Day 1: Wellington to Picton to Blenheim (Marlborough)

Meet and greet takes place in the harbour city of Wellington at the Ferry Terminal, followed by one of the most picturesque ferry crossings in the world as we cruise across the Cook Strait then weave our way through Queen Charlotte Sound to the port town of Picton. Travelling by coach to Blenheim, our first overnight stop is in the famous Marlborough wine region boasting over 100 vineyards. The welcome reception is appropriately held at The Wine Station where guests can taste from a selection of 80 of the region’s finest wines and craft beers, barista coffee and gourmet platters of local produce. Passengers will stay at Scenic Hotel Marlborough, a modern and stylish property located in the heart of Marlborough’s wine country town of Blenheim.

Day 2: Blenheim to Kekerengu to Kaikoura

Today we introduce you to the star of the tour, the historic WW1 memorial steam locomotive Ab608 Passchendaele, (named in honour of our fallen soldiers at The Battle of Passchendaele in 1917). The Marlborough Flyer steam train (as she is more recently known) will gently roll into Blenheim Station as the Marlborough Brass Band adds to the sense of occasion. Then it is “all aboard” and onward South via the Dashwood Pass and Awatere Valley. We stop at Seddon and disembark for a wine tour at the award winning, Yealands Estate. Boarding again we steam ahead for Kekerengu where we disembark for lunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean at “The Store” where we also enjoy a garden tour at the beautifully manicured Winterhome formal garden. After taking on water for the steam train we pull away for the spectacular coastal journey to Kaikoura. Passengers will stay at The White Morph Hotel (or equivalent), taking in spectacular views of the Kaikoura Esplanade.

Day 3: Exploring Kaikoura “Where the mountains meet the sea”

Kaikoura, home of resident whales, where the guardians of the seas – the mountains of the Southern Alps – rise majestically from the deep trenches of the Pacific Ocean. Several different species of whale can be seen off the coast of Kaikoura at different times of the year, and most of the time, the huge resident Sperm Whales can be sighted. The ocean trench just off the coast means sperm whales are often seen close to shore. There will be a leisurely morning Seal Colony Walk followed by optional excursions for whale, dolphin and seal watching (by boat or plane at own cost). The tour departs Kaikoura on the 24th April in order to arrive in Christchurch in time to prepare for the annual ANZAC Day dawn parade (which takes place the following day). Passengers will stay at the luxurious and newly renovated Distinction Hotel in Cathedral Square, located in the heart of Christchurch.

Day 4: Christchurch

After paying our respects at the ANZAC dawn parade, we will interlude from commemorations to explore the beautiful French historical township of Akaroa, arriving by coach. Options include exploring the harbour on the historical steam tugboat (Tug Lyttelton Est. 1907) or a historical tram tour of “the garden city”. Passengers will stay at the luxurious and newly renovated Distinction Hotel in Cathedral Square, located in the heart of Christchurch.

Day 5: Christchurch to Oamaru

The morning departure from Christchurch is by steam train as we set out towards one of New Zealand’s many towns of character, Oamaru. Gourmet cheese is then on the menu as we explore the Whitestone Cheese Factory, home of some of the world’s finest cheeses and you’ll be treated on a guided tour which includes a cheese and wine pairing. The Blue Penguin Colony in Oamaru is similarly not to be outdone, has specially designed nesting boxes for your convenience as well as stadium grandstand seating for your viewing pleasure, to see the penguins arrive home in the evening. Passengers will stay at Brydone Hotel – “fine accommodation and libations since 1881”- or the North Star.

Day 6: Oamaru to Dunedin

The journey continues south towards Dunedin, calling in to The Moeraki Boulders, a group of large spherical “stones” on Koekohe Beach near Moeraki on the Otago coast. These boulders are actually concretions that have been exposed through shoreline erosion from coastal cliffs. The boulders are one of the most fascinating and popular attractions on the South Island. Once in Dunedin we will coach to historic Larnach Castle. Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula, Larnach Castle is one of New Zealand’s premier visitor attractions. Lovingly restored by the Barker Family, the Castle and surrounding grounds are at the heart of the Dunedin visitor experience. Passengers arrive in time for refreshing high tea in the Ballroom Café followed by a guided garden tour. Passengers will stay at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross which is Dunedin’s most established hotel, nestled in the heart of the city.

Day 7: Dunedin to Invercargill

Morning starts with a guided tour and tasting at the new OCHO craft chocolate factory where they turn cacao into chocolate bars. OCHO moved into the new premises in January 2019 and are eager to share the OCHO experience with chocolate lovers with every part of their production process on display. We set off steam-hauled towards the southern-most point of the main trunk line. We initially hug the coast, the steam train winds its way inland past the edge of the Blue Mountains to the town of Gore, and then southwards to Invercargill. Passengers may choose to relax in Invercargill by taking in the famous Bill Richardson Transport World or guests may elect to take an optional scenic flight or ferry to the wonderful Stewart Island, home to amazing wildlife and stunning scenery. Famous Bluff oysters will no doubt be on the menu this evening. Passengers will stay at The Ascot Park Hotel, adjacent to the racecourse and with a relaxed and spacious layout.

Day 8: Invercargill to Te Anau

Luxury coaches provide the link inland, traversing the Southern Scenie Route from Invercargill to the Firodland National Park district, where we spend a couple of awe-inspiring days experiencing the wonders of Te Anau and Milford Sound. The drive from Invercargill will call in to the Te Hikoi Musuem in Riverton, the South's ultimate heritage attraction. The museum features authentic life size displays, adventurous characters and engaging stories. These reveal how Maori and European ancestors adapated to survive on nature's edge. An experience not to be missed. Our journey by coach continues, calling in for lunch at Tuatapere cafe then a visit to the Takahe Bird Sanctuary/ Takahe are the stars of the show and meeting these prehistoric-looking characters is a 'must-do' for Firodland visitors. The sanctuary is a large part of the success of the Takahe Recovery Programme. Tonight we stay at Disctinction Hotel Luxmore.

Day 9: Te Anau to Milford Sound to Te Anau

Traveling along the Milford Road (between Te Anau and Milford) is one of the finest alpine drives in the world. The scenery is exceptional, ranging from broad grassy flats, dense rainforest and towering mountains through to glacial lakes and alpine herb fields. A day tour to Milford Sound offers some of the most spectacular natural scenery to be viewed anywhere in the world. Board the coach and travel through stunning scenery along the Milford Road and into Fiordland, where your cruise boat awaits you. The tour includes a cruise around the fiord so you can experience its wonders up close and see landmarks like Mitre Peak and amazing wildlife, such as dolphins and seals. Cruise the inmost reaches of Milford 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. Passengers stay at Distinction Hotel Luxmore.

Day 10: Te Anau to Queenstown

Wake up to a leisurely morning or enjoy the wonders of the Te Anau glowworms caves. The Te Anau caves are a culturally and ecologically important system of limestone caves on the western shore of Lake Te Anau. The adventure playground of Queenstown then awaits. On the way, you will call into the historic and picturesque goldmining town, Arrowtown, on the banks of the Arrow River, with a visit to the Lakes District Museum in the afternoon. Cap off a special day as we take in The Remarkables Mountain Range and the view of Lake Wakatipu from the hotel. Passengers stay at Copthorne Hotel Lakefront which is located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, within walking distance of Queenstown’s central shopping and entertainment area. The hotel offers panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain peaks.

Day 11: Queenstown

Wake up to enjoy a free day exploring Queenstown at your leisure. Later in the afternoon, we join a lake cruise on board the historic TSS Earnslaw, the 1912 Edwardian steamboat, which takes us across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner. Passengers stay at Copthorne Hotel Lakefront which is located on the shores of Lake Wakatipu, within walking distance of Queenstown’s central shopping and entertainment area. The hotel offers panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and surrounding mountain peaks.

Day 12: Queenstown to Franz Josef

Leaving Queenstown, we pass by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Dunstan, Lake Wanaka, and Lake Hawea. After a morning tea break in Makarora on the border of Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, we will travel through the Haast Pass, journeying through native beech forest and over the Southern Alps, before emerging on the West Coast. This remote area has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. Our last night is spent at Franz Josef where options are available for helicopter tours of the glacier. All guests are encouraged to wind down and enjoy some well-deserved pampering at the Franz Josef Glacier Hot Pools. Passengers stay at the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef

Day 13: Franz Josef to Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch

The final day and The 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 in one direction, taking almost five hours. Along this journey you will see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest - the journey of a lifetime. Tour ends in Christchurch.

Great Southern Steam Train Tour – from Wellington

Tour Highlights

Tour Options

Tour Inclusions

Pricing Notes

Tour Itinerary