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Paul and Nicky Hashfield:
Email:paul.hashfield@greatnzseamjourneys.co.nz
PS: Feedback on newsletter content is always very welcome!
Feedback from October 2006 Steam Journey:
If you read our last newsletter you might remember we were in the middle of planning our first South Island Steam Journey. It was the 100th anniversary of the official opening of the present Dunedin Railway Station, and was not only a great opportunity to see the cavalcade of locomotives on display, but also to show our visitors around the South Island. We worked closely with one of Australasia’s leading tour operators to make sure we delivered a holiday experience that would appeal as much to the non railfans as to railfans, and by doing so we attracted nearly 150 travellers, mainly from Australia.
They travelled by steam around the South Island visiting the major scenic highspots as well as seeing all the preserved steam lines. Towards the end of the steam journey we asked them how well they thought we had achieved the right balance of activities.
Read a summary of their comments or watch a 10 minute DVD of those interviews by clicking here.
In addition to the interviews, all our travellers were given customer feedback questionnaires and 86% were returned, which is a very high response rate for surveys like this. When asked to score the tour on a scale of 1 being poor and 10 being excellent, the tour scored an average of 9.77! We’re very pleased with this feedback, but still keen to improve, so we are currently implementing some of the excellent suggestions made by our travellers in time for our 2007 steam journeys.
If you’d like to see the itinerary of the October 2006 steam journey click here: www.greatnzsteamjourneys.co.nz/dunedinstation100th
Based on some of our customer feedback we are changing the way we schedule our future Steam Journeys. From now on the timing of many of our Steam Journeys will allow our travellers to participate in various heritage festivals and our itinerary will vary to allow you maximum opportunity to enjoy the best of the festival.
We still follow the existing itinerary that shows you the best parts of both the North and the South Island, but will vary the departure dates to arrive at the Festival at the best time.
Coming up for 2007 and 2008 there are already three festivals we are looking at and we know more will follow, so do keep your eye on our website for updates:
2007: Oamaru Victorian Festival: November 18th 2007:
Click here for Festival Background www.historicoamaru.co.nz
Our Steam Journey commences in Queenstown on November 12th
2008: Napier Art Deco Festival: February 16th 2008:
Click here for Festival Background www.artdeconapier.com
Our Steam Journey commences in Wellington on February 8th 2008
North Island Main Trunk Line Centenary Celebrations: October 25/26/27 2008
Our Steam Journey commences in Auckland October 18th 2008
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 up 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 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.
OR if you would like to see the full 40 minute DVD or video on your own TV then we can send you a copy straightaway: This version takes you on the full New Zealand Steam Explorer journey right through New Zealand. See magnificent shots of our steam locos in full cry through some of New Zealand’s finest scenery. It also includes the latest Tourism New Zealand promotional video to really whet your appetite for what you will see on your trip.
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