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Scott McGregor's Railway Adventures

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Unrivalled natural beauty, surreal sceneries, living century-old traditions, astounding food—these are just some of New Zealand's unique and fascinating traits. Add to this an extensive rail network with an abundance of spectacular journeys, and you have all the ingredients for an unsurpassed adventure.

The North Island will welcome you with its vibrant cities, rich Maori culture and geothermal wonders. As you cross to the South, you'll  nd yourself in a world of towering mountains, blissful lakes, majestic glaciers and pristine forests, untouched by time.

This tour makes the most of the offerings on both islands, with train journeys and luxury coach connections linking the major wine regions, heritage sites, cities and natural landscapes in one compact adventure.

Train Travel in New Zealand

  • The Northern Explorer will take you on a journey across the North Island, through green farmland and bush, past quaint country towns and volcanic landscapes, showcasing great examples of iconic engineering along the way.
  • The TranzAlpine traverses the Staircase Gorge, Waimakariri River, Arthur's Pass and the depths of the Otira Tunnel, (New Zealand's longest tunnel), on one of the great railway journeys in the World.
  • The Taieri Gorge travels through a dramatic landscape. Natural wonders are blended with spectacular engineering on this journey; a wonderful example of the sheer determination of early railway pioneers.
  • Heritage Railways with an eclectic mix of experiences and exhibits, including the narrow-gauge Driving Creek Railway, Glenbrook Vintage Railway and Pleasant Point Railway

Why travel with Scott McGregor's Railway Adventures

  • Small groups - less queuing, easier access to attractions, better chance to get to know your fellow travellers.
  • Unique itineraries with authentic experiences - lovingly crafted tours with a focus on spectacular scenery, heritage and culture via private charters, VIP access and genuine cultural activities.
  • Expert local guides - the inside story from the locals.
  • Gently paced - plenty of time to smell the roses, go shopping, explore, and chill out
  • Fully escorted tours - experienced, knowledgeable, caring and well-resourced tour leaders who will make sure your adventure is as stress-free as possible

Your host

Robert Kingsford-Smith

Since the 1960s, Robert has expanded a childhood passion for railways, and so began a quest to record on  lm the world's disappearing steam locomotives. His often adventurous travels have taken him to over forty countries. The resulting photographs and articles have appeared in numerous Australian and overseas publications. Robert has led groups of like-minded enthusiasts on tours to places as diverse as South America, Pakistan and South Africa and more recently has been the celebrated tour leader on many Railway Adventure tours through Outback Queensland and also India. A passion for history and wildlife is well served on his travels and he combines his many interests with regular and extensive train travel.

Tour Highlights

  • Astounding train travel on the TranzApline, the Northern Explorer, the Taieri Gorge Railway and many exclusively chartered heritage railways
  • Visit the fascinating museums of Te Papa, the Otago Settlers, MOTAT and the Rotorua Museum
  • Traverse lakes and sea's on the renowned 'Earnslaw' steamship, the 'Interislander Ferry' and the scenic '360 Discovery' to the Coromandel
  • Discover New Zealands quirky side at the futuristic Steampunk HQ exhibition in Oamaru, Peter Jackson's own WW1 aircraft exhibition, the Living Maori Village and the grand Larnach Castle and Gardens in Dunedin
  • Enjoy delicious meals at local restaurants and wineries, including a welcome dinner at the revolving SKYCITY in Auckland and lunch at Wairau River Wines in Blenhein
  • Embark on optional excursions, including an exhilarating glacier helicopter ride, and a rail excursion to the Fell
  • Locomotive museum and the Silver Stream railway
  • Navigate the North and South islands in our comfortable, exclusively chartered coach for the entirety of the journey

What's included

  • 17 nights accommodation in comfortable, centrally located 3-4 star hotels
  • Many meals as specified in the program
  • Drinks included with welcome and farewell dinners
  • Exclusive charter of the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Weka
  • Pass Railway and Pleasant Point Railway
  • Luxury chartered coach, with luggage transport throughout the tour
  • Comprehensive sightseeing with expert local guides
  • All excursions and entrance fees to attractions, as listed in the itinerary

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