Overview
Classic
3.5 - 4 Star
Affordable
16-99 Years
35
Fully Guided, Locally Guided
CAW6
Itinerary
Your great journey will officially begin the moment you check into your hotel room. After reading your welcome letter from your Tour Director, head out and explore all that Auckland has to offer. This is the perfect opportunity to visit the Sky Tower or shop along bustling Queen Street. You may even fancy a drink in one of the charming bars or eateries of Vulcan Lane.
After an exciting day on the town, join your fellow travellers as well as the Tour Director at this evening's welcome reception. Stay: Travelodge Hotel Wyndyard Quarter (or similar), Auckland
For the next two nights, you will stay in Ohakune. This charming town is the adventure base for the Tongariro National Park - home to three volcanic mountains. Tongariro National Park is also recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Join your fellow travellers for dinner. Stay: Powderhorn Chateau (or similar), Ohakune (B/D)
Today is free for you to discover one of Ohakune's exciting excursions. Choose from the many optional activities on offer and personalise your perfect holiday. Perhaps you will hop aboard a historical rail cart journey or join a horse trekking experience that takes you along expansive hills, mountains, rivers and into the native bush.
If you're after an active day, why not explore Ohakune's historical cycle trail? Rent e-bikes and discover old viaducts, tunnels, old settlers' camps and reclaimed native forests along the Old Coach Road! Stay: Powderhorn Chateau (or similar), Ohakune (B)
As you glide through rich green farmland and past a dramatic coastline, why not indulge in a treat from our onboard licensed cafe? All too soon the train will arrive into Wellington leaving the picturesque Porirua Harbour behind. You have arrived at Wellington Railway Station.
Welcome to New Zealand's windy capital! You won't want to waste a moment of time after checking into the hotel - your evening is free to explore this award-winning culinary capital from Queen's Wharf, Cuba Street and beyond. Stay: James Cook Wellington (or similar), Wellington (B)
Start the day by getting cultured at the Te Papa Museum on our included tour. Rest of the day is yours free to enjoy. From urban eco-sanctuary, cable cars, botanical gardens and more, the list goes on! If you need any suggestions or recommendations, just reach out to your experienced Tour Director.
Dine with your group this evening. Stay: James Cook Wellington (or similar), Wellington (B/D)
Your journey will end after enjoying a final breakfast with your fellow travellers. (B)
Trip Inclusions
The journey is part of the destination on our tours, and our Scenic trains are the ultimate way to see New Zealand. On our Classic Northern Highlights Tour, your journey will begin aboard the Northern Explorer, leaving the towering Auckland skyline behind you and setting out across the mighty Waikato plains.
From Hamilton, your journey spirals up onto the volcanic plateau around the historic Raurimu Spiral. At the top, you will cruise beneath three mighty volcanic peaks before slowly descending across several soaring viaducts. Your final journey brings you along the sparkling Kapiti Coast on your way into our glittering capital city, Wellington.
- Experience the Volcanic Plateau by world-renowned Northern Explorer train journey
- Encounter the volcanic peaks of Middle Earth in Tongariro National Park
- Witness the engineering marvels of Raurimu Spiral
- Marvel at the mesmerising coastal views of the Kapiti Coast
- Discover the sandstone cliffs of the Rangatikei River Gorge
- Be captivated by the storytelling of your Tour Director throughout your great journey
- Experienced Tour Director
- Te Papa Museum tour
- The Northern Explorer Scenic Train
- Free time and optional excursions to personalise your holiday
- Arrival transfer
- Optional activities (unless specified)
- Meals (unless specified)
- Airfares
- Personal spending money
- Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Operator
With more picture-postcard views flowing seamlessly through your panoramic window, the journey will astound you. As your Tour Director leads you beyond the well-beaten paths and highways, you'll become immersed in authentic New Zealand culture. Our unique rail tours take you beyond boundaries on a once-in-a-lifetime journey that you'll treasure forever.
Great Journey's Classic Tours provide an exciting balance of organised travel with more spare time and greater flexibility to enjoy your chosen activities.
Tours include a Tour Director, 3-4 star accommodation, breakfasts, select meals, train journeys, and transfers.
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Great Journeys New Zealand. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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