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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Best of New Zealand

16-day self-guided New Zealand rail and coach tour, Auckland to Christchurch

Illustration of Best of New Zealand

Railbookers operates this independent, 16-day, 15-night rail and coach vacation across New Zealand's North and South Islands, starting in Auckland and finishing in Christchurch. Despite the rail branding, most day-to-day travel between stops runs by scheduled coach; the itinerary names only two specific train journeys, the Coastal Pacific on day 9 and the TranzAlpine crossing the Southern Alps on day 15. The route is built around a string of included excursions rather than free days: day 2 takes in the Waitomo Glowworm Caves by boat, day 5 is a half-day wine tasting tour in Napier, day 8 is a scenic cruise along the Abel Tasman coast, and day 13 is a full day trip to Milford Sound through Fiordland National Park. Queenstown gets the longest stay, at three nights, with time to choose from local activities. Hotels are drawn from a mix of city and resort properties in each stop. This trip suits travelers who want a densely scheduled tour of New Zealand's scenery and wine regions without a group leader.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most day-to-day transport on this itinerary is by scheduled coach rather than train; named train journeys appear on only two days, the Coastal Pacific from Blenheim to Christchurch on day 9 and the TranzAlpine from Greymouth to Christchurch on day 15. A third train, the Northern Explorer, is listed among this trip's trains but is not tied to a specific day in the itinerary.
  • Hotel choices in Auckland are presented as a list of several options (The Grand by SkyCity, CityLife Hotel Auckland, Sudima Hotel Auckland City, and others), so the exact hotel depends on which one you select.
  • The evidence for this trip does not list current departure dates; confirm availability with Railbookers before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Auckland

    Auckland

    Welcome to New Zealand! Make your way from the airport to your hotel via a private transfer, then head out to explore the city. Perhaps venture up the Sky Tower for some spectacular views but be sure to enjoy dinner in one of the city's fantastic restaurants. (Overnight Auckland) B

  2. Day 2overnight: Rotorua

    Auckland/Waitomo Caves/Rotorua

    Enjoy a half day tour by sightseeing coach from Auckland to Rotorua including a guided tour through the world-famous Waitomo Glowworm Caves with their amazing stalactites and stalagmites. Enjoy a silent boat ride through the Glowworm Grotto - a subterranean cavern lit up by the lights of thousands of tiny glow-worms. A picnic style lunch is served onboard the coach en-route. Arrive in Rotorua and enjoy the afternoon familiarising your self with this unique town. (Overnight Rotorua) B

  3. Day 3overnight: Rotorua

    Rotorua

    This morning enjoy a coach tour of the Rotorua area, which includes Te Puia Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve - home of the Pohutu Geyser and the Maori Arts and Crafts Institute where young Maori are taught the carving and weaving skills of their ancestors, the Agrodome where you will learn about rural life and Rainbow Springs with its crystal clear streams and pools teeming with trout as well as the nocturnal Kiwi house and Tuatara display. Tonight, experience the warmth of the Maori people during an evening of ceremonial rituals, powerful cultural performance, storytelling and hangi dinner. Enter a replica pre-European Maori village, see the hangi pit opened and enter the ancestral Meeting House to enjoy a powerful cultural performance featuring tribal songs, myths, legends and dance including the vigorous haka. Enjoy a hangi buffet dinner (Maori feast) cooked the traditional Maori way in an earth oven before saying goodbye to your hosts and returning to your hotel. (Overnight Rotorua) B,D

  4. Day 4overnight: Napier

    Rotorua/Napier

    Today depart Rotorua by scheduled coach to Napier. Travel south to Taupo, nestled on the shores of New Zealand's largest lake, perhaps stopping at Huka Falls where the clear waters of the Waikato River gush through narrow gap in the rocks, then continue through the township and around the shores of the lake turning east to travel past large pine plantations before driving over the ranges, through the Eskdale Valley and into the Hawkes Bay. After arriving into Napier get your bearings and a better understanding of the city on an afternoon guided stroll and introduction to its fascinating architectural history. Napier was devastated by an earthquake in 1931 and was rebuilt during the period when Art Deco Architecture was fashionable. (Overnight Napier) B

  5. Day 5overnight: Napier

    Napier

    Spend a relaxing morning in Napier, then gain an appreciation of this regions fantastic wine with a half day tour driving through some stunning scenery. Visit four or five wineries tasting around 30 different wines and enjoy a local cheese platter in the picturesque grounds of Ngatarawa Vineyard. (Overnight Napier) B

  6. Day 6overnight: Wellington

    Napier/Wellington

    Leave Napier this morning on a direct coach to Wellington. Travel through the rolling farmlands of Central Hawkes Bay and the Wairarapa, then into the pretty Manawatu Region and down the scenic Kapiti Coast to the Capital City. Check-in to your hotel then head out to enjoy the city. A visit to Te Papa - the National Museum is a must for any visitor. (Overnight Wellington) B

  7. Day 7overnight: Nelson

    Wellington/Picton/Nelson

    Cross the Cook Strait then have your camera ready as the ship navigates the beautiful Queen Charlotte Sound to Picton. On arrival here, transfer onto a scheduled coach through the legendary Marlborough Wine Country to Nelson and on arrival you'll be transferred to your hotel for a two-night stay. At the top of the north-west corner of the South Island is the sunniest region of New Zealand. Nelson is a truly beautiful region that should not be missed by the visitor who loves nature, adventure, art, crafts, wineries and good food. (Overnight Nelson) B

  8. Day 8overnight: Nelson

    Abel Tasman Day Trip

    After breakfast you'll be collected from your hotel and transferred to Kaiteriteri. From the protected beach here enjoy a scenic cruise along the spectacular Abel Tasman coast with its forest-fringed bays, sculpted granite headlands and off-shore islands. Disembark at Medlands Beach. A 10-minute stroll takes you to popular yet remote Bark Bay. Facilities here include Dept. of Conservation shelter, flush toilets, picnic tables and filtered drinking water (look for the tap labelled "drinking water only"). Swim in calm azure waters, sunbathe or relax in the shade of native forest trees. A forested track around the estuary (4 kms or 2.5 miles) takes you to Bark Bay Falls and Swing Bridge (approx. 1-hour return). In the afternoon re-join the cruise at Medlands Beach back to Kaiteriteri from where you will be transferred back to Nelson. (Overnight Nelson) B,L

  9. Day 9railovernight: Christchurch

    Nelson/Blenheim/Christchurch

    This morning bid farewell to Nelson and take a coach through the rich farm and wine country to Blenheim. You have time for lunch here, before hopping onboard The Coastal Pacific train south to Christchurch. On arrival check-in at your hotel for an over night stay. (Overnight Christchurch) B

  10. Day 10overnight: Mount Cook

    Christchurch/Mount Cook

    Depart Christchurch this morning by coach, crossing the Canterbury Plains to the shores of the stunning, glacier-fed Lake Tekapo, and enjoy some spectacular views. Continue to New Zealand's tallest mountain, Aoraki - Mount Cook which is in its very own National Park deep in the Southern Alps. Aoraki/Mt Cook Village is situated near the spectacular turquoise waters of Lake Pukaki and provides a comfortable base for alpine activities. (Overnight Mount Cook) B

  11. Day 11overnight: Queenstown

    Mount Cook/Queenstown

    Spend the morning soaking in the scenic splendour of this area, the in the afternoon take a scenic ride past Lake Pukaki and through the tawny tussock of the Mackenzie Country. Make a stop at the historic village of Omarama before concluding your tour in Queenstown, the adventure capital of New Zealand. (Overnight Queenstown) B

  12. Day 12overnight: Queenstown

    Queenstown

    Enjoy a relaxing day exploring Queenstown today, and perhaps take the opportunity to try many of the activities and attractions on offer. A thrilling jetboat ride on Lake Wakatipu or a gentle cruise aboard a vintage steam cruiser perhaps. Much of the ‘Lord of the Rings’ was filmed in the area and there are 4WD tours available, you could even try bungy-jumping if dare! (Overnight Queenstown) B

  13. Day 13overnight: Queenstown

    Milford Sound Day Trip

    Today you will be collected from the hotel for a full day tour by coach, travelling around the eastern shores of Lake Wakatipu and across the picturesque Southland countryside to Te Anau, then into the dramatic landscape of the Fiordland National Park to Milford Sound. Make a stop at the Mirror Lakes to see the near perfect reflections of the mountains in the calm waters then take a short walk to the Chasm and see where the waters disappear into the rocks before arriving in Milford Sound. Cruise the fiord past Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea enjoying the stunning scenery of cascading waterfalls, dense rainforest, steep cliff faces and marine life that inhabits these waters. A picnic box lunch is included, and your nature guide will give a commentary on the interesting features of the area. Return to Queenstown in time for dinner. (Overnight Queenstown) B,L

  14. Day 14overnight: Franz Josef

    Queenstown to Franz Josef

    Head north today on a scheduled coach service travelling across the fruit-growing Central Otago region, around the shores of glacial Lakes Wanaka and Hawea then into the rugged beauty of the Haast Pass and through the Southern Alps. Continue up the West Coast past wild beaches, over mountain streams, through native rainforest and past bush-fringed lakes to Franz Josef Glacier. On arrival make your way to your hotel for an overnight stay, then head out to enjoy this beautiful town. (Overnight Franz Josef) B

  15. Day 15railovernight: Christchurch

    The TranzAlpine

    Leave Franz Josef today and take a scheduled coach to Greymouth. Here, board the Tranz-Alpine train bound for Christchurch. This train line is rightly recognized as one of the world’s most scenic, and the staggering beauty of the Southern Alps doesn’t disappoint. On arrival into Christchurch you will be transferred to your hotel for the night, then head out to enjoy dinner. (Overnight Christchurch) B

  16. Day 16

    End Of Tour

    Have breakfast at your hotel before being driven to the airport to continue your travels elsewhere. B

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2A guided tour through the Waitomo Glowworm Caves includes a silent boat ride beneath thousands of glow-worms in the Glowworm Grotto.
  • Day 8A scenic cruise along the Abel Tasman coast passes forest-fringed bays and granite headlands, with a stop at Bark Bay.
  • Day 10Views of glacier-fed Lake Tekapo and New Zealand's tallest peak, Aoraki/Mount Cook, in the Southern Alps.
  • Day 13A full day trip through Fiordland National Park reaches Milford Sound, with a stop at the Mirror Lakes along the way.
  • Day 15The TranzAlpine train crosses the Southern Alps from Greymouth to Christchurch on one of the world's most scenic rail lines.

Included

  • All rail and coach journeys as per the itinerary All hotel and station transfers as per the itinerary 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Auckland 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Rotorua 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Napier 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Wellington 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Nelson 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Christchurch 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Mount Cook 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Queenstown 1 night hotel accommodation with breakfast in Franz Josef Seats aboard the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton Sightseeing tour from Auckland to Rotorua including Waitomo Caves City tour and Maori experience evening in Rotorua Guided Art Deco walking tour of Napier Half day wine tasting tour from Napier Abel Tasman National Park day trip Milford Sound day trip Day trip to Milford Sound including Fjord cruise Private airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, but most day-to-day transport is by scheduled coach; the named train journeys are the Coastal Pacific (day 9, Blenheim to Christchurch) and the TranzAlpine (day 15, Greymouth to Christchurch).
Is this trip guided or independent?
It is billed as independent and self-guided, though most days include a guided coach tour or excursion, such as the Waitomo Caves, Napier wine tasting, Abel Tasman, and Milford Sound.
What is included?
All rail and coach journeys and hotel or station transfers per the itinerary, hotel stays with breakfast throughout, the Interislander ferry crossing, the Waitomo Caves and Rotorua sightseeing tour, a guided Art Deco walking tour of Napier, a half-day wine tasting tour, the Abel Tasman day trip, the Milford Sound day trip with fjord cruise, and private airport transfers.
How long is the trip?
16 days and 15 nights, from Auckland to Christchurch.
What is the starting price?
From $7,689 per person, in USD, with Railbookers.

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