Is train travel included?

Yes, two Scenic Plus rail journeys are included: the Northern Explorer (Auckland to Wellington) and the Coastal Pacific (Marlborough to Christchurch via Kaikōura), with 4 meals served on board.

Is this tour escorted or independent?

It is a fully guided, small-group escorted tour, capped at 20 travellers, with an experienced tour director throughout.

Which trains are used?

The Northern Explorer and the Coastal Pacific, both in Scenic Plus class.

What hotels are included?

4-5 star hotels for 12 nights, twin share, across Auckland, Hamilton (2 nights), Tongariro National Park/Ohakune or Rotorua (2 nights), Wellington (2 nights), Blenheim, Marlborough Sounds, Kaikōura, and Christchurch (2 nights).

When does this tour run?

Departures run in February 2026 and from October 2026 through April 2027, with 12 scheduled departures, priced from NZD 10,749 via Ohakune or NZD 11,249 via Rotorua (about USD 6,138 from-price).

What is not included?

Airport arrival transfers are not included, and porterage is included only at selected locations.

Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail) · Escorted tour (premium / small group)

Signature | Cities and Seas Tour

Premium 13-day NZ rail tour, Auckland to Christchurch, two islands

Great Journeys New Zealand's Signature Cities and Seas tour is a premium, small-group version of its rail journeys across New Zealand, running 13 days from Auckland to Christchurch with a tour director throughout and a maximum group size of 20. Two named scenic trains, the Northern Explorer and the Coastal Pacific, run in the operator's premium Scenic Plus class, with curated stops along the way: a tea ceremony and Signature High Tea at the Zealong Tea Estate near Hamilton, the Waitomo Glowworm Caves, and an excursion up the northern face of Mt Ruapehu before Wellington. After Wellington, the Interislander ferry crosses Cook Strait in its Premium Lounge, followed by a Marlborough wine tour, a water taxi cruise into the Marlborough Sounds, and a Dolphin Encounter in Kaikōura before the Coastal Pacific completes the journey to Christchurch. The route splits after day 3 into a variant via Ohakune or via Rotorua. It suits travellers who want a premium, fully guided rail journey across New Zealand's North and South Islands with 4-5 star hotels and curated dining.

What to know before you look closer

Private coaches and shuttles are included between tour stops, but airport arrival transfers are excluded.
The route splits after day 3 into a variant via Ohakune (from NZD 10,749) or via Rotorua (from NZD 11,249), so day 4 and day 5 activities and the final price depend on which one you book.
Porterage is included only at selected locations, not across all 12 nights.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Auckland (1 night)
Welcome to Auckland
Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand's City of Sails. Check in and explore the Sky Tower or Queen Street. Tour begins this evening with a welcome dinner and cocktail.
Day 2railovernight: Hamilton (2 nights)
The Northern Explorer scenic train
Board the Northern Explorer Scenic Plus carriage to Hamilton, then visit the Zealong Tea Estate for a guided tour, tea ceremony and Signature High Tea. Evening Raglan sunset dinner cruise.
Day 3overnight: Hamilton (2 nights)
Discover endangered and bioluminescent species
Bespoke tour of Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, lunch stop in Otorohanga, then the Waitomo Glowworm Caves. Free evening in Hamilton.
Day 4overnight: Tongariro National Park (Ohakune) or Rotorua (2 nights)
Explore Tongariro National Park OR Rotorua
Via Ohakune: Northern Explorer Scenic Plus to Ohakune with a mini excursion to view volcanic landscapes. Via Rotorua: coach to Rotorua and a free evening.
Day 5overnight: Tongariro National Park (Ohakune) or Rotorua (2 nights)
Explore Tongariro National Park or Rotorua
Via Ohakune: Taumarunui, Forgotten World gardens and lunch at Omaka Lodge. Via Rotorua: Redwoods Treewalk and a Te Pā Tū cultural dinner experience.
Day 6railovernight: Wellington (2 nights)
The Northern Explorer scenic train
Excursion up the northern face of Mt Ruapehu for panoramic views, then the Northern Explorer Scenic Plus continues to Wellington Railway Station.
Day 7overnight: Wellington (2 nights)
Explore Wellington
Wellington city introduction tour, Cuba Street, Te Papa Museum, Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary. Group dinner in the evening.
Day 8overnight: Blenheim, Marlborough (1 night)
Cross the Cook Strait in style
Interislander ferry crossing in the Premium Lounge with a seafaring breakfast, then a Marlborough wine tour with a three-course lunch at Allan Scott Wines Bistro.
Day 9overnight: Marlborough Sounds (1 night)
Marlborough Sounds
Omaka Aviation Museum tour, then a water taxi cruise into the outer Marlborough Sounds with free leisure time.
Day 10railovernight: Kaikōura (1 night)
Coastal Pacific scenic train
Pāua Pearl Farm tour with a tasting, then board the Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus train to Kaikōura.
Day 11railovernight: Christchurch (2 nights)
Explore Kaikōura
Dolphin Encounter experience in Kaikōura, then the Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus train continues to Christchurch with dinner included.
Day 12overnight: Christchurch (2 nights)
Explore Christchurch
Hop-On Hop-Off Tram, a custom walking tour with a Great Journeys New Zealand guide, and dinner at Earl restaurant.
Day 13
Departing Christchurch
Tour ends after a final breakfast; transfer to airport.

The moments this trip is built around

Day 2The Northern Explorer's Scenic Plus carriage runs to Hamilton, followed by a tea ceremony and Signature High Tea at Zealong Tea Estate.
Day 6An excursion up the northern face of Mt Ruapehu gives panoramic views before the Northern Explorer Scenic Plus continues to Wellington.
Day 8The Interislander crosses Cook Strait in the Premium Lounge with a seafaring breakfast, followed by a Marlborough wine tour and lunch at Allan Scott Wines Bistro.
Day 10A Pāua Pearl Farm tour and tasting precedes boarding the Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus train to Kaikōura.
Day 11A Dolphin Encounter in Kaikōura is followed by the Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus train to Christchurch, with dinner included.

Included

Experienced tour director
Raglan dinner cruise
Sanctuary Mountain custom wildlife experience
Zealong Tea Estate tour, tea ceremony & Signature high tea
Waitomo Caves glowworm tour
Marlborough wine tour custom experience
Pāua Pearl tour with pāua tasting
Dolphin Encounter in Kaikōura
Two world-class Scenic train journeys including Scenic Plus dining experience
Cook Strait ferry crossing in Premium Lounge
12 breakfasts
1 picnic lunch
6 dinners
4 meals on the train
4-5 star hotel accommodation, 12 nights, twin share
Private coaches and shuttles (excluding airport arrival)
Porterage at selected locations

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes, two Scenic Plus rail journeys are included: the Northern Explorer (Auckland to Wellington) and the Coastal Pacific (Marlborough to Christchurch via Kaikōura), with 4 meals served on board.
Is this tour escorted or independent?: It is a fully guided, small-group escorted tour, capped at 20 travellers, with an experienced tour director throughout.
Which trains are used?: The Northern Explorer and the Coastal Pacific, both in Scenic Plus class.
What hotels are included?: 4-5 star hotels for 12 nights, twin share, across Auckland, Hamilton (2 nights), Tongariro National Park/Ohakune or Rotorua (2 nights), Wellington (2 nights), Blenheim, Marlborough Sounds, Kaikōura, and Christchurch (2 nights).
When does this tour run?: Departures run in February 2026 and from October 2026 through April 2027, with 12 scheduled departures, priced from NZD 10,749 via Ohakune or NZD 11,249 via Rotorua (about USD 6,138 from-price).
What is not included?: Airport arrival transfers are not included, and porterage is included only at selected locations.