Itinerary
| 2025 | City / Port | |
| DAY 1 – 11 OCT | AUCKLAND Welcome to New Zealand! You are met on arrival at the Auckland International Airport. Auckland, gateway to New Zealand, is a modern city set on a narrow isthmus between the restless Tasman Sea and the calmer waters of the Pacific Ocean. The Waitemata Harbour, one of the city’s greatest treasures, is a mecca for sailors, and the popularity of sailing on the harbour has led to the affectionate term, ‘City of Sails’.The volcanic cones of One Tree Hill and Mt Eden are characteristic of the legacy of over 60 craters and cones concentrated in an area which is geologically unique. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner at the hotel. Overnight: Grand Millennium, Auckland (or similar) – (D) |
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| DAY 2 – 12 OCT | AUCKLAND – ROTORUA Travel south over the Bombay Hills turning east to over the Hauraki Plains and through the Karangahake Gorge to Waikino. At Waikino Station travel back in time and enjoy a 30-minute ride on a heritage train with Goldfields Railway. Journey between Waikino and Waihi at the eastern end of the spectacular Karangahake Gorge. Experience a section of what used to be known as the East Coast Main Trunk Line which stretched from Auckland to Taneatua south of Te Puke. Enjoy an area rich in history, including historic gold mining which shaped much of this part of the Southern Coromandel. From Waihi travel along the coast through Katikati to Tauranga where we have lunch at Mount Maunganui before continuing to Rotorua. With a unique thermal and volcanic landscape, living Maori culture, natural hot springs and bubbling mud pools, Rotorua is one of New Zealand’s best known and most popular destinations. Rotorua forms part of the geologically active ‘Pacific Rim of Fire’ and evidence of the bubbling thermal activity just under the earth’s crust is surprisingly evident throughout the city. Dinner is at leisure this evening. Overnight: Novotel Rotorua Lakeside (or similar) – (B,L) |
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| DAY 3 – 13 OCT | ROTORUA This morning we visit the thermal area of Waiotapu, one of the world’s most colourful thermal areas. View the Artist’s Palette where different minerals form areas on the pool surface, view the tiny bubbles surfacing in the Champagne Pool and walk down alongside the silica terrace to see the Bridal Veil Falls as well as other thermal activity. We than take a ride aboard the 900-metre long Doppelmayr cableway system up to the Skyline Rotorua complex. With stunning panoramic views over the city and Lake Rotorua we enjoy a delicious lunch before returning to the hotel for some time at leisure.Mid afternoon we visit Te Puia for a guided tour of the magnificent geothermal activity in the Whakarewarewa Thermal Valley. View the boiling mud pools, steaming silica terraces, hot springs and geysers including the famous Pohutu Geyser which can erupt up to 30 metres high.We then visit the New Zealand Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are learning the traditional carving and weaving skills of their ancestors. Our evening includes a buffet dinner including food from the hangi (traditional Maori method of cooking). After dinner enjoy a cultural performance in the fully carved Te Aronui-a-Rua meeting house where highlights include waiata (song), mōteatea (traditional chant) poi and haka. Following the concert, the evening culminates with hot chocolate served in the geothermal valley bathed in coloured light. Overnight: Novotel Rotorua Lakeside (or similar) – (B,L,D) |
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| DAY 4 – 14 OCT | ROTORUA – TAUPO – NAPIER Today travel south to Taupo, nestled on the shores of New Zealand’s largest lake, stopping at Huka Falls where the clear waters of the Waikato River gush through narrow gap in the rocks.At Taupo take a cruise to view the impressive Māori rock carvings at Mine Bay, which are only accessible by water. Appreciate the culture and craftsmanship, and the beautiful views of Taupō while cruising. The journey is 90 minutes and includes commentary of the region, history, and cultural significance of the carvings themselves. After your cruise enjoy lunch at a restaurant on the shores of Lake Taupo. Leaving Taupo, travel past large pine plantations before driving over the ranges, through the Eskdale Valley and into the Hawkes Bay.NOTE: For half the group this evening is at leisure. Half the group will board the Hawke’s Bay Express on arrival in Napier then have time at leisure tomorrow morning. Overnight: Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier (or similar) – (B,L) |
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| DAY 5 – 15 OCT | NAPIER This morning board the Hawke’s Bay Express, the first fully unrestricted legal passenger road train in New Zealand, with the look and feel of a full-size steam train. You will head out along the scenic Marine Parade with seascape views of Cape Kidnappers. Then, trundling through the city you will get to marvel at some of the world’s most stunning examples of Art Deco architecture. You will even be taken where no other tour bus can take you: right into the elegant heart of Napier, the main street which is otherwise largely a pedestrian zone.From the town centre you will head over Bluff Hill; then on into Ahuriri, once the old port village, now a haven for summer tourists. The engaging commentary outlines the history of the 1931 earthquake and the city’s rebuilding and you will hear about many aspects of life in the region such as its workforce, industries, lifestyle and culture.Time for lunch (own expense) in Napier.Continue on to visit Cape Kidnappers Gannet Colony – the world’s largest – in beautiful Hawke’s Bay. Watch the seabirds soar, swoop, dance and dive right before your eyes. The tour will take us through pristine coastline, working farms, native bush, traversing riverbeds, broad rolling pastures, steep gullies and the most breathtaking views of Hawke’s Bay and beyond.Tonight enjoy dinner at Mission Estate Winery. Established in 1851, by pioneering French Missionaries this is New Zealand’s oldest winery and the birthplace of New Zealand wine. The restaurant enjoys sweeping views of Napier city and the coast beyond. Overnight: Scenic Hotel Te Pania, Napier (or similar) – (B,D) |
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| DAY 6 – 16 OCT | NAPIER – PAHIATUA – PAEKAKARIKI – WELLINGTON Travel through the rolling farmlands of Central Hawkes Bay to Pahiatua. Visit the Pahiatua Railcar Society situated at the Pahiatua Station. The Pahiatua Railcar Society was formed in 1991 and comprises of a group of volunteers dedicated to keeping New Zealand’s railcar history alive. Continue south through the towns of Levin and Otaki to Paekākāriki, home to Steam Incorporated, who will be hosting us for an exclusive visit and BBQ lunch. Enjoy the opportunity to get up close to our steam locomotive Ja1271, speak with the volunteers and see just what it takes to operate a heritage steam train. You will also have the opportunity to view the rest of the collection. Travel down the scenic Kapiti Coast into Wellington, the Capital City and Seat of Parliament. Dinner at the hotel this evening. Overnight: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (or similar) – (B,L,D) |
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| DAY 7 – 17 OCT |
WELLINGTON After a relaxed start to the morning we set out for a half-day sightseeing tour of Wellington city. Highlights include a drive along pretty Oriental Bay to Mt Victoria for the 360-degree panoramic views of the city, Wellington Harbour and the surrounding hills. Also stop to see the magnificent Parliament Buildings and the iconic ‘Beehive’, the Executive Wing of the New Zealand Government. See Lambton Quay in the heart of Wellington’s shopping and business district and see Old St Paul’s Church which is one of New Zealand’s finest examples of colonial Gothic architecture. End your tour at the Botanic Gardens where you will have time to wander through this 54 hectare Garden of National Significance, or look through Cable Car Museum, before making your way down to Lambton Quay on the Cable Car – one of New Zealand’s only running funicular railway. Your hotel is a short walk away. The afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore Wellington independently. Overnight: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (or similar) – (B) |
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| DAY 8 – 18 OCT | WELLINGTON – WHANGANUI This morning we board our private heritage train at Wellington Station. Our train will be diesel hauled to Paekākāriki where our steam locomotive will be added to the train. Our locomotive, Ja1271, was built for the New Zealand Railways in Dunedin and entered service in 1956. Settle back and enjoy the sights and sounds of steam travel as our train thunders through the countryside and along the coastline. Take in the views from heritage carriages and the open air viewing carriage. On arrival at Whanganui we enjoy an afternoon tea cruise on the majestic Whanganui River aboard the Paddle Steamer Waimarie – the last coal-fired paddle steamer in operation in the Southern Hemisphere. The paddle steamer was built in 1899 in Scotland and was shipped to New Zealand in kit form. She operated on the river until 1949 and sank at her berth in 1952, remaining there until raised and restored in 2000. After our cruise we will transfer to our motels for check in. Dinner tonight is at a local restaurant. Overnight: Whanganui local motels – (B,L,D) |
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| DAY 9 – 19 OCT | WHANGANUI – OHAKUNE Today our train retraces it’s journey to Marton before commencing its climb towards the central plateau. On arrival in Ohakune visit the Ohakune Railway Museum. Much of Ohakune’s rich history revolves around the railway. ‘The Junction’ area of the township was the original hub of the settlement serving the engineers, labourers and early passengers of the railway. Several of the buildings in this part of town date back to the construction of the tracks in the late 1800s and early 1900s. At the side of these all-important tracks sits the Railway Museum, a converted 1930s railway shed that was re-located to Ohakune in 1990 and is now home to a selection of fascinating displays on the history of the railway and settlement in the region. Dinner is at our hotel tonight.Overnight: Ohakune local motels – (B,L,D) |
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| DAY 10 – 20 OCT | OHAKUNE – HAMILTON This morning we depart Ohakune gliding through rolling farmland, skirting wonderful rivers, gorges and valleys as we traverse the Waikato area. From the central plateau we enter the National Park, crossong the Hapuawhenua Viaduct before skirting Mt. Ruapehu and crossing the might Makatote Viaduct. Lunch will be aboard the train as we soak in the scenery. We then transit the famous Raumiru Spiral where the line loops up and over itself before it descends to follow the Ongarue River. On arrival at Hamilton Railway Station transfer to our hotel. Dinner tonight will be at our hotel. Overnight: Distinction Hamilton Hotel (or similar) – (B,L,D) |
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| DAY 11 – 21 OCT | HAMILTON – AUCKLAND Today our train continues North from Hamilton to Pukekohe. From here our train diverts onto the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, travelling its length to picturesque Waiuku. We bid a sad farewell to our train here, pausing for lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to our Auckland hotel for check in. Rest of day at leisure. Overnight: Grand Millennium Auckland (or similar) – (B,L) |
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| DAY 12 – 22 OCT | AUCKLAND This morning we experience a highlights tour of Auckland, exploring the lively waterfront area, Viaduct, Bastion Point and Mt Eden. Enjoy the relaxing views along Tamaki Drive, which runs east past peaceful sheltered bays to Auckland’s most expensive real estate. We then head west for lunch at Soljans Estate Winery. The winery has been family owned for three generations, since 1937, making them the third oldest family run winery that is still family run. The winery sits at the gateway to Kumeu Wine Country, Auckland’s heritage wine region. The afternoon is at leisure to relax or for some last-minute shopping. This evening we will transfer to the waterfront for a farewell dinner at Harbourside Bar Grill, including beverages. Overnight: Grand Millennium Auckland (or similar) – (B,L,D) |
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| DAY 13 – 23 OCT | AUCKLAND – AUSTRALIA Today you will be transferred from our hotel to Auckland International Airport to connect with your homeward flight. – (B) |
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