Seniors New Zealand Train and Boat Tour around New Zealand

;

20 October - 3 November 2022

Train whistle blowin’, all aboard and we are on the road (or on the train tracks!) for the Great New Zealand Train Journey which combines all the bygone glory of train travel, with fun and laughter with our escorts, as well as incredible musical events in beautiful settings around New Zealand.

$6,950 NZD

Single Supplement

- ADD $1,985 NZD

Initial Deposit On Booking

$900 NZD

Second Deposit Due 15 December 2021

$1,200 NZD

Final Balance Due 1 August 2022

The Great New Zealand Train Journey

- Click the bottom right square of digital brochure to enlarge
- Double click/tap to zoom
- Click right or left arrow to turn page
- Click top left corner arrow to download
- Click top right corner to share by email or social media
Best Loved music theatre experiences along the way which include welcome concert: From Phantom to Les Mis with special guest artist Amanda Atlas, a gala event The Golden Age of Musicals at Viligrad Vineyard, a Nelson concert and dinner: Showstoppers, a musical theatre concert at the Tongariro Chateau: Climb Every Mountain, Love and Laughter, and our final evening gala Puttin’ on the Ritz plus dine and dance.
Love, care and laughter from our incredible tour hosts Karl Perigo, Russell Dixon, Kelly Lim Harris and pianist Grant Winterburn, with special guest appearance by Amanda Atlas.
OUR TRAIN AND BOAT JOURNEY
Our train journey takes us through many parts of New Zealand. The plan is we put our luggage on our coach so we don’t need to concern ourselves with luggage on the train. The coach drops us off and we enjoy time on the train while the coach drives our luggage to the next destination. Then we enjoy concerts and singalongs in our own carriage and watch the world go by!

TranzAlpine - Christchurch - Southern Alps Greymouth (and return)
Travelling west crossing the Canterbury Plains, the train slowly ascends through spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River towards the Southern Alps to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass. From here we descend through the Otira Tunnel to the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island, through lush alpine forests to Greymouth.

Coastal Pacific Train
On one side of your train you will see the wine growing region of Blenheim and the rugged Kaikoura mountain ranges; on the other side the Pacific Ocean coastline with views of marine wildlife such as seals and pen-guins, and some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural and farmland areas of the Canterbury Plains.

Interislander - Picton - Wellington
The Interislander travels the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand and is one of the most spectacular cruises in the world. The 92 km journey between Picton and Wellington is one of New Zealand’s most iconic tourist experiences.

Northern Explorer - North Island
We will see fantastic views of New Zealand from farm-land, rugged bush landscapes and the engineering masterpiece that is the Raurimu Spiral, to passing the majestic volcanoes of Mt Tongariro, Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Ruapehu - the home of the North Island ski fields. We then journey through stunning river gorges to the farming landscapes and rocky sea scapes of the North Island - all from large panoramic windows and the open-air viewing deck of the Northern Explorer train.
Peppers Christchurch Clearwater Resort, Christchurch (3 nights)
We travel down one of the most beautiful coasts in New Zealand – with its crashing waves, rugged rocks and seal colonies – to Kaikoura and then onto Christchurch. Peppers Christchurch Clearwater Resort is just a short drive from the garden city and ideally positioned to take in views of the striking Lake Kaikainui.

Rutherford Hotel, Nelson (2 nights)
Centrally located in Nelson, the 4-star Rutherford Hotel is within easy walking distance of the city's main shopping streets and the landmark cathedral.

Intercontinental Hotel, Wellington (3 nights)
The Intercontinental Hotel offers direct access to the Lambton Quay shopping area, just a ten minute walk from Wellington Station. This hotel features rooms with panoramic views

Chateau Tongariro Hotel (2 nights)
The historical Chateau Tongariro Hotel impresses with its grand architecture and interiors, location in the Tongariro National Park and facilities, which include a 9-hole golf course and a cinema.
Chateau Hotel Tongariro features a games room with billiards, sauna, indoor plunge pool and a fitness centre. The in-house cinema shows a range of films daily.

Novotel Hamilton Tainui (3 nights)
Waikato’s leading 4 star hotel the Novotel Tainui boasts the city’s best location, in the CBD on the banks of the Waikato River.

Cordis Hotel, Auckland (1 night)
This elegant hotel is a 15-minute walk from the SkyCity Auckland casino and 1 km from the landmark Sky Tower. There's a polished international restaurant, and a luxe lobby bar offering afternoon tea. Other amenities include a spa, a gym, and an outdoor pool with a hot tub.

Book Now

This trip includes

• 14 nights’ accommodation in 4-star hotels: Christchurch (3 nights), Nelson (2 nights), Wellington (3 nights), Chateau Tongariro (2 nights), Hamilton (3 nights), Auckland (1 night).

• Train journeys: TranzAlpine Christchurch - Greymouth (return)// Coastal Pacific, Christchurch - Blenheim //, Northern Explorer Wellington - National Park / National Park - Hamilton /Hamilton - Auckland.

• Other transport - Interislander Ferry one-way Picton to Wellington, plus all transfers, including luggage and people by coach included.

• Best Loved music theatre experiences along the way which include welcome concert: From Phantom to Les Mis with special guest artist Amanda Atlas, a gala event The Golden Age of Musicals at Viligrad Vineyard, a Nelson concert and dinner: Showstoppers, a musical theatre concert at the Tongariro Chateau: Climb Every Mountain, Love and Laughter with special guest artist Stuart Coats and our final evening gala Puttin’ on the Ritz plus dine and dance.

• Numerous experiences such as tours of Weta Workshop, Hobbiton, Zealong Tea Estate, Knights of the Sky, Kate Shepherd’s house, Hamilton Gardens, Te Papa and National Army Museum, foodies tour in Nelson, special movie night at the Chateau to watch Murder on the Orient Express and tour of National Park.

• All breakfasts, 2 high teas, 8 lunches and 10 dinners included.

• Love, care and laughter from our incredible tour hosts Karl Perigo, Russell Dixon, Kelly Lim Harris, pianist Grant Winterburn, with special guest appearance by Amanda Atlas.

MODERATE TOUR
This tour will suit people with a stick, but not a walker. You will be required to walk to get from place to place and stand in museums, but it is designed to be an easy tour with lots of times to rest, travel on a coach and walk easy leisurely distances. You will need to be able to get on and off a train with ease and walk through the train stations.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

• All trips are subject to change but any changes will be of equal or greater value.

• Deposits refundable until final payment date minus any costs incurred, or an administration fee of up to $300.

• Travellers need to be independently mobile and fit to travel.

• Travellers are required to obtain comprehensive travel insurance for all international trips.

• Please refer to terms & conditions on our booking form.

All travellers and staff will be required to be fully vaccinated to enjoy our tour. There may be requirements for a pre tour COVID test if you answer yes to any questions on our pre-tour questionnaire. This questionnaire will include questions regarding any symptoms of COVID, plus if you have visited any places of interest prior to travelling with Operatunity.

Travel Insurance

Every customer is required to take out insurance for all international travel when taking a trip with Operatunity Ltd.

DOMESTIC INSURANCE
Insurance for Domestic travel is currently available from many companies. Insurance for New Zealand trips is entirely at your discretion. Please email our office for our current recommendation if you wish our advice.

INTERNATIONAL INSURANCE
Insurance for International travel is currently available from many companies. For our trips overseas it is a requirement that proof of cover be sent to our office some time before departure from NZ. We can not accept travellers who hold no cover for international travel as per our term and conditions.
Please email our office for our current recommendation if you wish our advice. Email travelbookings@operatunity.co.nz Phone 0508 886 489

MOBILITY

Operatunity provides group senior travel and with this in mind we plan trips to suit our target market. But not every trip is created equal in terms of mobility. We want to give you the best possible experience but that will only be achieved if you are able to enjoy everything that our trips have to offer.
Most of our long haul trips require a better level of mobility. We will look after everyone as well as we possibly can, but we cannot look after one at the expense of the rest of the group. We also cannot have one person slowing the rest of group to the point where the group is not able to enjoy every experience we are able to provide.
With this in mind we have put a mobility clause into every trip. Under each explanation here I have popped a statement. Ask yourself if this is ‘you’, when booking on a trip.

None of the following mobility clauses preclude you from ordering a wheelchair at the airport if required.

1. GENTLE TOUR This tour will suit most people, even with a stick or a walker, but sorry not someone in a wheelchair. The activity level is gently paced, but you still need to be able to get on and off buses easily. There will be walking, but not a lot. “I love travelling, but at a gentle pace. I like to avoid stairs or too much activity, but I am able to get on and off buses easily.”

2. EASY TOUR This tour will suit people with a stick, but not a walker. You will be required to walk to get from place to place and stand in museums, but it is designed to be an easy tour with lots of times to rest, travel on a coach and walk easy leisurely distances. ”Walking is fine. I can get on and off a coach. I am happy to stand for an hour or two in museums and galleries and gently stroll through places of interest. I am happy to climb the odd set of stairs.”

3. MODERATE WALKING TOUR This tour requires a better level of fitness with no wheelchairs or walkers. Generally, there may be times when we can’t get the coach close. In some of our Pacific Island tours we will need you to transfer onto a tender and walk on soft sand. We also will have much longer flights and long walks through airports. “I like walking at a moderate pace. I love to keep my days full and experience everything the tour has to offer. Stairs, tender transfers and cobblestones don’t bother me.”

4. EXPLORING TOUR This is still a moderately paced tour, but you will be required to walk longer distances, walk on cobblestones and stand in museums. To really get the best out of this tour you need to be able to stand or walk for a couple of hours comfortably, be it at a leisurely pace. “I like to spend most of the day exploring. Whether walking historic neighbourhoods on cobblestones at a moderate pace or out and about on a coach, I want my days full. Stairs don’t bother me and I am keen to see and do as much as I can with the odd day off to recuperate.”

Operatunity is a company specialising in music lovers tours to the senior market. Each trip has been especially planned to include music and arts experiences and has a level of friendliness and care which cannot be found anywhere else! Our trips are packed with features not found anywhere else
Yes we have lots of people who travel on their own. We endeavour to match you up with someone who lives close to you or is close in age to you. Often you will get a chance to meet with your matchup or ring them before you leave on your trip. You also may prefer to travel solo and pay the single supplement price. We travel as a happy band so there will be lots of chances to meet people. You will find fellow music lovers and those with other similar interests. In fact those like the nicer things of life so you will travel with like-minded people. It is also important to remember that our singers are our escorts so you will see at least a couple of familiar faces as you leave.
If you live outside of Auckland, we can arrange travel and accommodation on your way to meet up with our group. We have access and can book domestic airfares in conjunction with Air New Zealand international airfares. Plus we can book your pre and post tour accommodation if required.
It is compulsory for our international trips and highly recommended for our domestic tours.
No as most airlines offer various special meals and any restaurants we visit are happy to accommodate special dietary requirements.
We seek to accommodate the needs of guests with disabilities whenever possible. However in most cases we are unable to take customers with walkers, wheelchairs or other mobility issues. Certain trips may be unsuitable due to walking or limited availability of accommodation with disabled facilities. We cannot be responsible for the care of customers suffering from significant cognitive illness (such as dementia). We ask such customers to consult with your doctor to obtain medical clearance. Guests needing assistance mustbe accompanied by an able companion who will be available to assist them and assume full responsibility for their wellbeing.
We ask that you can walk at least 100 metres unaided and be able to get on and off buses with little or no assistance. We cater for a senior market but it is important that you do not jeopardise the enjoyment of others by requiring more care and holding up the rest of the group. Talk to our office or staff at concerts and any advisory notes for individual trips to get a better idea of your suitability for each trip.
We stay at 4 and 5 star character hotels, avoiding package, tourist or big hotel chains. We choose hotels with a more personal feel often with historic content or hotels of beauty and character, centrally located or in parks, by the water, or with beautiful gardens.
Breakfast is included daily, and many dinners and lunches are also included as per our itinerary.
There are no hidden costs. Included in the trip are tips, taxes, porterage, breakfast, meals where specified, inclusions listed in the itinerary, entry fees where listed in the itinerary, concert/show tickets where listed in the itinerary, tour escorts and local specialised guides.
Some of our trips sell out very quickly and we recommend you make your booking as soon as you can to avoid disappointment.
We will ask you to pay an initial deposit when making your booking. We will then follow up for a second deposit and then a final balance payment prior to travel.
All deposits up until final payment are refundable minus an administration fee of up to $500 plus any non-recoverable costs the company may incur.
After final deposit refunds are unlikely and the refund becomes an insurance claim.
Our numbers vary from destination to destination, please contact our office for further information. We have a minimum number required to operate a tour. Should minimum numbers not be met, a full refund will be made.
For international trips, all guests must have a valid passport that does not expire earlier than at least 6 months beyond their intended stay.
Music is a key element in making our experiences special. There are special experiences and events every day, such as themed dinners, impromptu concerts, music, art tours with art experts and garden tours with garden experts.
Most hotels now have internet connection and all hotels have telephones in the room or at reception. If using your mobile telephone check calling and text rates, and disable data roaming before leaving New Zealand. Consider purchasing a prepaid SIM card. And you can keep in touch using social media such as Facebook. We have a copy of your next of kin details in case of emergency and we are also happy to help out with texts, phone calls and emails if you can’t get in touch with your family and need to while away. We are also happy to help out with getting your phones, ipads and cameras to work if needed while away.
We spend less time travelling between regions, allowing more time to enjoy experiences when you arrive. We avoid one night stops and “conveyor belt” travel, so you really can capture the local colour and vitality of the region. Our trips are planned so that there is a balance of included activities and free time for you to relax or do some exploring on your own.
Contact Operatunity Travel
Phone toll free: 0508 886 489
Mail your booking form to PO BOX 132 150, Sylvia Park, Auckland 1644
Email: travel@operatunity.co.nz
Phone toll free: 0508 886 489
Email: travelbookings@operatunity.co.nz

Media/Newsflash

Operatunity Presents: MAGICAL MUSICALS featuring Kate Lineham

Virtuoso, Versatile Star - Kelly Lim Harris

NEW 2024 TRIP ANNOUNCED: Auckland Shows, Train and Boats Tour

Operatunity Presents: Shake, Rattle & Roll!

Sign up to our Mailing List

Receive up to the minute news about our current and upcoming productions and trips.