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Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail) · Escorted tour

Classic | Cities & Coastal Highlights Tour

New Zealand rail and ferry loop from Auckland to Christchurch in 10 days

Illustration of Classic | Cities & Coastal Highlights Tour

Great Journeys New Zealand's Classic Cities and Coastal Highlights Tour is a 10-day fully guided journey across New Zealand's North and South Islands, from Auckland to Christchurch. Aboard the Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific scenic trains, you travel through volcanic plateaus, river gorges, wine regions, and coastal cliffs, with a ferry crossing of the scenic Cook Strait. An experienced tour director manages every detail, allowing you to relax and absorb the landscape. Days mix guided rail travel with free time: Day 2 takes you through the Raurimu Spiral and Mount Ruapehu terrain to Ohakune; Day 3 offers optional horse trekking or cycling the Old Coach Road. Day 5 in Wellington is free to visit the Te Papa Museum or Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary. Day 7 includes a morning to explore Picton or the Omaka Aviation Museum before boarding the Coastal Pacific. Day 8 offers optional whale watching or dolphin swimming in Kaikōura. Accommodation is 3 to 4-star hotels with breakfasts and four dinners included. This tour suits first-time rail travellers seeking comfort, couples, and those who prefer guided journeys without self-driving.

What to know before you look closer

  • The group size can reach 35 people; confirm the actual group cap for your departure date with Great Journeys New Zealand before booking
  • Many days include free time and optional excursions; the itinerary is not activity-packed each day
  • The price shown (NZD 5999 / USD 3425) is the from-price; final cost depends on your hotel tier and cabin selection on the trains

Day by day

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. 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.

  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. Day 10

    Departing Christchurch

    Tour ends after breakfast at the hotel.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: the Northern Explorer departs Auckland and passes the historic Raurimu Spiral near Mount Ruapehu before arriving in Ohakune
  • Day 4Day 4: afternoon tea is served on board the Northern Explorer as it continues through farmland into Wellington Railway Station
  • Day 6Day 6: the Interislander ferry crosses Cook Strait with seafaring lunch and views through Queen Charlotte Sound
  • Day 7Day 7: the Coastal Pacific scenic train travels through the Marlborough wine region to Kaikōura
  • Day 8Day 8: optional whale watching or dolphin swimming in Kaikōura, then the Coastal Pacific continues south with dinner served on board

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

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes. The Northern Explorer and Coastal Pacific scenic trains, plus the Cook Strait ferry crossing, are included in the tour price.
What trains are used on this tour?
The Northern Explorer runs from Auckland to Wellington via Tongariro National Park, and the Coastal Pacific runs from Marlborough to Christchurch via Kaikōura.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. An experienced tour director accompanies the group throughout the 10 days and manages all logistics.
What meals are included?
The tour includes 9 breakfasts, 4 dinners, and 3 meals served on the trains.
When does this tour run?
Great Journeys New Zealand operates 16 departures from September 2026 through April 2027.
What type of accommodation is provided?
Twin-share rooms in 3 to 4-star hotels for 9 nights, with porterage at selected locations included.

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