The Great

New Zealand
Train Journey

Iconic Train Journey

with wonderful scenery
and musical experiences  
13 - 27 OCTOBER 2019
 The Great
New Zealand
Train Journey

Iconic train journey with wonderful
scenery and musical experiences

13 - 27 OCTOBER 2019

Train whistle blowin’, all aboard and we are

on the road (or on the train tracks!) for the
Greatest New Zealand Train Journey which
combines all the bygone glory of train travel,
with fun and laughter with our escorts, as
well as incredible musical events in beautiful
settings around New Zealand.

Experience the
Exceptional...
•T
 rain rides through beautiful farmlands,
rugged coastlines, the volcanic plateau,
snowy mountains and rain forests.

•M
 usical experiences along the way which
include a gala event at Hamilton Gardens,
with themed concert in themed gardens with
themed food to top it all off. Other musical
experiences include a dine and dance, a
vineyard concert and a gala concert at the
Tongariro Chateau.

•E
 ntertainment from our escorts on board
our carriage, led by Karl Perigo, as we travel
through our country, the most beautiful
country in the world.

•N
 umerous tours and experiences from
Hobbiton to the Weta Museum to glimpse
behind the scenes of The Lord of the Rings,
to the International Antarctic Centre, wine
tasting in Blenheim and so much more.

•L
 ove, care and laughter from our incredible
escorts led by John Cameron, Karl Perigo
and Alex Milligan.

2 For further information ring our office or visit our website

OUR TRAIN AND BOAT JOURNEY
Our train journey takes us through many parts of New
Zealand. The plan is we put our luggage on our coach
so we don’t need to concern ourselves with luggage on
the train. The coach drops us off and we enjoy time on
the train while the coach drives our luggage to the next
destination.

Then we enjoy concerts and singalongs in our own

carriage and watch the world go by!
Northern Explorer
Northern Explorer - North Island
We will see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland,
rugged bush landscapes before ascending up the
engineering masterpiece that is the Raurimu Spiral,
to passing the majestic volcanoes of Mt Tongariro, Mt
Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu - the home of the North
Island skifields.

We then descend through stunning river gorges to the

farming landscapes and rocky sea scapes of the lower
North Island - all from large panoramic windows and the
open-air viewing deck of the Northern Explorer train.
The Interislander
Interislander - Wellington - Picton
The Interislander travels the Cook Strait between the
North and South Islands of New Zealand and is one of the
most spectacular cruises in the world. The 92 km journey
between Wellington and Picton is one of New Zealand’s
most iconic tourist experiences.

Coastal Pacific Train

Our journey takes us through the wine growing region
of Blenheim to the rugged Kaikoura mountain ranges
on one side of your train, the Pacific Ocean coastline on
the other with views of marine wildlife such as seals and
penguins to some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural Coastal Pacific

and farmland areas of the Canterbury Plains.

TranzAlpine - Christchurch - Southern Alps - Greymouth

(and return)
Travelling west crossing the Canterbury Plains, the train
slowly ascends through spectacular gorges and river
valleys of the Waimakariri River towards the Southern
Alps to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass for a short
break before descending through the Otira Tunnel to the
West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, through lush
alpine beech rain forests to Greymouth.

TranzAlpine

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 SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER 2019 (D)
AUCKLAND (1 night)
- Grand Mercure Hotel
Today we meet from around New Zealand in
preparation for our train journey starting early
tomorrow. We meet for a casual dinner tonight.

MONDAY 14 OCTOBER 2019 (B, L, D)

AUCKLAND - HAMILTON ON TRAIN
HAMILTON (3 nights)
- Novotel Hamilton Tainui
Novotel Tainui Hamilton is a four star hotel, centrally
located on the banks of Waikato River, which offers
an award-winning restaurant, a fitness centre, a Auckland City

sauna and massage facilities.

Highlights include:
• Train journey from Auckland to Hamilton leaving
from the iconic Britomart Station.

• Transfer to Hobbiton where we step into the lush

pastures of the Shire, as seen in The Lord of the Rings
and The Hobbit trilogies, for a tour and lunch.

• Welcome dinner at hotel this evening, accompanied

by Showstoppers concert from our escorts.

TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER 2019 (B, L, D)

Highlights include:
• Transfer to Cambridge with time to wander and shop.

• Lunch at the beautiful Sarnia Park with time to Hobbiton

wander the grounds and enjoy the ambience of this
lovely estate.

• Dine and dance with Celebrate the 50’s to the 70’s at

Woodlands this evening led by Karl. Sure to be a mad,
fun evening.

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER 2019 (B, D)

Highlights include:
• Free time this morning for shopping - we are situated
right in town so shops are within very easy walking
distance.

• One of our premium events this evening: Themed

concerts at the magnificent Hamilton Gardens.

Hamilton Gardens

4 For further information ring our office or visit our website

• Each garden has its own theme and we will enhance FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER 2019 (B, L)
your experience in the already beautiful gardens Highlights include:
by presenting themed concerts in each garden,
• Tour of the local area: a scenic drive around
complemented by specially themed food.
Mt Tongariro and Mt Ruapehu.
• Excerpts from The Mikado in the Japanese Garden
• Lunch and tour of Lavender Farm, Taumaranui.
with sushi and rice balls, Saxophone Americana music
• Dinner (own cost) then a chance to catch a movie in
in the American Garden with mini hamburgers and
the private movie theatre at the Chateau. Murder on
hot dogs. Our string trio with Music be the Food of
the Orient Express - - let’s hope there is no such thing
Love in the Renaissance Garden with Italian food and
for us on the train in a couple of days!
Grand Finale in the Indian Garden with dessert.

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER 2019 (B, D) SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER 2019 (B, L, D)

HAMILTON - NATIONAL PARK ON TRAIN TONGARIRO NATIONAL PARK -
WELLINGTON BY TRAIN
CHATEAU TONGARIRO (2 nights)
The Chateau sits in the fourth oldest national park in
WELLINGTON (3 nights)
the world (Tongariro, established 1894) at an elevation - Novotel
of more than 1100m. The five-storey, 134-room The Novotel offers direct access to the Lambton
property can be seen for miles and is an iconic Kiwi Quay shopping area, just half a mile from Wellington
hotel. Station. This hotel features rooms with floor-to-ceiling
Highlights include: windows and panoramic views.
• Train journey with wonderful scenery between Highlights include:
Hamilton and the Tongariro National Park. • Another incredible train journey through the lower

• A visit to the National Army Museum in Waiouru. half of the North Island.

• A sumptuous feast of cuisine and a gala concert, • A picnic lunch on board with lots of chance for a

Climb Every Mountain, featuring famous songs singalong today as we travel through farmlands and

from music theatre in the private dining room at lovely scenery on our way to Wellington.

the Chateau. • A casual dinner at our hotel this evening.

Northern Explorer, National Park View from Mt Victoria Wellington

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 SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER 2019 (B)
Highlights include:
• A City Tour of Wellington including Wellington central
area, a trip to the top of Mt Victoria, with its great
views over Wellington, a visit to Te Papa and a tour of
the Parliament Buildings.

• Free time this afternoon for your own activities or a

chance to catch up with friends.

MONDAY 21 OCTOBER 2019 (B, D)

Highlights include:
• Experience a tour of the amazing Weta Workshop.

• Tonight, dinner will be at The Bresolin, an award-

Weta Workshop Museum
winning fine dining restaurant, accompanied by music
from our singers and laughter: Love and Laughter!

TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 2019 (B)

Today we are off to the South Island on the
Interislander and enjoy the magnificent views of the
Marlborough Sounds.

BLENHEIM (2 nights)
- Scenic Hotel, Marlborough
The Scenic Hotel Marlborough, which has just
undergone a multimillion dollar upgrade, is located in
the heart of Marlborough Wine Country, internationally
renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc.
Highlights include:
• Cruise through the Marlborough Sounds, spot
Vineyards, Marlborough
dolphins and enjoy the glorious scenery as we travel
through the Sounds.

• Experience the outstanding Knights of the Sky

exhibition, featuring Sir Peter Jackson’s own
collection of WW1 aircraft and artifacts. The story of
aviation in the Great War is theatrically brought to life
by the internationally acclaimed talent of WingNut
Films and Weta Workshop.

• Free evening to relax and grab some dinner at leisure.

Cable Car, Wellington

6 For further information ring our office or visit our website

WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2019 (B, L, D) Highlights include:
Highlights include: • An iconic and stunning train ride down the East Coast
• Our first wine tasting of the day will be at Forrest from Blenheim to Christchurch.
Winery. Established in 1988, this vineyard specialises • City tour of Christchurch on arrival.
in award-winning Sauvignon Blanc. • A visit to the International Antarctic Centre to view
• Lunch at Wairau River Wines Cellar Door & Restaurant. their amazing displays and enjoy seeing the penguins.

• Twelve Trees Restaurant at the Allan Scott Family FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER 2019 (B,L)
Winery for our dinner with entertainment themed Today we enjoy one of the most magnificent train
Wine, Women and Song, provided by the escorts. journeys in the world, the TranzAlpine. We travel
coast to coast from Christchurch to Greymouth and
THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER 2019 (B) experience the striking beauty of the Southern Alps,
BLENHEIM - KAIKOURA - the ice-fed Waimakariri River through to unique native
CHRISTCHURCH ON THE TRAIN beech forests.
We travel down one of the most beautiful coasts
SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2019 (B, D)
in New Zealand – with its crashing waves, rugged
Highlights include:
rocks and seal colonies – to Kaikoura and then onto
Christchurch. Please note the train line is due to • A tour of the Wigram Airforce Museum.
reopen in late 2018. We will of course sort an alternate • Final night dinner at Hinton Vineyard with
route if necessary. entertainment from our escorts. Train Whistle Blowin’,
famous songs from the 50’s and 60’s and especially
CHRISTCHURCH (3 nights)
anything about trains, buses or ships!
- Novotel Cathedral Square Hotel
Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square is superbly SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER 2019 (B)
located in the heart of the Garden City. We are transferred to the airport to make our way
home taking with us some wonderful memories of our
beautiful country.

Coastal Pacific, Kahutara River TranzAlpine, Waimakariri Bridge

www.operatunity.co.nz | P: 0508 886 489 | E: [email protected] 7

 $
6,600 per person
twin share

Single Room supplement add $1,935

Initial Deposit on booking $900

Second Deposit due 21 May 2019 $2,000
Final Balance due 05 July 2019

THIS TRIP INCLUDES:

• 14 nights’ accommodation in 4-star hotels: Auckland
(1 night), Hamilton (3 nights), Chateau Tongariro (2
nights), Wellington (3 nights), Blenheim (2 nights),
Christchurch (3 nights).
• Train journeys: Northern Explorer Auckland - Hamilton
- National Park - Wellington //Coastal Pacific, Blenheim
- Christchurch // TranzAlpine Christchurch - Greymouth
(return).
• Other transport - Interislander Ferry one-way
Wellington to Picton, plus all transfers, including
luggage and people by coach included.
• Musical experiences include gala themed event at
Hamilton Gardens, Train Whistle Blowin’ at Hinton
Vineyard, Climb Every Mountain at the Chateau, Love
and Laughter at the Bresolin, Celebrate the 50’s to the
70’s at Woodlands, Wine, Women and Song at Twelve
Trees Vineyard plus singalongs and fun on the train.
• Numerous experiences such as tours of Weta
Workshop, Hobbiton, Knights of the Sky, International
Antarctic Centre, Te Papa, National Army Museum and
the Wigram Airforce Museum.
• Activity highlights include wine tasting in Blenheim,
Cambridge and Sarnia House, special movie night at
the Chateau to watch Murder on the Orient Express
and tour of National Park.
• All breakfasts, 6 lunches and 9 dinners included.
• Escorted by John Cameron, Karl Perigo and
Alex Milligan.
PLEASE NOTE: As our travellers are coming from all over
NZ, airfares are not included.

EASY TOUR
This tour will suit people with a stick, but not a
walker. You will be required to walk to get from
place to place and stand in museums, but it is
designed to be an easy tour with lots of times
to rest, travel on a coach and walk easy leisurely
distances. You will need to be able to get on and
off a train with ease and walk through the train
stations.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
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Deposits refundable until final fee of up to
payment $150.
date minus any costs
PO Box 132 150 Sylvia Park, • incurred,
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need fee of mobile
to be independently up to $150.
and fit to travel.
• Travellers are
need to be independently
required mobile and fit
to obtain comprehensive to travel.
travel
Auckland
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for all international trips.
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PO Box 132 150 Sylvia Park, Auckland 1644, New Zealand • Please refer to terms & conditions on our booking form.