New Zealand’s train journeys unlock a hidden dimension of travel. Forget the limitations of the road; here, panoramic windows become your portal to a breathtaking spectacle. Imagine emerald valleys unfolding, snow-capped peaks scraping the sky, and coastlines shimmering in the sun – all while gliding comfortably in your seat.
Auckland – Hobbiton – Rotorua – Wellington – Picton – Christchurch – Greymouth – Franz Josef – Queenstown – Milford Sound – Mount Cook – Tekapo – Christchurch
On arrival, you will be met and privately transferred to your accommodation. Auckland is New Zealand’s largest city, set between two harbors with gentle sandy shores on the east coast and black sand, wild surf beaches on the west coast. Home to sheltered, sparkling blue waters dotted with beautiful emerald islands
Overnight: Auckland
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES:
Auckland Sky Tower
Orbit Restaurant Sky Tower
Auckland Harbour Dinner Cruise
Weta Workshop Unleashed Tour
Today’s coach tour takes you through the rolling green hills to the iconic Hobbiton Movie Set, one of New Zealand’s ‘must-see’ destinations. See where the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies were filmed as your tour guide shares behind-the-scenes tales. You’ll see sights like Hobbit Holes, the Mill, and The Green Dragon Inn, and learn how farmland was transformed into a living, breathing piece of Middle-earth. After exploring Hobbiton, tuck into a delicious lunch before continuing to Rotorua.
Overnight: Rotorua
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Hobbiton Movie Set Tour
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Redwoods Nightlights
Polynesian Spa Deluxe Lake Spa
Rotorua is surrounded by a fascinating geothermal landscape with its unique steam vents, spouting geysers, and bubbling mud pool set alongside freshwater lakes and majestic native forests. It is also a region immersed in fascinating Maori myths and legends. This morning you will be transported to Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland for a two-hour visit. Wai-O-Tapu is considered to be New Zealand’s most colorful and diverse geothermal sightseeing attraction. This evening you’ll be transported to Te Puia for an Indigenous Evening Experience including a buffet dinner and cultural performance. The evening culminates with hot chocolate and pudding on the geyser terrace.
Overnight: Rotorua
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland Admission
Te Po Indigenous Evening Experience
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Gondola Ride
You’ll be transferred to Hamilton to connect with the Northern Explorer train to Wellington. Experience the extremes of New Zealand’s scenery, from fertile farmlands to the volcanic peaks and sparkling coast. Journey through Tongariro National Park, with its three spectacular volcanic mountains, is a highlight, a place of extremes and surprises, where snow-blanketed fields, ancient lava flows, and dense beech forests can be seen side by side.
Overnight: Wellington
Set between a sparkling harbor and rolling green hills the compact city of Wellington is best explored on foot. Great shopping, arts culture, cafes, and restaurants are all within minutes of the city’s untouched nature spots. Make your way around the city to experience a charming cable car ride, enjoy stunning city and harbor views, and visit Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum.
Overnight: Wellington
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Te Papa Museum of New Zealand
Wellington Cable Car Return Trip
New Zealand’s North and South Islands are separated by three hours of sensational scenery and fresh ocean air. Transfer to Wellington Ferry Terminal where your ship will ferry you across the Cook Strait, past the beautiful beaches, bays, and coves of the Marlborough Sounds to the historic port town of Picton. Here, you’ll be met and transferred to the train station to climb aboard one of the most picturesque journeys on New Zealand railways.
Meandering along the Pacific Coast the Coastal Pacific Train journeys breathtakingly close to the sea, where the roaring Pacific Ocean meets the rising Kaikoura mountains. Explore the stunning Kaikōura Coastline, famous for its marine life and whale watching. Travel through vineyards and idyllic countryside. The Coastal Pacific train takes you along rugged coastlines, across remote beaches, and between mountains and sea, on a timeless journey of breathtaking beauty.
Overnight: Kaikoura
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
North to South Island Ferry Crossing
The seaside settlement of Kaikoura is set midway and overlooked by majestic mountains. The unique marine geography at this location provides the perfect environment for Sperm Whales and other marine life.
This afternoon you’ll be transferred to Kaikoura Railway Station for the next section of the Coastal Pacific Train Journey into Christchurch. Christchurch is set between the deep blue Pacific Ocean and the mighty snow-capped Southern Alps. This is a vibrant, ever-changing city with inner city parks and gardens delightfully interwoven by the meandering Avon River.
Overnight: Christchurch
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Whale Watch Tour – Ocean Cabin
Enjoy a half-day city sightseeing tour around the historical and scenic sights of Christchurch. View grand architecture, beautiful gardens, and stunning scenery on a morning or afternoon tour. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Overnight: Christchurch
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Christchurch Tram Dinner
Today you will be transported to the Christchurch Railway Station for the Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Journey. Crossing from coast to coast in New Zealand’s South Island, the TranzAlpine is one of the world’s most spectacular train journeys. Cross fertile farmlands and enjoy the majesty of the chiseled alpine landscape as you travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River and through miles of unique native beech forests. Witness epic vistas and the striking beauty of the mighty Southern Alps. On arrival in Greymouth, you will be met and transferred to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Blowholes for a short self-guided walk to view the fascinating pancake-shaped rock formations before being delivered to your accommodation.
Overnight: Greymouth
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Journey
Punakaiki Rocks and Blowholes
This morning, you’ll be transferred to Shantytown Heritage Park for a sense of what it was like to live in New Zealand during the gold rush before returning to Greymouth for your transfer to Glacier Country. The temperate climate at a low altitude makes Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers among the most convenient to visit in the world. Steep valleys bear scars from where glaciers have retreated and advanced over millennia and here, the ice age is still underway.
Overnight: Franz Josef
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Shantytown Experience
This morning you will be collected from your accommodation for your transfer through wilderness towns, waterfalls, and river scenery on the journey to Queenstown. Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Gondola Ride
Original Onsen Exclusive Indoor Pool
Fiordland is one of the world’s last great wildernesses. Today’s stunning tour takes you past mirror lakes and waterfalls into Milford Sound, carved by ice age glaciers and famously described as the world’s eighth wonder. On arrival, board your vessel for a cruise of the fiord surrounded by towering mountains and cliffs that plunge into the sea. Feel the refreshing spray of a waterfall as you cruise close to sheer rock faces before returning to shore. After a big day out, reflect on memories of a lifetime on your coach’s return to Queenstown. Overnight: Queenstown
INCLUDED ACTIVITIES
Milford Sound Coach & Cruise ex Queenstown
Magnificent vistas and majestic mountains dominate this compact alpine resort town and with such an expansive natural physical environment it is not surprising that Queenstown has been described as the Adventure Capital of the World.
Today is a free day to add some of the endless optional activities Queenstown has to offer. Overnight: Queenstown
OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES
Essential Queenstown 4WD Tour + Shotover Jet
Today’s journey departs Queenstown through the stunning Kawarau Gorge and the fruit and wine-growing region of Cromwell. The journey follows beautiful Lake Dunstan and meanders through the dramatic Lindis Pass. Travel the vast plains of the Mackenzie district, alongside magnificent turquoise blue lakes, framed by Aoraki Mt Cook and the spectacular Southern Alps to Mt Cook Village where you have some free time. Leaving Mt Cook it’s not hard to see why many Lord of the Rings scenes were filmed nearby. Make a stop close to the popular Church of the Good Shepherd sitting in solitude on the banks of Lake Tekapo before continuing through the amazing countryside to Christchurch.
Overnight: Christchurch
Arrangements conclude today with a departure transfer to Christchurch Airport.
Included in this 15 Day Great New Zealand Train Journey:
* Exclusive Meet & Greet Arrival Transfer
* 14 Nights Accommodation
* Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Banquet Feast
* Wai-O-Tapu Geothermal Wonderland
* Te Po Indigenous Evening Experience
* Northern Explorer Scenic Train Journey
* Te Papa National Museum of Wellington
* Wellington Cable Car return ride
* Inter-Island Ferry Crossing
* Coastal Pacific Scenic Train Journey
* Christchurch City Sightseeing
* Tranz Alpine Scenic Train Journey
* Punakaiki Pancake Rocks & Blowholes
* Shantytown Heritage Park
* Milford Sound Tour with Cruise & Lunch
* CBD pick up/drop off transfers
* Airport Transfer
