WONDERFUL WELLINGTON. 4 days/3 nights (extendable).
Departs Auckland most mondays, thursdays, saturdays year round locally hosted in Wellington. (not operating 25 December - 15 January, 2025).
Day 1. Monday/Thursday/Saturday. AUCKLAND - WELLINGTON
7.45am Depart Auckland Strand Railway Station aboard the "Northern Explorer". Depart Papakura 8.35am, Hamilton 10.15am, and Otorohanga 10.50am.
Sit back and relax and enjoy the scenes of suburban Auckland and rural Waikato dairy farmland and travel south through the central North Island including the famed Raurimu Spiral, a major engineering feat, and through the Tongariro National Park with magnificent views of the central North Island volcanoes in fine weather. Arrive Wellington 6.25pm. Transfer to your hotel in the central city.
Day 2. Tuesday/Friday/Sunday. WELLINGTON (B)
Explore the capital city on our included tour. Visit Oriental Bay and enjoy part of the beautiful Marine Drive. Enjoy a guided tour of Weta Workshop and visit Seatoun and ther South Coast, Mt Victoria for a panoramic view over the city, the Botanical Gardens (optional cable car ride - extra expense), Zealandia Wildlife Eco Sanctuary, and a guided tour of Parliament Buildings. (Tour ends at Parliament Building. If you do not wish to enjoy the tour of Parliament our vehicle can drop you off at your hotel or Te Papa).
Day 3. Wednesday/Saturday/Monday. WELLINGTON (B)
Free day to explore the capital city. Ride the local trains, take a day tour to Martinborough and the Wairarapa wine country or to the eco sanctuary of Kapiti Island, spend time at Te Papa and/or Zealandia, or try out the electric ferry to Days Bay. All activities extra expense. (Please note some tours will not be operating Christmas Day)
Day 4. Thursday/Sunday/Tuesday. WELLINGTON DEPART. (B)
You will be transferred to the airport or Interislander for departure.
"The Northern Explorer returns to Auckland on friday's, sundays, and wednesdays departing Wellington 7.55am and arriving Hamilton 4.25pm, Papakura 6.05, and Auckland Strand Railway Station 7pm.
The "Interislander" departs Wellington 8.45am arriving Picton at 12.30pm. The "Coastal" Pacific departs Picton at 1.40pm and is scheduled to arrive Christchurch at 7.30pm.
CRUISE COOK STRAIT - for up to date timetable and fares book on their web sites www.interislander.co.nz OR www.bluebridge.co.nz
We recommend you explore more. Stay in Wellington as long as you wish and return by train, Intercity coach, or air. Enjoy a 3.5 hour cruise across Cook Strait and through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Enjoy a short walk to the town and cruise back or we recommend an afternoon in the charming resort of Picton and a visit to the "Edwin Fox" ship restoration project. Stayover in Picton or Blenheim and/or take the bus to Nelson and explore more of the Top of the South Island.
Interislander offer "Lounge Class' including guaranteed seating in special lounge (minimum age 18) with buffet meal and drinks - extra cost $80 above your normal fare.
Timetable current as at 20 June, 2023 Timetable changes from day to day. Check www.interislander.co.nz and www.Bluebridge.co.nz websites for up to date schedule.
Interislander departs Wellington at 2am, 6.15am, 8.45am, 1pm, 3.45pm, and 8.30pm.
Bluebridge departs Wellington at 2am, 8.15am, 1.30pm, and 8.30pm.
Interislander departs Picton at 7.30am, 11am, 2.15pm, 6.30pm, 8.35pm
Bluebridge departs Picton at 2.30am, 7.45am, 2pm, and 7.15pm
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