APT (APT Travel Group) · Rail Tour

New Zealand Rail and Cruise Discovery

19-day escorted New Zealand tour on three named scenic trains and fiord cruises

New Zealand Rail and Cruise Discovery, a rail journey with APT (APT Travel Group)

APT runs this 19-day escorted rail tour across New Zealand's South and North Islands, from Christchurch to Auckland, with an APT Tour Director, driver and local guides throughout. Three named trains anchor the trip: the TranzAlpine crosses the Southern Alps alongside the Waimakariri River to Greymouth, the Coastal Pacific runs from Christchurch to Picton through the Marlborough Sounds, and a heritage ride on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway comes near the end in Auckland. Between the train days, the itinerary reaches Queenstown, a cruise into Milford Sound, an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound, Dunedin, a stay at the Hermitage Hotel near Aoraki/Mount Cook, Wellington, Taupō and Rotorua, where Te Pā Tū offers a Māori feast and haka performance. It suits travellers who want a long, fully guided tour of New Zealand built around several of the country's most scenic rail journeys and fiord cruises, rather than a single point-to-point train trip.

What to know before you look closer

  • Most days in the evidence are listed only as place names with a 'Freedom of Choice' or 'Signature Experience' tag, rather than a description of the specific activities; confirm day-by-day inclusions with APT before booking.
  • The evidence does not include a price for this tour; confirm current pricing and departure dates with APT.
  • Flights are not included; the price covers land, rail and cruise only.

Day by day

  1. Day 1

    Arrive Christchurch

    Signature Experience

  2. Day 2

    Christchurch

    Freedom of Choice

  3. Day 3rail

    Christchurch, TranzAlpine Train, Greymouth, Franz Josef/Waiau

    Signature Experience

  4. Day 4

    Franz Josef/Waiau, Queenstown

  5. Day 5

    Queenstown

    Freedom of Choice

  6. Day 6

    Queenstown, Milford Sound/Piopiotahi, Te Anau

    Signature Experience

  7. Day 7

    Te Anau, Doubtful Sound/Patea

    Signature Experience

  8. Day 8

    Doubtful Sound/Patea, Invercargill

  9. Day 9

    Invercargill

    Freedom of Choice

  10. Day 10

    Invercargill, Dunedin

    Signature Experience

  11. Day 11

    Dunedin, Aoraki/Mount Cook

    Signature Experience

  12. Day 12

    Aoraki/Mount Cook, Christchurch

  13. Day 13rail

    Coastal Pacific Train, Picton, Interislander Ferry, Wellington

    Signature Experience

  14. Day 14

    Wellington

    Freedom of Choice

  15. Day 15

    Wellington, Taupō, Rotorua

  16. Day 16

    Rotorua

    Signature Experience

  17. Day 17rail

    Rotorua, Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Auckland

    Signature Experience

  18. Day 18

    Auckland

    Freedom of Choice

  19. Day 19

    Depart Auckland

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 3The TranzAlpine crosses the Southern Alps alongside the Waimakariri River from Christchurch to Greymouth, on what the operator calls one of the world's most scenic rail routes.
  • Day 6A cruise into Milford Sound/Piopiotahi passes snow-dusted mountains, waterfalls and colonies of seals and penguins beneath towering peaks.
  • Day 7An overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound/Patea, the deepest of New Zealand's 14 fiords, explores rugged peaks, hidden islets and rainforests.
  • Day 11The journey reaches Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park, home to New Zealand's tallest mountain, with a stay at the Hermitage Hotel.
  • Day 13The Coastal Pacific train runs from Christchurch to Picton through the Marlborough Sounds region, followed by the Interislander Ferry to Wellington.

Included

  • Experiences in 16 destinations
  • 18 nights in hand-picked accommodation
  • Locally inspired dining, a total of 30 meals
  • Services of an APT Tour Director and driver, plus expert local guides
  • Freedom of Choice inclusions in six locations
  • Savour a unique drinks and canapé experience on the Christchurch Tramway, New Zealand's only dining tramcar
  • Delight in a unique, interactive dining experience at Cordis Hotel's Eight Restaurant during a farewell dinner
  • Encounter the Southern Ocean's wildlife during a thrilling Monarch Wildlife Cruise in Dunedin

Not included

  • Flights (prices are for land, rail and cruise only, unless specified)

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included?
Yes. The tour includes the TranzAlpine (Christchurch to Greymouth across the Southern Alps), the Coastal Pacific (Christchurch to Picton), and a heritage ride on the Glenbrook Vintage Railway near Auckland.
Is this trip escorted or independent?
It's escorted throughout by an APT Tour Director and driver, plus expert local guides.
Which trains are used?
The TranzAlpine, the Coastal Pacific, and the Glenbrook Vintage Railway heritage steam train.
What is included?
18 nights of hand-picked accommodation, 30 meals, experiences in 16 destinations, and the services of an APT Tour Director, driver and local guides.
What is not included?
Flights; the price covers land, rail and cruise only.
Where does the tour stay?
Named accommodation includes the Hermitage Hotel at Aoraki/Mount Cook and the Cordis Hotel in Auckland, where a farewell dinner is held at the Eight Restaurant.

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