Great Southern
Steam Train Tour
• SOU TH ISLAND RAIL TOUR •
DEPARTING WELLINGTON TO INVERCARGILL
22 APRIL - 29 APRIL 2021 | 8-DAY TOUR OP TION
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.
TOUR OPTIONS
GREAT SOUTHERN STEAM TRAIN TOUR
TOUR OPTION 1: 13-DAY TOUR Departing Wellington
from 22 April – 4 May 2021 **
Journey with us into the deep south of New Zealand and experience the postcard perfect vistas and dramatic scenery that this part of the world is renowned for.
TOUR OPTION 2: 8-DAY TOUR Departing Wellington to
Invercargill from 22 April – 29 April 2021 **
You will spend the week travelling the entire length of the South Island (visiting Marlborough, Christchurch, Oamaru, Dunedin and Invercargill), in the comfort of vintage carriages hauled by the historic WW1 memorial steam locomotive Ab608 Passchendaele, (named in honour of our fallen soldiers at e Battle of Passchendaele in 1917).
** option to begin tour in Blenheim on 23 April 2021
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CONTENTS
8-DAY TOUR
DEPARTING WELLINGTON TO INVERCARGILL
- DAY 1
- DAY 2
Wellington – Blenheim
Blenheim – Kaikoura
- page 6
- page 6
DAY 4
Christchurch ANZAC DAY
DAY 3
Christchurch Kaikoura –
page 7 page 7
- DAY 5
- DAY 6
Christchurch –
Oamaru
Oamaru – Dunedin
- page 8
- page 8
DAY 7
DAY 8
Dunedin – Invercargill
Invercargill
page 9 page 9
South Island 8-Day Steam Train Tour • 22 April 2021 - 29 April 2021
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8-DAY TOUR WELLINGTON – INVERCARGILL 22 APRIL - 29 APRIL 2021
Steam Train
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e tour is escorted by a fleet of luxury coaches that provide seamless transfers from the train to your accommodation each evening.
8-DAY TOUR FROM
WELLINGTON TO
INVERCARGILL
Arriving in Christchurch in time to prepare for the annual ANZAC Day dawn parade where after paying our respects, we interlude to explore the beautiful French historical township of Akaroa and then the option of a harbour cruise by steam tugboat or a city & tram tour.
22 APRIL - 29 APRIL 2021
Your journey begins with a Meet and Greet in the harbour city of Wellington, followed by one of the most scenic picturesque ferry crossings in the world across the Cook Strait, then weaving our way through Queen Charlotte Sound to the port town of Picton.
On the route from Christchurch to Oamaru,explore unique places of interest such as the Blue Penguin Colony, Whitestone Cheese Factory and Moeraki Boulders, and then on to Dunedin.
After enjoying a chocolate factory tour, we set off steam-hauled towards the southern-most point of the main trunk line. We initially hug the coast, the steam train winds its way inland past the edge of the Blue Mountains to the town of Gore, and then southwards to Invercargill.Tour ends in Invercargill.
First overnight stop is in the famous Marlborough wine region boasting over 100 vineyards, then onwards to spectacular Kaikoura, home of resident whales where the great mountains of the Southern Alps rise from the depths of the Pacific Ocean.
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8-DAY TOUR WELLINGTON-INVERCARGILL
22 APRIL – 29 APRIL 2021
- DAY
- DATE
- ITINERARY
- HOTEL
- MODE
WELLINGTON - PICTON - BLENHEIM
Meet and Greet at Wellington Ferry Terminal Afternoon Interislander Ferry to Picton The Wine Station
Scenic Hotel Marlborough
Thu 22 April
Ferry
/ Coach
1
BLENHEIM - KEKERENGU - KAIKOURA
Yealands Estate vineyard tour Lunch at Kekerengu “The Store” Winterhome Formal Garden Tour
The White Morph Hotel and equivalent
Fri 23 April
Steam Train Steam Train
2345678
KAIKOURA - CHRISTCHURCH
Seal Colony Walk
Whale Watching, Dolphins, Scenic flights (optional)
Distinction
Hotel
Christchurch
Sat 24 April
CHRISTCHURCH
ANZAC DAY DAWN PARADE
Akaroa Township Tour
Distinction
Hotel
Christchurch
Coach
/ Steam Tugboat
Sun 25 April
Steam Tug Boat OR City & Tram Tour
CHRISTCHURCH - OAMARU
Blue Penguin viewing in Oamaru Whitestone Cheese Tour
Mon 26 April
Brydone Hotel or North Star
Steam Train Steam Train
OAMARU - DUNEDIN
Moeraki Boulders on way to Dunedin High Tea & Garden Tour at Larnach Castle
Tue 27 April
Scenic Hotel Southern Cross
DUNEDIN - INVERCARGILL
OCHO Chocolate Factory Tour Bill Richardsons Transport World
Scenic Flight to Stewart Island (optional)
Wed 28 April
Ascot Park
Hotel
Steam Train
/ Coach
INVERCARGILL
Transfer from hotel to airport
Thu 29 April
Coach
South Island 8-Day Steam Train Tour • 22 April 2021 - 29 April 2021
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nd
DAY 1
ursday 22 April 2021
W e llington – Picton - Blenheim (Marlborough)
Meet and greet takes place in the harbour city of Wellington at the FerryTerminal,followed by one of the most picturesque ferry crossings in the world as we cruise across the Cook Strait then weave our way through Queen Charlotte Sound to the port town of Picton.Travelling by coach to Blenheim, our first overnight stop is in the famous Marlborough wine region boasting over 100 vineyards. e welcome reception is appropriately held at e Wine Station where guests can taste from a selection of 80 of the region’s finest wines and craft beers, barista coffee and gourmet platters of local produce.
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DAY 2
Friday 23 April 2021
( T our options are available to commence tour from Blenheim)
Blenheim – Kekerengu – Kaikoura
Passengers will stay at Scenic Hotel Marlborough,a modern and stylish property located in the heart of Marlborough’s wine country town of Blenheim.
Today 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 e Battle of Passchendaele in 1917). e Marlborough Flyer steam train (as she is more recently known) will gently roll into Blenheim Station as the Marlborough Brass Band adds to the sense of occasion.en it is “all aboard”and onward South via the Dashwood Pass and Awatere Valley. We stop at Seddon and disembark for a wine tour at the award winning, Yealands Estate.
Boarding again we steam ahead for Kekerengu where we disembark for lunch overlooking the Pacific Ocean at “e Store” where we also enjoy a garden tour at the beautifully manicured Winterhome formal garden.
After taking on water for the steam train we pull away for the spectacular coastal journey to Kaikoura.
Passengers will stay at e White Morph Hotel (or equivalent), taking in spectacular views of the Kaikoura Esplanade.
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DAY 3
Saturday 24th April 2021
Exploring Kaikoura
“Where the mountains meet the sea”
Kaikoura, home of resident whales, where the guardians of the seas – the 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 of Kaikoura at different times of the year, and most of the time, the huge resident Sperm Whales can be sighted. e ocean trench just off the coast means sperm whales are often seen close to shore. ere will be a leisurely morning Seal Colony Walk followed by optional excursions for whale, dolphin and seal watching (by boat or plane).
DAY 4
Sunday 25th April 2021
(ANZAC DAY)
Kaikoura – Christchurch
After paying our respects at the ANZAC dawn parade, we will interlude from commemorations to explore the beautiful French historical township of Akaroa, arriving by coach.
th
e tour departs Kaikoura on the 24 April in order to arrive in Christchurch in time to prepare for the annual ANZAC Day dawn parade (which takes place the following day).
Options include exploring the harbour on the historical steam tugboat (Tug Lyttelton Est. 1907) or a historical tram tour of “the garden city”.
Passengers will stay at the luxurious and newly renovated Distinction Hotel in Cathedral Square, located in the heart of Christchurch.
Passengers will stay at the luxurious and newly renovated Distinction Hotel in Cathedral Square, located in the heart of Christchurch.
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DAY 5
Monday 26th April 2021
Christchurch – Oamaru
e morning departure from Christchurch is by steam train as we set out towards one of New Zealand’s many towns of character, Oamaru.
DAY 6
Tuesday 27th April 2021
Gourmet cheese is then on the menu as we explore the Whitestone Cheese Factory, home of some of the world’s finest cheeses and you’ll be treated on a guided tour which includes a cheese and wine pairing.
Oamaru – Dunedin
e journey continues south towards Dunedin, calling in to e Moeraki Boulders, a group of large spherical “stones” on Koekohe Beach near Moeraki on the Otago coast. ese boulders are actually concretions that have been exposed through shoreline erosion from coastal cliffs.e boulders are one of the most fascinating and popular attractions on the South Island.
e Blue Penguin Colony in Oamaru is similarly not to be outdone, has specially designed nesting boxes for your convenience as well as stadium grandstand seating for your viewing pleasure, to see the penguins arrive home in the evening.
Once in Dunedin we will coach to historic Larnach Castle. Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula, Larnach Castle is one of New Zealand’s premier visitor attractions. 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 Brydone Hotel – “fine accommodation and libations since 1881”- or the North Star.
Passengers will stay at Scenic Hotel Southern Cross which is Dunedin’s most established hotel, nestled in the heart of the city.
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DAY 7 Wednesday 28th April 2021
Passengers will stay ate Ascot Park Hotel, adjacent to the racecourse and with a relaxed and spacious layout.
Dunedin to Invercargill
Morning starts with a guided tour and tasting at the new OCHO craft chocolate factory where they turn cacao into chocolate bars. OCHO moved into the new premises in January 2019 and are eager to share the OCHO experience with chocolate lovers with every part of their production process on display.
DAY 8
ursday 29th April 2021
Wake up on the final day for a short 15-minute transfer from your hotel to Invercargill Airport for your journey home.
We set off steam-hauled towards the southern-most
point of the main trunk line. We initially hug the coast, the steam train winds its way inland past the edge of the Blue Mountains to the town of Gore, and then southwards to Invercargill.
Tour ends Invercargill.
Passengers may choose to relax in Invercargill, by taking in the famous Bill Richardson Transport World or guests may elect to take an optional scenic flight or ferry to the wonderful Stewart Island,home to amazing wildlife and stunning scenery.
Famous Bluff oysters will no doubt be on the menu this evening.
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INCLUSIONS: For your convenience the following has all been included in your tour price.
- ACCOMMODATION
- INCLUSIONS - MEALS
• 7 cooked breakfasts • 7 sumptuous dinners including:
We have selected minimum 4-star standard accommodation for e Great Southern Steam Train Tour in order to ensure the comfort and quality of your experience for this journey of a lifetime.
- Welcome Dinner at e Wine Station in Blenheim
- Lunch at e Store, Kekerengu - High Tea at Larnach Castle
LUXURY COACHES & TOUR OPTIONS
e fleet of luxury coaches will escort the train throughout the journey,providing seamless transfers to your accommodation and excursions. You will be accompanied by experienced Tour Captains who are there to guide and assist you throughout your journey.
EXCLUSIONS:
Flights to and from your points of arrival/departure are not included.
8-DAY TOUR FROM WELLINGTON
Per Person Sharing $3,950
PREPAID ATTRACTIONS (INCLUDED)
• Cruise on the Interislander Ferry • Welcome Reception at e Wine Station, Blenheim
Single Supplement $300
7-DAY TOUR FROM BLENHEIM
Per Person Sharing $3,450 Single Supplement $300
• Yealands Estate winery tour
• Visit to the Store Kekerengu and Winterhome Garden tour
• Seal Colony Guided Walk in Kaikoura • Akaroa Township Tour • Steam Tug Boat OR City & Tram Tour • Blue Penguin viewing in Oamaru • Whitestone Cheese Tour
BOOKINGS
A 10% deposit is required to secure a booking, 40% in December 2020 and the balance in March 2021.
For all bookings and for further information: www.marlboroughflyer.co.nz Phone +64 (0) 3 974 1812 E: info@marlboroughflyer.co.nz
• Moeraki Boulders • High Tea & Garden Tour at Larnach Castle • OCHO Chocolate Factory Tour • Bill Richardson Transport World
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