Anderson Vacations · Escorted tour

19-Day Signature Rail, Cruise and Coach

Escorted New Zealand tour combining rail journeys, cruises, and coach touring

19-Day Signature Rail, Cruise and Coach, a rail journey with Anderson Vacations

Anderson Vacations operates this 19-day, 18-night escorted tour of New Zealand, with a Tour Leader and Coach Captain accompanying the group throughout. Starting in Auckland, the tour visits the Bay of Islands for a catamaran cruise to the Hole in the Rock, then Rotorua for the Skyline gondola, a luge ride, and an evening Māori Hāngi and Concert. From Wellington, the Interislander Ferry and the Coastal Pacific train connect to Christchurch, followed by the TranzAlpine train over viaducts and gorges to Arthur's Pass on the way to Franz Josef. The route continues through Queenstown, with a vintage steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu, before an overnight cruise on Milford Sound aboard the Milford Mariner. The final days visit Te Anau, Dunedin, including a tour of Larnach Castle, and Christchurch for a farewell dinner. With 17 nights of 4-star accommodation, hotel porterage, and three named rail journeys woven into a coach and cruise itinerary, this trip suits travelers who want New Zealand's scenery covered comprehensively with a guide handling the logistics.

What to know before you look closer

  • The evidence pack does not include a price for this trip.
  • Several notable activities are optional extras, not included in the base package: the Cape Reinga coach trip, scenic flights over the Bay of Islands and Franz Josef glaciers, the Bay of Islands dinner cruise, and the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.
  • Rail is a small part of this tour: only 3 of the 19 days include a train journey (Glenbrook Vintage Railway, the Coastal Pacific, and the TranzAlpine); most days are by coach.
  • The evidence pack does not list current departure dates; confirm scheduling directly with Anderson Vacations.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Auckland

    Arrive Auckland

    Met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening, a complimentary pre-dinner drink and dinner with your Tour Leader and travelling companions.

  2. Day 2overnight: Bay of Islands

    Auckland to Bay of Islands

    A city tour of Auckland, the 'City of Sails', then travel to Matakohe for a visit to the Kauri Museum, continuing via Whangarei to Paihia in the Bay of Islands for a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

  3. Day 3overnight: Bay of Islands

    Bay of Islands (Free Day)

    A free day with optional activities including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a scenic flight, and an optional dinner cruise in the evening.

  4. Day 4overnight: Auckland

    Bay of Islands to Auckland

    Cruise the Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett and the 'Hole in the Rock', watching for dolphins and marine life, before returning south to Auckland.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Rotorua

    Auckland to Rotorua

    Travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a 15km trip on a restored steam train, then continue through dairying countryside to Rotorua.

  6. Day 6overnight: Rotorua

    Rotorua

    A gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua with time for a luge ride, the Agrodome for farming entertainment, Te Puia's boiling mud pools and geysers, and an evening Māori Hāngi and Concert.

  7. Day 7overnight: Wellington

    Rotorua to Wellington

    Travel the Thermal Explorer Highway to Huka Falls, free time at Lake Taupo, and via Tongariro National Park south to Wellington.

  8. Day 8overnight: Wellington

    Wellington

    Explore the Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum, followed by an extensive coach city tour.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Christchurch

    Wellington to Kaikōura to Christchurch

    Board the Interislander Ferry across Cook Strait to Picton, join the Coastal Pacific rail journey along the coast to Kaikōura, then coach to Christchurch.

  10. Day 10overnight: Christchurch

    Christchurch

    Visit the International Antarctic Centre, an introductory city tour of Christchurch, and a journey on the Christchurch Tram.

  11. Day 11railovernight: Franz Josef

    Christchurch to Arthur's Pass to Franz Josef

    Board the TranzAlpine rail journey over viaducts and gorges to Arthur's Pass, then coach via Hokitika to Franz Josef, with an optional scenic flight over the glaciers.

  12. Day 12overnight: Queenstown

    Franz Josef to Queenstown

    Travel south via the Haast Pass and the Southern Alps to Queenstown on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

  13. Day 13overnight: Queenstown

    Queenstown (Free Day)

    A free day in Queenstown with optional activities, followed by an evening cruise on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station for a barbecue dinner and farm tour.

  14. Day 14overnight: Milford Sound (aboard the Milford Mariner overnight cruise)

    Queenstown to Milford Sound Overnight Cruise

    Travel via Arrowtown and the Lakes District Museum, then Te Anau to Milford Sound, boarding the Milford Mariner for an overnight cruise of the fiord's waterfalls, rainforest and wildlife, with a carvery buffet dinner.

  15. Day 15overnight: Te Anau

    Milford Sound to Te Anau

    A further excursion onto the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) before returning to meet the coach and driving to Te Anau, with an optional visit to the Te Anau Glowworm Caves.

  16. Day 16overnight: Dunedin

    Te Anau to Dunedin

    Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, with an afternoon tour and tasting at Speight's Brewery followed by dinner at the Ale House restaurant.

  17. Day 17overnight: Dunedin

    Dunedin

    A guided tour of Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula with Devonshire Tea, followed by a Dunedin city tour.

  18. Day 18overnight: Christchurch

    Dunedin to Christchurch

    Visit Olveston Historic Home before travelling via Oamaru back to Christchurch for a farewell dinner.

  19. Day 19

    Depart Christchurch

    Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 6An evening Māori Hāngi and Concert follows a day that includes the Skyline Rotorua gondola, a luge ride, and Te Puia's boiling mud pools and geysers.
  • Day 11The TranzAlpine train crosses viaducts and gorges to Arthur's Pass before the tour continues by coach to Franz Josef.
  • Day 13An evening cruise aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw crosses Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station for a barbecue dinner and farm tour.
  • Day 14The Milford Mariner's overnight cruise of Milford Sound passes waterfalls, rainforest, and wildlife, with a carvery buffet dinner onboard.
  • Day 17A guided tour of Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula includes Devonshire Tea.

Included

  • Personalised meet and greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • Tour Leader
  • 17 nights 4-star accommodation
  • Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
  • 6 two-night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 3 rail journeys
  • 4 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Extensive optional activities
  • Signature documentation pack

Not included

  • Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
  • Taxes as applicable
  • Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
  • Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
  • Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
  • Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price of this trip?
Yes, three rail journeys are included: the Glenbrook Vintage Railway (a 15km heritage steam train), the Coastal Pacific (Picton to Kaikōura to Christchurch), and the TranzAlpine (Christchurch to Arthur's Pass).
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It is an escorted tour, with a Tour Leader and Coach Captain throughout.
What is included besides the trains?
17 nights of 4-star accommodation, 4 cruises including an overnight Milford Sound cruise, hotel porterage, all sightseeing and prepaid attractions, and return airport transfers in New Zealand.
Is Milford Sound included?
Yes, an overnight cruise aboard the Milford Mariner is included, with a carvery buffet dinner.
What is not included?
Airfare unless specified, taxes, travel insurance, gratuities, and meals not specifically mentioned in the itinerary.
Does the trip include free time?
Yes, day 3 in the Bay of Islands and day 13 in Queenstown are free days with optional activities.

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