Our tour features opportunities for line side photo run pasts and occasional cab rides on the mainline. Our staff are friendly and helpful and are determined to ensure you have a great tour. Luggage is handled for you hotel to hotel each day and there is the chance to chase the train, in some areas, on our tour coach which follows us each day.

Day 1 Wednesday October 10: Arrive Auckland from around the world.

Day 2 Thursday October 11 Auckland. Charter train on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
Travel by coach to the Glenbrook Vintage Railway where our chartered train will take us over this scenic7½ km railway. During the course of the journey there will be a chance to visit the GVR workshops and of course there will also be a number of photo runs. On the way back to the central city the coach will travel along Auckland waterfront and through some of the central Auckland suburbs for some sightseeing. Overnight Auckland. BB

Day 3 Friday October 12 Auckland - National Park.
Today we travel south passing through the city of Auckland and out through the southern suburbs and on into the rolling green hills of the Waikato region,noted for its dairy farming. South of Hamilton Station the train passes through gentle, green countryside, but as we leave Te Kuiti the scenery changes from the rolling green hills to a more rugged bush clad landscape as we climb to the Poroo-tarao Tunnel. From here we descend towards Taumarunui down through the Ongarue River Valley. On a clear day we may catch a glimpse of a snow covered Mt Ruapehu in the distance. From the servicing stop at Taumarunui, where you will have a chance to explore this small country town, we start climbing to the volcanic centre of the North Island. The climb culminates in the ascent of the world famous Raurimu Spiral. From the top of the Spiral the train skirts the edge of the World Heritage Tongariro National Park. This park encompasses three active volcanoes, Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngarahoe and the North Islands tallest mountain, Mt Ruapehu. Our overnight stop will be at magnificent, neo-Georgian, Bayview Chateau Tongariro on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu. DBB.

Day 4 Saturday October 13 National Park - Wellington.
Departing the Chateau by coach we travel to Ohakune to join our train for the trip to capital of New Zealand, Wellington. As we travel south there are beautiful views to be had of Mount Ruapehu as the train climbs up to Waiouru. If the weather is kind the first photo stop of the day will feature Mount Ruapehu as a backdrop. From Waiouru to Palmerston North the train climbs and descends through some isolated and rugged country crossing some high viaducts along the way and passing through a number of rural towns. As our train nears Wellington it is squeezed onto the Kapiti Coast and climbs over the hills giving fantastic sea views before dropping down through the northern suburbs where we compete with the bust commuter trains on our approach to central Wellington. The final few kilometers will provide stunning views over the harbour to the city. Overnight Wellington. BB.

Day 5 Sunday October 14 Wellington.
Free day in Wellington. A chance to explore the sights of New Zealand's capital. Perhaps a visit to Te Papa, the national Museum. A walk along the waterfront. A ride on the cable car. Explore the shops. Travel on the suburban trains, we'd recommend a trip on the Johnsonville line. Visit the Mainline Steam Depot at Plimmerton or visit the Houses of Parliament. Alternative. Travel by suburban train to Featherston to visit the Fell Museum. This is a small but stunning museum featuring the last surviving Fell locomotive. There is a great audio visual display giving a history of the Rimutaka Incline and the fell locomotives that served on it until the opening of the Rimutaka Tunnel. Overnight Wellington. BB.

Day 6 Monday October 15 Wellington to Picton.
This morning you have a free morning and in the afternoon we catch the Interislander Rail Ferry to Picton, crossing Cook Strait and cruising down the beautiful Marlborough Sounds to make landfall in the South Island. Overnight Picton. BB.

Day 7 Tuesday October 16 Picton - Christchurch.
Today we make the day long journey to Christchurch. Along the route we travel today we pass through 22 tunnels and travel down the Kaikoura Coast sandwiched between the sea and the cliffs. It is not uncommon to see seals sunning themselves on the rocks in this area. Internationally famed as the 'The Garden City', Christchurch's well-established expansive parks and public gardens owe much to the planning and foresight of the city's founding fathers. The centrally-located 161 hectare Hagley Park, the Botanic Gardens, the four leafy inner-city avenues, Victoria Square and spectacular gardens such as Mona Vale on the banks of the River Avon bear testimony to this legacy. It is a vision which is embraced and perpetuated today by proud residents right throughout the city. Overnight Christchurch. BB.

Day 8 Wednesday October 17 Christchurch - Dunedin
Continuing south we will make a stop at Ashburton to visit the Plains Railway. The Plains Vintage Railway and Historical Museum is home to a wide range of exhibits, spanning the history of Mid-Canterbury since European Colonisation. Our core exhibits are split into three main sections, The Vintage Railway - Featuring three operational steam locomotives and the New Zealand Rail Speed Record holding Vulcan Railcar, The Pioneer Village - With the old Waterton Anglican Church taking pride of place alongside the former Chertsey Railway Station, and our vast Rural History section Complete with vintage tractors, traction engines and other farm machinery. Re-board our train for the rest of the trip to Dunedin. Originally founded on the picks, harpoons and hard toil of gold miners , whalers and early Scottish settlers nearly 150 years ago, much of Dunedin's early wealth and enterprise have left a tangible mark on today's City. "Edinburgh of the South", the "Victorian City of New Zealand", "City of Spires and Towers", the "Athens of the South" ... Whatever phrase is used to describe Dunedin, it usually pertains to its distinctive 19th and early 20th century architecture. The magnificent Dunedin Railway Station will be celebrating its 100th Anniversary while we are in town with a number of special events. Steam locomotives from a number of groups are expected to attend. Overnight Dunedin. BB

Day 9 Thursday October 18 Dunedin.
Free Day Dunedin. Sleep late or get up and spend the morning exploring Dunedin. For those with a sweet tooth try the tour of the Cadbury chocolate factory. Interested in some history then try the Early Settlers Museum. Take a cruise on the harbor and see some of the unique wildlife. Join a tour to Larnach Castle or visit the Speights Brewery. There is plenty to see and do in this historic city. Overnight Dunedin. BB.

Day 10 Friday October 19 Dunedin - Queenstown.
This morning we will board the Otago Excursion Train Trust train for a trip up the Taieri Gorge. The train will be hauled one of Tairei Gorge Railways vintage Dj locomotives. The train passes over wrought iron viaducts and through hand carved tunnels on the 60 kilometer run over the Taieri Gorge line. A full commentary on the history of the line and surrounding area is given and light refreshments are available onboard. On arrival in Middlemarch we join the bus for the remainder of the journey to Queenstown. The trip offers you the chance to view the spectacular scenery of Central Otago with its bizarre schist rock tors, desert landscapes, orchards, vineyards, blue lakes, high mountains and wild river gorges. Overnight Queenstown. BB.

Day 11 Saturday October 20 Queenstown. TSS EARNSLAW CRUISE
Relive the elegance of bygone days with a cruise aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw, one of the last remaining coal fired passenger carrying vessels operating in the southern hemisphere. Affectionately known as the "Lady of the Lake", the TSS Earnslaw has a special place in the hearts of Queenstown people. She has been transporting goods to remote settlements and conveying passengers on beautiful Lake Wakatipu since 1912. What better place to have breakfast and view the magnificent scenery than by taking a cruise a board the TSS Earnslaw. KINGSTON FLYER. Back in service again this is a great chance to ride this world famous train. We have chartered the Kingston Flyer for a return trip with photo stops along the way. Something not offered on the regular trips. Overnight Queenstown BB.

Day 12 Sunday October 21 Queenstown - Invercargill - Dunedin.
Travel by coach from Queenstown to Invercargill where we join our steam excursion for the run from Invercargill to Dunedin. This is track not often covered by steam excursions. Overnight Dunedin. BB.

Day 13 Monday October 22 Dunedin - Christchurch.
Re-tracing our steps back to Christchurch with the magnificent scenery of the Otago Coast giving way to the plains and rolling hills of Canterbury. Overnight Christchurch. BB.

Day 14 Tuesday October 23 Christchurch.
There is plenty to see and do in Christchurch. Our hotel is located only a short walk from the highly recommended Antarctic Centre, or you can venture further afield to Ferrymead Historic Park, Orana Wildlife Park, The Air Force Museum, Cashell Mall which is built out of shipping containers, the Botanic Gardens and much more. Overnight Christchurch. BB.

Day 15 Wednesday October 24 Arthurs Pass Day Trip.
Today experience a further key highlight of your trip as you travel under steam to Arthurs Pass, located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Prepare yourself for one of the most scenic sections of railway in the world. From Christchurch our train travels west across the Canterbury Plains drawing closer to the rocky spine of the South Island. As our train leaves Springfield we start climbing into the heart of the Southern Alps. Before long we are surrounded by magnificent vistas with turquoise rivers and soaring snow capped mountains. We cross viaducts and twist through tunnels as we make our way to the Alpine settlement of Arthurs Pass. It is breathtaking scenery all the way. At Arthurs Pass the locomotive will be turned on a turntable and readied for the return to Christchurch. Keep you eye open for New Zealand's mountain parrot, the Kea. These cheeky and intelligent birds inhabit this area and will come very close to you making for ideal photo opportunities. Remember they are wild birds so please don't feed them.

Day 16 Thursday October 25 Christchurch to Wellington.
A big day today as we head back north to Picton to catch the late afternoon ferry to Wellington. Another chance to see the things you didn't see on the way south and a chance for some different photo runs.Overnight Wellington. BB.

Day 17 Friday October 26 Wellington - Napier
Back up the North Island Main Trunk to Palmerston North where our train turns east. Not long out of Palmerston North we encounter the Manawatu Gorge where the railway line clings to the side of the gorge as it climbs to Woodville. Between Woodville and Napier we cross a number of viaducts and pass through a myriad of small towns. The run into the Art Deco city of Napier is past huge orchards of apples and along the seafront. Overnight Napier. BB.

Day 18 Saturday October 27 Napier -Gisborne.
Here is your chance to travel this scenic line. It was only re-opened to excursion traffic in 2007 but now threatened with closure, possibly as early as 2012. The line is definitely one of the most scenic in New Zealand. Many say it rivals the South Islands Tranz Alpine route. It climbs, descends, twists and turns. At times clinging to cliffs high above the ocean and then a short time later almost running on the beach. Away from the sea the line is surrounded by steep bush clad hills or rolling farmlands with much of the area inaccessible by road. Along the way our train passes through 24 tunnels and soar over viaducts, including the Mohaka which is the highest viaduct in New Zealand. The first city in the world to see the sun each day, is located on the sunny East Coast of the North Island. The Maori name for the district is Tairawhiti which means "The coast upon which the sun shines across the water". Kaiti Beach, near the city, was where the Maori immigrational waka, Horouta, landed; and is also the first European landing place in New Zealand. Captain Cook first set foot here in 1769. European settlement was established in 1831 and the town which developed was named after Hon. William Gisborne, the Colonial Secretary, in 1870. Prior to this the settlement was known as Turanga but confusion with Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, led to the name change. To the early Maori the Poverty Bay area was known as Turanganui-a-Kiwa, "The stopping place of Kiwa". Gisborne became a borough in 1877 and a city in 1955. Overnight Gisborne. BB.

Day 19 Sunday October 28 Gisborne - Napier.
Departing Gisborne we will try for our first photo stop of the day on the Gisborne Airport main runway. This is one of the few times you will get a chance to photograph a steam locomotive in the middle of a runway. Other photo stops will include Beach loop a location high above the Pacific Ocean. Looking out to the horizon from here you can see the curve of the earth. Overnight Napier. BB.

Day 20 Monday October 29 Napier - Palmerston North.
An easy day today as we travel to Palmerston North in the Manawatu. Conveniently located half way between Rotorua and Wellington, the region combines the charm of rural New Zealand with the sophisticated provincial appeal of Palmerston North city (affectionately known as Palmy). The landscape sweeps dramatically from the Ruahine and Tararua mountain ranges, through the spectacular Manawatu Gorge and picturesque Pohangina Valley, along Manawatu River to the coastal plains of Tangimoana and Himatangi. The region enjoys a mild climate, providing fantastic growing conditions for the many public, world-class gardens. Overnight Palmerston North. BB.

Day 21 Tuesday October 30 Palmerston North - Auckland.
The last day of the tour as our train runs north crossing the volcanic plateau in the central North Island, through the Waikato Region and on into New Zealand's largest city, Auckland. Overnight Auckland BB.