Probus 20 Day New Zealand Rail/Coach Tour
Exclusive Departure Date for Probus Tours
Wednesday 11 February 2009
Wednesday 11 February 2009
New Zealand Tour Prices
Twin share per person: £2395
Single Supplement: £624
Flights and stopovers are not included in these prices but we can arrange these - please enquire
Extra nights in Auckland and Christchurch
Twin share per person: £47 per night (room only)
Single room: £94 per night (room only)
Special Probus Bonus Features
FREE One night pre tour accommodation on arrival in Auckland including dinner and breakfast
FREE City tour of Auckland
Single Supplement: £624
Flights and stopovers are not included in these prices but we can arrange these - please enquire
Extra nights in Auckland and Christchurch
Twin share per person: £47 per night (room only)
Single room: £94 per night (room only)
Special Probus Bonus Features
FREE One night pre tour accommodation on arrival in Auckland including dinner and breakfast
FREE City tour of Auckland
ONE LOW TOUR PRICE INCLUDES:
Pre Paid Attractions
Kauri Museum*
Waitangi Treaty Grounds*
Hole in the Rock Cruise
Glenbrook Vintage Railway
Pre Paid Attractions
Kauri Museum*
Waitangi Treaty Grounds*
Hole in the Rock Cruise
Glenbrook Vintage Railway
Longlands Dairy Farm
Skyline Gondola and Luge
Agrodome
Paradise Valley Springs*
Thermal mud pools and geysers*
Agrodome
Paradise Valley Springs*
Thermal mud pools and geysers*
Southwards Car Museum
Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
TranzCoastal Rail Journey
Christchurch Tramway
Olveston House*
Haggis Ceremony & Gift
Larnach Castle*
Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens
Taieri Gorge Limited Rail Journey
Haggis Ceremony & Gift
Larnach Castle*
Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens
Taieri Gorge Limited Rail Journey
Te Anau Glow Worm Caves
Milford Sound Cruise
Kingston Flyer Rail Journey
Kingston Flyer Rail Journey
Lakes District Museum
Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
TranzAlpine Rail Journey
City sights tours of Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch
* Denotes a guided tour is included with one guide per 24 travellers
Touring
Luxury coach travel with 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
Professional coach captain
* Denotes a guided tour is included with one guide per 24 travellers
Touring
Luxury coach travel with 2 door access, restroom, reclining seats and panoramic windows
Professional coach captain
Dedicated Tour Escort
Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
Return airport transfers in New Zealand
19 nights deluxe hotel accommodation
Eight 2 night stays
Hotel porterage
5 rail journeys
Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
Return airport transfers in New Zealand
19 nights deluxe hotel accommodation
Eight 2 night stays
Hotel porterage
5 rail journeys
4 cruises
All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
New Zealand Goods and Services Tax (GST)
All sightseeing and pre paid attractions
New Zealand Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Comprehensive documentation pack
Meals19 cooked breakfasts including a speciality breakfast at Skyrides Restaurant, Rotorua
18 dinners including 4 specialty dinners: Maori Hangi & Concert in Rotorua, Haggis Ceremony in Dunedin, Walter Peak Homestead in Queenstown and Farewell Dinner in Christchurch
3 lunches including 2 specialty lunches at Longlands Dairy Farm in Matamata and BBQ Lunch at Kingston Flyer
3 morning/afternoon teas
Meals19 cooked breakfasts including a speciality breakfast at Skyrides Restaurant, Rotorua
18 dinners including 4 specialty dinners: Maori Hangi & Concert in Rotorua, Haggis Ceremony in Dunedin, Walter Peak Homestead in Queenstown and Farewell Dinner in Christchurch
3 lunches including 2 specialty lunches at Longlands Dairy Farm in Matamata and BBQ Lunch at Kingston Flyer
3 morning/afternoon teas
ITINERARY
(B) Breakfast (L) Lunch (D) Dinner (SD) Specialty Dinner
Day 1 Auckland (D)
Fly to Auckland where you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel Harbourcity (2 nights)
Day 2 Auckland (BD)
This morning enjoy a city sights tour of Auckland. This afternoon is free and you may like to take advantage of the discount coupons in your Optional Tours Directory. Experience 360 degree views from high above at the Auckland Sky Tower or enjoy an award wining Waiheke Island Vineyard tour, the choice is yours.
Day 3 Auckland – Bay of Islands (BD)
Depart Auckland and travel to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of Kauri Tree. Enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum in Matakohe, then pass through Dargavile and Whangarei to Paihia. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.
Hotel: Scenic Circle Bay of Islands Hotel (2 nights)
Day 4 Bay of Islands (BD)
This morning travel aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. Experience an informative commentary and a stopover at Otehei Bay before arriving at historic Russell. Free time is available to explore at leisure before returning by ferry to Paihia.
Day 5 Bay of Islands - Auckland (BD)
Bid farewell to the Bay of Islands and drive south via Whangarei, Wellsford and Warkworth to Auckland. Enjoy a short city tour and some free time to explore before transferring to your hotel.
Hotel: Copthorne Hotel Harbourcity
Day 6 Auckland – Rotorua (BLD)
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 magnificent countryside to Longlands Dairy Farm. Enjoy a farm tour followed by a delicious home cooked lunch. This afternoon travel the scenic coast road via Tauranga to the geothermal town of Rotorua.
Hotel: Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua (Superior Rooms. 2 nights)
Day 7 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. Next visit Paradise Valley Springs, a superb wildlife park where you can feed rainbow trout. 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 8 Rotorua – Wellington (BD)
Depart Rotorua and travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway before arriving at the spectacular Huka Falls. Continuing to Lake Taupo where some free time is available to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. This afternoon travel via the Tongariro National Park and see the snow capped peaks of Mt Ruapehu and Mt Tongariro. Visit the Southwards Car Museum, home to the most comprehensive collection of veteran and vintage cars in the southern hemisphere. Afternoon tea will be enjoyed before continuing south along the Kapiti Coast to Wellington, New Zealand’s capital.
Hotel: James Cook Grand Chancellor (2 nights)
Day 9 Wellington (BD)
An extensive city sights tour this morning will highlight Wellington’s tremendous history and culture. This afternoon enjoy free time, you may choose to visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum or consider the many other options available.
Day 10 Wellington – Picton - Christchurch (BD)
This morning board the Interislander Ferry, cross Cook Strait and travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join The TranzCoastal a truly spectacular rail journey that links the port of Picton to Christchurch and travels through vineyards, salt mountains and river valleys before following the thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikoura Ranges. Continue across the rolling farmland of the Northern Canterbury Plains to the garden city of Christchurch.
Hotel: Copthorne Durham Street or Scenic Circle Cotswold Hotel (2 nights)
Day 11 Christchurch (BD)
This morning enjoy a city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon is free and we have arranged for you to travel on the Christchurch Tramway which is the best way to visit all the “Must See” sights.
Day 12 Christchurch – Dunedin (B SD)
Depart Christchurch and travel south through Oamaru to Dunedin, a well preserved Victorian city. Enjoy a city sights tour including a visit to Olveston House, a prestigious historic home and tonight a Scottish Evening will be presented complete with bagpipes, great food, special Haggis Ceremony and gift.
Hotel: Mercure Leisure Lodge (2 nights)
Day 13 Dunedin (BD)
Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you enjoy a guided tour. Next visit Glenfalloch Woodland Gardens, view the superb collection of flowers followed by a delightful morning tea. Return to the city where free time is available before boarding The Taieri Gorge Limited for a journey through spectacular scenery only accessible by rail. Grand examples of Victorian stonework on bridges and tunnels, plus iron latticework viaducts can bee 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 14 Dunedin – Te Anau (BD)
Travel to Te Anau, the gateway to Fiordland and visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves. Admire the incredible limestone caverns, waterfalls and mystery of the Glow Worm Grotto before arriving at your hotel.
Hotel: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Deluxe Rooms. 2 nights)
Day 15 Te Anau – Milford Sound – Te Anau (BLD)
Depart Te Anau for 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 16 Te Anau - Queenstown (BL SD)
A leisurely start to the day before travelling to Fairlight where you board The Kingston Flyer for a rail journey behind a Pacific AB Class Locomotive. On arrival at Kingston a barbecue lunch with sparkling wine will be served. Continue to Arrowtown, an old gold mining village and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Queenstown, a year round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. On arrival sit back and relax, as you are treated to 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 as your cruise back to Queenstown.
Hotel: Mercure Resort (Lakeview Rooms. 2 nights)
Day 17 Queenstown (Free Day) (B)
Today is a free day. There are plenty of sightseeing options and your Coach Captain and Tour Escort will be happy to assist. This evening is also free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.
Day 18 Queenstown – Franz Josef (BD)
Depart Queenstown and 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. Time is available (weather permitting) to experience a scenic flight (optional) over the spectacular glaciers before continuing to Franz Josef.
Hotel: Scenic Circle Franz Josef Glacier Hotel
Day 19 Franz Josef - Christchurch (B SD)
Travel to Hokitika famous for its greenstone, then continue to Greymouth where you board The TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel through lush, beech forest, skirt lakes and follow rivers till you climb through the Otira Tunnel to Arthur’s Pass in the centre of the Southern Alps. Descend through spectacular gorges, river valleys and over massive viaducts before completing your journey at Christchurch. This evening enjoy a special farewell dinner including musical entertainment with your new found friends.
Hotel: Copthorne Durham Street or Scenic Circle Cotswold Hotel
Day 20 End of Tour (B)
Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a great holiday.
*Note: Dinner on Day 1 is not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm.
Documentation Pack
This comprehensive pack includes: travel bag, ticket wallet, toiletry wet pack, New Zealand travel diary, personal name badge, luggage label, personalised itinerary, touring map, postcard and Optional Tours Directory.
This comprehensive pack includes: travel bag, ticket wallet, toiletry wet pack, New Zealand travel diary, personal name badge, luggage label, personalised itinerary, touring map, postcard and Optional Tours Directory.
For further information about our New Zealand escorted coach tours that are exclusively for Probus members, to check on availability or to make a booking please call us on +44 1932 770530 or use the Contact Us form.