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

Signature | New Zealand Up Close Tour

Premium 17-day NZ rail tour, Auckland to Queenstown, three trains

Signature | New Zealand Up Close Tour, a rail journey with Great Journeys New Zealand (KiwiRail)

Great Journeys New Zealand's Signature New Zealand Up Close tour runs 17 days from Auckland to Queenstown with a tour director throughout and a maximum group size of 20. Three named scenic trains, the Northern Explorer, the Coastal Pacific, and the TranzAlpine, all run in Scenic Plus class, linking curated stops such as a tea ceremony at Zealong Tea Estate, a Dolphin Encounter in Kaikōura, and a guided pounamu (greenstone) walk around Hokitika Gorge. After the TranzAlpine crosses the Southern Alps, the tour continues to Franz Josef, where free time and a VIP walkthrough at the West Coast Wildlife Centre precede a scenic drive over Haast Pass and a jet boat Haast River Safari into Queenstown. The final full day is a Milford Sound cruise into the fjord. The route splits after day 3 into a variant via Ohakune or via Rotorua. It suits travellers who want an extended, fully guided rail journey covering both islands in premium comfort.

What to know before you look closer

  • The route splits after day 3 into a variant via Ohakune (from NZD 15,499) or via Rotorua (from NZD 15,799), so days 4 and 5 and the final price depend on which one you book.
  • The published inclusions for this tour do not list porterage, private coach transfers, or hotel star ratings, unlike the detail given for some of Great Journeys' other tours; confirm these with the operator before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Auckland (1 night)

    Explore 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 exclusive Great Journeys cocktail.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. Day 4overnight: Tongariro National Park (Ohakune) or Rotorua (2 nights)

    Explore Tongariro National Park OR Rotorua

    Via Ohakune: Northern Explorer Scenic Plus with a mini excursion to view volcanic landscapes. Via Rotorua: coach through the Waikato and a free evening.

  5. 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.

  6. Day 6railovernight: Wellington (2 nights)

    Your scenic train journey continues

    Excursion up the northern face of Mt Ruapehu for panoramic views, then the Northern Explorer Scenic Plus continues to Wellington Railway Station.

  7. Day 7overnight: Wellington (2 nights)

    Welcome to the Capital

    Two-hour guided Wellington city tour taking in the Beehive, Parliament Buildings and Mt Victoria lookout. Hosted group dinner at a local restaurant.

  8. Day 8overnight: Blenheim, Marlborough (1 night)

    Crossing Cook Strait & wine country indulgence

    Interislander ferry crossing in the Premium Lounge with a seafarer's breakfast, then a Marlborough wine tour with a three-course lunch at Allan Scott Wines Bistro.

  9. Day 9overnight: Marlborough Sounds (1 night)

    Aviation, art & arrival in the Sounds

    Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, then a scenic water taxi into the Marlborough Sounds resort with free leisure time.

  10. Day 10railovernight: Kaikōura (1 night)

    The Coastal Pacific scenic train

    Pāua Pearl Farm tour with a morning tea and tasting, then board the Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus train to Kaikōura.

  11. 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.

  12. 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.

  13. Day 13railovernight: Hokitika / West Coast (1 night)

    West Coast to Christchurch via TranzAlpine train

    TranzAlpine Scenic Plus crossing the Southern Alps via the Otira Tunnel and Arthur's Pass, then a custom greenstone experience and guided walk around Hokitika Gorge.

  14. Day 14overnight: Franz Josef (1 night)

    Glacial wonders and Punakaiki

    VIP guided walkthrough at the West Coast Wildlife Centre for the endangered rowi kiwi. Free time in Franz Josef; four-course dinner at Te Waonui Forest Retreat.

  15. Day 15overnight: Queenstown (2 nights)

    Explore the Southern Lakes

    Haast Pass scenic drive and the Haast River Safari jet boat adventure, arriving in Queenstown. Winery dinner in the evening.

  16. Day 16overnight: Queenstown (2 nights)

    Explore Milford Sound

    Full-day excursion to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi aboard the Cruise Milford Coach service, with a boutique cruise into the fjord.

  17. Day 17

    Depart Queenstown

    Tour ends after a final breakfast; transfers to airport.

The moments this trip is built around

  • 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 seafarer's breakfast, followed by a Marlborough wine tour and lunch at Allan Scott Wines Bistro.
  • Day 11A Dolphin Encounter in Kaikōura is followed by the Coastal Pacific Scenic Plus train to Christchurch, with dinner included.
  • Day 13The TranzAlpine Scenic Plus crosses the Southern Alps via the Otira Tunnel and Arthur's Pass, followed by a guided pounamu (greenstone) walk around Hokitika Gorge.
  • Day 16A full-day excursion to Milford Sound / Piopiotahi includes a boutique cruise into the fjord.

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
  • Forgotten World garden tour and lunch
  • Wellington city tour
  • Marlborough custom wine tour
  • Pāua pearl tour with pāua tasting
  • Dolphin Encounter in Kaikōura
  • Guided Pounamu experience including Hokitika Gorge Walk
  • Haast River Safari
  • VIP West Coast Wildlife Centre guided walkthrough of Kiwi
  • Milford Sound day tour and cruise
  • Three world-class scenic train journeys including Scenic Plus dining experience
  • 16 breakfasts
  • 2 lunches
  • 8 dinners
  • 5 meals on the train
  • 4-5 star hotel accommodation, 16 nights, twin share
  • Private coaches and shuttles (excluding airport arrival)
  • Porterage at selected locations

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes, three Scenic Plus rail journeys are included: the Northern Explorer (Auckland to Wellington), the Coastal Pacific (Marlborough to Christchurch via Kaikōura), and the TranzAlpine (Christchurch to Greymouth across the Southern Alps).
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, the Coastal Pacific, and the TranzAlpine, all in Scenic Plus class.
What accommodation is included?
Boutique-style accommodation for 16 nights, including named properties such as the Marlborough Sounds Resort (Portage Resort) and Te Waonui Forest Retreat in Franz Josef.
When does this tour run?
Departures run from October 2026 through April 2027, with 12 scheduled departures, priced from NZD 15,499 via Ohakune or NZD 15,799 via Rotorua (about USD 8,850 from-price).
What is not included?
The evidence does not list porterage, private coach transfers, or meals beyond the 16 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 8 dinners stated.

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