From the bustling cities to the wide open spaces you can see it all with Trains & Travel on this outstanding New Zealand tour. We will present to you some of the best steam operations and most spectacular scenery to be found anyplace in the world. During the course of this tour we are planning on using up to six different steam locomotives and several photo run-bys will be made each day. This tour is not all about trains either. New Zealand has much to offer and we give you the chance to visit some of the most spectacular areas of the country and time to explore at your leisure in some of the most beautiful cities and meet the people. This is definitely a tour you don't want to miss.

Day 1 Friday October 8: (D) Auckland - National Park. Overnight Chateau Tongariro. Today we head 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 industry. Heading south out 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 Poro-o-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 our climb up 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 National Park on the slopes of Mt Ruapehu.

Day 2 Saturday October 9: (B) National Park - Wellington. Overnight Wellington.



Day 3 Sunday October 10: (B) Free day in Wellington to explore the delights of New Zealand's capital city. You are welcome to take the train to nearby Plimmerton and visit the Mainline Steam's Wellington workshops.

Everyone is welcome to visit Mainline Steam's Plimmerton workshops which can be reached by the suburban rail network. View the rebuilding work on the newest steam locomotive in the fleet, a Zimbabwe class 14A Garratt.

Day 4 Monday October 11: (B) Wellington to Picton traveling across the Cook Strait and on to Blenheim. You will have a chance to explore this charming town in the afternoon. There is a 2 foot gauge railway in Blenheim and we are endeavoring to arrange a visit and ride.



Day 5 Tuesday October 12: (B) Picton - Christchurch. Overnight 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.



Day 6 Wednesday October 13: (B-D) Christchurch - Greymouth. Overnight Greymouth. One of the top 10 train journeys in the world. Starting out across the Canterbury Plains it is not long before we enter the Southern Alps. We continue our climb to Arthur’s Pass surrounded by mountains and crossing turquoise rivers. Every twist and turn provides another stunning vista. From the mountain community of Arthur’s Pass we plunge into the 8km long Otira Tunnel, emerging on the West Coast. The scenery changes from Alpine to green native bush and farmland. Our destination is the coastal town of Greymouth.

Day 7 Thursday October 14: (B-D) Greymouth - Westport. Overnight Westport. This line has not seen a passenger train for over 15 years and today is the domain of heavy coal trains. The scenery is stunning, especially through the Buller Gorge.

Day 8 Friday October 15: (B-D) Westport - Greymouth Overnight Greymouth.

Day 9 Saturday October 16: (B) Greymouth - Christchurch. Overnight Christchurch. Today we re-trace our journey across the Southern Alps to Christchurch.

Day 10 Sunday October 17: (B) Christchurch. Free Day. Overnight Christchurch. Take free day to explore the Garden City. There is plenty to see and do in Christchurch. Catch a tram for a look around the central city area. Make sure to visit the Botanic Gardens and the Arts Centre, which is a great place to shop for unique gifts. Take a trip to the Antarctic by visiting the Antarctic Centre at the airport. Try out the cold room to see what it is really like on that southern continent.






For an added dining experience book yourself on the Christchurch Restaurant Tram for a wondering dinner onboard as you see the city at night.











Day 11 Monday October 18: (B) Christchurch - Picton. Overnight Picton (Blenheim) Travel from Christchurch back up the East Coast to Picton. There will be a number of photo opportunities along the way.





Day 12 Tuesday October 19: (B) This morning we catch the ferry to Wellington. On arrival in Wellington we make a quick transfer to our train for the trip north to Napier. The train will traverse through the suburbs of Wellington before passing through the 5 mile long Rimutaka Tunnel and into the Wairarapa for the run to Napier. The scenery is a mixture of Bush clad hills and farmland. There are also a number of spectacular viaducts including the S curved Ormondville. As we draw near to Napier we pass lots of apple orchards as this is one of the main fruit growing areas of New Zealand.







Day 13 Wednesday October 20: (B) Free day in Napier. This is the famous Art Deco city with a lot of interesting history on how it was built. A visit to the Napier Museum is worth a look.





Day 14 Thursday October 21: (B) Today we travel on our charter train from Napier to Gisborne. Here is your chance to travel this scenic line. It was only re-opened to excursion traffic in 2007. The line is definitely one of the more scenic in New Zealand. It climbs, descends, twists and turns. At time 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. Along the way we pass through 24 tunnels and soar over viaducts, including the Mohaka which is the highest viaduct in New Zealand.









Day 15 Friday October 22: (B) We retrace our steps and head back south to Napier today.



Day 16 Saturday October 23: (B) Today we travel Napier to Palmerston North .

Day 17 Sunday October 24: (B) We head northbound Palmerston North to Hamilton through the rugged Central North Island High county and down the Raurimu Spiral before entering the rolling farmlands surrounding the city of Hamilton.

Day 18 Monday October 25: (B) Hamilton - Rotorua. Overnight Rotorua. Rotorua is one of the centers of Maori Culture in New Zealand, as well as, a thermal wonderland. Today we will visit some of the thermal areas as well as a look at some of flora and fauna of New Zealand at Rainbow Springs. A visit to the Agrodome for one of the most unique shows in the country is also on the agenda.

There will free time for you to explore Rotorua at your leisure or soak in the thermal waters. This evening you will have a chance to experience some of the culture as we attend a Maori cultural show and hangi (feast). This is your chance to see and hear Maori song and dance and sample the traditional Maori Hangi.

Day 19 Tuesday October 26: (B) Rotorua - Hamilton - Whangarei. Overnight Whangarei. Travel the scenic north line to Whangarei. Once past Helensville this is a freight only line with plenty of great photo opportunities through the isolated back country.

Day 20 Wednesday October 27: (B) Whangarei - Auckland. Overnight Auckland. Tour ends.

PRICES                          ALL PRICES ARE PER PERSON
DOUBLE ROOM OCCUPANCY...............................$5798
SINGLE ROOM OCCUPANCY...............................$7398
DEPOSIT TO HOLD SPACE WHEN TOUR IS A SURE-GO........$1500
FINAL PAYMENT DUE BY JULY 8, 2010

TOUR INCLUDES
*22 MEALS
*FULLY ESCORTED
*18 NIGHTS LODGING
*ALL TRANSFERS DURING THE TOUR
*ALL TRAIN RIDES PER THE ITINERARY

TOUR PRICE: All tour prices are subject to change without notice at any time.

CHANGE OF ITINERARY: We reserve the right to substitute, change train routing, alter or modify the tour if any unexpected and unforeseen conditions beyond our control occur. As almost everyone knows, in the railroad industry last minute changes do occur.

RESERVATION CHANGES: A $50 per person charge will apply for any changes made to a reservation. This will also apply for any changes in credit cards usded.

DEPOSITS AND FINAL PAYMENTS: The required deposit is due in our office within 14 days of making a booking. For most tours the final payment is due in our office 90 days before the start of the tour. Due dates are posted for each tour and will also be on your invoice and in some cases we will vary the due Date depending upon the tour in question.

MILEAGE COLLECTORS: Mileage collectors please take note before you book! Trains and Travel does not cater just to mileage collectors. We cater to all people that enjoy the railroad hobby. We give strong warning that itinerary and route changes do happen and this is totally beyond our control when it does. If the only reason that you would want to book a tour with us is to collect the rare mileage, may we suggest that you be prepared for possible route changes.

RESPONSIBILITY AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: We assume no responsibility for injury, sickness, damage, loss, additional expenses, accidental delay or irregularities which may be caused through willful or negligent acts or omissions on the part of the companies providing or engaging in transportation, accommodations or services related to the accomplishment of the tour including Trains and Travel. We have no control on the timings of our charter trains and indeed passenger trains and charters can and do run late most of the time. Nor do we assume responsibility for natural disaster, social or political upheaval, acts of terrorism or acts of nature. The right is reserved to substitute hotels, tour leaders, equipment, motive power, trains, routes and to alter the itinerary when deemed necessary without notice. We are not responsible for expenses incurred by tour members in preparing for the tour.

CANCELLATIONS: Trains and Travel does not accept cancellations on the phone. Cancellations must be received by postal mail, e mail or fax before any refunds will be processed. Be sure and allow enough time if sending your written notice by the very slow US mail postal system. When a written cancellation is received in the Trains and Travel office this will be the effective date of the cancellation. Please take note that it can take up to 60 days to process some refunds in but most cases refunds will be issued in half that time. Cancellation refund rules: 100 days prior to the start of any tour you will receive a full refund less a $200 per person administration fee. 99 to 75 days before the departure of any tour there will be a 80% cancellation penalty based on the full cost of the tour. Any cancellations received 74 or less days before the start of any tour will not receive any refund. These cancellations rules apply to everyone and will be enforced.

RIGHT TO REFUSE SERVICE: Trains and Travel reserves the right to refuse service to anyone we deem necessary, to insure that all of our clients will have the best possible tour.

PRE-DEPARTURE TOUR BULLETINS: Tour bulletins will be sent to clients that have booked on our tours. Bulletins include weather, packing tips, food, health, updates and much more. Tickets and a detailed itinerary booklet will be sent out about three weeks before the tour begins.

PAYMENTS: Payments can be made with personal check drawn on a U.S. Dollar account, money order for U.S. Dollars, bank wire transfer, or credit card. We accept Visa, Master Card, Discover or American Express. Final payment for all tours is due 90 days prior to departure. If final payment has not been received 7 days after the due date, a late fee of $50 may apply.

SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: All prices are based on double room occupancy. We will try and match you with a roommate. if one is available. If not, you may be charged the single room supplement listed for the tour you are booked on. Single rooms may not be available in some remote locations and on some trains.

TOUR REFUNDS: If for any reason tour members amend or delete any arrangements during travel, and leave the tour on their own, we cannot give any refunds on unused portions of the tour. If buses and trains are cancelled by the carrier or there is a labor strike or they go out of business, we cannot be held responsible and we cannot give refunds. Travel insurance will protect you for any of these reasons. If TU needs to cancel any tour everyone will receive a full refund. Please take note that refunds can take up to 60 days to process.

PARTIAL TOURS: We will allow passengers to join or leave a tour at certain points. It will all depend on the tour and the conditions. Give us a call and we will try and work up a custom option for you.