Search

Great Rail Journeys · Escorted tour

Highlights of Australia & New Zealand

22-day escorted tour across Australia and New Zealand by rail, coach, and cruise

Illustration of Highlights of Australia & New Zealand

Great Rail Journeys operates this 22-day escorted tour spanning Australia and New Zealand, departing from London Heathrow and ending in Auckland. The journey combines major cities, natural landmarks and two heritage rail routes: the Kuranda Scenic Railway through tropical rainforest and gorges, and the TranzAlpine across New Zealand's Southern Alps. Travellers spend four nights in Melbourne exploring the Great Ocean Road, three nights in Cairns with a full day on the Great Barrier Reef and a scenic railway ride, three nights in Sydney including a harbour dinner cruise, four nights in Queenstown with a Milford Sound excursion, and nights in Franz Josef, Christchurch and Auckland. The tour moves by coach, domestic flights, and cruise vessels; rail comprises two travel days. Accommodation is in 4 and 5-star hotels. A UK Tour Manager leads the entire group, and most sightseeing is guided, making it well suited to travellers seeking comfort and structure across two vast countries.

What to know before you look closer

  • The single supplement is GBP 5,500 (compared to GBP 7,499 for a double), a substantial premium at 73 percent of the per-person fare.
  • Rail comprises only two days of the 22-day itinerary; most travel is by coach, flight and cruise.
  • Two of the three departures listed (February 2027, November 2027, October 2027) are more than 12 months away; confirm current availability with Great Rail Journeys.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: In flight

    Overnight flight from London to Melbourne

    Meet the Tour Manager and travel group at London Heathrow. Board overnight flight to Melbourne via Singapore or Hong Kong.

  2. Day 2overnight: Melbourne

    Welcome to Melbourne

    Arrive in Melbourne this evening. Met by a local guide and transferred to the five-star hotel on South Wharf beside the Yarra River. Free to settle in and dine independently.

  3. Day 3overnight: Melbourne

    Getting to know Melbourne

    Free morning to relax and explore. Afternoon sightseeing tour by coach taking in Old Treasury, UNESCO-listed Royal Exhibition Building, Federation Square, Melbourne Cricket Ground and the Skydeck (highest public vantage point in the Southern Hemisphere). Evening dinner at a restaurant overlooking the Yarra River.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Melbourne

    Along Australia's Great Ocean Road

    Full-day excursion along the Great Ocean Road by coach. Pass wild forests, powerful waterfalls and the Indian Ocean. Through Lorne, Apollo Bay, Great Otway National Park (chance to see koalas). Lunch at a local winery in Laver Hill. Continue past the Twelve Apostles with free time to explore. Return to Melbourne; dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  5. Day 5overnight: Cairns

    To Cairns on the northern coast

    Early start; coach transfer to Melbourne airport for morning flight to Cairns. Introductory coach tour of Cairns on arrival. Check in to hotel on the Esplanade. Free evening to dine independently.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Cairns

    Exploring Rainforestation & Kuranda Scenic Railway

    Coach transfer to Rainforestation Nature Park. Army Duck ride through local flora, guided Dreamtime Walk and pamagirri dance performance. Barbeque lunch. Travel to Kuranda village, browse craft market, then board the 125-year-old Kuranda Scenic Railway through the Barron River Gorge back to Cairns. Free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  7. Day 7overnight: Cairns

    A day on the Great Barrier Reef

    Full-day excursion to the Great Barrier Reef. Board air-conditioned catamaran from Cairns harbour. Two hours at leisure on Green Island coral cay. Continue to pontoon for reef presentation, buffet lunch, underwater observatory, snorkelling and glass-bottom boat. Return to Cairns; free evening. Optional visit to Cairns Night Market.

    Meals: Breakfast

  8. Day 8overnight: Cairns

    Relaxing in tropical Cairns

    Free day. Options include the hotel pool and spa, the Lagoon saltwater swimming pool on the Esplanade, Cairns Art Gallery, Cairns Museum, Cairns Aquarium, or nearby beaches. Dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  9. Day 9overnight: Sydney

    Travelling to Sydney

    After breakfast, transfer to airport for mid-day flight to Sydney. Arrive late afternoon; transferred to hotel on Darling Harbour. Free evening to explore and dine independently. Note: for 20th October departure, hotel is Novotel Sydney Darling Square.

    Meals: Breakfast

  10. Day 10overnight: Sydney

    Sydney's iconic sights

    Comprehensive coach tour of Sydney and eastern suburbs: Mrs Macquarie's Chair, The Rocks, Circular Quay, Watson's Bay, Bondi Beach (free time for lunch). Evening dinner cruise on Sydney Harbour, viewing the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge with dinner and live music.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  11. Day 11overnight: Sydney

    A free day in cultural Sydney

    Free day to explore. Options include Westfield or Queen Victoria Building shopping, Chinese Garden, The Rocks, Museum of Contemporary Art, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney Opera House, or the revolving restaurant in Sydney Tower Eye. Dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  12. Day 12overnight: Queenstown

    Flying in to Queenstown, New Zealand

    Early transfer to Sydney airport for flight to Queenstown on New Zealand's South Island. Transfer to hotel on arrival. Dinner together in the on-site restaurant.

    Meals: Dinner

  13. Day 13overnight: Queenstown

    Fiordland National Park and cruise on Milford Sound

    Early start for full-day coach excursion into Fiordland National Park. Cruise on Milford Sound from Mitre Peak to the Tasman Sea with picnic lunch on board. Watch for seals and dolphins. Return to Queenstown via Cleddau Bridge viewpoint, Eglinton Valley and Homer Tunnel. Free to dine locally or at hotel.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

  14. Day 14overnight: Queenstown

    Queenstown at your own pace

    Full free day in the 'adventure capital of the world'. Options include Queenstown Gardens, boutique shops, art galleries, jet boat rides, 4x4 tours, winery visits in the Central Otago wine region. Dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  15. Day 15overnight: Franz Josef

    Franz Josef Glacier via glacial lakes and mountain passes

    Coach journey through Kawarau Valley Gorge to Cromwell, stop at Jones Family Fruit Stall, around Lake Dunstan, past Wanaka and Hawea glacial lakes, over Haast Mountain Pass through the Southern Alps, north through rainforest to Franz Josef. Check in to hotel in sight of the glacier. Free afternoon; optional helicopter tour (payable locally). Dinner together.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  16. Day 16railovernight: Christchurch

    The TranzAlpine to the Southern Alps

    Depart Franz Josef by coach with alpine and Tasman Sea views. Stop in Hokitika at the Greenstone Factory to see Māori-style jade jewellery crafting. Continue to Greymouth for free time through lunch. Board the TranzAlpine train at Arthur's Pass through the Southern Alps, crossing viaducts, gorges and river valleys to Christchurch. Check in to hotel; free evening.

    Meals: Breakfast

  17. Day 17overnight: Christchurch

    Getting to know Christchurch

    Panoramic coach tour of Christchurch: highlights of the rebuilt city, the cathedral, Botanic Gardens, and punting along the Avon River. Tour concludes by midday; free afternoon. Options include Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū and local dining.

    Meals: Breakfast

  18. Day 18overnight: Christchurch

    Spending a day at leisure in Christchurch

    Free day with complimentary all-day tram pass on Christchurch's heritage trams. Circuit includes Botanic Gardens, New Regent Street Precinct, The Terrace, Riverside Market, SALT District and Arts Centre. Optional Christchurch Gondola for views over the city and Southern Alps. Dine independently.

    Meals: Breakfast

  19. Day 19overnight: Auckland

    To New Zealand's North Island

    Coach transfer to airport for morning flight to Auckland. Guided coach tour en route to hotel: Bastion Point, Viaduct Harbour, Parnell Village, Auckland Museum (admission included). Check in to city centre hotel; free evening to dine locally.

    Meals: Breakfast

  20. Day 20overnight: Auckland

    A day to explore Auckland

    Free day in Auckland. Options include Viaduct Harbour, Aotea Square, Auckland Art Gallery, or a ferry excursion to Waiheke Island (payable locally). Farewell dinner at the Auckland Sky Tower with 360-degree views.

    Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

  21. Day 21overnight: In flight

    Wrapping up your New Zealand adventure

    Relaxed morning in Auckland. Around midday, coach transfer to Auckland airport. Board evening flight to Singapore or Hong Kong, then overnight flight to London Heathrow.

    Meals: Breakfast

  22. Day 22

    Homeward bound

    Arrive at London Heathrow. Free to make your way home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 4Coach journey along the Great Ocean Road past the Twelve Apostles, wild forests and the Indian Ocean.
  • Day 6Kuranda Scenic Railway through the Barron River Gorge in 125-year-old heritage carriages.
  • Day 7Full day on the Great Barrier Reef, including a visit to Green Island coral cay, snorkelling and glass-bottom boat.
  • Day 13Cruise through Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, spotting seals and dolphins beneath granite cliffs.
  • Day 16TranzAlpine train from Greymouth through the Southern Alps to Christchurch, crossing viaducts and river valleys.

Included

  • Expertise of a UK Tour Manager from start to finish
  • 19 nights' 4 & 5-Star hotel accommodation
  • Royale & Scenic Class rail travel
  • All rail, cruise and coach travel throughout the tour
  • Flights from London Heathrow to Melbourne
  • Return flights Auckland to London Heathrow
  • Flights from London Heathrow usually depart in the morning
  • All internal flights
  • 17 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 5 dinners
  • Complimentary all-day tram pass in Christchurch
  • All guided tours and excursions
  • Admission to Auckland Museum

Not included

  • Cancellation & Travel Insurance

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included in the price?
Yes. The tour includes Royale and Scenic Class rail travel on the Kuranda Scenic Railway and the TranzAlpine, plus all coach, cruise and internal flight costs. International flights from and to London Heathrow are also included.
Is this tour escorted or independent?
Great Rail Journeys operates this as a fully escorted tour. A UK Tour Manager accompanies the group from start to finish, and most sightseeing is guided by coach.
How much walking and physical activity is involved?
The tour includes guided coach tours, city exploring on free days, reef snorkelling, and a full-day Fiordland National Park excursion. There are stairs and regular luggage handling. It is not suitable for those with significant mobility constraints.
What meals are included?
Seventeen breakfasts, four lunches and five dinners are included. Many dinners and lunch breaks are left free for independent dining.
When does the tour depart?
Great Rail Journeys lists departures in February 2027, October 2027 and November 2027. Contact the operator to confirm availability and any additional dates.
What is the maximum group size?
Groups are capped at 40 passengers.

Similar journeys