Tranz-Alpine Express & Wild West Coast Discovery Tour

Itinerary

DAY ONE                                                                    D   

Welcome to the first day of your TranzAlpine train tour! Today, you will be picked up from your home and transported to the airport, where you'll embark on a journey to Christchurch via Auckland. Upon your arrival in Christchurch, you'll board a comfortable bus that will take you on a tour of the city. During the tour, you'll visit some of the city's most iconic landmarks, such as the Christchurch Cathedral and hear stories of how the community has come together to rebuild and revitalize the city. You'll also learn about the innovative solutions that have been put in place to make the city safer and more sustainable for future generations. At the end of the tour, you'll be dropped off at the Rydges Latimer hotel, where you'll check in and settle for the evening. The hotel is located in the heart of the city, making it the perfect base from which to explore. In the evening, you'll enjoy a delicious dinner as a group at the hotel's onsite restaurant, where you can indulge in some of the region's finest cuisine while soaking up the relaxed atmosphere. After dinner, you can retire to your cozy room and get a good night's rest in preparation for the next day's adventures

DAY TWO                                                                   B, L, D   

We are starting with a short journey to the Rail Station. We depart for the mountain vistas of the Southern Alps on the modernised Tranz Alpine Train. Sit back in luxury and travel through the Torlesse Range, across the Waimakariri River, Arthur’s Pass, Taramakau River, Lake Brunner, Arnold River, the Grey River and arrive on the West Coast at Greymouth. Train facilities include café carriage, luxury seating, informative commentary, outdoor viewing carriage and spacious modern toilets. We will be met at the station by our West Coast Guide. Then on to the famous Monteith Brewery for lunch. Recently opened, this is a fantastic place to learn more about the iconic Kiwi Company. After our short Tour and Tasting we travel up the Grey Valley through Dobson and Wallsend passing the Brunner Mine site. If time allows, we will take a walk across the bridge and explore the buildings and Coke Ovens. Crossing back over the bridge we continue onto our accommodation, the Scenic Hotel Punakaiki, a stunning complex located at Punakaiki Beach and 300 meters from the famous Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. Once checked in we will meet in the on-site seaside restaurant “Jacobs Grill”.  

DAY THREE                                                               B, MT, D  

This morning, we take a short walk around the amazing Pancake Rocks then travel up the spectacular coast road to Tauranga Bay. This road is rated as one of the world’s most scenic coastal drives. At Cape Foul Wind and Tauranga Bay, we will visit the Seal Colony and local Weka hangout and then continue to Westport for lunch. We climb to the summit of the Denniston Plateau, the location of the infamous 1880's Denniston Mine. The old coal transport road travels high above the dramatic Waimangaroa Gorge. Here we will learn of those that lived and worked in the windswept bleakness of Denniston`s infamous mountain plateau which was the basis for Jenny Patrick’s book Denniston Rose. From here we travel back to Westport and have a guided tour around the award-winning Coal Town Museum, before heading back to our accommodation in Westport and enjoying a lovely dinner. 

DAY FOUR                                                                  B  

This morning, we track the scenic Buller River to Murchison travelling through the mountain beech forests of the Brunner Range and Kahurangi National Park. On our way we will stop at Murchison for morning tea then continue our journey up the Hope River, through the Hope Saddle and down into the Wai-iti Valley. From here, we’ll continue through to Nelson where there will be free time to explore the CBD and take the opportunity to have a look around the city. The Nelson Classic Car Museum, a collection of more than 150 cars in immaculate condition may also be of interest. After our free time we'll make our way to the Airport before catching our flights home