North Island "Steam and Rail Tour" - Departing 10th October 2010
 Day 1: Sunday 10thOctober Homeport - Auckland (D)
Fly from your homeport to Auckland. On arrival you will be met by a Grand Pacific/Great NZ Steam Journeys Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel Hyatt Regency Auckland (2 nights)
Day 2: Monday 11thOctober Auckland (B,D)
This morning enjoy a city tour of Auckland including a visit to the Museum of Technology and Transport where you visit the Western Springs Steam Railway, working Tramway & Tram Museum and the Aviation Collection. This afternoon enjoy some free time to explore the "City of Sails".
Day 3: Tuesday 12thOctober Auckland - Rotorua (B,L,D)
Depart Auckland and travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 12 kilometre trip back in time on 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 the magnificent countryside to Longlands Dairy Farm. Enjoy a short farm talk followed by a delicious home cooked lunch. Travel to Rotorua and visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can hand feed rainbow trout.
Hotel Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (Superior rooms - 2 nights)
 Day 4: Wednesday 13thOctober Rotorua (B,SD)
Today begins with a Gondola ride to Skyrides Restaurant 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. Some free time is available before an afternoon transfer to see the boiling mud pools and the awesome Geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening you will experience an entertaining Maori Hangi and Concert.
Day 5: Thursday 14thOctober Rotorua - Gisborne (B,D)
Depart Rotorua and travel to a Kiwi Fruit farm for a unique insight into the growing of this popular fruit.
Continue to a local vineyard this afternoon where you enjoy a wine tasting and platters amongst the vines before arriving into Gisborne for your overnight stay.
Hotel Portside Hotel
Day 6: Friday 15thOctober Gisborne - Napier (B,D)
Depart Gisborne aboard your vintage train with the first sector hauled by steam locomotive Wa165 from the Gisborne City Vintage Railway. This is an extremely scenic section of rail line with many coastal panoramas and numerous viaducts. After your journey behind Wa165, your steam charter commences on Ja1271 and continues along the spectacular coastline. Continue south to the Art Deco city of Napier which was completely destroyed by an earthquake in 1931.
Hotel Scenic Hotel Te Pania (2 nights)
 Day 7: Saturday 16thOctober Napier (B,D)
Enjoy a city tour this morning and admire the unique architecture followed by some free time to explore at leisure. This afternoon visit Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony. Enjoy an afternoon at the world's largest most accessible gannet colony. The scenery is breathtaking at times and you will be provided with a full commentary of the region including an introduction to the gannets.
Day 8: Sunday 17thOctober Napier - Palmerston North (B,D)
Depart aboard our special chartered train again hauled by Ja1271 south towards Palmerston North. After passing over the famous "S" curved Ormondville Viaduct you stop for morning tea at the restored Ormondville Station. At Woodville a small detour south brings you to the Pahiatua Railcar Society Depot which houses three railcars in various stages of restoration. Return back to Woodville, the wind farm capital of New Zealand and continue on through the beautiful Manawatu Gorge to Palmerston North. Enjoy a ride on the Esplanade Miniature Railway before arriving at your hotel for overnight stay.
Hotel Travelodge or Hotel Coachman
 Day 9: Monday 18thOctober Palmerston North - Wanganui (B,D)
Today will start with a visit to the Feilding & District Steam Rail Society Depot, home of F163 & Wab794. After time to view the locos, a special steam hauled journey has been arranged. As a special highlight Wab794 and Ja1271 will "double head" your train out of Feilding to the old railway junction town of Marton. Photo run bys are planned for this sector to allow you to capture the drama of a double headed steam train. Ja1271 will continue up front for our trip from Marton to Wanganui. This afternoon you will experience a delightful river cruise onboard the coal fired paddle steamer "Waimarie" on the scenic Wanganui River.
Hotel Kingsgate Hotel
Day 10: Tuesday 19thOctober Wanganui - Wellington (B)
Today we board Ja1271 once again and travel south to Paraparaumu where we depart the train and board the coach for the short journey to Southwards Car Museum. Here you will see the most comprehensive collection of veteran and vintage cars in the Southern Hemisphere. Afternoon tea will be enjoyed before continuing along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington, New Zealand‘s Capital. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Hotel James Cook Grand Chancellor (2 nights)
Day 11: Wednesday 20thOctober Wellington (B,D)
Enjoy an extensive city tour this morning including a guided tour of Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum and a ride on the famous Wellington Cable Car. This afternoon enjoy some free time to explore at leisure and you also have the option to catch the local rail service to Featherston and visit the Fell Museum which houses the famous Fell Engine. This evening travellers on the 12 day tour will enjoy a farewell dinner with your group.
Day 12: Thursday 21stOctober Wellington - Homeport (B)
Time to say good-bye. Those travellers on the 12 day tour will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable holiday.
Day 12: Thursday 21stOctober Wellington - Christchurch (B,D)
Those travellers who are continuing on with the 22 day tour will transfer to the Interislander Ferry Terminal. Board your Ferry for the journey across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Here you will board the TranzCoastal, a truly spectacular rail journey that links the port of Picton to Christchurch. On arrival into Christchurch Railway Station you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
HOTEL Copthorne Durham Street or Copthorne Central Hotel
Day 13: Friday 22ndOctober Christchurch (B,D)
This morning enjoy a city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon is free and we have arranged a pass for you on the Christchurch Tramway which is the best way to see all the "Must See" sights.
 DAY 14: Saturday 23rdOctober Christchurch - Dunedin (B,SD)
Depart Christchurch and travel to The Plains Vintage Railway where you experience the Rogers K88 locomotive in work. View the informative displays and enjoy a delightful morning tea before continuing south to Oamaru. View the unique limestone buildings then travel to Dunedin, a well preserved Victorian city. Enjoy a city sights tour including a visit to Olveston House, a prestigious home full of art treasures. Tonight a Scottish evening will be presented comprising of bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift.
Hotel Scenic Dunedin City Hotel (2 nights)
DAY 15: Sunday 24thOctober Dunedin (B,D)
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle for a guided tour. Next visit Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens and view the superb collection of flowers followed by a delightful morning tea. Return to the city where some free time is available before boarding The Taieri Gorge Limited for a journey through scenery only accessible by rail. Grand examples of Victorian stonework on bridges and tunnels, plus iron latticework viaducts can be seen along with breathtaking views as you travel to Pukerangi. On return to Dunedin's historic Edwardian Railway Station your coach will transfer you to your hotel.
DAY 16: Monday 25thOctober Dunedin - Te Anau (B,D).
Some free time is available to explore at leisure this morning before departing Dunedin and travelling via Balclutha and Gore to Te Anau. Tonight you may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional).
HOTEL Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Deluxe Rooms - 2 nights)
DAY 17: Tuesday 26thOctober Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Anau (B,L,D)
This morning enjoy a fascinating drive to Milford Sound where you board your launch for a cruise on this magnificent fiord. See the spectacular Bowen Falls and towering Mitre Peak as you enjoy a picnic lunch. This afternoon return to Te Anau where some free time is available.
 DAY 18: Wednesday 27thOctoberTe Anau - Queenstown (B,SD)
Travel to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum before continuing to Queenstown. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Enjoy the best of New Zealand's high country cuisine in the Colonel's Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano on your return cruise.
HOTEL Mercure Queenstown Resort (Lakeview Rooms - 2 nights)
DAY 19: Thursday 28thOctober Queenstown (Free Day) (B)
Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Coach Captain is available to assist. This evening is also free. You may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
DAY 20: Friday 29thOctober Queenstown - Franz Josef (B,D)
Travel via the Haast Pass to the West Coast, an area of stunning beauty. See the snow capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel north to Fox Glacier. Experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers before continuing to Franz Josef.
HOTEL Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
DAY 21: Saturday 30thOctober Franz Josef - Christchurch (B,SD)
Travel to Hokitika and visit the Greenstone Factory. Continue to Arthur's Pass and board The TranzAlpine, one of the great train journeys of the world. View rivers and valleys as you travel through the Waimakariri Basin and across the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch. This evening you will be treated to a special farewell dinner including musical entertainment with your new friends.
HOTEL Copthorne Durham Street or Copthorne Central Hotel
DAY 22: Sunday 31stOctober Christchurch - Homeport (B)
Time to say goodbye. You'll be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable rail holiday.
Prices for tours ex Auckland are as follows - All costs are in NZD (New Zealand Dollars)
22 day North and South Island Tour = Twin Share $8,299 Single $10,599
12 day North Island Tour = Twin Share $5,699 Single $6,899
What Can you Expect to See on one of our Steam Journeys?
You will visit wineries, experience Maori culture, have some awesome wildlife experiences and see some of the most spectacular scenery found anywhere in the world.
In Auckland, the City Of Sails, you are surrounded by 50 dormant volcanoes and can sail out to see Rangitoto, the largest volcano in the Harbour, which last erupted only 500 years ago. You can even go inside the volcano crater at Mt Eden and if you are feeling adventurous you can bungy jump off the Sky Tower, the Southern Hemisphere's tallest building.
Further south you can explore the limestone caves of Waitomo or meet live Kiwis before travelling through Lord of the Rings "Mt Doom" in the Tongariro National Park.
As you reach the southern tip of the North Island you will visit one of the most beautiful capital cities, Wellington, and can explore one of the world's most interesting and innovative national museums: Te Papa.
In the South Island you will see seals, dolphins, penguins, albatrosses and can experience the fascinating and challenging Antarctic environment at The International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch before heading to the "Scottish" city of Dunedin and the desert landscape of Central Otago.
Once there you will follow the prospectors to the adventure capital of the world, Queenstown and to Arrowtown, where you can still pan for gold.
Finally you will travel through Fiordland to the scenic climax of your journey at Milford Sound.
You can get the real taste and feel of our steam journeys by viewing our 4 minute video summary online. | 
