of Russell to learn more about its history as a lawless trading centre of the 19^th century. Our free afternoon provides an excellent opportunity to visit the Waitangi National Reserve, where Maori and British chiefs signed the Waitangi Treaty in 1840, is a fascinating way to spend a few hours.

Our day has been left at leisure to further explore the beautiful Bay of Islands. For many this provides a great opportunity to visit New Zealand’s northern tip at Cape Reinga, where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea collide. This fabulous full day excursion also includes a journey along Ninety Mile Beach in a custom-built coach that moves effortlessly over the terrain of sandy beaches, rugged roads and quicksand streams.

A full day travelling from the Bay of Islands to Rotorua, which is regarded as being the centre of New Zealand’s rich Maori culture and is renowned for its geothermal landscapes. We spend two nights at the four-star Distinction Hotel, where we enjoy a Maori concert of traditional song and dance – and of course the world-famous Haka. Also included is a buffet dinner.

Following a tour of some of Rotorua’s most famous sights, including its tudor-inspired Bath House within the government gardens, we experience Rotorua’s incredible array of geothermal features. We explore Te Puia, home to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and its spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools and hissing fumaroles. During our free afternoon you may wish to visit the Hobbiton Movie Set, which was used during the filming of The Lord of the Rings. Other optional activities include relaxing at the Polynesian spa or a scenic flight over Mount Tarawera.

Tour Highlight

We leave Rotorua, cross the Mamaku Ranges and arrive into Hamilton where we board the Northern Explorer for our rail journey to Wellington. We view spectacular scenery through our carriage’s panoramic windows including rocky coastlines, river gorges, dense forest, rolling green farmland, quaint towns and the spectacular peaks of Tongariro National Park. We also experience an amazing feat of railway engineering as we wind our way through the Raurimu Spiral, before we arrive into Wellington and transfer to the Copthorne Oriental Bay, for the next two nights.

Wellington is New Zealand’s capital city, beautifully located within a hook-shaped harbour and surrounded by mountains. The city’s downtown area is relatively compact, making it easy to explore its many theatres, galleries and museums on foot. This morning’s orientation tour features the key sights within the city, such as the government buildings, Parliament House and ‘the Beehive’, as well as enjoying wonderful views of the city and its picturesque harbour from the top of Mount Victoria. Our free afternoon provides an excellent opportunity to explore Wellington further, and a visit to Te Papa (New Zealand’s national museum) is highly recommended.

Tour Highlight

We leave Wellington and board our ferry, crossing the Cook Strait to New Zealand’s South Island. Dolphins and sea birds can often be seen playing in the waters, and the scenery is truly magnificent as we enter Queen Charlotte Sound and reach Picton. In Picton, we board KiwiRail’s Coastal Pacific train, which is considered to be one of the most spectacular rail journeys in the world. From the comfort of our seats, we are in the prime position to view lush native bush, soaring mountains, pretty coastal towns and the roaring Pacific Ocean, as we wind our way along the coastline. On arrival in Christchurch, we transfer to the Distinction Hotel Christchurch, located in the heart of the city, where we spend two nights.

In the morning, we discover Christchurch on an orientation tour, and witness its remarkable development since its devastating earthquake in 2011. Later we journey to the Waipara Valley, whose warm and dry summers, followed by cool autumn nights, make this region perfect for growing olives, lavender, hazelnuts and grapes. We explore this pretty area before sampling its cool climate wines during a tasting and lunch in one of its wineries.

Tour Highlight

After breakfast, we experience South Island’s striking natural landscapes in all their glory as we journey between Christchurch and Greymouth on the TranzAlpine. Considered to be one of the greatest rail journeys in the world, we cross the patchwork fields of the Canterbury Plains, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, view miles of native beech forest and traverse the Southern Alps. We continue south to Westland National Park, and the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, which will be our home for the next two nights.

A relaxing day to take in the beauty of Franz Josef and the surrounding area at your leisure. Our Coach Captain will arrange a journey to the Franz Josef Glacier terminal for those who wish to take a short stroll to the glacier valley. For those who want to experience a spectacular aerial view of the glacier and the nearby Alpine peaks, there is an opportunity to take an optional scenic helicopter flight. Timings of the helicopter flights are flexible to allow for the best weather conditions and visibility.

South Island’s spectacular scenery never fails to impress as we embark on a journey crossing the Haast River Bridge and onwards via Clark Bluff and the shores of Lakes Wanaka and Hawea, to the Central Otago region. In the late afternoon, we arrive into Queenstown, situated within one of the most naturally stunning landscapes of New Zealand, on the shores of Lake Wakatipu and surrounded by incredible mountains. The next four nights are spent at the conveniently located Copthorne Lakefront Hotel.

This morning, we visit nearby Arrowtown, a picturesque town which has lovingly preserved its heritage of two very different goldrush communities – Chinese and European. It’s a lovely place to explore on foot, with a well-preserved avenue lined with galleries, craft shops and cafes. We return to Queenstown and join the iconic TSS Earnslaw for a cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm. Overlooking Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown’s alpine landscapes, Walter Peak is a wonderful place to enjoy a barbecue lunch within the homestead’s sweeping lakeside grounds.

A Freedom Day to enjoy our glamorous alpine setting as we please. From gentle wine-tasting tours in Central Otago to incredible walking trails, a cruise on the the iconic TSS Earnslaw or exhilarating jet boat rides and four-wheel drive excursions, there are so many ways to enjoy Queenstown’s beautiful scenery. Whatever you choose to do – enjoy!

Tour Highlight
Today we travel to the magnificent Fiordland National Park and to Milford Sound, which will undoubtedly prove to be one of our tour’s many highlights. The scenic drive takes us through a variety of landscapes – farmland, native tussock grasslands, lush beech forests and impressive glacial valleys – before arriving at Milford Sound to begin our cruise. Only when out cruising on Milford Sound can the sheer scale of the dramatic scenery be fully appreciated: towering peaks rise all around and spectacular waterfalls cascade into the calm waters below. Our cruise takes in the impressive Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Remember to keep a look out for dolphins as well as seals and penguins. We spend tonight at the Distinction Luxmore Hotel.

This morning we say goodbye to Fiordland, Te Anau. A morning drive takes us via Mossburn and Lumsden to Gore. Fresh, green farm scenery will accompany us to Balclutha, which has a distinctive arched concrete bridge. Known as the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin is South Island’s second largest city and is considered New Zealand’s architectural heritage capital, with its lovingly restored Victorian and Edwardian buildings. We have time to admire the beautifully landscaped trees and plants of Dunedin Botanical Gardens and the spectacular views of the Otago Peninsula and Harbour before we reach our hotel, the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross.

This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour taking in the city’s neo-Gothic churches, town hall, opulent theatres and other 19th century buildings. We then visit Otago Peninsula for a wildlife cruise. Enjoy uninterrupted views of the world’s only mainland colony of royal albatross. We may also encounter sea lions, blue penguins and Hector’s dolphins. We return to Dunedin in the afternoon and the remainder of the day is ours to spend as we please.

The final leg of our journey in New Zealand takes us north as we return to Christchurch. A stop is made in Moeraki to view a collection of huge spherical boulders which are scattered along a beautiful stretch of beach. Maori legend says that the boulders are gourds washed ashore from a voyaging canoe called Araiteuri that was wrecked when it made landfall a long time ago. Scientists have discovered the boulders are actually calcite concretions, created about 65 million years ago, which have been raised from the seabed and uncovered one by one by the elements. Our final stop is the Distinction Hotel in Christchurch, where we spend our final two nights in New Zealand.

A free day to spend as we please. Christchurch is a lovely city to explore on foot, with the Riverside Markets, Christchurch Botanic Gardens and many galleries and cafes within easy strolling distance. Alternatively, an excursion to the nearby historic village of Akaroa is highly recommended. The scenic journey takes us via the stunning Banks Peninsula to the former French settlement of Akaroa, with its harbourside streets lined with arts and craft stores. We join a nature cruise around the harbour which features majestic scenery and an opportunity to discover the rare and playful Hector’s dolphins, native fur seals, penguins and many seabirds.

We depart New Zealand for our flights home. All journeys will require connection en-route to the UK, which will be dependent on your choice of airline, stopover, flight availability and your preferred UK airport of London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle or Glasgow.

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If you would like to stopover on your way home we have a sensational stopover offer available from £49 per person for a stay in Singapore, Bangkok or Dubai. Alternatively, we have a relaxing Bali stopover available from £129 per person, or if you prefer stay on Sentosa Island, from £149 per person. All you need to do to take advantage of this huge saving is book any departure after September 2024 by 29th February 2024.

Breakfast is served shortly before our UK arrival, bringing an end to our New Zealand adventure.