New Zealand Grand Rail Experience

15 days/14 nights - Auckland to Christchurch

With seven spectacular scenic rail excursions, the 15-day Great Rail Experience is not to be missed. The Overlander Train journeys through the heart of the North Island, traveling from Auckland, to the ski towns of Tongariro National Park and Ohakune. Travel aboard the TranzCoastal between the delightful port of Picton and Christchurch. This journey is a scenic feast, with the Kaikoura Mountain Ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other.

The TranzAlpine is rated one of the world’s greatest rail journeys traveling between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of the South Island to the other. From your carriage you will see the fields of the Canterbury Plains, followed by spectacular gorges and river valleys. Your train then climbs into the Southern Alps before descending through lush rain forest to the West Coast town of Greymouth.

Day 1: Arrive Auckland, Exclusive Experiences
On arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Choose an activity and we will include it! Perhaps visit Auckland’s Maritime Museum or cruise on Waitemata Harbour. Adventure Options are also available.
Accommodation: Auckland, Sky City Hotel.

Day 2: The Overlander, Rotorua Theme Dinner (BD)
This morning we board the Overlander Train and journey to Otorohanga. Continue to Waitomo Caves by coach and enjoy an underground tour of this lime-stone and glow-worm grotto. Journey to geothermal Rotorua. Tonight enjoy a Maori Hangi (feast) and cultural performance of song and dance.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Rotorua, Park Heritage Hotel.

Day 3: Rotorua, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
Today you choose an activity and we will include it! Perhaps experience Rotorua’s ‘Must See Three’ activities; Te Puia Thermal Reserve; Rainbow Springs Nature Park and the Agrodome for a sheep shearing display.
Accommodation: Choose to stay in a Country Homestay tonight!

Day 4: The Overlander, Tongariro National Park (BD)
Travel to Te Kuiti by coach and join the Overlander Train for a rail journey through the heart of the North Island. Travel over the world-renowned Raurimu Spiral. Spend this evening in World Heritage-listed Tongariro National Park.
Accommodation: Tongariro National Park, Chateau Tongariro.

Day 5: TranzMetro, Wellington (BD)
This morning we head south through Taihape to the Wairarapa region and onward to the small township of Featherston. Here we visit the Fell Locomotive Museum and board the TranzMetro Train for our short but scenic journey to Wellington, the Nations capital city.
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Wellington, James Cook Grand Chancellor.

Day 6: Wellington At Leisure (B)
Today we take a short stroll to the Wellington Cable Car. Ascend to the top and perhaps visit the Cable Car Museum. Rejoin your coach and journey to Mt Victoria for the best view of the city. Continue onto Te Papa, the National Museum of New Zealand.

Day 7: Wellington, TranzCoastal, Christchurch (BD)
This morning we join our cruise for a journey between the North and South Islands. Travel across Cook Strait and through the picturesque Marlborough Sounds to Picton. On arrival join the TranzCoastal Train for a scenic journey between mountains and sea. Continue to Christchurch, South Island’s largest city.
Accommodation: Accommodation Christchurch, Holiday Inn City Centre.

Day 8: TranzAlpine, Franz Josef (BD)
This morning board the award-winning TranzAlpine Train, voted one of the top rail journeys in the world. Travel through spectacular gorges, river valleys and across the country’s greatest mountain range, the Southern Alps. Disembark at Greymouth and continue to Franz Josef and Te Wahipounamu, South West New Zealand.
Accommodation: Franz Josef, Franz Josef Glacier Hotel.

Day 9: Franz Josef, Queenstown Dine About (BD)
Enjoy incredible scenery today as we leave this World Heritage-listed area. See spectacular mountain ranges, untouched native forests, lakes and glaciers. Journey along the shores of beautiful Lakes Wanaka and Hawea. Travel to the year-round, ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown. Tonight enjoy our Dine About dinner and choose from four diverse dining experiences and we will include it!
Accommodation: Two Night Stay: Queenstown, Copthorne Lakefront Resort.

Day 10: Queenstown Exclusive Experiences (B)
Today you have the opportunity to choose the activity and we will include it! Perhaps enjoy a local garden tour, or visit some local wineries or an exhilarating jetboat ride. You might like to venture to Skippers Canyon on a 4WD Safari. The choice is yours!
Adventure Options are also available.

Day 11: Kingston Flyer, Milford Sound Cruise (BD)
Take a trip back in time today aboard the Kingston Flyer, New Zealand’s famous vintage steam train. Continue to Milford Sound and on arrival join a cruise for a journey on this magnificent, glacier-carved fiord. Journey through scenic Homer Tunnel and Eglington Valley to the pretty lakeside settlement of Te Anau.
Accommodation: Te Anau, Luxmore Resort Hotel.

Day 12: Dunedin, Exclusive Experiences (BD)
On arrival in Dunedin choose an activity and we will include it! Perhaps journey to Otago Peninsula and view Royal Albatross or Yellow-eyed Penguin in their natural environment or visit historic Larnach Castle and walk amongst its beautiful gardens..
Accommodation: Dunedin, Dunedin City Hotel.

Day 13: Dunedin, Seasider Train, Twizel (BD)
This morning we board the Seasider Train at Dunedin’s stately Railway Station, and journey north along the east coast. Continue by coach to MacKenzie Country’s, Twizel.
Accommodation: Twizel, MacKenzie Country Inn.

Day 14: Mt Cook, Christchurch (BD)
Today we travel into World Heritage-listed Mt Cook National Park, home to Australasia’s highest mountain, Mt Cook. Visit picturesque Lake Tekapo and view the tiny Church of the Good Shepherd and statue of the working collie dog, erected to honour the collie whose work was invaluable to the early settlers of this region. Leave the High Country behind and travel through Burkes Pass to Christchurch, known as the pretty ‘Garden City’.
Accommodation: Christchurch, Grand Chancellor Hotel.

Day 15: Depart Christchurch Exclusive Experiences (B)
Today you choose the activity and we will include it! Perhaps punt on the Avon River or enjoy a Christchurch Bike Tour. Adventure Options are also available. Your tour concludes after sightseeing and a departure transfer to the airport is included.