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Vacations By Rail · Escorted tour

Grand Tour of New Zealand

Escorted 18-day North and South Island loop via three named scenic trains

Illustration of Grand Tour of New Zealand

Vacations By Rail's Grand Tour of New Zealand is an 18-day escorted journey across the North and South Islands, departing from Auckland and concluding at Arthur's Pass. A dedicated Tour Manager leads the group through contrasting landscapes, from geothermal Rotorua to alpine Mount Cook and the dramatic fjords of Milford Sound. The itinerary weaves together three of New Zealand's premier scenic trains: the Northern Explorer climbs through King Country and the Tongariro National Park to Wellington; the Coastal Pacific follows the Marlborough region and North Canterbury Plains to Christchurch; and the TranzAlpine crosses the Southern Alps with panoramic viewing carriages. Between train segments, coach excursions and multi-day stays allow deeper exploration of cities and natural attractions. Day 6 features a Māori cultural evening with a hangi buffet at Rotorua; Day 13 is devoted to a full-day Milford Sound cruise; and Day 14 includes a dinner cruise on the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw. Free time in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Queenstown gives travellers space to explore independently. Accommodation is in 3 and 4-star hotels, with luggage transferred throughout. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking curated comfort, and those interested in Māori culture and New Zealand's natural diversity.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only breakfast is included daily; lunch and dinner are covered for just 1 lunch and 4 dinners total across 18 days.
  • International flights and airport transfers are not included and must be booked separately.
  • Most days include a mix of rail, coach, and excursions rather than consecutive train travel; the itinerary is balanced multimodal transport.

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.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3Day 3: Catamaran cruise around the Bay of Islands to Cape Brett and the Hole in the Rock.
  • Day 5Day 5: Ride the restored steam train on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
  • Day 7Day 7: Northern Explorer train passes the Raurimu Spiral and Tongariro National Park en route to Wellington.
  • Day 13Day 13: Full-day Milford Sound cruise through Fiordland National Park with views of Mirror Lakes and Hollyford valley.
  • Day 14Day 14: Vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw cruise on Lake Wakatipu with a barbecue dinner at Walter Peak High Country farm.

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

Questions travellers ask

Which trains are included?
The Northern Explorer (Hamilton to Wellington), Coastal Pacific (Picton to Christchurch), and TranzAlpine (Arthur's Pass to Christchurch) in Scenic Class, plus a heritage steam ride on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway.
Is this an escorted tour?
Yes. Vacations By Rail provides a Tour Manager from start to finish, along with all guided tours and excursions.
How much walking is involved?
This tour has a Mobility Rating 2, which includes city walking tours, guided sightseeing, and light excursions. Luggage is transferred between hotels.
What meals are included?
Breakfast is included each day, plus 1 lunch and 4 dinners (specifically a Māori hangi buffet, a boxed lunch on the Milford Sound excursion, a barbecue at Walter Peak farm, and a farewell group dinner).
What are the hotels like?
Stays are in 3 and 4-star accommodations, including the Grand Millennium Auckland, Kingsgate Hotel Autolodge in Paihia, Sudima Hotel Lake Rotorua, and Fable Hotel in Christchurch.
How long is the tour?
18 days and 17 nights from Auckland to Arthur's Pass, starting at USD 5,999.

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