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Railbookers · Independent rail vacation

Kiwi Explorer

11-day rail and coach tour across New Zealand's North and South Islands

Illustration of Kiwi Explorer

Railbookers operates this 11-day, 10-night independent rail vacation across New Zealand's North and South Islands, running from Auckland to Christchurch by way of Wellington, Franz Josef, and Queenstown. Three named scenic services anchor the route: the Northern Explorer crosses the Raurimu Spiral and Tongariro National Park to Wellington, the Interislander ferry and Coastal Pacific train cross Cook Strait and the coastline to Christchurch, and the TranzAlpine crosses the Southern Alps through the Otira Tunnel to Franz Josef Glacier. Small-group tours are included at Waitomo Caves, Te Papa museum in Wellington, Queenstown, and a three-hour cruise of the remote Doubtful Sound in Fiordland. Some legs, including Franz Josef to Queenstown and the day trip to Mount Cook, travel by coach rather than train. With three-night stays in Queenstown and two-night stays in Auckland and Wellington, the trip mixes settled city time with day trips built around New Zealand's mountains, glaciers, and fiords, suiting travelers who want a comprehensive rail-and-coach tour of both islands.

What to know before you look closer

  • Despite being sold as a rail vacation, several touring days use a coach rather than a train: the Rotorua day trip, Franz Josef to Queenstown, the Doubtful Sound day trip, and the return to Christchurch via Mount Cook.
  • Hotels are listed under 'Accommodation Options' for the Auckland and Rotorua area, Wellington, and Franz Josef, so the specific property depends on the tier booked.
  • Lunch at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park on day 10 is at your own cost, not included in the trip price.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Overnight Auckland

    Auckland

    Welcome to New Zealand! On arrival you will be met at the airport by a private driver and taken to your hotel to check in. Once settled, head out to enjoy this vibrant and beautiful city.

  2. Day 2overnight: Overnight Auckland

    Rotorua Day Trip

    This morning depart Auckland by coach and travel south over the Bombay Hills into the fertile farmlands of the Waikato Valley to Waitomo for a guided tour of the famous Waitomo Caves to discover an ancient underground labyrinth of limestone caves and grottos. See the fascinating limestone formations of stalagmites, stalactites, and columns that have formed over thousands of years then enjoy a silent boat ride on an underground river into the starry wonderland of the magnificent Glow-worm Grotto. Later this morning continue across picturesque farmland and over the bush-clad Mamaku Ranges to the thermal wonderland of Rotorua. On arrival see New Zealand's agricultural industry in action with a sheep shearing display and sheep dog trials at the Agrodome, plus an organic farm tour. Then continue to Te Puia with its geysers and boiling mud pools for which this thermal area is famous. Following your guided tour of Te Puia, sit back and enjoy a Maori cultural performance. Return to Auckland in the late afternoon. The tour includes a morning snack, lunch, and afternoon snack all served on board the coach.

  3. Day 3rail

    Auckland to Wellington

    This morning you are transferred to the train station and depart Auckland on the Northern Explorer Train.* Enjoy a full day of travel through the rolling countryside of the Central North Island, over the Raurimu Spiral (an engineering feat of its time), past the three volcanic mountains of the Tongariro National Park, and across the Central Plateau then through the farmlands of the Manawatu Region and on to Wellington, the capital city and Seat of Parliament. Upon arrival you will be transferred to your hotel, then head out to enjoy your evening. (Overnight Wellington) B **Please note that the Northern Explorer only operates on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday.

  4. Day 4overnight: Overnight Wellington

    Wellington

    Enjoy a 1 hour guided tour of Te Papa - New Zealand's National Museum viewing the highlights related to New Zealand's history and natural environment, including the colossal squid. Then enjoy your day exploring this historic city. You may wish to ride the Cable Car to Kelburn then stroll through the Botanical Gardens and Lady Norwood Rose Garden, join a walking tour that takes you to some of the best cafés and coffee houses the city has to offer, visit Katherine Mansfield's birthplace, take a tour of Parliament Buildings. There are also guided tours to places of interest and history, the Seal Colony or Lord of the Rings sites used in the movie trilogy.

  5. Day 5rail

    Wellington to Christchurch

    Following breakfast, you are transferred to the ferry terminal for one of the most beautiful boat journeys in the world. The Interislander crossing from Wellington to Picton on the South Island navigates the Cook Strait and the scenic Queen Charlotte Sound in roughly 3.5 hours. On arrival, there is plenty of time to board the famous Tranz Coastal Pacific Train* south. The tracks run along a thin ledge of land pinned between the blue waters of the Pacific Ocean and the rugged ranges to Kaikoura, where the mountains meet the sea then travel across the farmlands of the North Canterbury Plains and the Waipara wine district, where the microclimate of the area makes it ideal for growing grapes. On arrival, you will be taken from the station to your hotel by shared transfer to enjoy your evening. (Overnight Christchurch) B **The Coastal Pacific is a seasonal train, running from Spring (October) through to Autumn (April). Between April-October, the rail service will be replaced by coach.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Overnight Franz Josef

    Christchurch to Franz Josef

    After breakfast, you are transferred to the station from where you will depart onboard the TranzAlpine train for a scenic rail journey through the splendor of the Southern Alps to the West Coast. Travel over gorges on viaducts that were an engineering feat of their time then after a short stop at Arthur's Pass, pass through the 8kms Otira Tunnel continuing to the gold and coal mining town of Greymouth. Here, you change onto a scheduled coach service to Franz Josef. The journey takes you along the Tasman coastline to the west and the Southern Alps rising to the east. The landscape is dominated by the national park's two largest glaciers, Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier, the only glaciers in the world that descend into lowland rainforests.

  7. Day 7overnight: Overnight Queenstown

    Franz Josef to Queenstown

    Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before departing Franz Josef by public scheduled coach service to Queenstown. Travel south through the dense South Westland forests crossing fast-running streams and pretty bush-fringed lakes. At Haast, the road turns inland crossing the Southern Alps via the Haast Pass and skirts glacial Lake Wanaka and then Lake Hawea. On a clear day, there are splendid views across the lake to Mt Aspiring. Travel through the Central Otago sheep, cattle, and fruit growing area, and the scene of a major gold rush last century. Continue through the rock-hewn Kawarau Gorge to the resort town of Queenstown. On arrival transfer to your hotel to settle in, then enjoy the evening exploring.

  8. Day 8overnight: Overnight Queenstown

    Queenstown

    Learn more about this picturesque town on a small group tour this morning, including the climb up Queenstown Hill for some breathtaking panoramic views, then enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

  9. Day 9

    Doubtful Sound Day Trip

    Depart Queenstown by coach to Manapouri. Cruise across the crystal waters of Lake Manapouri to West Arm before boarding a coach and crossing the alpine route of Wilmot Pass through some of Fiordland's most dense rainforest. On reaching Deep Cove, board a modern catamaran vessel, the Patea Explorer for a three-hour cruise exploring the waterways of this serene and isolated fiord. There is plenty of time available to explore points of interest and view the spectacular alpine scenery including waterfalls, rainforests, and mountains out to the Tasman Sea. Return to Queenstown in the early evening and enjoy your final night here. (Overnight Queenstown) B,

  10. Day 10overnight: Overnight Christchurch

    Queenstown/Mount Cook and Christchurch

    Setting off from Queenstown this morning, you will travel by luxury air-conditioned coach through ruggedly beautiful landscape and over the Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Country. When you arrive at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's highest mountain, there is time to stop for lunch (own cost) and a chance to enjoy the amazing alpine scenery. According to Maori legend, the boy Aoraki and his brothers once hit a reef in their canoe. When they climbed to the higher side of the tilting vessel, the cold south wind froze them, turning them into stone. Aoraki and family now form the Southern Alps, which you will see in all their glory on this tour. During your stop at Mount Cook Village, there is also the opportunity to take a scenic flight over this spectacular region (additional cost, weather permitting - this flight can be arranged with your driver guide on the day). In the afternoon, travel past Lake Pukaki to Lake Tekapo, where you can view the solitary Church of the Good Shepherd against the backdrop of this vivid blue glacier-fed lake. Continue through the diverse farmland of the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch, the Garden City, where your tour concludes.

  11. Day 11

    End Of Tour

    Following breakfast, you will be taken to the airport by private car for your flight home.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The Northern Explorer train crosses the Raurimu Spiral and passes the three volcanic mountains of Tongariro National Park en route to Wellington.
  • Day 5The Interislander ferry crosses Cook Strait and the Queen Charlotte Sound before the Coastal Pacific train continues south along the coastline.
  • Day 6The TranzAlpine train crosses the Southern Alps via the 8km Otira Tunnel, arriving in the shadow of the Franz Josef Glacier.
  • Day 8A small group tour climbs Queenstown Hill for panoramic views over the town.
  • Day 9A cruise across Lake Manapouri and through Fiordland's rainforest leads to a three-hour catamaran cruise of the remote Doubtful Sound.

Included

  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Auckland
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Wellington
  • 2 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Christchurch
  • 1 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Franz Josef
  • 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast in Queenstown All rail and coach journeys as per the itinerary All hotel and station transfers as per the itinerary Seats aboard the Interislander ferry from Wellington to Picton Small group day trip from Auckland to Rotorua and Waitomo Caves One Hour guided tour of Te Papa in Wellington Small group morning city tour of Queenstown Small group day trip to Doubtful Sound Private airport transfers

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes, rail travel is included on named scenic services: the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington, the Interislander ferry and Coastal Pacific train from Wellington to Christchurch, and the TranzAlpine from Christchurch toward Franz Josef. Several other legs, including Franz Josef to Queenstown and the Doubtful Sound day trip, are by coach.
Is this a guided tour or independent travel?
It is an independent rail vacation from Railbookers, with small-group guided tours included for Waitomo Caves, Te Papa museum, Queenstown, and Doubtful Sound, and free time on other days.
Which places does the trip visit?
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Franz Josef, and Queenstown, with a return through Mount Cook to Christchurch at the end.
What hotels are used?
The evidence names the Pullman in the Auckland and Rotorua area, the CityLife Hotel in Wellington, and the Scenic Hotel in Franz Josef, listed alongside other accommodation options. The final hotel depends on the tier booked.
How much does the trip cost?
Prices start from $6,109 per person, which works out to about $555 per day.
What is not included?
Lunch at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park on day 10 is at your own cost.

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