Photos Tommy Secker Photography
STEAM TRAIN TOUR –
Kiwis are exploring their own country like never before making time for adventure, relaxation, romance and just exploring new places.
Ranging from 7 days up to 13 days and departing from Wellington, Christchurch, Invercargill or Blenheim in April next year, these tours offer a chance to experience the postcard-perfect vistas and dramatic alpine scenery the South Island is renowned for. Director of Pounamu Tourism Group, Paul Jackson, says after the Covid-19 lockdown, the group had to change its business focus.
In response to this yen to experience fresh fields, Pounamu Tourism Group has launched an exciting new tourism product enabling Kiwis to step back in time to the bygone era of steam engines. Operators of the Marlborough Flyer steam train, the company has put together a range of South Island tour options on this grand old lady.
18 | south | august 2020
“Last season, more than 10,000 cruise ship passengers journeyed on the Marlborough Flyer Steam Train between Picton and Blenheim but because cruise ships have now stopped visiting for the foreseeable future, we needed to make a plan. Fortunately, every cloud has a silver lining and we are very excited to share these new rail
It’s a flyer! tours and help Kiwis explore their own backyard by rail.” One of the tour itineraries is for passengers to spend the first week travelling the length of the South Island (from Marlborough to Invercargill), in the comfort of vintage carriages and lounge car, hauled by the historic First World War memorial steam locomotive, Ab608 Passchendaele, named in honour of our fallen soldiers at The Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. On reaching Invercargill, the group will then traverse the inland on luxury coaches to experience the wonders of Te Anau, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Franz Josef, before taking in the home stretch to Christchurch on the iconic TranzAlpine via Arthur’s Pass.
The guided tour is escorted by a fleet of luxury coaches to provide seamless transfers from train to hotel accommodation each evening. In addition, there are numerous iconic attractions for passengers to enjoy and, of course, accommodation, breakfasts and dinners are included in the tour cost. There are six tour options departing in April 2021 from Wellington, Christchurch, Blenheim and Invercargill. Bookings are essential. www.southmagazine.co.nz
