Great Southern Steam Train Tour - SOUTH ISLAND RAIL TOUR - Marlborough Flyer
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Great Southern
Steam Train Tour
• SOU TH ISLAND RAIL TOUR •
D EPA RT I N G C H R I S T C H U RC H 2 4 A P R I L - 6 M AY 2 0 2 1
1 3 - DAY T O U R O P T I O N
Experience the adventure, the nostalgia, the romance of Steam Train travel.
Pounamu Tourism Group invites you to take a step back in time to a bygone era
for an epic steam train journey exploring the majestic South Island of Aotearoa.
GREAT SOUTHERN TOUR OPTIONS
STEAM TRAIN TOUR
TOUR OPTION 3:
Journey with us into the deep south of New Zealand 13-DAY TOUR Departing Christchurch
and experience the postcard perfect vistas and from 24 April – 6 May 2021
dramatic alpine scenery that this part of the world is
renowned for. You will start your journey departing TOUR OPTION 4:
Christchurch on the iconic TranzAlpine via 7-DAY TOUR Departing Invercargill to
Arthur’s Pass. Then we begin the traverse inland on Wellington from 30 April – 6 May 2021
luxury coaches to experience the wonders of Franz
Josef, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Te Anau. In
Invercargill, you will meet the star of the show, the
historic WW1 memorial steam locomotive Ab608
Passchendaele, (named in honour of our fallen
soldiers at The Battle of Passchendaele in 1917) and
travel the entire length of the South Island (visiting
Dunedin, Oamaru, Christchurch and Marlborough)
steam-hauled, in the comfort of vintage carriages.
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 2
CONTENTS DAY 1
Christchurch –
13-DAY TOUR Franz Josef
DEPARTING CHRISTCHURCH page 6
DAY 2 DAY 3
Franz Josef –
Queenstown
Queenstown
page 6 page 7
DAY 4 DAY 5
Queenstown – Te Anau –
Te Anau Milford Sound
page 7 page 8
DAY 6 DAY 7
Te Anau – Invarcargill –
Invarcargill Dunedin
page 8 page 9
DAY 8 DAY 9
Dunedin –
Dunedin
Oamaru
page 9 page 10
DAY 10 DAY 11
Oamaru – Christchurch –
Christchurch Kaikoura
page 10 page 11
DAY 12 DAY 13
Kaikoura – Blenheim –
Blenheim Wellington
page 11 page 12
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 3
13-DAY TOUR DEPARTING CHRISTCHURCH
24 APRIL - 6 MAY 2021
TranzAlpine
Luxury Coach
Steam Train
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 4
13-DAY TOUR Mountain Range and the view of Lake Wakatipu
from the hotel.
DEPARTING Queenstown highlights include the historic and
CHRISTCHURCH picturesque goldmining town, Arrowtown, on the
banks of the Arrow River and taking in the Lakes
District Museum. We join a lake cruise on board
24 APRIL - 6 MAY 2021 the historic TSS Earnslaw, the 1912 Edwardian
steamboat, which takes us across Lake Wakatipu to
Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner.
Your journey begins with a Meet and Greet in
Departing Queenstown and onto the Fiordland
Christchurch, where the iconic TranzAlpine awaits.
National Park district, where we spend a couple of
Often regarded to be one of the world’s great train
awe-inspiring days experiencing the wonders of Te
journeys for the scenery through which it passes.
Anau and Milford Sound.
The journey is 223 kilometres one-way, taking
almost five hours. You will see epic vistas, travel the Traversing the Southern Scenic Route to
edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Invercargill, we continue to Dunedin. Exploring
majestic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps, and Moeraki Boulders, OCHO Chocolate Factory
see miles of native beech forest. tour and enjoying high tea at Larnach Castle. In
Oamaru, we seek out unique places of interest
The tour is escorted by a fleet of luxury coaches
such as the Blue Penguin Colony and Whitestone
that provide seamless transfers from the train to
Cheese Factory.
your accommodation each evening. Wake up the
following day in Franz Josef, where guests are Arriving in Christchurch, we interlude to explore
encouraged to wind down and enjoy some well- the beautiful French historical township of Akaroa
deserved pampering at the Franz Josef Glacier Hot and the harbour by steam tugboat or a historical
Pools. tram tour of “the garden city”.
Departing the West Coast, we will travel through Onwards to spectacular Kaikoura, home of resident
the Haast Pass, journeying through native beech whales, where the great mountains of the Southern
forest and over the Southern Alps. This remote area Alps rise from the depths of the Pacific Ocean.
has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, Our last night is spent in the famous Marlborough
gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. wine region boasting over 100 vineyards.
After a tea break in Makarora on the border of The final day and the port town of Picton awaits
Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, we pass with one of the most scenic picturesque ferry
by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Dunstan, Lake crossings in the world across the Cook Strait,
Wanaka, and Lake Hawea, arriving in Queenstown. then weaving our way through Queen Charlotte
The adventure playground of Queenstown awaits - Sound to the harbour city of Wellington - the
cap off a special day as we take in The Remarkables journey of a lifetime.
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 5
13-DAY TOUR DEPARTING CHRISTCHURCH
24 APRIL – 6 MAY 2021
DAY DATE ITINERARY HOTEL MODE
CHRISTCHURCH - ARTHUR’S PASS - FRANZ JOSEF
Sat 24 Scenic Hotel
1 April
Meet and Greet at Christchurch Railway Station
Franz Josef
TranzAlpine
TranzAlpine
FRANZ JOSEF - QUEENSTOWN
Sun 25 Hotpools Copthorne
2 April Helicopter (optional) Hotel Lakefront
Coach
Afternoon Tea at Makarora
QUEENSTOWN
Mon 26 Copthorne Coach
3 April
Day at your leisure
Hotel Lakefront / Cruise
TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak Homestead Dinner
QUEENSTOWN - TE ANAU
Tue 27 Distinction Steam Train
4 April
Arrowtown - Lakes District Museum
Hotel Luxmore / Coach
Te Anau Glowworm Caves & Cruise (optional)
TE ANAU - MILFORD SOUND - TE ANAU
Wed 28 Coach along Eglinton Valley to Milford Sound via Homer Tunnel Distinction Coach
5 April Milford Sound Cruise (optional) Hotel Luxmore / Cruise
Coach back to Te Anau
TE ANAU - INVERCARGILL
Thu 29 Takahe Sanctuary Ascot Park
6 April Afternoon tea at Tuatapere Hotel
Coach
Riverton Museum
INVERCARGILL - DUNEDIN
Fri 30 Scenic Hotel Steam Train
7 April
Bill Richardsons Transport World
Southern Cross / Coach
Scenic Flight to Stewart Island (optional)
DUNEDIN
Sat 1 Scenic Hotel
8 May
OCHO Chocolate Factory Tour
Southern Cross
Steam Train
High Tea & Garden Tour at Larnach Castle
DUNEDIN - OAMARU
Sun 2 Moeraki Boulders on way to Oamaru Brydone Hotel
9 May Blue Penguin viewing in Oamaru or North Star
Steam Train
Whitestone Cheese Tour
OAMARU - CHRISTCHURCH Distinction Steam Train
Mon 3
10 May
Akaroa Harbour nature cruise OR Steam Tug Boat Hotel / Coach
OR City & Tram Tour Christchurch / Steam Ship
CHRISTCHURCH - KAIKOURA The White
Tue 4
11 May
Seal Colony Walk Morph Hotel Steam Train
Whale Watching, Dolphins, Scenic flights (optional) and equivalent
KAIKOURA - KEKERENGU - BLENHEIM
Wed 5 Lunch at Kekerengu “The Store” Scenic Hotel
12 May Yealands Estate vineyard tour Marlborough
Steam Train
The Wine Station
BLENHEIM - PICTON - WELLINGTON
Thu 6 Coach to Picton Coach
13 May Afternoon Interislander Ferry to Wellington / Ferry
Tour ends
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 6
DAY 1 Saturday 24th April 2021
Christchurch - Arthur’s Pass -
Franz Josef
Your journey begins with a Meet and Greet at
Christchurch Railway Station, where the iconic
TranzAlpine awaits. Often regarded to be one of the
world’s great train journeys for the scenery through
which it passes. The journey is 223 kilometres one-
way, taking almost five hours. You will see epic
vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri
River, traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains and
Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest. DAY 2 Sunday 25th April 2021
Luxury coaches await in Greymouth to transport
you to your hotel in the ruggedly beautiful Franz
Josef.
Franz Josef – Queenstown
Wake up to enjoy some pampering at the Franz
Josef Glacier Hot Pools and options are available for
Passengers stay at the Scenic Hotel Franz
helicopter tours of the glacier. Leaving Franz Josef,
Josef.
we travel along the West Coast through the Haast
Pass, journeying through native beech forest and over
the Southern Alps. This remote area has a ruggedly
beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing
waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. After a tea
break in Makarora on the border of Mount Aspiring
World Heritage Park, we pass by the crystal-clear
waters of Lake Dunstan, Lake Wanaka, and Lake
Hawea. The adventure playground of Queenstown
then awaits! Cap off a special day as we take in The
Remarkables Mountain Range and the view of Lake
Wakatipu from the hotel.
Passengers stay at Copthorne Hotel
Lakefront which is located on the shores
of Lake Wakatipu, within walking distance
of Queenstown’s central shopping and
entertainment area. The hotel offers
panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu and
surrounding mountain peaks.
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 7
DAY 3 Monday 26th April 2021
Queenstown
Spend a leisurely day exploring Queenstown. Later
in the afternoon, we join a lake cruise on board
the historic TSS Earnslaw, the 1912 Edwardian
steamboat, which takes us across Lake Wakatipu to
Walter Peak High Country Farm for dinner.
Passengers stay at Copthorne Hotel DAY 4 Tuesday, 27th April 2021
Lakefront which is located on the shores
of Lake Wakatipu, within walking distance
of Queenstown’s central shopping and Queenstown - Te Anau
entertainment area.
Departing Queenstown, we call in to visit the historic
and picturesque goldmining town, Arrowtown, on
the banks of the Arrow River and taking in the
Lakes District Museum. Continuing our journey
through the Fiordland National Park district, we
stop off to see the Te Anau glowworms caves. The
Te Anau caves are a culturally and ecologically
important system of limestone caves on the western
shore of Lake Te Anau. We spend a couple of awe-
inspiring days experiencing the wonders of Te Anau
and Milford Sound.
Passengers stay at Distinction Hotel
Luxmore.
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 8
DAY 5 Wednesday 28th April 2021 DAY 6 Thursday 29th April 2021
Te Anau - Milford Sound - Te Te Anau – Invercargill
Anau
As we depart Fiordland National Park district,
Traveling along the Milford Road (between Te Anau continuing to traverse the Southern Scenic Route,
and Milford) is one of the finest alpine drives in our journey by coach calls in to visit the Takahe
the world. The scenery is exceptional, ranging from Bird Sanctuary. Takahe are the stars of the show
broad grassy flats, dense rainforest and towering and meeting these prehistoric-looking characters is
mountains through to glacial lakes and alpine herb a ‘must do’ for Fiordland visitors. The sanctuary is
fields. A day tour to Milford Sound offers some of a large part of the success of the Takahe Recovery
the most spectacular natural scenery to be viewed Programme.
anywhere in the world. Board the coach and travel Then a lunch stop at Tuatapere Café, followed by
through stunning scenery along the Milford Road a visit to the Te Hikoi Museum in Riverton, the
and into Fiordland, where your cruise boat awaits South’s ultimate heritage attraction, just 25 minutes
you. The tour includes a cruise around the fiord so from Invercargill on the Southern Scenic Route.
you can experience its wonders up close and see The museum features authentic life size displays,
landmarks like Mitre Peak and amazing wildlife, adventurous characters and engaging stories. These
such as dolphins and seals. Cruise the inmost reaches reveal how our Maori and European ancestors
of Milford Sound to the open Tasman Sea and back. adapted to survive on nature’s edge. An experience
A one-day itinerary is enough to see all the beautiful not to be missed.
views along the way, take a scenic cruise around the
Famous Bluff oysters will no doubt be on the menu
fiord, and get back to Te Anau in time for dinner.
this evening.
Passengers stay at Distinction Hotel
Passengers will stay at The Ascot Park Hotel,
Luxmore.
adjacent to the racecourse and with a relaxed
and spacious layout.
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 9
DAY 7 Friday 30th April 2021
Invercargill – Dunedin
Passengers may choose to relax in Invercargill,
taking in the famous Bill Richardson Transport
World or take an optional scenic flight or ferry to
the wonderful Stewart Island, home to amazing
wildlife and stunning scenery
Departing Invercargill later in the day, we introduce
you to the star of the tour, the historic WW1
memorial steam locomotive Ab608 Passchendaele,
(named in honour of our fallen soldiers at The Battle
of Passchendaele in 1917) - the Marlborough Flyer
DAY 8 Saturday 1st May 2021
steam train as she is more recently known. Then
it is “all aboard” and onward past the edge of the Dunedin
Blue Mountains to the town of Gore, and then
northwards to Dunedin. The morning starts with a guided tour and tasting
at the new OCHO craft chocolate factory where
they turn cacao into chocolate bars. OCHO moved
Passengers will stay at Scenic Hotel Southern into the new premises in January 2019 and are eager
Cross which is Dunedin’s most established to share the OCHO experience with chocolate
hotel, nestled in the heart of the city. lovers with every part of their production process
on display.
We will then coach to historic Larnach Castle, is
one of New Zealand’s premier visitor attractions,
which is situated on the picturesque Otago
Peninsula. Lovingly restored by the Barker Family,
the Castle and surrounding grounds are at the heart
of the Dunedin visitor experience. Passengers arrive
in time for refreshing high tea in the Ballroom Café
followed by a guided garden tour.
Passengers will stay at Scenic Hotel Southern
Cross which is Dunedin’s most established
hotel, nestled in the heart of the city.
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 10DAY 9 Sunday, 2nd May 2021
Dunedin – Oamaru
Departing North towards Oamaru, we call in
to Moeraki Boulders, a group of large spherical
“stones” on Koekohe Beach near Moeraki on the
Otago coast. These boulders are actually concretions
that have been exposed through shoreline erosion
from coastal cliffs. The boulders are one of the most
fascinating and popular attractions on the South
Island. DAY 10 Monday 3rd May 2021
We arrive in one of New Zealand’s many towns of
character, Oamaru. Gourmet cheese is then on the Oamaru – Christchurch
menu as we explore the Whitestone Cheese Factory,
home of some of the world’s finest cheeses and you’ll The morning departure from Oamaru is by steam
be treated on a guided tour which includes a cheese train as we set out further towards Timaru where
and wine pairing. we stop for lunch.
The Blue Penguin Colony in Oamaru is similarly Afternoon options on arrival in Christchurch
not to be outdone, has specially designed nesting include exploring the harbour on the historical
boxes for your convenience as well as stadium steam tugboat (Tug Lyttelton Est. 1907) or a
grandstand seating for your viewing pleasure, to see historical tram tour of “the garden city”.
the penguins arrive home in the evening.
Passengers will stay at the luxurious and
Passengers will stay at Brydone Hotel – newly renovated Distinction Hotel in
“fine accommodation and libations since Cathedral Square, located in the heart of
1881”- or the North Star. Christchurch.
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 11DAY 12 Wednesday 5th May 2021
Kaikoura – Blenheim
We continue to take in the spectacular coastal
journey as we depart Kaikoura. We steam ahead
for Kekerengu where we disembark for lunch
overlooking the Pacific Ocean at “The Store”. We
also enjoy a garden tour at the beautifully manicured
Winterhome formal garden. Boarding again, we
stop at Seddon and disembark for a wine tour at
the award winning, Yealands Estate. Then it is “all
aboard” and onward North via the Dashwood Pass
DAY 11 Tuesday, 4th May 2021 and Awatere Valley into Blenheim – the famous
Marlborough wine region boasting over 100
vineyards. A farewell reception is appropriately held
Christchurch – Kaikoura at The Wine Station where guests can taste from a
selection of 80 of the region’s finest wines and craft
Our destination is Kaikoura, home of resident
beers, barista coffee and gourmet platters of local
whales, where the guardians of the seas – the
produce.
mountains of the Southern Alps – rise majestically
from the deep trenches of the Pacific Ocean. Several
different species of whale can be seen off the coast Passengers will stay at Scenic Hotel
of Kaikoura at different times of the year, and most Marlborough, a modern and stylish property
of the time, the huge resident Sperm Whales can be located in the heart of Marlborough’s wine
sighted. The ocean trench just off the coast means country town of Blenheim.
sperm whales are often seen close to shore. There
will be a leisurely Seal Colony Walk followed by
optional excursions for whale, dolphin and seal
watching (by boat or plane).
DAY 13 Thursday 6th May 2021
Passengers will stay at The White Morph
Hotel (or equivalent), taking in spectacular
Blenheim – Wellington
views of the Kaikoura Esplanade. On the final day of the tour, we coach from Blenheim
to Picton, where one of the most picturesque ferry
crossings in the world awaits. We cruise across the
Cook Strait then weave our way through Queen
Charlotte Sound to the harbour city of Wellington.
Tour ends in Wellington.
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 12INCLUSIONS: For your convenience the following has all been included in your tour price.
ACCOMMODATION INCLUSIONS - MEALS
We have selected minimum 4-star standard • 12 cooked breakfasts
accommodation for The Great Southern Steam • 12 sumptuous dinners including:
Train Tour in order to ensure the comfort and quality
- Dinner at Walter Peak Homestead
of your experience for this journey of a lifetime.
- Farewell Dinner at The Wine Station in
Blenheim
LUXURY COACHES & TOUR OPTIONS
- Lunch at Tuatapere, Southland
The fleet of luxury coaches will escort the train
- High Tea at Larnach Castle
throughout the journey, providing seamless transfers
- Lunch at The Store, Kekerengu
to your accommodation and excursions. You will be
accompanied by experienced Tour Captains who are EXCLUSIONS:
there to guide and assist you throughout your journey.
Flights to and from your points of arrival/departure
are not included.
PREPAID ATTRACTIONS (INCLUDED)
• TranzAlpine Rail Journey
• Franz Josef Hot Pools 13-DAY TOUR FROM CHRISTCHURCH
• Walter Peak Homestead Per Person Sharing $5,950
Single Supplement $500
• Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
• Arrowtown Lakes District Museum
• Akaroa Township Tour BOOKINGS
• Milford Sound Day Trip (cruise is optional) A 10% deposit is required to secure a booking, 40%
• Takahe Sanctuary in December 2020 and the balance in March 2021.
• Bill Richardson Transport World For all bookings and for further information:
• OCHO Chocolate Factory Tour www.marlboroughflyer.co.nz
• High Tea & Garden Tour at Larnach Castle Phone +64 (0) 3 974 1812
• Moeraki Boulders E: info@marlboroughflyer.co.nz
• Whitestone Cheese Tour
• Blue Penguin viewing in Oamaru
• Steam Tug Boat OR City & Tram Tour
• Seal Colony Guided Walk in Kaikoura
• Visit to the Store Kekerengu and Winterhome
Garden tour
• Yealands Estate winery tour
• Farewell Reception at The Wine Station,
Blenheim
• Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
South Island 13-Day Steam Train Tour • 24 April 2021 - 6 May 2021 13www.marlboroughflyer.co.nz
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