Steam train trips

Travel on trains with comfortable seating, air conditioning, and wide panoramic windows. Enjoy the food and beverage service while listening to the informative commentaries. Train speed normally does not exceed 100 kilometres ( 60 miles ) per hour.

North to South Island travel is on the Interisland Line, the most reliable operator. Ships feature restaurants, bars, information centres & even movie theatres. Relax on board and witness the spectacular scenery pass by on the 3 hour interisland crossing.

Example train trip: Mainland by Rail

Cruise across Cook Strait on the Interislander to the Marlborough Sounds and Picton. Farewell the ferry and ride the Tranz Coastal train over the wine producing soils of the Wairau Valley. Returning to the coast hug the rugged seashore to Kaikoura, renowned for its lobster fishing and whale watching. Skirt the Hundalee Hills to reach Christchurch. On arrival uplift a vehicle for your South Island travel.

Departing Christchurch travel south across the Canterbury Plains with a back drop of the Southern Alps to your right. Cross over New Zealand’s finest salmon fishing rivers before arriving Oamaru. Here you may wish to visit the towns collection of fine whitestone buildings. Continue south past the picturesque Blue Skin Bay and traverse over Killmog Hill to reach Dunedin. This afternoon you may wish to join the Taieri Gorge Railway New Zealand’s spectacular historic rail journey - crossing giant viaducts and passing through ever changing scenery.

This morning is free to explore Dunedin and the Otago Peninsula renowned for its abundant wildlife. Traverse Saddle Hill to Mosgiel and the Taieri Plains. Round Lake Waihola and continue over the rolling South Otago farmland to Gore. Leaving the main highway it is on to Lumsden and Mossburn before reaching Te Anau.

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Legendary journey through the heart of Australia Experience one of the world's greatest train journeys aboard The Legendary Ghan.

The legend has soared to new heights with the extension of The Ghan journey to Darwin. When The Ghan first departed Adelaide for Alice Springs, it was always intended that it would one day travel through to Darwin. More than 70 years, that dream has become reality.

 The Ghan now travels 2,979 kilometres from Adelaide to Darwin on this transcontinental journey through the Red Centre of Australia. The Ghan offers a weekly return journey between Adelaide and Darwin, and in either direction provides two nights aboard this legendary train.

Marvel at the spectacular Australian landscapes; from the rusty reds of the MacDonnell Ranges surrounding Alice Springs, gateway to Ayers Rock and the Red Centre, then north to Tennant Creek, Katherine and the tropical splendour of Darwin.

Off-train touring is a feature of the new journey, providing the chance to learn more about the unique desert flora and fauna.

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For a information about getting to Australia try the new Lastminute.com.au site which has last minute package deals for Quantas , Virgin Blue and cheap flights to Australia. You can also find many hotels in Australia to choose from in any city, such as Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne.

If you’re landing in Sydney for the New year then take the opportunity to see the fantastic fireworks at midnight over the Sydney Bridge. You can find hotels in Sydney (or Asia hotels) to stay at from Sydney Hotels website.

The fireworks are world famous and last for over 14 hours as throughout the day there are family events and festivals leading upto the New Year countdown. Find a hotel in Sydney and enjoy the countdown with over 1 million others!

One of the highest countrys in Europe Switzerland offers you the opportunity to see fantastic scenery and magnificant sights from the comfort of a modern train. 

On this 7 1/2-hour rail trip over 291 bridges, through 91 tunnels and over the Oberalp pass (2,033m/6,670 ft) you can experience the Swiss Alps in all their breath-taking magnifience from the comfort of your seat in the panorama car.

Unspoilt mountain forests, lush Alpine pastures, rushing mountain streams and mountain valleys with their rich traditions stretching back hundreds of years.

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"The Most Spectacular Train Trip in the World"  Take a two-day journey through the heart of the Canadian Rockies, entirely in daylight. You overnight off the train with hotel accommodations included in your fare.  Travel from Vancouver to either Jasper, Banff or Calgary and vice versa.

The trains operate from April through October with two classes of service offered.  We recommend the deluxe Gold Leaf Service, where every seat is in the private glass-topped dome car for optimal viewing.

Downstairs, the luxurious Gold Leaf dining room features regional cuisine created by onboard chefs. Rocky Mountaineer Railtours offers a variety of vacation packages–both escorted and independent rail/drive–in connection with the train journey.

The packages feature the Canadian Rockies and the Pacific Northwest.

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The Coast Starlight connects the hottest cities on America's West Coast and is considered to be one of the most beautiful of all train routes. Daily services between Seattle and Los Angeles, the Coast Starlight passes through Portland, Eugene, Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area and Santa Barbara.

There is a great variety scenery along the Coast Starlight route: snow-covered mountains, dense forests, fertile valleys and long stretches of Pacific Ocean shoreline.

You have the chance to stop off at places like Paso Robles, where you can tour one of over 48 wineries or relax in the natural hot springs. Head to San Luis Obispo to climb the enchanted hill to Hearst Castle. Leave your heart in spectacular San Francisco. Or just stop and smell the roses in Portland.

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