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WEST COAST

NEW ZEALAND

6 Day Self-Drive Tours

Tranz-Alpine Train Included

Tour Operates: October - March

Christchurch –

or Greymouth –

KIWI TRAVEL CLUB PHONE 0800 895 194 - WWW.KIWITRAVELCLUB.CO.NZ – [email protected]

WEST COAST –

6 DAY SELF-DRIVE TOURS Christchurch – Greymouth or Greymouth – Christchurch Includes Travel on Tranz-Alpine Train

TOUR OVERVIEW THE WEST COAST EXPERIENCE

This 6-day, 350 km independent self-drive tour is easy paced with regular stopovers providing ample The West Coast has always had a opportunity for sightseeing and relaxation. Included is special place in the heart of New Zealanders. In part this stems from its liberal hotel trading hours travel on the Tranz-Alpine train from Christchurch or during the six o’clock closing era. It was, and still Greymouth, rental car with unlimited miles, hotel/motel accommodation and detailed tour notes is, a place where locals and visitors can mix, enabling you to experience most of the major mingle, and socialise. It all started back in the attractions along the way. 1800’s with the lure of gold as immigrants from all round the world arrived to make their fortune in the West Coast rivers. These days, while mining TOUR STYLE KTC tours feature easy paced (Coal and Gold), are still important, it is other itineraries and a mix of organised activity and free time industries like forestry and fishing attracting that to do your own thing. Our aim is to provide tours that special type of person to “The Coast”. Nestled on are both affordable and offer good value for money. what is a narrow strip of land between the ocean Your tour fee includes comfortable accommodation in and mountains the South Island West Coast has 3 & 4 -star motels and hotels. Most motels have that feeling of untamed natural wilderness. A kitchen facilities, or you can dine out at one of the great place to explore and take some time to growing number of West Coast restaurants, cafes, “smell the roses” and bistros. Your detailed trip notes provide driving instructions and information on must see attractions.

ABOUT KIWI TRAVEL CLUB VEHICLE OPTIONS Tour pricing is based on a Toyota Corolla or similar rental car. For a small extra charge , an upgrade to a Toyota Camry or similar is available. The Corolla is ideal for two persons but Kiwi Travel Club Ltd (KTC) was established in groups of three or four may be more comfortable in 2003 by New Zealand couple Athol and Diane the larger Camry. We can also offer 7-12-seater Greentree. passenger vans suitable for family groups. Included is unlim ited mileage, drop fees and nil excess insurance TOUR ORGANISERS A credit card bond is required and special terms may For over 10 years Athol and Diane have been apply for younger drivers. making dreams come true organising escorted group and independent tours in Australia, USA, CHRISTCHURCH TRANSFERS For those Canada, and Mexico. Feel free to phone or email joining the tour at Christchurch included is an airport Athol or Diane for information on this or any other KTC Tour. transfer to your hotel on arrival in Christchurch and from your tour hotel to the train station. For those traveling from Greymouth, transfers from the train NZ 0800 895 194 or station to our tour hotel and to the airport are included. INTERNATIONAL +64 4 9346721 Or email us at [email protected]

TRANZ-ALPINE TRAIN You can board the train at Christchurch or Greymouth. The section, between Springfield and the township of Arthurs Pass, is considered a masterpiece of railway engineering and is the section for which the Tranz- Alpine is most famed. The aqua-blue Waimakariri River will appear and disappear out of your window several times as the Tranz-Alpine clings and climbs up the cliffs above. During the ascent to the high plains of Craigieburn, there are 15 short tunnels and four dramatic viaducts, including the 72-metre high Staircase Viaduct. On arrival at Greymouth you will be met by our representative with your rental car.

ITINERARY

Day 1 MEET AND GREET We start this tour in Christchurch. On arrival you will be met and transferred to our central city hotel. You can dine at the hotel or at one of the many close by bars and cafes.

Day 2 CHRISTCHURCH – GREYMOUTH ON TRANZ-ALPINE (SCENIC CLASS) GREYMOUTH – SELF DRIVE This morning you will be transferred to the railway station for your trip to Greymouth on the Tranz-Alpine. The section, between Springfield and the township of Arthurs Pass, is considered a masterpiece of railway engineering and is the section for which the Tranz-Alpine is most famed. The aqua- blue Waimakariri River will appear and disappear out of your window several times as the Tranz-Alpine clings and climbs up the cliffs above. During the ascent to the high plains of Craigieburn, there are 15 short tunnels and four dramatic viaducts, including the 72-metre high Staircase Viaduct. On arrival at Greymouth you will be met by our representative with your rental car. Overnight at Punakaiki.

Day 3 PUNAKAIKI – WESTPORT This morning we recommend you start the day with a visit to the Pancake Rocks and blowholes at Dolomite Point. The section from Punakaiki to Westport (56 kms) has spectacular ocean views. Take your time and enjoy the journey. For more spectacular views and a slice of NZ history take a drive up the hill to the site of the old coal mining town of Denniston (30 k ms) We have two nights at Westport.

Day 4 WESTPORT – STOCKTON MINE TOUR You leave the car behind today and travel to Stockton for a guided tour of the opencast mine provided by Bathurst Resources and operated by Out West Tours. The tour departs from Westport, passing through several small towns and climbs to the Plateau, delivering an off-road adventure along the way returning to Westport around 4:00 pm (Requires suitable weather to operate).

Day 5 WESTPORT - GREYMOUTH VIA To experience a taste of old town New Zealand, take the inland route back to Greymouth (155 km). A stop at the Reefton Distillery and Miners Hutt is recommended. Overnight at Greymouth or .

DAY 6 ONWARD TRAVEL Our self-drive tour ends at today. Return your rental car to Hokitika airport for onward flights or you can take the train back to Christchurch

Tour also available from Hokitika or Greymouth. At

WEST COAST SELF-DRIVE TOUR INFORMATION

HOW TO BOOK: Only limited places available – You can Tour Dates: book online or email us for a booking form. If space is available , we will email a provisional booking invoice. Full payment is required within 7- days Payments can be The tour and the Tranz-Alpine made at any Kiwi Bank Branch or by internet banking. train operate October – March Credit card payments incur a 2.9% processing fee. Sorry Enquire for schedule – Tour may we do not accept cheques. not be available major holidays

AIR FARES: These are additional. We can book these for and events. you using the best available fare or you can make your own flight arrangements. Tour Price (Per Person)

RENTAL VEHICLE: The tour price includes unlimited kms, nil excess vehicle insurance, extra driver and drop Toyota Corolla or similar fees . The vehicle will be supplied with a full tank and is to One Twin Room be retuned full. A credit card bond is required. Drivers Twin Share: $984 per person should be over 21 years and a full licence is required. Triple Share: $756 per person

TRANSFERS: A meet and greet service is included at

Christchurch and Greymouth airports as is transfer Toyota Camry or similar to/from the Tranz-Alpine train at Christchurch. Two Twin Rooms

EXTRA COSTS: You will need to allow for items and Quad Share: $893 per person extras not included in the tour cost. The motels we use on tour have kitchen facilities allowing you to purchase food from supermarkets. If you eat dinner mostly at restaurant’s you would need to allow $25 - $30 a meal Accommodation: (say $100- $150). For lunch at a café allow $15 - $20 Tour price includes twin share accommodation (Say $60 -$80). Most travellers also enjoy a night or two at the Christchurch central city Ibis hotel or on the town at one of the nearby pubs. All up we suggest similar and motel or Hotel accommodation as you allow $250 - $300 plus an extra allowance for gifts, per itinerary. souvenirs, and personal items. Meals: Most tour hotels/motels offer breakfasts at COVID 19 CANCELLATION POLICY Should the tour be impacted by Covid 19 restrictions we will reschedule the participants own cost. Your tour notes provide tour to another date. If we are unable to reschedule, or information on restaurants, bars, and cafes the participant is unable to join the tour on the new dates, located a short distance from the hotel/motel. we will refund all money paid less supplier cancellation The Tranz-Alpine train has a café car serving a fees (If any). This policy only applies to Covid 19 range of reasonably priced meals and snacks. cancellations. If you cancel for any other reason our standard cancellation policy applies. Included Activities: Day tours, transport and transfers to other

STANDARD CANCELLATION POLICY: Prior to final activities as listed in the itinerary: payment – Loss of deposit if you change your mind or • Tranz-Alpine train Christchurch – cancel - After final payment – Up to 100% of tour cost. Greymouth or Greymouth – Refu nds are subject to supplier cancellation terms and Christchurch conditions; processing and penalty fees may be payable. • Open cast mine tour KTC tour fees and charges are non-refundable. (subject • and train Transfers to and not intended to limit your rights under the • Detailed tour notes and driving Consumer Guarantees Act and Fair-Trading Act) instructions

BOOKING TERMS: Participation is subject to our and our supplier’s standard terms and conditions as shown in the participation agreement. All prices are subject to change ITEMS NOT INCLUDED: without notice and can only be confirmed with a firm Airfares are not included in the tour booking. price, tips, personal expenditure, and meals not listed as included in the itinerary.