Due to unscheduled maintenance between Blenheim and Picton, our train is unable to travel on a small section of the line while repairs take place. We are very pleased to advise that the Coastal Pacific service will go ahead as planned however a 25-minute portion of your journey, between Blenheim & Picton, will be replaced by Bus.
If you are starting your journey from Picton, you are able to check in at the train station as usual and will be advised by train staff on the location of our private bus transfer.
For those doing a day return from Christchurch, you will have your break time in Blenheim. The station is in the centre of town, so lots of time to explore.
Take a day trip from Queenstown to Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain.
Leaving Queenstown, we travel north through the historic gold mining region of the rugged Kawarau River Gorge and past Cromwell, famed for its fruit-growing. Skirting the shores of Lake Dunstan, we cross the Lindis Pass to Omarama for morning tea (own expense). Continue through the rugged high country landscape of the Mackenzie Basin to arrive at Mount Cook Village, where you can gaze up at the 3,754 metre-high mountain Aoraki / Mount Cook, an important landmark in Maori mythology .
Enjoy the views from the iconic Hermitage Hotel as you eat a delicious lunch (optional extra), or explore the village and its scenic surrounds. There is also the chance to take off on a scenic flight over the park with its snowcapped mountains and ancient glaciers (additional cost, weather permitting – this flight can be arranged with your driver/guide on the day).
Following our lunch stop, we depart Mount Cook Village and retrace our journey to Queenstown, arriving in the early evening.
Tour Details
Half day tour
Operates daily
Departs and returns: Athol Street, Queenstown
Tour Includes
Kawarau River Gorge
Lake Dunstan
Mackenzie Basin
Aoraki / Mount Cook National Park
Mount Cook Village
Free WiFi available on board the coach
