South Island Rail-Fan Highlights

Duration: 7 Days

Price: from NZ$5,570

Departure From: Auckland

Departure Date: 24 September 2025

Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Meal Plan: Breakfast & Selected Meals

Physical Grading: 2/5

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A great tour for rail-fans and all train lovers. This top of the South Island rail tour offers stunning train journeys throughout the unique landscapes of New Zealand’s stunning South Island.

This South Island rail adventure includes two mainline great train journeys; the Coastal Pacific from Blenheim to Kaikōura, and the world-renowned TranzAlpine train taking us from Christchurch through the towering Southern Alps to Arthurs Pass. We also ride on small private railways and visit historic sites, towns and museums of the South Island, and take a panoramic whale flight while in Kaikōura.

South Island Rail Tour Highlights

  • Coastal Pacific Train from Blenheim to Kaikoura – Scenic Class 
  • Marlborough Museum  
  • 30-minute Whale Watch Flight – please note flight is weather dependent 
  • Plains Railway Museum  
  • Train ride at Pleasant Point Railway and museum admission  
  • TranzAlpine Train from Christchurch to Arthurs Pass – Scenic Class 
  • Nile River Rain-forest Train 
The TranzAlpine Train LOCO Journeys
Enjoy a ride on the famous TranzAlpine train through New Zealand’s Southern Alps.

South Island Rail Highlights – Your Included Rail Experiences

This train enthusiasts tour includes five terrific South Island rail experiences, each individually brilliant for different reasons.

Coastal Pacific Train

The lesser known of New Zealand’s great South Island rail trips is the half-day Coastal Pacific. Tracking the Pacific Ocean from Picton to Christchurch, you will enjoy the marvellous variety of captivating coastline, mountain views of the Kaikoura Ranges and the beautiful scenery of Marlborough and it’s famous wine-growing country.

Coastal Pacific Mountains and Sea

Plains Railway Museum

Located near Ashburton in the South Island, this short heritage railway offers rides on vintage trains and showcases an extensive collection of railway artifacts, preserving the region’s railway history. The Plains Railway features a few noteworthy steam engines including the USA built K88 Rogers Locomotive from 1877 and the powerhouse, Ja1260 built in 1952 in Dunedin.

New Zealand Steam Railways LOCO Journeys

Pleasant Point Railway

Run by a dedicated team of volunteers who have preserved and maintained a fascinating collection of vintage steam locomotives and carriages. This South Island rail attraction operates along a historic branch line that was originally part of the South Canterbury Main Trunk Line, which opened in 1884. The Pleasant Point Railway operates not only vintage steam engines, but also a very unique Model T Ford Railcar. The railway also features a charming station and museum, providing insights into the region’s railway history and the significance of rail transport in New Zealand’s development.

Pleasant Point Railway LOCO Journeys

The TranzAlpine

New Zealand’s premier great rail journey dissects the Southern Alps running East to West from Christchurch to Greymouth and return. A stunning South Island rail day-trip, whatever the season, you can be sure to enjoy the contrasts from the Canterbury Plains to the rugged West Coast punctuated by stunning alpine splendour. Choose to take an optional stop along the way in Arthur’s Pass and find your inner alpine adventurer.

Christchurch to Queenstown train

Nile River Rainforest Train

The Nile River Rainforest Train in Charlestown, West Coast, New Zealand, provides a memorable journey through lush rainforests, offering stunning views of the surrounding natural beauty. Passengers travel aboard a classic heritage diesel-powered train, which adds to the charm and nostalgia of the trip. As the train winds through vibrant forests, travelers can witness diverse wildlife and unique landscapes, making it a must-do experience for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts seeking a deeper connection with New Zealand’s wilderness.

For a detailed itinerary, and inclusions please see below.

Click here for alternate South Island rail tours featuring the TranzAlpine train.

Tour Inclusions

  • All tours, activities as specified within the itinerary
  • Auckland to Christchurch and Nelson to Auckland flights
  • Quality accommodation, including breakfast
  • Six breakfasts and five dinners.
  • Modern air-conditioned coach, when not travelling by train
  • Services of a tour guide

Pricing Notes

  • Advertised price based on per person, twin share
  • A single supplement is available
  • Cancellation and amendment charges will be advised at the time of booking
  • Price is subject to change unless paid in full
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Tour Itinerary

Day 1 | Auckland to Blenheim (D)
Our tour today begins with a flight from Auckland to Blenheim then we make our way to the Marlborough Museum to see all things heritage. The Museum is known for its Wine Exhibition and Te Pokohiwi 1250 A.D. (Wairau Boulder Bank archaeology exhibition), including the famous Jim Eyles Collection. Marlborough history (Captain James Cook, natural history), Victorian Rooms and the remarkable pottery collections of Elizabeth Lissaman, and Fran Maguire are also highlights! Step outside, into the rest of Brayshaw Heritage Park, and be inspired by vintage cars, vintage machinery, and of course Beavertown, a replica street scene. We make our way to the hotel and dinner is at the hotel restaurant this evening. 
After a leisurely start to the day we board the Coastal Pacific Train and immerse ourselves in the rugged coastal architecture of New Zealand. Travelling between Blenheim and Kaikōura, the Coastal Pacific Train journeys breathtakingly close to the Pacific Ocean, where the roaring, windblown sea meets enormous bush-clad mountains.  Kaikōura, meaning “to eat crayfish”, is a coastal town known for its abundant wildlife. Arriving into Kaikōura in the late afternoon, we are transferred to our overnight accommodation by coach. The hotel is located on the shoreline, so you may wish to take a walk along the waterfront before dining as a group at the hotel this evening.  
This morning enjoy a panoramic whale flight, with stunning scenic views of the spectacular Kaikōura coastline. Kaikōura is home to Sperm whales year-round. Gain an aerial perspective on the world of whales and dolphins in Kaikōura’s stunning marine environment from the comfort of an aircraft, passengers can experience the true magnitude of the world’s largest mammal, the whale. Departing Kaikōura, we travel across the farmlands of the North Canterbury Plains and the Waipara wine district, where the microclimate of the area makes it ideal for growing grapes. On arrival in Christchurch, we’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of the city. Highlights include the River Avon, Christchurch Art Gallery; Bridge of Remembrance; the Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial and the Spanish Mission-inspired New Regent Street. Dinner included at the hotel restaurant.
Today we make our way to Ashburton to the Plains Vintage Railway & Historical Museum. The museum is home to a range of exhibits, including vintage steam locomotives, tractors, implements, and stationary engines along with a quaint Museum Village to take a glimpse of mid-Canterbury’s pioneering past. This afternoon, travel to Timaru where we enjoy an exclusively chartered ride at Pleasant Point Railway. Full of history, this train journey travels along one and a half miles of the original 38-mile-long Fairlie line that was closed after 93 years of service. The museum and railway has two steam engines, two diesels, one of the world’s only Model T Ford railcars and a 137-year-old station. Rated as one of New Zealand’s best preservation railways, displays also include the country’s worst railway disaster at Tangiwai in 1953, a large model train display, to old printing machines and computers. This evening is yours at leisure. 
Today we have a full day of railway highlights and changing landscapes. We begin early with the TranzAlpine train journey across the Canterbury Plains. This scenic passage travels across towering viaducts, through spectacular gorges and into the lush forest of Arthurs Pass National Park. Meeting our coach here, we follow the Taramakau River to the coast and then travel north through Greymouth where we stop to see the Cobden Bridge. The structure crossed the Grey River and had been completed in 1898 as part of the railway north from Greymouth. A span remains in situ on the north bank. We then travel to the small settlement of Punakaiki on the edge of the Paparoa National Park. Punakaiki is renowned for its wild, rugged coastline and the famous ‘Pancake Rocks’ and blowholes. These stratified limestone stacks are an extraordinary monument of nature. There will be time available to take the 20-minute, 1.1-km loop walk to view the rocks and blowholes. Dinner at the hotel tonight. 
This morning we journey to Denniston Plateau, once a bustling coal mining town, now only eerie remnants and informative signage tell the story of coal mining. The plateau, on a day without the consistent mist, offers sweeping views of the coastal plains of the Karamea Bight and the mouth of the Waimangaroa River. The austere landscape is 518-metres above sea level and originally only had one access, the 1,670-m incline railway. We continue past the town of Westport to the Charleston Nile River Rainforest Train. Here the train ride in open–sided carriages ventures through primeval rain forest in The Paparoa National Park. The journey takes you into the magnificent Nile River Canyon and passes through the “The Lost World” film site. We then travel north through the spectacular Buller Gorge following the Buller River before travelling through the small towns of Īngangahua, Murchison and then north to Nelson where we follow the historic railway that once connected Nelson City with Glenhope. The Railway Reserve is an off-road pathway stretching from the city through to Stoke. The Nelson-Glenhope railway was in operation for 79 years, between 1876 and 1955. The plan of linking Nelson to the main trunk railway line and the rest of the South Island was never realised, and the line became known as the ‘railway to nowhere’ and the old tracks have now become a cycle and walkway path called The Railway Reserve, beginning at St Vincent Street in Victory Square. Arrive at the hotel in Nelson. Farewell dinner tonight will be at the hotel restaurant. 
Today our tour concludes with our flight from Nelson to Auckland.

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