Akaroa, New Zealand - Tranz Alpine Express

[Jade13]

Is the only way to do this train tour to book through the cruise line? I believe they have it set up to coordinate with the ships time in port.

 

We will be on Celebrity Solstice and I really like trains. Unless anyone knows I need to contact Celebrity to find out exactly how much time is spent on the train which stops at Aurthers pass where you board a coach.

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Tranz Alpine Tour (KQ07)

Akaroa, New Zealand

 

 

OVERVIEW: Considered to be one of the great train rides in the world, the Tranz Alpine Express will take you through the heart of the Southern Alps in comfort and style. An historic sheep farm brings the region's heritage and history to life.HIGHLIGHTS: Pass through the stunning Southern Alps on the Tranz Alpine Express. Visit a beautiful Victorian sheep farm and enjoy a nice lunch. NOTES: Total walking is 100 yards over even, paved surfaces.

Activity Type:SightseeingActivity Level: Duration:9 hours 0 minuteRestrictions:N/ADeparture Time:March 17, 2014 8:30 AMAdvisements:

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ADULT 369.00 USD CHILD309.00 USDINFANT0.00 USD

Overview: Considered to be one of the great train journeys in the world, the Tranz Alpine Express will take you through the heart of the Southern Alps in comfort and style. An historic sheep farm brings the region’s heritage and history to life.

Highlights:

-Tranz Alpine Express: Pass through the Southern Alps on one of the world’s great train rides.

-Homebush Station: Visit a beautiful Victorian sheep farm and enjoy a nice lunch.

Full Description:

Experience the Tranz Alpine Express, one of the world’s greatest train rides. You’ll ride through the Canterbury Plains and some of the most expansive farmland in the country. Keep your camera ready as you climb into the mountains. You’ll pass through numerous tunnels and cross deep gorges. The mountain peaks, ravines and rain forests in this remote part of New Zealand’s Southern Alps are simply spectacular. Morning tea compliments the journey.

At Arthur’s Pass National Park you’ll step off the train and board a motor coach. With wonderful views of the mountains and lakes you’ll make your way to the Cave Stream Scenic Reserve.

Historic Homebush Station is a beautiful Victorian farm, built by one of the region’s founding families. A farm-styled lunch will be followed by a sheep shearing demonstration and amazing sheepdogs working the flock.

What to Bring:

-Your SeaPass card (provided onboard the ship) and photo identification

-Camera and cash for shopping

-Sun protection and sunglasses

What to Wear:

-Comfortable walking shoes

Important Notes:

-Total walking is 100 yards over even, paved surfaces.

-Guests will be required to climb up/down 4 steps into/out of the seating area.

-The entrance to the train is very narrow

Edited May 8, 2013 by Jade13

[kuldalai]

Take the ships tour to do the Tranz Alpine train as 1. The regular train tt does NOT fit in with ships departures and arrival times 2. You still have to get from the ship to station which is quite a way from Lytlleton Port, or a long way from Akaroa .

 

Ships tour is a special charter train to fit in with ships arrival & departure. You go one way by coach and the other by special chatered Tranz Alpine train , from shipside to shipside .

 

The only way you can do it from a cruise ship is to take the Ships Tour option .

Edited May 8, 2013 by kuldalai

[Jade13]

Take the ships tour to do the Tranz Alpine train as 1. The regular train tt does NOT fit in with ships departures and arrival times 2. You still have to get from the ship to station which is quite a way from Lytlleton Port, or a long way from Akaroa .

 

Ships tour is a special charter train to fit in with ships arrival & departure. You go one way by coach and the other by special chatered Tranz Alpine train , from shipside to shipside .

 

The only way you can do it from a cruise ship is to take the Ships Tour option .

 

Thanks. They also have an option with Jetboat tour (snack instead of lunch and Jeboat tour instead of sheep demo for $10.00 more per person).

 

Tranz Alpine Jetboat Tour (KQ12)

Akaroa, New Zealand

 

OVERVIEW: Considered to be one of the great train journeys in the world, the Tranz Alpine Express will take you through the heart of the Southern Alps in comfort and style. A thrilling jet-boat ride will get your heart pumping.HIGHLIGHTS: Travel through the Southern Alps on one of the world's great train rides. Take a thrilling, high-speed jet-boat ride down the beautiful Waimakiriri River.NOTES: Total walking is 100 yards over even, paved surfaces.

Activity Type: Adventure Activity Level: ModerateDuration: 9 hours 0 minute Restrictions: N/A Departure Time: March 17, 2014 8:30 AM Advisements:

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*Starting From

Adult379.00 USDChild299.00 USDInfant0.00 USD

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Overview:

Considered to be one of the great train journeys in the world, the Tranz Alpine Express will take you through the heart of the Southern Alps in comfort and style. A thrilling jet-boat ride will get your heart pumping.

Highlights:

-Tranz Alpine Express: Pass through the Southern Alps on one of the world’s great train rides.

-Jet-boat: Take a thrilling, high-speed ride down the beautiful Waimakiriri River.

Full Description:

Experience the Tranz Alpine Express, one of the world’s greatest train rides. You’ll ride through the Canterbury Plains and some of the most expansive farmland in the country. Keep your camera ready as you climb into the mountains. You’ll pass through numerous tunnels and cross deep gorges. The mountain peaks, ravines and rain forests in this remote part of New Zealand’s Southern Alps are simply spectacular. Morning tea compliments the journey.

The perfect complement to a peaceful, relaxing train trip is a rip-roaring jet-boat ride along the stunningly beautiful Waimakiriri River. High-speed boating through the mountains is a unique adventure and a “can’t miss” ride for adrenaline junkies. Once you get your heart to stop pounding there will be time for lunch.

What to Bring:

-Your SeaPass card (provided onboard the ship) and photo identification

-Camera and cash for shopping

-Sun protection and sunglasses

-Change of clothes

What to Wear:

-Comfortable walking shoes and warm clothing

Important Notes:

-Total walking is 100 yards over even, paved surfaces.

-Guests will be required to climb up/down 4 steps into/out of the train seating area. The entrance to the train is very narrow.

-The jet-boat travels at a very high speed (the word “jet” is a subtle clue).

Edited May 8, 2013 by Jade13

[ScubaCruiser54]

Has anyone from the US answered the question on the Customs form indicating that you have been on a farm, ranch, etc. in the affirmative?

 

Did it get you any additional screening by customs?

[CruznRagtop]

Has anyone from the US answered the question on the Customs form indicating that you have been on a farm, ranch, etc. in the affirmative?

 

Did it get you any additional screening by customs?

 

 

YES and YES--and got held up for 45 minutes.....Learned a lesson and the next time around, answered "no" on the form.

[WilliamtheExplorer]

I will be on the Dec. 9, 2014 Celebrity Soltice cruise out of Auckland. I want to take the Trans alpine Express tour.

 

My question: Is it likely I will have an opportunity to see the famous kea parrots that frequent arthur's pass or will I be hearded quickly off to the sheep farm?

[TLCOhio]

I will be on the Dec. 9, 2014 Celebrity Soltice cruise out of Auckland. I want to take the Trans alpine Express tour. My question: Is it likely I will have an opportunity to see the famous kea parrots that frequent arthur's pass or will I be hearded quickly off to the sheep farm?

 

We did not see that interesting bird while doing the Tranz Alpine trip, but here is one of my pictures of it while doing the Queenstown overnight trip with Celebrity Solstice. Below is is that picture right after we passed through a tunnel between Milford Sound and Queenstown.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Back from doing a 14-day Celebrity Solstice, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure on this ship and getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for much more information and lots of wonderful pictures on these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 76,338 views for this fun posting.

 

 

While doing our Queenstown overnight ship excursion, here is this bird that we encountered at a dramatic mountain/waterfall setting on the other side of the key tunnel used to access this remote area of NZ's South Island. The bird is a Kea or mountain parrot. These bird can be playful, intelligent and rather creative/damaging!!:

 

[TLCOhio]

I will be on the Dec. 9, 2014 Celebrity Soltice cruise out of Auckland. I want to take the Trans alpine Express tour.

 

Since William had a couple different posts, I wanted to share this added information related to the Tranz Alpine Express trip for all others considering these options for the future.

 

As noted in the live/blog below, we traveled these great areas in January and February. We did the Tranz Alpine ride combined with a JetBoat adventure. Super loved that experience!! Yes, the rail, if just sitting in the regular passenger car, might be only so-so for some tastes/styles during parts of the journey. Part of the trip was covering fairly flat, average areas. Once we got to the mountain areas, things were much more interesting and unique.

 

I did a large part of the trip in the front, open observation car that allowed for a greater range of amazing visuals and super photo opportunities. Below are only a few of my examples, plus a couple from the JetBoat excitement. Loved being in and around these mountains, seeing the water/river action, etc.

 

There were seven couples in our travel group from Central Ohio. Check out these live/blog postings for more info/background on these great ports, wonderful sights, etc.

 

Let me know any added info needs/interests.

 

THANKS! Enjoy! Terry in Ohio

 

Back from doing a 14-day Celebrity Solstice, Jan. 20-Feb. 3, 2014, Sydney to Auckland adventure on this ship and getting a big sampling for the wonders of "down under” before and after this cruise. Go to:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1974139

for much more information and lots of wonderful pictures on these amazing sights in this great part of the world. Now at 76,338 views for this fun posting.

 

 

First is one of my visuals that gives a little sampling for the spectacular Waimakariri River gorge seen from the Tranz Alpine Rail trip. Great "drama" in this aspect of the trip, especially with the blue waters that we would later travel "up-close-and-personal" via a JetBoat trip.:

 

 

 

This second picture gives an idea for the view from the outdoor viewing platform near the front of this train. It had a covered roof but open sides to create an ideal location to take photos from the train. No photo glare from trying to shoot through a window. I spent most the time through the mountains in this location.:

 

 

 

Yes, there was snow on some of the mountain tops in this part of NZ, even during the summer time. The blue water are part of scenic nature for this park and its nearby area. The mix of steep gorges and wide braided rivers straddle the main divide. Below are three more visual samples from here and captured during our late January 2014 trip.:

 

 

 

 

 

With the NZ JetBoat, we loved the THRILLS doing these fast, roaring shots up and down this narrow and scenic section of this river. I was fortunately seated right behind our excellent driver, Greg Peacock. I didn't get very wet, but those on the right side got more of the "showers". No extra charge. But, nobody got too wet. It was all part of the fun. At a couple points during our about 25-minute trip on the river, Greg stopped at a scenic location in this river/gorge to give us more background on these boats, experiences in doing this work since 1998 for him, etc. These Hamilton Jet Boats were developed around 1960, including work done at this site to perfect the design and test the models/designs. Notice the great background/dramatic areas that we were "sailing" up and down?:

 

 

 

Here is a picture that my wife loved. Notice her hands and those of others in our row super tightly gripping the safety bar? That says so much about the speed and thrills while roaring up and down this amazing stretch of scenic river near Christchurch. I showed my wife this picture (and several others like this one of her where the wind was blowing her hair in the opposite direction). She liked this picture so much, that she said to put this one in her obituary (not that this need is upcoming anytime soon). It showed her having fun and she said this ride was the most fun of the whole cruise/trip. We had lots of great moments on this trip, but one was a unique and special ride in a location that is spectacularly world-class. And, perfect weather with good friends added to the great joy!!: