New Zealand Rail Adventure

Arrive in the ‘City of Sails' and be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.

Tonight, enjoy a special Welcome Dinner as you get to know your fellow travellers. Stay Two Nights: Sudima Auckland City (D)

This morning travel to Glenbrook and board the Glenbrook Vintage Steam Train. Take a journey through the beautiful rural Franklin countryside before stopping at the Pukeoware Depot to explore the workshop, view other historic locomotives, and enjoy a morning tea. After your time here, return to Auckland by coach. (B)

Insider Experience: Ride the historic Glenbrook Vintage Steam Train.

After breakfast, board your coach and head towards the Mamaku Ranges for a special rail experience. In Rotorua, visit Te Puia Cultural Centre, and tour the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute before an evening of traditional culture and food. Stay Two Nights: Sudima Rotorua (B/D)

Insider Experience: Enjoy a unique self-drive Rail Cruising experience. In your hybrid vehicle, you will have a first-class view of the ranges, with an audio guide to inform you about the region. Delight in a Hangi feast and Maori cultural performance.

Rotorua captures the essence of New Zealand with its geothermal geysers, fascinating Maori culture and rich heritage. Your sightseeing continues with a visit to one of New Zealand's best-loved attractions, the Agrodome, and then enjoy an afternoon at leisure to explore further or simply relax. (B)

Follow the Thermal Explorer Highway through the heart of the North Island travelling through green countryside, beautiful native bush, and some of the largest alpine forests in the Southern Hemisphere. We view the Wairakei Thermal Valley, then visit the spectacular Huka Falls and tranquil Lake Taupo, the water-filled crater of an ancient volcano. Continue to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city bound by its magnificent harbour. Stay Two Nights: Travelodge Hotel Wellington (B/D)

After breakfast today, head to Featherston to visit the fascinating Fell Locomotive Museum which houses the only remaining steam-powered Fell locomotive in the world. It ran from 1877, using a unique system of four grip wheels on a raised centre rail to enable it to pull carriages up the steep Rimutaka Incline. (B)

This morning, step aboard the Interislander ferry to cruise from Wellington Harbour across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific train to Kaikoura. Return to your coach to travel to Christchurch. Stay: Christchurch, Quality Hotel Elms (B/D)

Insider Experience: View the beautiful Pacific coastline from the Coastal Pacific Train.

This morning after breakfast, you will board the renowned TranzAlpine trains to cross the South Island. Upon arrival at Greymouth, you will disembark and travel by coach to the incredible natural surrounds at Franz Josef/Ka Roimata o Hine Hukatere and Fox Glaciers. Stay: Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier (B/D)

Insider Experience: On your TranzAlpine journey, considered to be one of the world's greatest rail adventures, you will follow the Waimakariri River and travel across the Southern Alps within Arthur's Pass National Park.

Enjoy a day of truly beautiful scenery as you travel to the alpine resort of Queenstown. Known as the country's adventure capital, Queenstown is also renowned for its world-class culinary scene.

This evening you may like to sample some of the region's fresh flavours at one of the many restaurants in walking distance from your hotel (own expense). Stay Two Nights: Queenstown, Copthorne Hotel and Apartments Queenstown Lakeview (B)

Soar to the top of a Queenstown peak and check out the view as all of Queenstown spreads below you. Following this, enjoy lunch at one of the FergFoods restaurants located throughout the city centre (Fergburger, FergsBar, Mrs. Ferg & FergBaker). The rest of the day is at leisure, so you have the freedom to simply relax or choose one of Travelmarvel's exciting Select Experiences. For the adventurous, perhaps head out on a jet boat ride. The Shotover Jet Boat roars through dramatic river canyons within centimetres of sheer rock walls. (B/L)

Insider Experience: Ride the Skyline Gondola 450 metres above the city to the top of Bob's Peak.

Follow The Remarkables mountain range and Lake Wakatipu to Fiordland National Park. Today, enjoy a memorable cruise on Milford Sound/Piopiotahi. Stay: Kingsgate Hotel Te Anau (B/D)

Insider Experience: Cruise the full length of Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, a magnificent fiord with views of waterfalls, dense rainforest and sheer cliffs.

Enjoy spectacular scenery today as you drive from Te Anau to the Scottish-inspired southern city of Dunedin. Stay: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City (B/D)

Journey north to view the Moeraki Boulders then continue to Oamaru and visit the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo.

Later, arrive at your resort. Stay: Lake Tekapo, Peppers Bluewater Resort (B/D)

Head into the stunning scenery of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. Later, head back to Christchurch for a special Farewell Dinner. Stay: Sudima Hotel Christchurch Airport (B/D)

Insider Experience: View majestic Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest peak.

Your tour concludes after breakfast with a transfer to the airport. (B)