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Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail) · Escorted tour

Classic | New Zealand Highlights Tour

15-day New Zealand loop from Auckland to Queenstown on three named trains

Illustration of Classic | New Zealand Highlights Tour

Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail) operates this 15-day fully guided tour across both islands of Aotearoa, beginning in Auckland and ending in Queenstown. The itinerary weaves together three of New Zealand's most celebrated scenic train journeys: the Northern Explorer departs Auckland on Day 2, climbing through Tongariro National Park's volcanic landscapes to Wellington; the Coastal Pacific continues south from Marlborough through wine country and past the marine wildlife of Kaikōura to Christchurch on Day 8; and the TranzAlpine carries you across the Southern Alps on Day 10, descending through the Otira Tunnel to the West Coast. A fully guided experience throughout means a tour director navigates every transfer, meal, and free day. Hotel stays are spread across nine destinations, with three nights in Queenstown to settle and explore. Breakfasts, five group dinners, and four train meals are included. This trip suits first-time rail travellers who want comprehensive coverage without planning logistics, as well as couples and photographers drawn to glaciers, volcanic peaks, coastal scenery, and alpine passes.

What to know before you look closer

  • Maximum group size is 35 travellers; the itinerary does not detail which activities and meals occur on specific days, so confirm the exact schedule with Great Journeys New Zealand before booking.
  • The from-price of NZD 9,999 (USD 5,709) is fixed across all 16 departures listed; confirm availability and any seasonal variation with the operator.
  • Several days feature optional excursions (whale watching in Kaikōura, Milford Sound in Queenstown); these are not included and incur separate cost.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Auckland (1 night)

    Welcome to Auckland

    Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand's City of Sails. Check into your hotel, explore the Sky Tower and Queen Street. Tour begins this evening with a welcome reception.

  2. Day 2railovernight: Tongariro National Park / Ohakune (2 nights)

    The Northern Explorer scenic train

    Travel aboard the Northern Explorer through the Waikato's green pastures and the icy mountain streams of Ruapehu, with audio commentary on the historic Raurimu Spiral, arriving in Ohakune.

  3. Day 3railovernight: Tongariro National Park / Ohakune (2 nights)

    Discover Tongariro National Park

    Free day for optional 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

    Mini excursion to view volcanic landscapes, then continue north on the Northern Explorer with afternoon tea served aboard, arriving into Wellington Railway Station.

  5. Day 5overnight: Wellington (2 nights)

    Explore Wellington

    Free day in Wellington: Te Papa Museum introduction tour, Cuba Street, Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary. Group dinner in the evening.

  6. Day 6overnight: Marlborough (1 night)

    Crossing Cook Strait

    Interislander ferry crossing Cook Strait via Queen Charlotte Sound, arriving into Marlborough / Picton.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Kaikōura (1 night)

    The Coastal Pacific scenic train

    Free morning in Picton or the Omaka Aviation Museum in Blenheim, then 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 to Christchurch, dinner served on board.

  9. Day 9overnight: Christchurch (2 nights)

    Explore Christchurch

    Free day: hop-on hop-off tram, Arts Centre, Quake City Museum, Botanical Gardens, optional Akaroa. Group dinner in the evening.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Greymouth / West Coast (1 night)

    The TranzAlpine scenic train

    Punakaiki Pancake Rocks excursion, then board the TranzAlpine at Greymouth Railway Station, crossing the Southern Alps via the Otira Tunnel and Arthur's Pass to the West Coast.

  11. Day 11overnight: Franz Josef (1 night)

    Explore the West Coast

    West Coast Tree Top Walkway and cafe, then continue to Franz Josef, with free time to view the glacier.

  12. Day 12overnight: Queenstown (3 nights)

    Exploring the South

    Scenic drive through Haast Pass with stops along the way, visiting the historic gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown before arriving in Queenstown.

  13. Day 13overnight: Queenstown (3 nights)

    Explore Queenstown

    Free day; optional excursion to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi, or a TSS Earnslaw steamship cruise on Lake Wakatipu.

  14. Day 14overnight: Queenstown (3 nights)

    The close to an adventure of a lifetime

    Personalise the day: Walter Peak horse trekking, gondola views, or wine in Gibbston Valley. Farewell dinner in the evening.

  15. Day 15

    Departing Queenstown

    Tour ends after a final breakfast with fellow travellers.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2Day 2: The Northern Explorer passes through the Raurimu Spiral, an engineering marvel carved into volcanic terrain between the Waikato and Tongariro National Park.
  • Day 8Day 8: The Coastal Pacific train travels south through Marlborough wine country and arrives in Kaikōura, where optional whale watching and dolphin swimming are available.
  • Day 10Day 10: The TranzAlpine train departs Greymouth and crosses the Southern Alps via the Otira Tunnel and Arthur's Pass, descending to the West Coast.
  • Day 11Day 11: A scenic drive and visit to the West Coast Tree Top Walkway precedes arrival in Franz Josef, with views of the glacier.

Included

  • Experienced tour director
  • Te Papa Museum introduction tour (selected departures)
  • World-famous scenic train journeys (Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, TranzAlpine)
  • Cook Strait ferry crossing
  • 14 breakfasts
  • 5 dinners
  • 4 meals on the train
  • 3-4 star hotel accommodation, 14 nights, twin share
  • Private coaches and shuttles (excluding airport arrival)
  • Porterage

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The tour includes three scenic train journeys: the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington via Tongariro, the Coastal Pacific from Marlborough to Christchurch via Kaikōura, and the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth across the Southern Alps. It also includes the Interislander ferry across Cook Strait.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is fully escorted. An experienced tour director accompanies the group throughout all 15 days.
What is included in the price?
The from-price includes 14 nights in 3-4 star hotels on twin share, 14 breakfasts, 5 group dinners, 4 meals on the trains, the three scenic trains, the Cook Strait ferry, private coach transport (excluding airport arrival), porterage, and a tour director. Optional activities such as whale watching and Milford Sound cruises are not included.
When does the tour run?
Great Journeys New Zealand operates 16 departures from September 2026 through April 2027: September, October, November, December 2026, and January, February, March, April 2027.
How much free time is there?
Several days include free time or optional activities: Day 3 in Tongariro National Park, Day 5 in Wellington, Day 7 in Marlborough, Day 9 in Christchurch, and Days 13 and 14 in Queenstown.
What is the group size?
The maximum group size is 35 travellers.

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