Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail)
Classic | Southern Highlights Tour
Guided 11-day NZ rail tour, Wellington to Queenstown via two trains
11 daysfrom $4,225
27% rail
Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail) · Escorted tour
Classic | Cities & Coastal Highlights Tour
Enjoy the full New Zealand experience on our 10-day tour, from Auckland to Christchurch, including our scenic train journeys and the Interislander ferry.
Day by day
- Day 1overnight: Auckland (1 night)
Explore Auckland
Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand's City of Sails. Check into your hotel, then explore the Sky Tower, Queen Street and Vulcan Lane. Tour officially begins with an evening welcome reception.
- Day 2railovernight: Tongariro National Park / Ohakune (2 nights)
The Northern Explorer scenic train
Travel aboard the Northern Explorer scenic train from Auckland through the Waikato's green pastures and the icy mountain streams of Ruapehu, with audio commentary over the historic Raurimu Spiral, to Ohakune.
- Day 3railovernight: Tongariro National Park / Ohakune (2 nights)
Discover Tongariro National Park
Free day to discover Ohakune's excursions: a historical rail cart journey, horse trekking, or e-biking the Old Coach Road cycle trail.
- Day 4railovernight: Wellington (2 nights)
The Northern Explorer scenic train
Continue north aboard the Northern Explorer past Mt Ruapehu and through rich green farmland, with afternoon tea served aboard the train, arriving into Wellington Railway Station.
- Day 5overnight: Wellington (2 nights)
Explore Wellington
Free day in Wellington. Optional Te Papa Museum introduction tour, Cuba Street, and Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary. Group dinner in the evening.
- Day 6overnight: Marlborough (1 night)
Crossing Cook Strait
Interislander ferry crossing of Cook Strait, with a seafaring lunch onboard and views through Queen Charlotte Sound, arriving into Marlborough.
- Day 7railovernight: Kaikōura (1 night)
The Coastal Pacific scenic train
Free morning to explore Picton or the Omaka Aviation Museum in Blenheim, then board the Coastal Pacific train through the Marlborough wine region to Kaikōura.
- Day 8railovernight: Christchurch (2 nights)
Explore Kaikōura
Optional whale watching or dolphin swimming in Kaikōura, then the Coastal Pacific train continues south to Christchurch in the late afternoon, dinner served on board.
- Day 9overnight: Christchurch (2 nights)
Explore Christchurch
Free day in Christchurch: historic tram, Arts Centre, Quake City Museum, Christchurch Art Gallery, Botanical Gardens, punting on the Avon, or an optional trip to Akaroa. Farewell dinner in the evening.
- Day 10
Departing Christchurch
Tour ends after breakfast at the hotel.
Included
- Experienced tour director
- Te Papa Museum introduction tour
- Christchurch city tour
- World-famous scenic train journeys
- Cook Strait Ferry crossing
- Free time and optional excursions
- 9 breakfasts
- 4 dinners
- 3 meals on the train
- 3-4 star hotel accommodation, 9 nights, twin share
- Private coaches and shuttles (excluding airport arrival)
- Porterage at selected locations
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