THE GREAT NEW ZEALAND TRAIN JOURNEY
1 - 16 March 2025
Train whistle blowin’, all aboard and we are on the road (or on the train tracks!) for The Great New Zealand Train Journey which combines all the bygone glory of train travel with fun, laughter and incredible musical events from Karl, Marian and Lynette in beautiful settings around New Zealand.
$9200 per person twin share
Single Room Supplement Add $2600
Initial Deposit On Booking $1000
Second Deposit Due: 27 September 2024 $2000
Final Balance Due: 21 November 2024
Days
15 Nights
Highlights
Iconic Train Journeys Through NZ, Music Events from Karl, Marian and Lynette, Great Tours
Group Size
35 Travellers
Meals
All Breakfasts
1 High Tea
5 Lunches
11 Dinners
Mobility
Moderate Tour
MAP GUIDE:
1. AUCKLAND (2 nights)
2. HAMILTON (3 nights)
3. OHAKUNE (2 nights)
4. WELLINGTON (3 nights)
5. BLENHEIM (2 nights)
6. CHRISTCHURCH (3 nights)
SPECIAL FEATURES
• 15 nights’ accommodation in 4-star hotels: Auckland (2 nights), Hamilton (3 nights), Ohakune (2 nights), Wellington (3 nights), Blenheim (2 nights), Christchurch (3 nights).
• Train rides through beautiful farmlands, rugged coastlines, the volcanic plateau, undulating mountains and lush forests including TranzAlpine, Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific and Glenbrook Railway.
• Musical experiences along the way which include: Viva Las Vegas our first night dinner and entertainment, a dine and dance: Celebrate the 50s to 70s, a vineyard concert and dinner: Luck of the Irish, a country music concert at Powderhorn Chateau: A Little Bit of Country, Spotlight on Marian! and our final evening gala Showstoppers.
• Entertainment from our escorts on board our carriage as we travel through our country, the most beautiful country in the world.
• Numerous tours and experiences from Hobbiton to the Weta Museum to glimpse behind the scenes of The Lord of the Rings, International Antarctic Centre, wine tasting in Blenheim, Hamilton Gardens, National War Museum, Waiouru, visit to Te Papa and tour of Parliament.
• Love, care and laughter from our incredible tour hosts: Karl Perigo, Marian Burns (joining us until 14th March) and Lynette Martin with special guests, Amanda and Ravil Atlas appearing on the final night.
TRIP ITINERARY
Experience the Exceptional:
SATURDAY 1 MARCH 2025 (D)
Four Points by Sheraton Hotel, Auckland (2 nights)
Today we meet from around New Zealand in preparation for our train odyssey with time to settle in.
We meet for our first night event with dinner and entertainment from our escorts. Viva Las Vegas! featuring songs made famous by the headliners of Vegas!
SUNDAY 2 MARCH 2025 (B, High Tea)
Highlights Include:
• Today we enjoy our first train ride on the Glenbrook private rail to enjoy high tea in their vintage carriages. What a lovely way to start the first of our train journeys.
• Free evening for meeting friends and gearing up for our great adventure.
MONDAY 3 MARCH 2025 (B, L, D)
AUCKLAND - HAMILTON ON TRAIN
Novotel Hamilton Tainui (3 nights)
Novotel Hamilton Tainui is a 4-star hotel, centrally located on the banks of the Waikato River, which offers an award-winning restaurant, a fitness centre, a sauna and massage facilities.
Highlights Include:
• Today we are off by train to Hamilton.
• On arrival in Hamilton we will enjoy a driving tour before lunch at the cafe, overlooking Hamilton Lake.
• Casual dinner at our hotel this evening.
TUESDAY 4 MARCH 2025 (B, D)
Highlights Include:
• Today we enjoy the world famous Hamilton Gardens, where the themed gardens are a wonder with free time for wandering and lunch (own cost).
• Dine and dance with Celebrate the 50s to 70s at Woodlands this evening led by our great team!
WEDNESDAY 5 MARCH 2025 (B, L)
Highlights Include:
• Transfer to Hobbiton where we step into the lush pastures of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, for a tour and lunch.
• Some free time late afternoon and evening to relax, shop or meet up with friends and family. We are situated right in town, so shops are within very easy walking distance.
THURSDAY 6 MARCH 2025 (B, D)
HAMILTON - OHAKUNE ON TRAIN
Powderhorn Chateau (2 nights)
This hotel is located in the heart of Ohakune, and features beautiful timber floors and ceilings of local material. Its atmosphere is reminiscent of a mountain ski retreat.
Highlights Include:
• Train journey with wonderful scenery between Hamilton and Ohakune including Tongariro National Park.
• Casual dinner on arrival at the hotel this evening.
FRIDAY 7 MARCH 2025 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• Tour of the local area: a scenic drive around Mt Tongariro and Mt Ruapehu.
• A visit to the National Army Museum in Waiouru including lunch.
• A sumptuous feast of cuisine and a gala concert: A Little Bit of Country featuring famous songs from country music greats in our private dining room.
SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2025 (B, D)
TONGARIRO OHAKUNE - WELLINGTON BY TRAIN
Novotel Hotel, Wellington (3 nights)
The Novotel offers direct access to the Lambton Quay shopping area, just a ten minute walk from Wellington Station. This hotel features rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and panoramic views.
Highlights Include:
• A morning visit to Ohakune township with time for a wander and lunch (own cost).
• Another incredible train journey through the lower half of the North Island with many chances for a singalong today as we travel through farmlands and lovely scenery on our way to Wellington.
• A casual dinner at our hotel this evening.
SUNDAY 9 MARCH 2025 (B)
Highlights Include:
• A City Tour of Wellington including Wellington central area, a trip to the top of Mt Victoria, with its great views over Wellington, a visit to Te Papa and a tour of the Parliament buildings.
• Free time this afternoon for your own activities or a chance to catch up with friends.
MONDAY 10 MARCH 2025 (B, D)
Highlights Include:
• Experience a tour of the amazing Weta Workshop.
• Tonight, our dinner will be accompanied by music: Spotlight on Marian!
TUESDAY 11 MARCH 2025 (B, D)
Scenic Hotel, Blenheim (2 nights)
Today we are off to the South Island on the Interislander and enjoy the magnificent views of the Marlborough Sounds. The Scenic Hotel Marlborough is located in the heart of Marlborough Wine Country, internationally renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc.
Highlights Include:
• Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds, spot dolphins and enjoy the glorious scenery as we travel through the Sounds.
• Experience the outstanding Knights of the Sky exhibition, featuring Sir Peter Jackson’s own collection of WW1 aircraft and artifacts. The story of aviation in the Great War is theatrically brought to life by the internationally acclaimed talent of WingNut Films and Weta Workshop.
• Casual dinner at the hotel this evening.
WEDNESDAY 12 MARCH 2025 (B, L, D)
Highlights Include:
• This morning we enjoy an orientation of beautiful Blenheim.
• Wine tasting at Forrest Winery. Established in 1988, this vineyard specialises in award-winning Sauvignon Blanc.
• Lunch at Twelve Trees Restaurant at the Allan Scott Family Winery.
• Vineyard dinner with entertainment Luck of the Irish provided by our hosts.
THURSDAY 13 MARCH 2025 (B, D)
BLENHEIM - KAIKOURA - CHRISTCHURCH ON THE TRAIN
Novotel Hotel, Christchurch (3 nights)
We travel down one of the most beautiful coasts in New Zealand – with its crashing waves, rugged rocks and seal colonies – to Kaikoura and then onto Christchurch. Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square is superbly located in the heart of the Garden City.
Highlights Include:
• A leisurely morning in Blenheim including a visit to Makana Chocolate Factory – the ultimate chocolate experience where we will see these delicious chocolates being made, taste a few samples and of course shop for gifts and yourself!
• A visit to town with time for a wander and lunch (own cost) and perhaps a stroll in popular Pollard Park before our afternoon departure.
• An iconic and stunning train ride down the East Coast on the Coastal Pacific from Blenheim to Christchurch, with dinner on board.
FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2025 (B, L)
Today we enjoy one of the most magnificent train journeys in the world, the TranzAlpine. We travel coast to coast from Christchurch to Greymouth and experience the striking beauty of the Southern Alps, the ice-fed Waimakariri River through to unique native beech forests. We will have a picnic lunch on board our train.
SATURDAY 15 MARCH 2025 (B, D)
Highlights Include:
• A visit to the International Antarctic Centre to view their amazing displays and enjoy seeing the penguins.
• City tour of Christchurch.
• Final night dinner this evening with entertainment from our escorts. Showstoppers featuring the greatest music theatre hits.
SUNDAY 16 MARCH 2025 (B)
We are transferred to the airport to make our way home taking with us some wonderful memories of our beautiful country.
OUR TRAIN & BOAT JOURNEY
Our train journey takes us through many parts of New Zealand. The plan is we put our luggage on our coach so we don’t need to concern ourselves with luggage on the train. The coach drops us off and we enjoy time on the train while the coach drives our luggage to the next destination. Then we enjoy concerts and singalongs in our own carriage and watch the world go by!
Northern Explorer - North Island
We will see fantastic views of New Zealand from farmland, rugged bush landscapes and the engineering masterpiece that is the Raurimu Spiral, to passing the majestic volcanoes of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu - the home of the North Island ski fields. We then descend through stunning river gorges to the farming landscapes and rocky sea scapes of the lower North Island - all from large panoramic windows and the open-air viewing deck of the Northern Explorer train.
Interislander - Wellington - Picton
The Interislander travels the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand and is one of the most spectacular cruises in the world. The 92 km journey between Wellington and Picton is one of New Zealand’s most iconic tourist experiences.
Coastal Pacific Train
On one side of your train you will see the wine growing region of Blenheim and the rugged Kaikoura mountain ranges; on the other side the Pacific Ocean coastline with views of marine wildlife such as seals and penguins, and some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural and farmland areas of the Canterbury Plains.
TranzAlpine - Christchurch -
Southern Alps - Greymouth (and return)
Travelling west crossing the Canterbury Plains, the train slowly ascends through spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River towards the Southern Alps to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass. From here we descend through the Otira Tunnel to the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, through lush alpine forests to Greymouth.
This Trip Includes:
• 15 nights’ accommodation in 4-star hotels: Auckland (2 nights), Hamilton (3 nights), Ohakune (2 nights), Wellington (3 nights), Blenheim (2 nights), Christchurch (3 nights).
• Train journeys: Northern Explorer, Hamilton - Ohakune - Wellington // Coastal Pacific, Blenheim - Christchurch // TranzAlpine, Christchurch - Greymouth (return).
• Other transport - Interislander Ferry one-way Wellington to Picton, plus all transfers, including luggage and people by coach.
• Musical experiences along the way which include: Viva Las Vegas our first night dinner and entertainment, a dine and dance: Celebrate the 50s to 70s, a vineyard concert and dinner: Luck of the Irish, a country music concert at Powderhorn Chateau: A Little Bit of Country, Spotlight on Marian! and our final evening gala Showstoppers.
• Numerous experiences such as tours of Weta Workshop, Hobbiton, Knights of the Sky, International Antarctic Centre, Te Papa and National Army Museum, wine tasting in Blenheim and tour of National Park and National War Museum.
• All breakfasts, 1 high tea, 5 lunches and 11 dinners included.
• Love, care and laughter from our incredible tour hosts: Karl Perigo, Marian Burns (joining us until 14th March) and Lynette Martin with special guests, Amanda and Ravil Atlas appearing on the final night.
PLEASE NOTE: As our travellers are coming from all over NZ, airfares are not included. If you require us to book your flights at an additional cost, please contact us.
Important Information
• All itinerary details are subject to change, but changes will be replaced with a comparable or better option.
• Initial & Second deposits are fully refundable up until final balance due date, minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs.
• All monies are non-refundable at final balance due date. This becomes an insurance claim.
• Bank transfer payments incur no surcharge. Credit card payments incur surcharge of 1.5%.
• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.
• Bookings will only be accepted with initial deposit & booking form.
• All travellers must obtain comprehensive travel insurance for international travel and insurance for domestic travel is recommended.
• Please refer to our terms and conditions on booking form.
Mobility - Moderate Tour
This trip has a little more walking than an easy tour. It is a moderate tour for one of the following reasons - you may need to walk with ease for up to one hour at a slow pace or be able to climb stairs or be able to get on and off boats, trains and buses. This trip will not suit those on walkers and a moderate level of mobility is required.