Southern Gold
Rail Highlights – 13 Days
We include home/hotel pickup & transfers from many areas at the start and end of your tour. Additionally, we offer return flight packages which include door to door service / home pickup & return from a wide range of areas. If your area is not listed, please contact us by phone or email and we can advise options for you.
Tours include all listed accommodation, sights (unless explicitly described as an optional extra), dinners and cooked breakfasts. All prices are based on share twin accommodation. Single supplements are available.
AUD $7,600 (LAND ONLY)
per person, twin share
INC RETURN AIRFARE:
Solo travellers (same gender) are matched for twin share at no extra cost.
Gold Club Tours offer door to door service & transfers, as well as return flight packages which include door to door service.
COMPLIMENTARY TRANSFERS (flight packages include additional transfers/door to door service)
Tour Only – Door to Door inclusions
Day 1
1. From your arrival flight (or nominated address) to hotel.
Final Day
1. From your hotel to your departure flight (or nominated address).
Flight Package – Door to Door inclusions
Day 1
1. From your home (or nominated address) to your flight to New Zealand.
2. On arrival in New Zealand, you are met at airport and taken to your hotel.
Final Day:
1. From your hotel to your departing flight.
2. On arrival in Australia, you are met at airport and taken to your home.
Call or email us to check your preferred tour date – we can confirm availability and pricing.
If your area is not listed, please contact us and we can advise you options and prices for flights and/or door to door service from your preferred location.
Return flight packages, including door to door service (home or hotel pickup & return) are listed below. Many suburbs we pickup from are not listed below. If your area falls in between the below listed and the airport, we almost certainly pickup, call or email to confirm your area is included.
EX: Sydney $875
EX: Brisbane $875
EX: Melbourne $975
EX: Adelaide $1150
EX: Perth $1450
EX: Darwin $1450
Flights packages are based on economy airfares. Should you wish to travel on alternative dates, times or airliers, or wish to upgrade to business or first class, please advise and we can advise options and any pricing change (alternative flight arrangements subject to availability and confirmation – fares and arrangments are not confirmed until funds have been recieved). Typically, guests fly to the airport closest to their home return area, although this may vary in some instances, particularly in smaller and/or more remote areas. Guests who wish to have specific requests catered to, such as direct vs connecting flights, specific flight times or specific airports, alternative locations, alternative dates, etc, may incur additional charges (wherever possible we do not charge additional).
Gold Club Tours always recommend that guests take out travel insurance. This is important whether it is for international or domestic travel. In the event you are unable to travel before or during a tour, cancellation terms apply – take out insurance to protect yourself.
Gold Club Tours offer additional accommodation options for guests travelling on our tours.
We have set pricing for guests to stay pre-tour or post-tour at:
Locations
Pricing
If you wish to arrange accommodation at another location that is not listed here, please contact us.
Welcome to Christchurch!
Today you have a complimentary transfer to your hotel – either from your inbound flight arriving in Christchurch, or from your nominated Christchurch address. If you are already in Christchurch, you are welcome to a complimentary transfer to your hotel.
The rest of the day is at leisure, and this evening have dinner with your new travelling companions who have arrived.
Stay: Pavilions Hotel (or similar)
After breakfast this morning, enjoy a tour of some of the well-known city sights that Christchurch is famous for. At the conclusion of the city sights tour, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Your tour leader can assist you with lunch recommendations and optional excursions.
Stay: Pavilions Hotel (or similar)
This morning, we join the TranzAlpine Train, celebrated as one of the world’s great train journeys. Head up into the Southern Alps and view dramatic alpine scenery – mountain peaks, rugged gorges and rivers. We travel all the way to Arthur’s Pass, the alpine village in the centre of the Alps. From here, we board our tour coach and travel over the impressive Otira Viaduct, and we follow the Otira and Taramakau rivers out to the West Coast. We then head South, enjoying views of the Tasman Sea, passing through the township of Hokitika, and learning about New Zealand’s least populous region. We end our journey today in Fox Glacier, where we dine at a local restaurant.
Stay: Bella Vista Fox Glacier (or similar)
Today, we make the most of New Zealand’s Glacier Country. The Fox and Franz Josef Glaciers are the most accessible rivers of ice in the world and, weather permitting, we will be able to see at least one of them. After breakfast at a cafe, we head to Franz Josef, the activity hub of Glacier Country. Here, we enjoy a 40-minute movie at the local cinema to view stunning footage of South Westland and its unbelievable scenery. There is also an opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over the glaciers, including a snow landing (weather permitting).
AUD$350 per person
Take in the grandeur of Fox Glacier on a 20 minute trip. Land on the snow plains of the Fox Glacier, jump out and take it all in. Includes scenic helicopter flight, Snow landing atop the Glacier, Informative pilot commentary.
For those wanting to stretch their legs, there will be opportunities for fantastic scenic walks today, to view Franz Josef Glacier as well as Lake Matheson, noted for its magnificent mirror-like reflections of the Southern Alps (both weather dependent). This evening, we dine at the restaurant.
Stay: Bella Vista Fox Glacier (or similar)
Continuing south, we pass isolated and lovely Bruce Bay before reaching the small settlement of Haast. Leaving the coast today, we travel inland past Thunder Creek Falls to the “Gates of Haast.”
AUD$150 per person
60 min trip through the mighty Haast River Valley. Journey into the heart of Te Wahipounamu, the South West World Heritage Area. Hear fascinating commentary as you travel on purpose-built, fully enclosed safari boats.
Travel the ancient Maori greenstone pilgrimage route through the Haast Pass, and down to the shores of the milky, glacier-fed Lakes of Hawea and Wanaka, to arrive in the picturesque township of Wanaka. We then travel through rich farmlands before continuing to Queenstown, where we will stay two nights.
Stay: Rendezvous Heritage Hotel Queenstown or Mercure Resort Queenstown (or similar)
Today, the entire day is at leisure for you to enjoy the many scenic delights of this world-famous alpine resort. Your tour leader can assist you in planning your day and making arrangements.
This evening, we board the vintage steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw for a delightful cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak, a high country sheep station. There is time to inspect the sheep and highland cattle before relaxing in the Colonel’s Homestead and enjoying some friendly Kiwi Hospitality and a sumptuous dinner, which is one of the culinary highlights of the tour.
Stay: Mercure Resort Queenstown (or similar)
This morning, we visit to the historic goldmining settlement of Arrowtown. Arrowtown is a gorgeous, picturesque town that offers a glimpse into New Zealand’s 19th-century gold mining era. Wander the quaint streets lined with beautifully preserved heritage buildings, explore the fascinating museums, and visit the historic Chinese Settlement before we continue south along Lake Wakatipu towards Fiordland.
We stop at Kingston for a memorable journey aboard the Kingston Flyer, one of New Zealand’s most iconic vintage steam train experiences. Step back in time as you travel in beautifully restored wooden carriages, hauled by a historic steam locomotive, through scenic countryside framed by mountain views and open farmland. This nostalgic rail journey offers a wonderful glimpse into New Zealand’s railway heritage, before we continue on to Te Anau for our overnight stay.
Stay: Distinction Luxmore Te Anau (or similar)
This morning, we begin our journey towards Milford Sound, travelling through the beech forests of the Eglington Valley with its steep walls, grassy floor and exquisite mirror-like lakes before entering the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley. We pass through Cascade Creek and the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel, before continuing on through the glacial formations of the Cleddau Valley and descending to Milford. We board our boat to enjoy the deep icy blue waterway and explore the hidden depths of Milford Sound. There is plenty of time to admire the intricately carved deep fiord and rock walls, and the most memorable of them all: Mitre Peak. Sitting at 6,000 feet, it is the tallest peak in the world rising directly from the bottom of the ocean. We cruise by tumbling waterfalls of Lady Bowen falls and Stirling Falls as we journey to the hidden mouth of the Sound, which goes out to the Tasman Sea. Watch for schools of playful dolphins that surf the bow wave of the boat and try to spot seals basking in the sun on the rocky shores.
We then depart Milford Sound, driving alongside Lake Manapouri, said to be New Zealand’s most beautiful lake, before crossing the rich and fertile country of Southland. Invercargill boasts being both the southernmost & westernmost city in New Zealand.
This evening, enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.
Stay: Ascot Park Hotel (or similar)
This morning, we depart Invercargill for Dunedin via the magnificent coastal vistas of the Catlins, famed for the wildlife, forests and rugged natural beauty. Late this afternoon, we arrive at the traditionally “Scottish City” of Dunedin – quaint, friendly and once New Zealand’s hub of commerce. During the gold rush years, Dunedin was New Zealand’s largest and most prosperous city and is home to New Zealand’s first university. We stop at Olveston Historic Home, a 35-room Jacobean mansion that allows an intimate view of the life of a prosperous Dunedin merchant and his family in Edwardian times. The mansion houses a treasure of Georgian and Victorian furniture, paintings, silver, china and glassware with a notable oriental collection.
Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar)
Today, the day is at leisure for you to enjoy the charming city of Dunedin. Take time to wander through the city’s character-filled streets, admire its grand heritage buildings, browse local shops and galleries, or visit the iconic Dunedin Railway Station, one of New Zealand’s most photographed landmarks. For those wishing to explore further, the nearby Otago Peninsula offers a wonderful mix of coastal scenery and wildlife experiences, including wildlife cruises, the Royal Albatross Centre, and the chance to see penguins, fur seals and other native wildlife in their natural environment.
AUD$145 per person
Experience one of the world’s great heritage rail journeys onboard the Taieri Gorge Train. View incredible scenery as you hear stories about Otago’s rich history from onboard commentators. Admire the engineering feats of early railway pioneers, including hand-made tunnels and the Wingatui Viaduct, the tallest wrought iron structure in Australasia.
This evening, we visit Larnach Castle, an imposing stone mansion that was constructed in 1871 by William Larnach, a former government minister. Your guide will inform you of the dark Larnach secrets as you are escorted through the mansion to view the ornately furnished rooms and halls. Here, we are privileged to enjoy an exclusive sumptuous dinner at the castle.
Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar)
Today we travel by coach up to Oamaru. Here we visit the historic precinct which is home to beautiful whitestone buildings and fascinating historical collections and quaint stores – stroll through yesteryear and the charming vestiges of the Victorian era. We ride the Oamaru Vintage Railway, before continuing to our accommodation in Omarama.
Stay: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel Omarama (or similar)
Today we depart for Christchurch. We travel to view Mt Cook, before continuing to beautiful Lake Tekapo, where a stop is made to view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Crossing Burkes Pass, we travel through the sheep-stations and tussock-covered lands of the MacKenzie Country and across the colourful patchwork quilt of the Canterbury Plains, the country’s largest wheat producing area, before arriving in Christchurch, the second largest metropolitan area in New Zealand. On arrival in Christchurch, we check into our hotel for the evening.
Stay: Pavilions Hotel (or similar)
Sadly, this is the last day of our tour. A complimentary transfer to your nominated address is included. For guests who have purchased a flight package, you are at leisure to enjoy the day until the time for your transfer to the Christchurch airport to join your departing flight. On arrival at your destination airport you are met and returned to your home.
Have questions or need help with your booking? Reach out and we’ll take care of the rest.