New Zealand's trains are some of the finest in the world. Best of all, they take you directly to the best fishing in the Southern Hemisphere. The moment you sink back in the first class comfort of your sheep skin covered seat, you know this is a trip you are going to enjoy. Complimentary beverages and meals are served enroute, and there is an ongoing commentary of points of interest as you travel through the scenic New Zealand country side. Fishing International's Fishing Train itineraries include North Island, South Island and two Island combinations. One can linger from place to place for sightseeing if desired because the following itineraries may be lengthened and/or altered to fit your specific desires.
NORTH ISLAND FISHING TRAINS
The streams and rivers of the Taupo and Rotorua areas offer the best trout fishing on the North Island. Our lodges and guides know their business and the special fishing places.
Itineraries (Note: Bed and breakfasts and farm stays may vary from those mentioned in itinerary. Good local hotels may be substituted at higher rate.)
Itinerary #101
Geyserland Train Rotorua Fishing Package
Day 1..Arrive Auckland. Afternoon at leisure. Super shuttle to quality Bed and Breakfast. This lovely Victorian house is set in a half acre garden overlooking a large park which backs on to Mt. Hobson.
Day 2.. Breakfast. Catch the GEYSERLAND TRAIN departing AUCKLAND STATION at 8:20 am arriving ROTORUA STATION at 12:20 pm. Train is fully air conditioned with large windows and reclining seats. Complimentary orange juice and morning tea served with service at your seat Commentary informs of interesting features as you travel through the rolling pastureland and bush country. Met by Rotorua guides and transfer to lake view lodge (optional farm stay)owned by the guide service and overlooking the lake. Afternoon at leisure. Opportunity to see Maori Cultural Center, see the native dancing and participate in a native Hangi (luau).
Day 3...Breakfast. Fishing large rainbow trout on Lake Rotorua or local lakes and streams. Double figured fish are taken here. Brown trout also available. Fly fishing, spin fishing, trolling , your choice. Lunch and dinner are included. Excellent sightseeing for non fishers.
Day 4...Trout fishing. Points of Interest: Rotorua is an awesome geothermal area. There are bubbling mud pools, geysers, crystal formations, and eerie steam vents. One may also soak in the hot mineral pools. There are 14 lakes , exotic and native forests, mountains, Rivers and farmland. This is the center for one third of the native New Zealand Maori population and their arts and crafts and culture are everywhere. Trout springs, historic villages, kiwi fruit farms, native bird exhibits, sheep sheering exhibitions, lake excursions, spectacular gardens and flight seeing are just a few of the available attractions this area has to offer. The optional Waimangu Valley Round Trip, which has been operating for 90 years, must qualify one of the country's premiere sightseeing trip. On it you learn about the earth-shattering Tarawera eruption and explore the surrounding area including the excavated Maori Village at Te Wairoa and the steamy Waimangu Valley with it's boiling lakes and hissing fumaroles.
Day 5...Trout fishing.
Day 6...Breakfast. Morning at leisure. Mid-day transfer to station to catch Geyserland Train back to Auckland. Cab to Bed and Breakfast Overnight.
Day 7...Breakfast. Cab to airport and depart for home.
Itinerary 102
Overlander Train - Taupo Fishing Package
Day 1..Arrive Auckland. Afternoon at leisure. Super Shuttle to quality Bed and Breakfast. This is a large Victorian house set in a half acre garden overlooking a large park which backs on to Mt. Hobson.
Day 2.. Cab to station. Catch OVERLANDER TRAIN at Auckland Station at 8:50 am. passing through a host of tiny settlements and farming communities. You'll see the volcanic peaks of Ruapehu, Tongariro and Ngauruahoe, raging rivers, native forests, huge ravines and gorges.
Mid-day arrival at National Park. Complimentary lunch en route with service at your seat. Met by guides and transfer to Taupo and a delightful fishermen's retreat. Dinner. Note: All meals here are included.
Day 3...Fly fishing and sightseeing in the Taupo area. Some of New Zealand's largest brown's and rainbows are taken in the Taupo area. Your host knows all the techniques and has one of our highest client satisfaction ratings. There are several small, weedy lakes which he fishes which hold monsters trout. Stream fishing is excellent as well.
Trolling for big trout on Lake Taupo is also available in this package from another operator.
Day 4...Trout fishing. Points of Interest: Lake Taupo, New Zealand's largest lake , is beautiful. From the hills, the village of Taupo sprawls at your feet - from waters edge to the foothills of Mt Tauauhara. Well down the lake may be seen the green and pumiced hump of Mutaiko Island. Things to see include Huka Falls, thermal pools, the famed A.C. Baths and spa. Redoubt and the old courthouse stands above the boat harbor dates back to 1874. Waipahihi Botanical Reserve is a vast natural garden of rare alpine plants, rhododendrons and azaleas which are seen best in the spring. Cherry Island, poised like a giant canoe in the middle of the wild flowing Waikato River, is complete with tearooms and art gallery. It cultivates a farmyard atmosphere with numerous animals and fish.
Day 5...Trout Fishing.
Day 6....Transfer to National Park. Overlander Train back to Auckland. (Note: The South-bound Overlander departs mid-day from National Park for Wellington. Those using this itinerary in Conjunction with a two island trip would take this train). Arrive Auckland. Cab to bed and breakfast.
Day 7...Breakfast. Cab to airport for flight home.
NORTH/SOUTH ISLAND FISHING TRAIN CONNECTION
Itinerary 103
Overlander - Wellington - Picton Ferry - Coastal Pacific - Christchurch Connection
Note: This itinerary acts only as a connecter link between Itinerary 102 and Itinerary 104. An extra day for sightseeing in Wellington or in Christchurch can be arranged and added on if desired.
Day 6... Breakfast. Transfer to National Park Station in time to catch the southbound Overlander departing at mid-day. Comfortable, carpeted carriages with panoramic windows.. Complimentary beverages and snacks as well as dinner are served. There is an observation lounge at the rear of the train. There is a full bar aboard. Early evening arrival Wellington. Cab to Bay Manor.
Day 7...Breakfast. Cab to Ferry Depot. The North and South Island are separated by the Cook Straight. The Inter island Line operates efficient and modern ferries between Wellington and the bottom end of North Island to Picton at the top end of South Island. Morning sailing across the straits and through magnificent Marlborough Sound. The crossing takes about 3 hours. There is a cafeteria and fast food outlet aboard. Entertainment options include video screenings and a movie theater as well as bars. On board shops sell newspapers, magazines etc.
The ferry connects directly with the COASTAL PACIFIC TRAIN. This train runs along the east coast's rugged coastline with the spectacular Kaikoura Mountains rising above you. Watch for whales from the panoramic windows. Pass small fishing villages famous for the delicate crayfish. Complimentary orange juice and tea is served at your seat. An ongoing commentary informs you of the sights on the rugged eastern seaboard. Arrive CHRISTCHURCH. Cab to Victoria House Inn.
Note: Resume trip with Day 2 of Itinerary 104.
SOUTH ISLAND FISHING TRAIN
The South Island is world renowned among fishermen for its excellent trout streams. Both browns and rainbows are taken here. This is primarily fly fishing country, though trolling the lakes as well as spin fishing can be arranged. Fishing South Island style calls for working upstream with the guide spotting the trout as you go. They are very difficult for the untrained eye to see. The guide points out the fish and the angler makes the cast. It's exciting stuff!
Note: Those wishing a two island fishing train trip Itineraries 101 and 102 may be combined.
Itinerary 104
Christchurch - Tranz Alpine Express - Southern Alps Fishing Pkg.
Day 1... Arrive Christchurch. Supper Shuttle to small hotel, home or farm stay. House. Afternoon at leisure to enjoy Christchurch. You may wish to take in the CANTERBURY MUSEUM with it's great display on Antarctica, visit the many European style shops, take in the BOTANIC GARDENS (free) or just leisurely explore this old English town on your own. There is a bus which stops at all the points of interest every hour on the hour. The fare is NZ$15 and you may get on and off as often as you wish all day long.
Day 2 (Day 8 on two Islands trip)...Breakfast Cab to Christchurch Train Station to catch morning departure TRANZ ALPINE EXPRESS to Greymouth. This is a spectacular trip and one of the great train journeys of the world! You'll travel on plush sheepskin seats with points of interest narrative and complementary beverages and tea are served at your seats. The train slides through the vast farmlands of the Canterbury Plains before ascending up the spectacular gorges of the Waimakariri River, then winding its way through the rugged snow-capped Southern Alps before descending into the lush rain forests of the West Coast to Greymouth Station. Met by your guide and transfer to a mountain hotel in the historic mining section of the Southern Alps. The owners of this establishment are delightful people who will become your friends quickly. Dinner. (all meals are included while fishing here)
Day 3 (Day 9 on two Island trip)...Stream fly fishing for large browns and rainbows. Some of the South Island's best streams are in this area. Stream side lunch. Your guides 4WD vehicle will get you to some remote areas. Afternoon fishing. This is spot and cast fishing where the guide points out the trout and the angler casts to the fish. Return to hotel for dinner.
Day 4 (Day 10 on two Island trip): More fishing.
Day 5 (Day 11 on two Island trip): More fishing.
Day 6 (Day 12 on two Island trip): Breakfast. Transfer to Greymouth. Catch mid day TRANZ ALPINE EXPRESS to Christchurch arriving abut 6:00 pm . Cab to accommodations. Note: Another departure option is the scheduled flight out of Hokitika Airport near Graymouth.
Day 7: Breakfast. Cab to airport for flight home.