Discover New Zealand by Rail

This escorted railway holiday takes you through some of New Zealand’s most beautiful locations, even stopping off in Hawaii and Fiji! Travelling by rail allows you to take in the diverse landscapes, and really see the heart of this amazing country. Instead of peering through an aeroplane window, you’ll be on eye level with some of the most stunning sights in the Southern Hemisphere… 

Beginning 12^th April you will fly from Gatwick, Heathrow or Stanstead, staying overnight in Los Angeles before setting off to Honolulu. Here you’ll pick between a tour of the infamous Pearl Harbour or the Mauna Kea Observatory.

Day four begins with a sightseeing tour of Hawaii, an afternoon charter train on Oahu’s historic Hawaiian Railway before transferring to the airport in the late evening. Fly to Aukland the following day, where you’ll arrive with time to relax in the Rydges Hotel.

From the beautiful seaside town of Paihia through New Zealand’s stunning landscape you’ll arrive at the 1800s Waitangi Treaty House and grounds. Check in for two nights at the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands close to Paihia beach.

The journey includes a barbecue lunch and guided tour of the workshops at Taumarere Station, with dolphin and whale watching past Cape Brett Lighthouse and The Hole in the Rock on a purpose built catamaran.

Continuing on the Glenbrook Railway charter train, you will visit the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Area, with a Maori feast and concert in the evening. Plus you’ll take a boat through the magical lights of the Waitomo Gloworm Caves.

Through undulating verdant farmland and ‘virgin bush’ you will travel by Northern Explorer train for a two-night stay in Wellington.

Travel to Picton on the Interislander Ferry and through the rolling Marlborough Sands on the Coastal Pacific train to Kaikoura. Stay overnight at the White Morph Hotel in Kaikoura where you will spend the next day whale watching. Then visit the Weka Pass Valley workshops and enjoy wine tasting at Canterbury House with an overnight stay at the impressive Novotel Cathedral Square.

Visit a pioneer village, with a trip to the Moeraki Boulders, Otago Settlers Museum and Speights Ale House in Oamaru to follow. Then see Gibbston Windery en route to a two-night stay in Queensland.

Travel into Milford Sound and out to the Tasman Sea with sheer rocks and waterfalls. Take a coach to New Zealand’s West Coast, to San Josef and an old gold mining Shantytown in Greymout. The Tranz Alpine train takes you back to Christchurch for a two-night stay and a trip to Ferrymead Heritage Park.

Finally an early morning flight will take you to Fiji for two nights, travelling the open-air train to see its natural beauty. You can then enjoy free time in Fiji before returning home in the evening from 24 days of extensive travel. For £6995pp you’ll get flights, transfers and accommodation with breakfast at most of the hotels.

For more information on exploring New Zealand by rail,  and to book visit: www.ffestiniogtravel.com

By Ruth McDonald