2016/17 - APT New Zealand

49 GREAT NEW ZEALAND RAIL & CRUISE EXPERIENCE this morning. Travel to the town of Featherston where you will have the opportunity to explore the fascinating Fell Locomotive Museum, home to H199, the only locomotive of its type in the world. This museum offers a great insider's look at New Zealand's intriguing rail history. Delight in a relaxing afternoon tea before rejoining your coach and travelling to Wellington, New Zealand's captivating capital city. Arrive at your hotel and enjoy time to settle in before choosing where to dine from a selection of restaurants. Two Night Stay: Amora Hotel Wellington. B, FD Day 7. Wellington. Discover the delights of the New Zealand capital with an extended stay. After breakfast, set off on a sightseeing tour that will take you to the city's best-loved landmarks and sights, including New Zealand's national museum – Te Papa Tongarewa, which is renowned for being interactive and innovative. Its collection spans the areas of Art, History, Pacific, Maori, and Natural Environment. A visit here presents a great chance to get educated on what has made New Zealand the country it is today. Afterwards, take in fantastic views as you ride Wellington's iconic Cable Car, built in 1902. Along the way you'll see many landmarks including the Nagasaki Peace flame which commemorates the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the end of World War II. B Day 8. Wellington, Picton, Coastal Pacific Train, Christchurch. This morning say goodbye to the North Island as you step aboard the Interislander ferry to cruise from Wellington Harbour across the Cook Strait and through the natural beauty of the Marlborough and Queen Charlotte sounds to Picton. Here, you'll board the Coastal Pacific Train and enjoy a thrilling journey past the picturesque landscapes of the enchanting South Island's rugged east coast with sensational views to keep you company the entire way. At the end of your journey, you'll arrive in the island's largest city, the intriguing Christchurch. On arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel. Enjoy time to settle in before dinner at your hotel this evening. Stay: Commodore Hotel, Christchurch. BD Day 9. Christchurch, TranzAlpine Train, Franz Josef. This morning, board the TranzAlpine train for what is renowned as one of the world's greatest rail adventures. Northern Explorer Train Glenbrook Steam Train Rotorua Rail Cruising Experience Coastal Pacific Train TranzAlpine Train Taieri Gorge Railway Milford Mariner Cruise Hauraki Blue Overnight Cruise Auckland Picton Wellington Rotorua Christchurch Mt Cook Queenstown Dunedin Greymouth Featherston Otorohanga Tongariro National Park Palmerston Gore Te Anau 1 2 1 1 2 2 2 1 1 1 Franz Josef Glacier 1 Coach Cruise Cruise route TranzAlpine Train No. of nights stay National Park Head to the open air viewing platform and enjoy stunning views as you journey through the striking patchwork farmlands of the Canterbury Plains. Follow the Waimakariri River and travel across the magnificent Southern Alps within Arthur's Pass National Park. Disembark at Greymouth and travel by coach along the dramatic New Zealand west coast to Franz Josef, where you'll have the opportunity to take in the dramatic terrain and icy surrounds of the striking Franz Josef Glacier. Sitting at just 250 metres above sea level, Franz Josef is quite unique as it is one of just three glaciers in the world that descends into temperate rainforest, creating a spectacular environment. Stay: Franz Josef Glacier, Scenic Hotel Franz Josef. BD Day 10. Franz Josef, Queenstown, Freedom of Choice. Enjoy a day of truly breathtaking scenery as you travel along the picturesque Haast River, which is rich in cultural and geological significance and offers simply breathtaking views. You'll then arrive in Queenstown, known as the country's 'adventure capital', thanks to its stunning lake and alpine surrounds which offer a range of exciting activities to take part in. In Queenstown, you'll choose from four tempting restaurants in which to dine. Perhaps sample the delicious fresh produce at waterside Finz seafood restaurant, or take a scenic gondola ride to the Skyline Restaurant which offers tantalising tastes with some of the best views in town. Or, you may prefer to cruise on the TSS Earnslaw, a vintage steamboat, or dine amidst the stylish surrounds of the Elements Restaurant. Two Night Stay: Novotel Queenstown Lakeside. B, FD The Coastal Pacific will take you on a picturesque journey Cruise beautiful Waitemata Harbour on Hauraki Blue overnight cruise

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