New Zealand Rail Experience

Return to Two Island Coach Holidays

12 Day New Zealand Rail Holidays - Auckland to Christchurch

General Information

Auckland - Rotorua - Wellington - Christchurch - Dunedin - Queenstown - Glaciers - Christchurch

A long wandering and eventful tour, discovering the most magical regions of New Zealand. The contrasts within New Zealand are remarkable. Explore and learn about our history and heritage, flora and fauna. This trip will also see you experiencing the world famous rail journeys of the TranzCoastal, TranzAlpine and Taieri Gorge trains.

12 Day Independent Coach Tour with your choice of Standard, Quality or Superior Accommodation for 11 nights.

Day 1: Arrive Auckland

On your arrival in Auckland  you will be met by our representative and transferred to your accommodation. Rest of the day is free to explore the "Harbour City" of Auckland. Overnight in Auckland, Standard - Copthorne Harbour City Hotel, Quality - Sky City Hotel, Superior - Heritage Hotel Auckland

Day 2: Auckland - Rotorua

Travel south through lush Waikato farmland, perhaps via Waitomo Caves, where a highlight of the day is a tour through the magical grotto lit by thousands of tiny glowworms. Then it is on to Rotorua, steeped in Maori culture and history. Tonight enjoy a night of traditional culture and entertainment, before experiencing a Maori hangi (feast), with a selection of foods cooked the traditional Maori way underground, amongst the surroundings of an authentic village.  Stay 2 nights in Rotorua, Standard - Kingsgate Hotel Rotorua, Quality - Novotel Lakeside Rotorua, Superior - Millennium Hotel Rotorua

Day 3: At Rotorua

A day free to explore this exciting thermal region. Rotorua sits squarely on the Pacific Ring of Fire, so volcanic activity is part of the city's past and present. Explore the geothermal areas and discover the unique culture of New Zealand's Maori people. Rotorua has lots to do in all weather, and at any time of year.

Day 4: Fly Rotorua - Wellington

You will be transfered to Rotorua Airport for your flight to Wellington (flight not included). On arrival into Wellington you will be taken to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to enjoy at leisure. Overnight in Wellington, Standard - Kingsgate Wellington, Quality - Vovotel Wellingtonl, Superior - Copthorne Oriental Bay

Day 5: Wellington - Picton - Christchurch

Sit back, relax and soak in the scenery as you cruise across Cook Strait and the gorgeous Marlborough Sounds on your Interislander Ferry journey to Picton, the gateway to the marine, forest and island attractions of the Marlborough Sounds. The TranzCoastal train skims the spectacular coastline between the Kaikoura Ranges and the Pacific and down to Christchurch. Two nights in Christchurch, Standard - Ibis Christchurch, Quality - Copthorne Hotel Central, Superior - Heritage Hotel Christchurch

Day 6: At Christchurch

A day at leisure to enjoy the ‘Garden City' of  Christchurch  

Travel south across the Canterbury Plains to historic Oamaru, home of the Little Blue Penguins and Dunedin "the Edinburgh of the South". Overnight in Dunedin

Day 8: Dunedin - Taieri Gorge Train - Queenstown

This morning is at leisure in Dunedin. The Taieri Gorge train passes spectacular gorges and over historic viaducts to Pukerangi where you join your coach for the remainder of the journey across the rugged country of Central Otago, past the fertile stone fruit orchards and following the mighty Clutha River on to the art deco town of Ranfurly.Follow the dramatic southern shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Queenstown. Stay 3 nights in Queenstown, Standard - Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront, Quality - Copthorne Hotel & Resort Lakefront Superior - Heritage Hotel Queenstown

Travel south following the dramatic southern shores of Lake Wakatipu to reach Te Anau. The road to Milford is one of New Zealand's most scenic drives. The first part is relatively mild farmland, then you'll ease into beech forest near the entrance to the Fiordland National Park. Look for the Avenue of the Disappearing Mountain and the Mirror Lakes. The rough hewn Homer Tunnel brings you into Milford Sound, an amazing 22km-long fiord dominated by Mitre Peak. Grand, brooding, serene and wild are just some of the words that will come to mind on your Milford Sound Cruise. Tall waterfalls, vertical rock faces and seals are some of the things you'll remember. Return to Queenstown.

(We recommend that for an additional charge you may choose to Coach or fly to Milford Sound).

Day 10: At Queenstown

The alpine resort of Queenstown is exciting and fantastically attractive. It's the place to source almost any kind of adventure, including bungy, jet boating, horse trekking, rafting and river surfing. It's also a destination for luxury experiences - gourmet food and wine, spa treatments and leisurely games of golf. Nearby is the former gold mining town of Arrowtown is a living, historic holiday destination, nestled beside the Arrow River.

Day 11: Queenstown - Glaciers

Travel through the Southern Lakes District to Wanaka before you take on the dramatic twists and turns of the Haast Pass to Haast and the wild west coast. 

Fox Glacier and Franz Josef Glaciers are unique relics of the last ice age. Mighty rivers of solid white, tumbling down ice-hewn rock valleys, they are classically beautiful in the glacial sense. Nowhere else in the world have glaciers advanced so close to the sea at this latitude. A shuttle will take you to view the glaciers (seasonal). Overnight Fox or Franz Josef Glacier , Standard - Heartland Hotel Fox Glacier, Quality - Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, Superior - Te Weheka Inn

Day 12: Glaciers - Christchurch

Travel north along the narrow, bush clad, coastal plain past Hokitika first settled in 1860, after the discovery of gold on the west coast. At Greymouth board the renowned TranzAlpine train and travel through the Otira Tunnel, over Arthur's Pass and across the Canterbury Plains to arrive Christchurch in the early evening.

Back to Top