December 2020

Day 1:             Auckland– Blenheim (D)

Wednesday 23:                                                          

Today we are transferred to Auckland Airport to join our flight to beautiful Blenheim.  On arrival we are taken to our central hotel and time to freshen up  before joining our Tour Manager for dinner.

Day 2:             Coastal Pacific Train (B)

Thursday 24:

A relaxing morning before we join the Coastal Pacific train and enjoy the astonishingly beautiful scenery as we travel breathtakingly close to the Pacific Ocean. With the sea stretching up to the Horizon in the East and the Kaikoura mountains in the west you will have your camera out the whole time!.  As our train doesn’t arrive into Christchurch until 8.30p.m. please purchase your dinner on board the train.  On arrival in Christchurch we are met and taken to our central hotel.

Day 3: Christchurch sights  (BSD)

Friday 25:   ** MERRY CHRISTMAS **

This morning we enjoy a sightseeing tour of this beautiful “garden city”.  Christchurch has been rebuilding and revitalizing itself following the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 so you will find everything is a little bit different.  You’ll enjoy the new, emerging city which is modern, greener and more creative than ever before !  We’ll take in the sights of the  Garden City’s crowning glory—Hagley Park with which offers 165 hectares (407 acres) of mature introduced tree plantings, see the beautiful Botanical Gardens not to mention the  shallow Avon river meandering through the city centre.   This evening we’ll enjoy a sumptuous Christmas Dinner at the hotel.

Day 4: Christchurch-Tranz Alpine Train –Greymouth—Punakaiki                       (BD)                                                                     

Saturday 26:

A highlight today !  After breakfast we will be transferred to the Railway Station to board the renowned Tranz Alpine train for what is considered to be one of the world’s greatest rail adventures.  Along this journey you’ll see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the Southern Alps, and see miles of native beech forest.  The scenery is just breathtaking !   Upon arrival at Greymouth we will join our coach and travel to Punakaiki—the gateway to the dramatic limestone country of the Paparoa National Park.  This afternoon we’ll visit the Pancake Rocks & Blowholes that Punakaiki is world famous for limestone formations that began forming 30 million years ago, when lime-rich fragments of dead marine creatures were deposited on the seabed then overlaid by weaker layers of soft mud and clay. The seabed was raised above sea level by earthquakes to form the coastal cliffs and coastline.

The sea, wind and rain have since etched out the soft layers to form the unusual rock formations we see today.  When conditions are right, heavy ocean swells  thunder into the caverns beneath the rocks and huge water spouts blast skywards through the blowholes in a truly spectacular sight.  We check into our accommodation beachside and watch the sunset at the fabulous location.!

Day 5: Punakaiki—Franz Josef Glacier (BD)    

Sunday 27:                                                         

After breakfast we’ll head off down the rugged West Coast via Greymouth then onto  the cool little town of Hokitika.  We’ll enjoy some free time here before making our way way to Franz Josef Glacier for our overnight stay.

Day 6:  Franz Josef—Queenstown   (B,D)

Monday 28:

We leave Franz Josef and travel to Fox   Glacier where we stop to view this magnificent Glacier. Have the cameras ready! We travel through the Haast Pass which takes it name from Julius Von Haast, a 19th century explorer who served as a provincial Geologist in Canterbury. It was converted from a rough track to a formed road in 1966 and a tarmacked surface in 1995.  On to Queenstown—New Zealand’s leading visitor destination. Surrounded by incredible mountains and situated on the edge of the crystal clear Lake Wakatipu, you will love this scenic resort.  We stay here at the central Novotel Lakeside hotel. (2 nights)

Day 7: Queenstown (B,SD)

Tuesday 29:  

Today we’ll enjoy a sightseeing tour of Queenstown including a visit to one of the most picturesque settlements—Arrowtown. This quaint  gold-mining village by the Arrow River is only 20 minutes from Queenstown.  It is  famous for its wide variety of deciduous trees that turn the little township into a mass of golds, reds and oranges in the autumn.   This afternoon is at leisure.  Your Tour Manager will be able to assist with any additional sightseeing options.

This evening its all aboard the TSS Earnslaw.  Steeped in Queenstown’s pioneering history, our experience starts with a cruise across Lake Wakatipu in the 103 year old steamship.  Then disembark at Walter Peak and enjoy a gourmet BBQ dinner at the Colonel’s Homestead.  After dinner, an entertaining and informative demonstration gives you a glimpse of life in the high country.

On the magical night-time cruise home, you can  enjoy the camaraderie of a sing a long with the ship’s pianist or breathe in the fresh night air on the moonlit decks as you watch the lights of Queenstown draw nearer.  A perfect end to our tour.

 

Day 8: Queenstown/Auckland          (B)

Wednesday 30:

Most of today is at leisure.  Our baggage will  be stored for us at the hotel after the 11.00a.m. check out.  Time for a last wander round the lakeside or a coffee at one of the local café’s before our transfer to the airport.  On arrival at our home port we are transferred to our home addresses.

 

LOOK WHATS INCLUDED!!!

• Return airfares from Auckland (prices available from other centres)
• Quality accommodation in twin rooms with private facilities
• Breakfasts & Dinners daily (except Dinner on Day 2)
• Coastal Pacific Railway from Blenheim to Christchurch
• Christchurch Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
• Tranz Alpine train journey Christchurch to Greymouth
• Pancake Rocks Punakaiki
• Queenstown Sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
• TS Earnslaw Dinner Cruise to Walter Peak Station
• Services of a Tour Manager from Auckland back to Auckland (subject to numbers)
• FREE home pick up and return in the greater Auckland , Wellington or Tauranga areas

 

SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT:

A limited number of single rooms are available at a surcharge of $995.00.

 

DEPOSIT:

A deposit of $700 per person is payable to hold a seat on the tour with the balance payable 19 Nov 2020.

 

LOYALTY DISCOUNT:

Previous travellers receive a $50 discount off the brochure price (not combinable with any other offers).

 

INSURANCE:

We strongly suggest you take out domestic cancellation insurance to cover for cancellation due to illness etc.  Please phone us for further details.

 

CANCELLATION CHARGES:

Deposit:  NON REFUNDABLE

From 11 November to 23 Dec 2020:  100% of tour cost

 

* Please note that if the tour is cancelled due to any Government regulation

we will refund all monies received back from our suppliers so you can book with confidence.

 

 

Tour is subject to normal booking conditions of Supreme Tours & Travel Ltd