Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach 2026/2027

Embark on the 19 day ultimate rail cruise and coach New Zealand holiday, a seamless journey that blends New Zealand’s most iconic rail experiences, breathtaking scenic cruising, and premium small-group coaching into one unforgettable exploration of Aotearoa.

Please note: Due to the exceptional popularity and limited availability of this exclusive tour, departures have been selling quickly and only a small number of seats remain. If your travel dates are flexible, we strongly recommend securing your place, even if your preferred departure is unavailable. The strong demand is a reflection of just how special this tour experience is.
See the bottom of the page for availability.

Designed for travellers seeking comfort, discovery and variety, this 19 day ultimate rail cruise and coach itinerary reveals the very best of both the North & South Island, from treasured cultural landmarks to world-famous natural wonders.

Your journey unfolds through a captivating blend of rail, coach and cruise travel, offering a relaxed yet immersive way to experience New Zealand’s landscapes and stories. With an exceptional range of inclusions, you’ll enjoy a thoughtfully curated collection of rail journeys, including the nostalgic Glenbrook Vintage Railway, the coastal beauty of the Coastal Pacific, the dramatic alpine landscapes of the TranzAlpine, and the historic charm of the Pleasant Point Museum and Railway. Each experience delivers sweeping vistas in comfort and style, staying true to the spirit of the 19 day ultimate rail cruise and coach experience.

As the adventure continues, scenic cruising takes centre stage. The pinnacle of the itinerary is the Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise, an immersive wilderness experience regarded as one of the country’s most extraordinary and memorable journeys. Surrounded by towering peaks, deep still waters and remote tranquillity, it stands as an unmatched highlight.

Blending premium comfort, spectacular scenery and unforgettable experiences from start to finish, this comprehensive itinerary truly offers the ultimate way to discover New Zealand.

19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach Highlights – Included Attractions

Few tours in New Zealand include as many experiences as the 19-day Ultimate Rail, Cruise & Coach Tour. True to its name, this journey is the ultimate way to explore, offering an exceptional collection of included attractions, memorable activities, and unforgettable excursions.

19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach Highlights – Luxury Transport

Travel in style the best coach in the country, described as Business Class on Wheels, limited to just 20 travellers. Enjoy the comfort of 1+1 reclining leather seats with extra legroom, panoramic views, air conditioning, seat belts, and an onboard rest room. Each seat provides personal storage, a USB charging port, Wi-Fi, and a wood grain tray table with cup holder. Settle back with personal audio, glossy magazines, and the convenience of a central galley serving chilled drinks.

Your New Zealand holiday features Business Class levels of service, comfort, and attention to detail. Enjoy thoughtful touches such as an Ultimate documentation pack with travel bag and wallet, a Welcome Dinner with a pre-dinner drink, a souvenir water bottle and boxed mints, and a Farewell Dinner with selected beverages.

Accommodation is in carefully chosen 4–5 star hotels, from boutique retreats to iconic city stays, all offering superior comfort, style, and service. Throughout your journey, your professional Coach Captain ensures everything runs seamlessly, sharing local insights, stories, and the warmth of genuine Kiwi hospitality.

Missed out on your preferred Ultimate tour date? The 19 day Signature Rail, Cruise & Coach Tour is an excellent alternative, offering premium comfort and a relaxed mid-sized group experience.

19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach Highlights – Your Overnight Doubtful Sound Cruise

Doubtful Sound is unspoiled, unmatched and unforgettable. You will create some lifelong memories as the Fiordland Navigator takes you through the ultimate Doubtful Sound experience. As you cruise through some of NZ’s most stunning scenery, knowledgeable nature guides will provide commentary. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by kayak or tender boat (swimwear required) – or to simply relax on board. As evening falls, you will enjoy a delicious buffet dinner prepared by the onboard chef and served in the dining saloon. Mingle with fellow travellers, savour some of the fine wines and if the skies are clear, enjoy some stargazing in some. The next day explore other parts of the fiord.

19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach Highlights – Your Rail Journeys

Glenbrook Vintage Railway

Step back in time aboard the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, a lovingly restored heritage line located just south of Auckland. This charming New Zealand steam train tour takes you on a leisurely journey through lush farmland and rural countryside aboard beautifully preserved carriages from New Zealand’s rail past. As the locomotive chuffs along the track, you can enjoy the nostalgic sights, sounds, and smells of classic steam travel. Highlights include a visit to the Glenbrook Station, complete with period features. A favourite moment on this tour.

Coastal Pacific Train – Picton to Kaikoura

Departing Picton a short time after arriving in the South Island, off the Interislander ferry, the Coastal Pacific train winds south along one of New Zealand’s most spectacular coastal routes toward Kaikōura. As you travel, the journey unfolds through the rolling vineyards of Marlborough before reaching the dramatic coastline where the Kaikōura Ranges rise on your right and the Pacific Ocean stretches out to your left. The track hugs the shoreline, offering unforgettable views of rugged cliffs, sandy beaches, and sparkling blue waters. Keep an eye out for seals basking on the rocks, seabirds gliding overhead, and even dolphins playing in the surf. It’s a truly scenic rail experience that captures the natural beauty and wild charm of the South Island’s east coast.

TranzAlpine Train Journey – Christchurch to Arthur’s Pass

Departing Christchurch at 8:15 am, the TranzAlpine train journey offers one of the world’s great scenic rail journeys as it climbs westward through the heart of the Southern Alps to Arthur’s Pass. The journey through the South Island begins across the fertile Canterbury Plains, before the landscape transforms into deep river valleys and towering mountain ranges. As the train ascends through the Waimakariri Gorge, you’ll cross impressive viaducts and pass through a series of tunnels, each turn revealing new vistas of alpine peaks and rushing rivers. Highlights include the Springfield plains, the Broken River viaduct, and the dramatic approach to Arthur’s Pass National Park, where native beech forests and high-country scenery create an unforgettable alpine panorama.

Pleasant Point Museum and Railway

The Pleasant Point Railway in South Canterbury is a delightful heritage experience that brings New Zealand’s rail history to life. Operating on a preserved section of the old Fairlie Branch Line, this vintage railway features beautifully restored diesel and steam locomotives, along with one of the country’s only railcar replicas. Visitors can explore the historic station, view railway memorabilia, and watch skilled volunteers at work.

19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach Optional Excursions

Discover a hand-picked selection of exciting optional excursions available to enhance your 19-Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach holiday. Each experience has been carefully chosen to complement your journey, offering unique opportunities to explore local culture, natural wonders, and unforgettable highlights along the way.

Cape Reinga Fly/Drive Half Day Tour – Paihia
An unforgettable scenic flight experience by aeroplane. Fly the West Coast via 90 Mile Beach, spend 2.5 hours exploring the top of New Zealand in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, before returning to Paihia along the spectacular East Coast.

Sky Tower – Auckland
Standing 328 meters tall, the Sky Tower has dominated the Auckland skyline offering stunning 360 degree views across Tāmaki Makaurau. With a vibrant history, award winning dining, and adrenaline-pumping activities, it’s more than just a view—it’s an experience.

Polynesian Spa – Rotorua
Nestled on the shores of Lake Rotorua lies Polynesian Spa, New Zealand’s leading international spa. A geothermal bathing and soul-soothing retreat, where you can experience wellness sourced from Rotorua’s very own backyard. Renowned for its healing waters and decadent spa therapies, discover why people have flocked to these waters since the 1800s.

Whale Watching Flight – Kaikōura
Gain an aerial perspective on the world of whales and dolphins or view the very best of Kaikōura: from Seaward Kaikōura mountain ranges, to the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Peninsula. From the comfort of our high-wing aircraft you will enjoy unimpeded viewing and photo opportunities at every turn.

Christchurch Tram City Tour – Christchurch
Welcome aboard the Christchurch Tram! Hop on these beautifully restored heritage Trams to enjoy this unique and historic way to view the inner city. Drivers provide a live and entertaining commentary. A full circuit takes 50 minutes, includes 18 stops and there are up to five trams operating.

Fox Glacier and Mount Cook Helicopter Flight – West Coast
Fox Glacier, fed by four alpine glaciers and at 13km, the longest of the West Coast glaciers. You’ll land on a snowfield surrounded by the glacial formations at the top of the glacier. The return takes you past our highest peak, Aoraki / Mt Cook, ‘the cloud piercer’ before returning back to base.

Skyline Queenstown – Queenstown
The famous Skyline complex is perched high above the town on Bob’s Peak. Exclusively accessed by scenic Gondola rising 450 vertical meters, Skyline Queenstown is a ‘must-do’ attraction in Queenstown, New Zealand. Grab something light and tasty from the Market Kitchen café, or a cold drink from the bar

Te Anau Glowworm Caves – Te Anau
Cruise across Lake Te Anau to the remote western shore and enter a hidden cave system beneath the Murchison Mountains. Walk through native forest and explore underground limestone passages featuring waterfalls, sculpted rock, and rushing water. The guided experience includes a silent boat ride through a glowworm grotto, where thousands.

OIveston Historic Home – Dunedin
Set in a 1-acre ‘garden of national significance’, NZ’s finest historic mansion ‘Olveston’ was built in 1906. Home of businessman and philanthropist David Theomin, a collector of artworks and antiques from all around the world. Today, the house is still breathtakingly furnished with all the original contents.

Further optional activities that you can look forward to en route and can be booked during your tour include:

Bay of Islands: Cape Reinga & Ninety Mile Beach / Russell Mini Tour / Tall Ship Sailing / Lunch or Dinner Cruise / Waitangi Treaty Grounds Shuttle / Scenic Helicopter Flights / Thunder Trike Tours
Auckland: Auckland Museum / Wētā Workshop Unleashed
Rotorua: Rotorua City & Lakes Tour / Mount Tarawera / Waimangu via Floatplane / Wai Ariki Hot Springs & Spa
Christchurch: Botanic Gardens Tour
West Coast: Haast River Safari / Westland Greenstone
Queenstown: KJet / Time Tripper / Skippers Canyon Tour / Grand Circle Helicopter Flight / Shotover Jet
Te Anau: Fiordland Cinema
Dunedin: Eco Wildlife Tour / Speights Brewery

For a detailed itinerary, departure details, and booking conditions for the 19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach tour, please see below. The tour departs from Auckland and your journey will cover the best of New Zealand across 19 days and concludes in Christchurch.

Prices are based on per person twin share. Pricing and any discount shown are subject to change.

All Departure Dates Are Guaranteed to Operate. Price and availability subject to change.

Please note; with a maximum of only 20 travellers spaces are limited on this 19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach tour. Act fast to secure your seat aboard New Zealand’s most scenic trains and travel in unparalleled luxury. Enquire Now for the Latest Availability or Click here for alternative luxury New Zealand rail tours.