Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of New Zealand

Grand Tour of New Zealand, a rail journey with Vacations By Rail

Discover the best of New Zealand's North & South Islands on this comprehensive tour.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Auckland

    Welcome to the harbor city of Auckland

    Check in to the central hotel and meet the Tour Manager; free afternoon, perhaps at the Viaduct Harbour; group dinner.

  2. Day 2overnight: Paihia

    Paihia & Waitangi Treaty House

    Drive north via Whangarei to the Waitangi Treaty House for a guided tour, then to Paihia, gateway to the Bay of Islands, for two nights.

  3. Day 3overnight: Paihia

    Cruising into the Bay of Islands

    Morning catamaran cruise around the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock, with an optional extension to Russell Island; free time in Paihia.

  4. Day 4overnight: Auckland

    Kawiti Glowworm Caves & Auckland

    Visit the Kawiti Glowworm Caves in the Waiomio Valley; guided sightseeing tour of Auckland including Bastion Point and Parnell Village.

  5. Day 5railovernight: Rotorua

    Glenbrook Vintage Railway and the natural wonders of Rotorua

    Ride the restored steam train on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway; coach through the Bombay Hills and Waikato Valley to Rotorua for two nights.

  6. Day 6overnight: Rotorua

    Experiencing Rotorua and a Māori cultural evening

    Walk through the Whakarewarewa Redwood Forest; visit the Blue and Green Lakes and Lake Tarawera; Te Puia Thermal Park tour (Pohutu Geyser) and a Māori cultural evening with hangi buffet dinner and performance.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Wellington

    Discovering the scenic route of the Northern Explorer

    Coach to Hamilton, then the Northern Explorer train through 'King Country', the Raurimu Spiral and Tongariro National Park to Wellington.

  8. Day 8overnight: Wellington

    Getting to know Wellington, New Zealand's capital

    Guided tour ending at the Botanic Garden, with a cable car ride; free afternoon, with options including Zealandia or Te Papa National Museum.

  9. Day 9railovernight: Christchurch

    The Coastal Pacific to Christchurch, South Island

    Interislander ferry across Cook Strait to Picton, then the Coastal Pacific train along the Marlborough region and North Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.

  10. Day 10overnight: Christchurch

    A free day to explore the green city of Christchurch

    Free day with a complimentary tram day pass; options include the Botanic Gardens, Christchurch Art Gallery or a Waipara Region wine tour.

  11. Day 11overnight: Twizel

    To Twizel, in the Mount Cook National Park

    Coach via Fairlie and Burke's Pass, with a stop at Tekapo and views of Lake Pukaki, into Mount Cook National Park; free time in Mount Cook village before continuing to Twizel.

  12. Day 12overnight: Te Anau

    Te Anau, and New Zealand's sensational Fiordland

    Drive past the Lindis Pass, the Clutha River and Lake Dunstan to Te Anau, gateway to Fiordland.

  13. Day 13overnight: Queenstown

    Fiordland National Park and cruise on Milford Sound

    Full-day motorcoach excursion via the Mirror Lakes and Hollyford valley to Milford Sound for a cruise with a boxed lunch, then on to Queenstown via the Homer Tunnel.

  14. Day 14overnight: Queenstown

    Discovering Queenstown and Lake Wakatipu on the steamship TSS Earnslaw

    Guided tour including Arrowtown and the Gibbston Valley Wine Cave; cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw with a barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country farm.

  15. Day 15overnight: Queenstown

    A free day to discover Queenstown

    Free day; options include the Skyline Gondola to Bob's Peak, Queenstown Gardens, or the Onsen Hot Pools.

  16. Day 16overnight: Franz Josef

    The iconic Franz Josef Glacier

    Scenic drive through Kawarau Valley Gorge, past Wanaka, over the Haast Pass and along the coast to Franz Josef, in sight of the glacier.

  17. Day 17railovernight: Christchurch

    The stunning TranzAlpine railway

    Coach north via Hokitika to Arthur's Pass, then the TranzAlpine train in panoramic viewing carriages across the Southern Alps to Christchurch; farewell group dinner.

  18. Day 18

    Homeward bound

    Free morning in Christchurch; the Grand Tour of New Zealand concludes after breakfast.

Included

  • Expertise of a Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 17 nights' 3 & 4-Star hotel accommodation
  • Scenic Class rail travel; all rail, cruise, ferry and coach travel throughout
  • Breakfast each day, 1 lunch and 4 dinners
  • Luggage transfers between hotels
  • All guided tours and excursions

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance (not included but can be arranged)
  • Flights and Airport transfers

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