Alpine Pacific Triangle 2026 - NEW TOUR

28 September 2026 to 4 October 2026

NEW TOUR - ON SALE NOW

Inspired by a well-known scenic South Island touring route, this tour journeys through the Lewis, Hanmer and Kaikoura areas. We have delved deep to uncover hidden treasures and classic highlights. From world class gardens, farming properties and historic homesteads to a quaint church and a vineyard lunch in the famous Marlborough wine region. A Whale Watch Kaikoura tour promises to be a special highlight offering the chance to witness these magnificent creatures in their natural environment.

Day 1

Monday 28 September - Travelling to Blenheim

Our adventure begins, as we are transferred to Wellington this morning and meet at the ferry terminal for our afternoon sailing across Cook Strait to Picton. Upon reaching Picton we transfer to our hotel in Blenheim, where we settle in before dining in this evening.

Staying at: Marlborough Riverside Hotel
Meals incl: Dinner

Day 2

Tuesday 29 September - Loving the Lewis Pass – Travels to Hanmer

After a hearty breakfast, we leave Blenheim, making our way up the Wairau Valley. We’ll stop for morning tea on the shores of Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes area, before continuing our journey through the changing terrain of the Tasman District – from lush farmland to beech forest and fast flowing rivers. Our lunch stop today is at Maruia Hot Springs Hotel, pleasantly surrounded by beech forest on the lower slopes of the scenic Lewis Pass. After lunch we will stop near the summit of the pass to enjoy a short walk to a beautiful mountain tarn. Carrying on to our destination Hanmer Springs, we settle in to our accommodation before dining out this evening at a village restaurant a short walk away.

Staying at: Drifters Inn, Hanmer Springs
Meals incl: breakfast, lunch at Maruia Springs, dinner

Day 3

Wednesday 30 September - Montrose Station and Flaxmere Garden

Today we visit two properties in the local Hurunui District, first making our way to Montrose Station at Culverden. Montrose is a sheep and beef property run by Jo and Dave McKenzie in partnership with Jo’s brother. We enjoy morning tea provided by our hosts, learn about the history of the station, and take a tour of some of the property which showcases a beneficial mix of terrain - from extensive irrigated flats to steep hill country extending up to 1000m. We will also see inside the station’s beautiful 1913 homestead, which has undergone restoration following significant damage in the Kaikoura earthquake. Travelling on to Hawarden we visit Flaxmere Garden. A Garden of International Significance, Flaxmere is a large country garden, with astute design utilising a spring fed creek that runs through the property and taking advantage of stunning rural vistas that have been cleverly framed by plantings. Lunch is hosted by owner Penny Zino in this peaceful setting before we return to Hanmer Springs, when you will have time before dinner for a soak in the natural mineral waters of the thermal pools for which this area is renowned. Alternatively enjoy a wander in the exotic forests of Hanmer, or explore the historical grounds of St Mary’s Hospital. We dine out again this evening.

Staying at: Drifters Inn, Hanmer Springs
Meals incl: breakfast, lunch at garden, dinner

Day 4

Thursday 01 October - A Gorge and a Garden

This morning we join Hanmer Springs Attractions for a scenic jetboat trip on the Waiau River. Hang on to your heated handrails as we navigate the gorge and skip over rapids and braided shallows. On the journey we’ll stop to view the alpine earthquake fault line and Marble Point, where an extrusion of pink marble is visible. We then move on to Loch Leven, this two-acre garden featuring hedges and topiaries to give year-round structure and formality, and which owner Doreen propagates herself. Local rocks are a feature and there is an abundance of roses, peonies, and perennials as well as a native area. Doreen hosts us for a light lunch before we depart for Lyndon Homestead near the village of Waiau. Built around 1880 Lyndon was once the centre of a 70,000 acre sheep run and was bought in 2018 by current owners Jude and Steve in a derelict state. The restoration that has followed has been a labour of love, honouring the craftsmanship of the original builders. A tour of the homestead by the owners will be followed by a cuppa to see us on our way, as we travel the inland route through Mt Lyford to Kaikoura. We check in to our beachfront Kaikoura accommodation and will dine in this evening.

Staying at: Sudima Hotel, Kaikoura
Meals incl: breakfast, lunch at garden, dinner

Day 5

Friday 02 October - Whale Watch Kaikōura

Kaikōura is one of the world’s top whale-watching locations and today we embark on a truly special Whale Watch Kaikoura boat cruise to observe these magnificent creatures in their natural habitat. Travelling in comfort aboard covered, purpose-built vessels, we venture into the rich waters offshore in search of the giant sperm whale, along with a variety of other migratory whale species. Along the way, we may also encounter playful dolphins and an abundance of marine birdlife.

We will return to the village for lunch (own cost and choice) and this afternoon we visit The Point Farm, a fifth generation farm on the Kaikoura Peninsula where we learn about the farming operation, meet the dogs and enjoy a farming demonstration. We dine out this evening at a popular local restaurant, where fish is sure to be on the menu.

Staying at: Sudima Hotel, Kaikoura
Meals incl: breakfast, dinner

Day 6

Saturday 03 October - St Oswald’s Church and a Vineyard Lunch

Our travels north this morning take us via the Pacific Coast, a scenic and fascinating journey through this much changed landscape. We will stop to view St Oswald’s Church at Wharanui, a tiny church located beside the state highway and built in 1927 by a local farming family in memory of a son who died at the age of 19. The church has recently reopened after extensive restoration work following the Kaikoura Earthquake.

Lunch today is at St Clair Vineyard Kitchen, the restaurant located among the vines at this well-known Marlborough Vineyard and providing views extending out towards the Richmond Ranges. Here we enjoy relaxed seasonal dining, perhaps paired with your choice from their wine range (drinks own cost). This afternoon we will visit Pollard Park, Blenheim’s horticultural showpiece, featuring a meandering stream and small lake, rose gardens, colourful floral bedding, wooded parkland, and a potager. Checking in to our hotel, you will have time for a walk along the Taylor Stream walkway adjacent to the hotel or relax at the hotel before dinner.

Staying at: Marlborough Riverside Hotel
Meals incl: Breakfast, Winery lunch, dinner

Day 7

Sunday 04 October - Travelling Home

This morning we visit the Marlborough Farmers’ Market, the hub of the community where the best of local produce and homemade artisan products can be found every Sunday, rain or shine. Lunch today is in Picton (own expense) prior to departing on our afternoon ferry sailing returning us to Wellington. Finally, we bid our fellow travellers goodbye before being transferred to our home locations.

Meals incl: breakfast

The cost of the tour includes

  • • Accommodation
  • • 2 course or buffet dinners
  • • All Breakfasts
  • • All coach travel
  • • Cook Strait Ferry return sailings
  • • Maruia Springs Hotel, lunch
  • • Montrose Station, morning tea and tour
  • • Flaxmere Garden, lunch and garden tour
  • • Hanmer Springs Attractions – Jet boat ride
  • • Loch Leven Garden, lunch and garden tour
  • • Lyndon House, guided house tour
  • • Whale Watch Kaikoura, boat cruise
  • • The Point Farm, farm tour
  • • St Oswalds Church visit
  • • St Clair Vineyard Kitchen, lunch and tastings

Departure Detail

Before you book a tour with Tranzit Tours, please take the time to read and understand these Terms and Conditions below.


Pricing Validity
All costs associated with each tour are outlined in full within each tour itinerary. All pricing quoted is valid for the dates of tour when booked.


Reservations and Payments
Bookings for all Tranzit tours can be made through any Tranzit Coachlines Reservations Centre or an approved Travel Agent. Any person making a booking for others shall be deemed to have accepted these Terms and Conditions on behalf of all individuals they are booking on a tour and it is the responsibility of the person making the booking to bring these Terms and conditions to the attention of those individuals booked.
A deposit as stated in the Tour Itinerary is payable to secure the booking.
The balance must be paid in full by the date stated in the Tour Itinerary.
Any reservation made within fourteen (14) days of the tour departure must be paid in full at the time of booking.
Cancellations, Postponements and Alterations
Cancellations by the Customer
Cancellations 45+ days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 15% of your deposit, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.Cancellations 44 – 8 days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 15% of the total tour cost, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.
Cancellations within 7 days before tour departure date – a cancellation fee valued at 25% of the total tour cost, plus any other fees charged by other providers such as accommodation, ferry, activities etc.No refunds will be made for cancellations made within one day of departure or once travel has commenced. Refunds will not be provided for unused portions of a tour, unless the Customer can provide genuine reason and documentary evidence that services were unable to be utilised (and a refund if applicable is available from the other provider) in which case the company will review each request and may provide a partial refund at the sole discretion of the company.
Cancellations of one half of a twin share booking will result in the Customer cancelling being charged the cost of a single booking, if the Company is unable to match the twin share booking with another Customer.


Alterations by the Customer
The Customer may transfer their booking to another person for the same tour and commencement date, but only if the other person satisfies all of Tranzit Tours requirements in relation to the tour and provides us a completed Booking Form. The Customer must notify Tranzit Tours in writing of the intended transfer at least 30 days prior to the commencement date of the tour. A $60 transfer fee per person/per transfer will apply (in addition to any supplier change fees).


Cancellations or Postponements by the Company
Tranzit Tours reserves the right to cancel, reschedule or postpone a tour. With the exception of the Force Majeure section below, Tranzit Tours will:In the event of a tour being cancelled by the company prior to departure and not postponed – refund the total amount paid in respect of that tour or provide a credit, but will have no further liability to the Customer.
In the event of a tour being postponed – rebook the Customer for the new departure date or provide a credit, but will have no further liability to the Customer.
In the event of a Force Majeure event that occurs prior to, or during, a tour such as but not limited to fire, flood, volcanic eruption, earthquake, avalanche, severe weather, power outages, labour disruptions, pandemic, government controls or other events outside Tranzit Tours control that interrupts the ability to operate the tour in full or in part, or if Tranzit Tours determines that the quality of the tour or the health and safety of the Customer would be compromised, Tranzit Tours reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or shorten the tour and will be excused and released from its obligations without liability of any kind. Customers will receive a credit for postponed tours. For cancelled or shortened tours, refunds in these circumstances will be in full less any unrecoverable costs (i.e. expenses already incurred or fees charged by other providers).
The Customer will be advised of any increased tour costs as a result of the postponement. Credits will be equal to the value of the payment made and must be used within 12 months. Customers are strongly advised to take out travel insurance.
In the event of cancellation or postponement by the company, Tranzit Tours is not responsible for any consequential loss incurred by the Customer. Customers are again advised to take out travel insurance.


Alterations by the Company
Before Tour Commencement: If a major change to the tour needs to be made before departure, we will inform the Customer of the change as soon as practicable and will advise of any consequential price increase or decrease.Tranzit Tours reserves the right to alter a tour (including the itinerary) and substitute accommodation facilities should unforeseen circumstances beyond our control make changes necessary. Whilst every effort is made to adhere to the itinerary as provided, the company reserves the right to alter the touring and attractions as dictated by circumstances and conditions outside the company’s control.  Alterations may be made to ensure the smooth running of the tour.  Every attempt will be made to ensure alterations do not adversely affect the operation of the tour.  The company will not be held responsible for weather-based cancellations, or those closures made at the tour provider’s discretion.
Tranzit Tours will inform the customer as soon as practicable and will advise of any consequential price increase or decrease.


Insurance
Tranzit Tours recommend that you purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover against things like lost or damaged luggage, accident or sickness, loss or theft of personal belongings and documents, or the need to cancel or shorten your tour.  Please note that special conditions will apply for pre-existing medical conditions with all travel insurance policies.


Health and Fitness
Tranzit Tours are generally able to accommodate most fitness abilities; however, some tours may require a certain level of physical fitness for full enjoyment of tour activities. The Customer must inform Tranzit Tours, at the time of booking, of any health or fitness restrictions that may limit participation of tour activities or put the Customer, tour staff or other customers at risk. The Customer acknowledges that their suitability for a tour, or any activity within a tour, is wholly the Customer’s responsibility.
Payment of a deposit by the Customer to secure a Tranzit Tour acts as a warranty that:
o   the Customer is reasonably healthy and/or fit to participate in the tour, and
o   the Customer does not have a health, physical condition or disability that would create risk to themselves, tour staff or other customers, and
o   the Customer indemnifies Tranzit Tours from all actions, claims and demands arising out of any want of health or fitness.
Tranzit Tours reserves the right to decline a booking on medical, health or fitness grounds at its sole discretion.
Tranzit Tours reserves the right to remove a Customer from a tour, or quarantine a Customer on tour, if their health and/or fitness interferes with the tour or staff safety or other Customers safety or tour experience in any way. Any additional costs associated with a Customer’s removal from tour or placement into quarantine, shall be borne by the Customer. Refunds will be made in accordance with these Terms and Conditions. 


Authority on Tour
Tranzit Tours are operated by staff with decision making authority while on tour. By travelling with Tranzit Tours, you agree to accept the authority of the driver/guide and their decisions are final in all matters likely to affect the wellbeing, safety or experience of any customer or staff member on board. Failure to adhere to reasonable requests or any inappropriate behaviour that is degrading the experience of other customers, may result in the Customer being removed from the tour. If a Customer is asked to leave a tour, any costs associated with returning home will be borne by the Customer and any unused portion of the tour will not be refunded.


Responsibilities
Tranzit Tours include goods and services provided by other operators such as hotels, attractions and transportation companies. Customers are advised to familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions on which these services are supplied. Accordingly, Tranzit Tours will not be responsible and will be excluded from liability for any loss, damage, omission or acts being negligent or otherwise, committed by other goods and service providers used in connection with the tour.
Tranzit Tours is not liable for any loss, damage, delay, or injury caused to the traveller or their baggage whilst under the care or control of a third-party provider. A Customer’s baggage and personal effects shall be carried at the owner’s risk as provided for under the Carriage of Goods Act.
Tranzit Tours is not responsible for any losses or additional expenses to the Customer due to tours impacted by Force Majeure events that occur prior to, or during, a tour such as but not limited to fire, flood, volcanic eruption, earthquake, avalanche, severe weather, power outages, labour disruptions, pandemic, government controls or other events outside Tranzit Tours control that interrupts the ability to operate the tour in full or in part, or if Tranzit Tours determines that the quality of the tour or the health and safety of the Customer would be compromised.


Acceptance of Risk
The Customer acknowledges that all Tranzit Tours may be subject to risks and dangers beyond that which might be experienced by the Customer at home. Except as provided in law, the Customer acknowledges that they assume all risk and Tranzit Tours is not liable for misadventure, death, injury, delay or loss which occurs during the tour.


Seat Rotation
For the enjoyment of all travellers Tranzit Tours operates a seat rotation system which all travellers must participate in as a condition of booking.


Photographs
Photographs used to market any Tranzit Tour depict typical scenes experienced, but the subject matter may not necessarily be seen or experienced whilst visiting a destination within a tour.
Whilst on tour, the Customer may be included in photographs and/or film taken by the guide or driver. These photographs may be used for future promotional advertising purposes and by booking on a Tranzit Tour the Customer authorises the use of any images they are captured in to be used without further consent or any payment of any kind. If the Customer does not authorise the use of their image for promotional purposes, they must make this known at the time of booking.


Privacy Policy
Any personal information that Tranzit Tours collects about the Customer may be used for any purpose associated with the operation of a tour or to send the Customer marketing material in relation to Tranzit Tour products. The information may be disclosed to our agents, service providers or other suppliers to enable Tranzit Tours to operate the tour. Tranzit Tours will otherwise treat your details in accordance with our privacy policy (available on our website).


Applicable Law
The laws of New Zealand govern these Terms and Conditions to the fullest extent allowable.



"The door to door transfers on the Tranzit Travel Club tours are such a bonus. Being picked up at my door and dropped back after our travels made things so easy!" Mary