Top of the South in Autumn

Duration: 9 Days

Price: NZ$4,195

Departure From: Auckland

Departure Date: 28 April 2025

Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Meal Plan: B&B and selected meals

Physical Grading: 2

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New Zealand rail tours give you an armchair ride through some of the world’s most stunning scenery and it’s hard to beat the top of the South Island in autumn.

Your express arrival into the South Island by plane immediately lands you in a region of beaches, coastline and a laid-back rural life. It’s time to relax and get into holiday mode.

Your tour has some terrific destinations lined up for you and some might argue that the top of the south island in fact offers the best of the country with it’s range and diversity of landscapes, communities and people.

This tour visits top of the south towns such as Nelson, Motueka, Kaiteriteri, Hokitika, Greymouth, Christchurch, Blenheim, Picton before heading north by air to Auckland, your final destination.

Travelling by rail, coach and ferry allows you to become part of the fabulous scenery. Your tour escort and the crew will ensure your eight-day tour is relaxing, fun and memorable. Each night we stay in comfortable hotels where all guest rooms have their own private facilities.

Carriages are comfortably equipped with full on-board facilities and spectacular viewing through panoramic windows, offering uninterrupted views not seen when travelling by road. 

Daily breakfasts, most lunches and many dinners are included on tour. We look forward to welcoming you on the popular ‘Top of the South’ Rail Tour.

Top of the South Tour Highlights

  • TranzAlpine train journey
  • Coastal Pacific exclusive charter train from Christchruch to Blenheim
  • Cruise the Abel Tasman coastline
  • Marlborough Sounds Boat Cruise with lunch at Furneaux Lodge
  • Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
  • Visit Punakaiki pancake rocks
  • Travel through the historic Buller Gorge
  • Lunch at a local vineyard in Blenheim
Top of the South

Top of the South Rail Journeys

There are two excellent scenic rail Journeys featured in the Top of the South tour.

TranzAlpine

Travellering East from the West Coast, the TranzAlpine train to traverses the spectacular Southern Alps. We will depart Greymouth through Otira and the renowned rain forests and wetlands before climbing the mountain range including a stop at Arthurs Pass. From here we descend to the Canterbury Plains through Darfield and complete our afternoon journey in Christchurch

Coastal Pacific – by Private Charter

Our train from Christchurch will follow the Coastal Pacific route. We head north leaving Canterbury and then follow the wonderful Kaikoura coast between mountains and sea. This part of the journey is very spectacular. A short time late we will arrive into Blenheim to continue our top of the south tour by road.

Coastal Pacific
Enjoy heading along the Kaikoura coastline on your Coastal Pacific Charter Train

For a detailed itinerary, departure details, and booking conditions, please see below.

Please note, couple savings are based on a per person discount and subject to change.

Click here for alternate rail-based New Zealand tours.

Tour Inclusions

  • Return Air New Zealand flight Auckland – Nelson/Blenheim. Options from other main flight centres
  • Eight nights hotel accommodation
  • Travel by comfortable coach with panoramic windows
  • Travel on an exclusive charter train Christchurch to Blenheim
  • Meals as indicated within the itinerary; 8 breakfasts (B), 3 lunches (L) and 6 dinners (D)
  • Sightseeing and entrance fees as specified in the itinerary.
  • Travel escorts

Pricing Notes

  • Advertised price based on per person, twin share
  • Non-refundable deposit of $400 per person is due at time of booking
  • Full non-refundable balance of tour payment is due
  • A single supplement is available.
  • Price is subject to change unless paid in full
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Tour Itinerary

Day 1 | Auckland - Flight to Nelson (D)
Fly with Air New Zealand to Nelson. On arrival there is time to relax or explore the town before a welcome dinner tonight.
Our tour of the region includes travelling to Motueka and the seaside village of Kaiteriteri with its picturesque golden sands. Board the scenic cruise along the Abel Tasman National Park coastline to Totaranui, passing Split Apple Rock on the way and return to Kaiteriteri. Lunch is served on-board. Return to Nelson by coach with scenic attractions along the way.
After breakfast depart by coach for Murchison and the Buller Gorge, continue on the scenic drive down the West Coast, stopping off at the nationally-acclaimed Punakaiki Rocks. If possible a brief visit to the former Brunner Mine site, scene of New Zealand’s worst mining disaster in 1896. Arriving at Punakaiki for a one-night stay. Punakaiki This small West Coast community is a popular tourist attraction with its limestone pancakeshaped rocks and blowholes that produce spectacular water formations. Buller Gorge The scenic drive through gorges and dense forest follows the Buller River towards its source – Lake Rotoiti in the Nelson Lakes, passing through the iconic towns of Murchison and Inungahua on the way to Nelson.
After breakfast we take time to explore the preserved old goldmining village ‘Shantytown’. Included in your visit will be a 20 minute train ride, some gold panning plus time to browse before continuing on to Greymouth. We will have some time before boarding the Tranz Alpine and transverse the spectacular Southern Alps. On arrival we transfer to an inner city hotel.
This morning we have a walking tour of Christchurch before the rest of the day is yours to explore the city.
Today you will board your exclusive charter train and follow the Coastal Pacific route along the coastline through North Canterbury and Kaikoura to Blenheim. Lunch at the beautiful Wither Hills Vineyard before arriving at your hotel for a one nightstay.
After breakfast we depart for the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre to explore this unique exhibition before enjoying a relaxing lunch at a prestigious local vineyard.
Today starts with a drive to Picton, where we then take a commentated boat cruise in the Marlborough Sounds with lunch at Furneaux Lodge before returning to our Blenheim base. This evening enjoy a Farewell Dinner.
Transfer to Blenheim airport for return flight to Auckland* (or other destinations please ask)

For more information about this tour, price queries and updates on specials, please Enquire Now.