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Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail) · Escorted tour

Classic | Southern Highlights Tour

Guided 11-day NZ rail tour, Wellington to Queenstown via two trains

Illustration of Classic | Southern Highlights Tour

Great Journeys New Zealand, which operates New Zealand's KiwiRail network, runs this 11-day escorted tour from Wellington to Queenstown, combining both islands and two named scenic trains. An experienced tour director accompanies the group throughout. After a night in Wellington, the Interislander ferry crosses Cook Strait via Queen Charlotte Sound to Marlborough, where the Coastal Pacific train runs through the wine region to Kaikōura, a coastal town known for whale watching. The train continues to Christchurch for two nights, and the TranzAlpine then climbs the Southern Alps through the Otira Tunnel and Arthur's Pass to the West Coast, stopping first at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks. After Franz Josef and a scenic drive over Haast Pass through Arrowtown, the tour settles into Queenstown for three nights, with free days built around options like Milford Sound or wine tasting in Gibbston Valley. It suits travellers who want a single guided itinerary covering both scenic trains without arranging the connections themselves.

What to know before you look closer

  • Private coaches and shuttles are included between tour stops, but airport arrival transfers are excluded.
  • Porterage is included only at selected locations, not across all 10 nights.
  • Several days (1, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10) include free time built around optional activities such as whale watching, Milford Sound, or wine tasting that are not listed as included.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Wellington (1 night)

    Welcome to Wellington

    Welcome to Wellington, New Zealand's capital city. Check into your hotel, explore Te Papa Museum and Cuba Street. Tour begins this evening with a welcome reception.

  2. Day 2overnight: Marlborough (1 night)

    Crossing Cook Strait

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

  3. Day 3railovernight: 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.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Christchurch (2 nights)

    Explore Kaikōura

    Optional whale watching or dolphin swimming, then the Coastal Pacific train continues south to Christchurch, dinner served on board.

  5. Day 5overnight: Christchurch (2 nights)

    Explore Christchurch

    Free day: hop-on hop-off tram, Riverside Markets, punting on the Avon, Botanical Gardens, optional Akaroa. Group dinner in the evening.

  6. Day 6railovernight: 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.

  7. Day 7overnight: Franz Josef (1 night)

    Explore the West Coast

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

  8. Day 8overnight: 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.

  9. Day 9overnight: Queenstown (3 nights)

    Explore Queenstown

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

  10. Day 10overnight: 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.

  11. Day 11

    Departing Queenstown

    Tour ends after a final breakfast with fellow travellers.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 2The Interislander ferry crosses Cook Strait via Queen Charlotte Sound from Wellington to Marlborough.
  • Day 3The Coastal Pacific train runs through the Marlborough wine region to Kaikōura.
  • Day 6The TranzAlpine crosses the Southern Alps through the Otira Tunnel and Arthur's Pass after a stop at the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks.
  • Day 7Free time in Franz Josef to view the glacier after the West Coast Tree Top Walkway.
  • Day 8A scenic drive over Haast Pass stops at the historic gold-mining settlement of Arrowtown before arriving in Queenstown.

Included

  • Experienced tour director
  • Christchurch city tour
  • West Coast Tree Top Walk
  • Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes Walk
  • World-famous scenic train journeys
  • Cook Strait ferry crossing
  • 10 breakfasts
  • 3 dinners
  • 2 meals on the train
  • 3-4 star hotel accommodation, 10 nights, twin share
  • Private coaches and shuttles (excluding airport arrival)
  • Porterage at selected locations

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The tour includes two named scenic trains, the Coastal Pacific from Marlborough to Christchurch via Kaikōura, and the TranzAlpine across the Southern Alps to the West Coast, plus 2 meals served on board.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
It is a fully guided escorted tour with an experienced tour director throughout.
Which trains are used?
The Coastal Pacific (Marlborough to Christchurch via Kaikōura) and the TranzAlpine (Christchurch to Greymouth across the Southern Alps).
What hotels are included?
3-4 star hotels for 10 nights, twin share, across Wellington, Marlborough, Kaikōura, Christchurch (2 nights), Greymouth/West Coast, Franz Josef, and Queenstown (3 nights).
When does this tour run?
Departures run in March 2026 and from September 2026 through April 2027, with 20 scheduled departures, priced from NZD 7,399 (about USD 4,225).
What is not included?
Airport arrival transfers are not included, and porterage is included only at selected locations, not throughout.

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