Best of the West Coast, 6 days/5 nights plus 3 day short break mini "Tranz Alpine" Tours

                Best of the West Coast - 6 days/5 nights

CHRISTCHURCH (1 night) - SHANTYTOWN - HOKITIKA (2 nights) - HOKITIKA GORGE - TREETOPS WALK -  ECO CRUISE -   - REEFTON - DENNISTON - PUNAKAIKI (1 night) - CHRISTCHURCH (1 night)

Winter. Commences Christchurch every thursday 06 June - 12 September, 2024. Minimum 2 passengers. 

Summer.

6 days/5 nights commences every Thursday and Sunday 22 September, 2024 - 27 April, 2025 including transfers and 1 night accommodation and breakfast in Christchurch before the tour and 1 night after. Minimum 2 passengers.

4 days/3 nights commencing Christchurch railway station morning Day 2 and ending Christchurch railway station Day 5 afternoon. Minimum 2 passengers.

GUARANTEED GROUP DEPARTURE - locally hosted on the West Coast.  - 6 days commence Christchurch

This tour can commence any sunday October -  April, and thursday May - September for minimum of 4 passengers. 

Day 1. Sunday          ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH  

Arrive Christchurch and you will be transferred to your accommodation.

 Day 2.  Monday.        CHRISTCHURCH - HOKITIKA

Transfer to the rail station.

8.15am. Depart Christchurch railway station aboard the  "Tranz Alpine" express for one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world across the Canterbury Plains climbing through the foothills of the Southern Alps criss crossing the Waimakariri River on the way to Arthurs Pass for a brief break. Travel through the Otira tunnel and descend into the rainforest of the West Coast. Pass Lake Brunner and the Grey River and arrive Greymouth 1.05pm.   

You will be met by your local guide  and visit Shantytown. Ride the train (usually diesel hauled), pan for gold, and recapture something of the atmosphere of the gold rush era. On to Hokitika and catch up on Hokitika in its prime during the gold rush era.

Two nights accommodation and breakfast at the Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika.

Day 3. Tuesday.   HOKITIKA                  (B)  

This morning we go back to nature at the Hokitika Gorge for a short walk among the breathtaking scenery.  Enjoy  a leisurely Eco boat cruise on the Lake Mahinapua waterways originally used by pioneers, gold diggers, and early explorers. Drive south to the West Coast Treetop Walkway for an exhilirating treetop adventure  high in the ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees with great views (weather permitting) of Lake Mahinapua, the Southern Alps, and Tasman Sea.

Day 4.     Wednesday.       HOKITIKA - REEFTON - DENNISTON - WESTPORT - PUNAKAIKI     (B)

Drive north to Reefton. Visit the Reefton Distillery Co with a little tasting and the Bearded Mining Company for a visit to a recreated miners hut and cup of billy tea. Drive to the Denniston lookout and on to Denniston to see the famous incline and discover the history of the area,. See the Banbury Drystone Arch and the historic mine workshop. Visit the Westport coal museum and Cape Foulwind seal colony before arriving at the Scenic Punakaiki Hotel.

Day 5.  Thursday.             PUNAKAIKI -  GREYMOUTH  - CHRISTCHURCH  (B

Visit the historic gold mining town of Charleston for a ride on the Nile River railway through the rainforest. Explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Paparoa National Park. 

Return to Greymouth for a short tour and time to explore. Rejoin  the "Tranz Alpine" train departing 2.05pm to recross the Southern Alps to Christchurch where arrival is scheduled for 7pm. Passengers on the 6 day tour will be transferred back to your hotel. 6 day tour ends on arrival at Christchurch Railway Station. 

Day 6. Friday.    CHRISTCHURCH DEPART     (B)

Passengers on the 6 day tour will be transferred to the airport.                    

Tour cost per person: (6 day tour)  

6 day tour. 2 per room $2,390. Single room $3,230

4 day tour. 2 per room $1,990. Single room $2,650

Tour cost includes (6 day tour):

**  Arrival and departure transfers and 1 night accommodation and breakfast in Christchurch before and after the West Coast. 

**  Return travel from Christchurch to Greymouth aboard the "Tranz Alpine" train. 

**   All travel on the West Coast by driver escorted mini or midi bus. 

**  5 nights accommodation and breakfast 

**    Admission fees to: Shantytown, Treetops walk,  Waterways cruise, Reefton Distillery, Coaltown Museum, Nile River rail ride

4 day tour includes all of the above except transfers, accommodation, and breakfasts in Christchurch before and after the West Coast. Tour starts and ends at Christchurch Railway Station.