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The ‘Ultimate’ New Zealand Train Journey

The ‘Ultimate’ New Zealand Train Journey

Duration: 13 Days

Price: NZ $7,895

Departure From: Auckland

Departure Date: 6 May 2027

Tour Type: Escorted Tour

Meal Plan: B&B and selected meals

Physical Grading: 2

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Join us for a rail tour that can easily boast to be the Ultimate New Zealand Train Journey. Including all of NZ’s scenic rail trips and a private charter, it doesn’t get better than this.

Departing in autumn, you can enjoy a stunning panorama of magnificent southern mountain scenery – maybe with snow across the peaks, meandering rivers and coastal plains. You will also experience the South Island in style aboard exclusive charter trains travelling between Christchurch and Invercargill.

We travel by rail from Auckland to Wellington then also from Blenheim, along the Kaikoura coastline to Christchurch. We take the time to explore the City of Christchurch and the Akaroa Peninsula. We continue by train south to Oamaru, Dunedin and Invercargill with surprises along the way before returning north where we take a day out and journey on the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Greymouth.

Looking for Freedom to Travel with Flexibility? Discover Our Signature Independent TranzAlpine Tours Here

Our Ultimate New Zealand tour is planned at a leisurely pace with frequent two night stops and our tour escort ensures your 12 day tour is relaxing, fun and hassle free.

Our Auckland to Invercargill Ultimate New Zealand Train Journey gives you an armchair ride through some of the world’s most stunning scenery – New Zealand. Join us, seats are limited.

train greymouth to christchurch
The TranzAlpine – a spectacular day return rail journey.

Ultimate New Zealand Train Journey Highlights

  • Northern Explorer one-way train from Auckland to Wellington
  • Coastal Pacific train journey by private charter
  • TranzAlpine traverse of the Southern Alps, day return
  • Exclusive charter train journey from Christchurch through Oamaru and Dunedin to Invercargill
  • Oamaru Whitestone City Experience and Vanished World Experience in Duntroon
  • Dunedin City Sights Tour
  • Morning Tour to Bluff
  • Catlins Experience Tour
  • Visit Nugget Point Lighthouse

Ultimate New Zealand Optional Excursions

Each option is highly recommended to make the most of your Ultimate New Zealand rail tour.

dunedin railway station
Dunedin Railway Station

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

Click here for alternate South Island tours.

Tour Inclusions

  • Northern Explorer & Coastal Pacific (via private charter) train journeys
  • TranzAlpine traverse of the Southern Alps in both directions
  • Travel by comfortable coach with panoramic windows
  • Travel on an exclusive charter train from Christchurch to Invercargill
  • One-way flight Christchurch to Auckland
  • Twelve nights hotel accommodation
  • Meals as indicated within the itinerary; 12 breakfasts (B), 7 lunches (L) and 10 dinners (D)
  • Sightseeing and entrance fees as specified in the itinerary
  • Travel escorts all the way

Pricing Notes

  • Advertised price based on per person, twin share
  • A single supplement is available for $8,950
  • Non-refundable deposit of $500 per person is due at time of booking
  • FULL PAYMENT is due no later than 29 March 2027
  • Bookings made after 29 March 2027 must be paid in full at time of booking
  • Price is subject to change unless paid in full
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Tour Itinerary

Day 1 | Auckland - Northern Explorer - Wellington (L,D)
Board the popular ‘Northern Explorer’ train in Auckland. Among today’s highlights are the circular climb up the famous engineering feat – the Raurimu Spiral to the Central Plateau and Tongariro National Park with spectacular views of Mt Ruapehu. Continue on to Ohakune, Waiouru and alongside the Rangitikei River to Wellington for a one-night stay. Enjoy a welcome dinner at our centrally located hotel.
After breakfast, enjoy a Wellington city tour including the Botanical Gardens and Mt Victoria before crossing Cook Strait by ferry to Picton. On arrival, travel by coach and check into our centrally-located hotel in Blenheim.
After breakfast, we visit the Omaka Aviation Museum before a local vineyard lunch. We join our privately chartered Coastal Pacific Train for a leisurely journey to Christchurch. This special section of picturesque coastline railway will pass through Kaikoura and continue inland through the hill country of North Canterbury to Christchurch, arriving at our inner-city hotel in the evening for a three-night stay.
This morning, join an optional sightseeing tour of Christchurch before enjoying free time to shop, relax, or discover the city.
Today board the Tranz Alpine train to traverse the spectacular Southern Alps to the West Coast. Cross the Canterbury Plains through Darfield and climb the mountain range including a stop at Arthurs Pass. Our descent takes us through Otira and the renowned rain forests and wetlands to Greymouth. After some time to explore this West Coast town we rejoin our coaches and travel back to Christchurch via the Great Alpine Highway to enjoy the vista’s from a different perspective.
This morning we join our exclusive chartered train and travel south through rolling farmland and coastal inlets via Timaru to arrive in Oamaru for a two-night stay. This evening join an optional tour to visit the Blue Penguin Colony of Oamaru
After breakfast join our local guide for a fascinating walking tour of Oamaru with its Victorian Precinct built of Oamaru stone. Steampunk has grown rapidly over the past 10 years to make Oamaru the ‘Steampunk Capital of the World’. Free time to enjoy lunch then travel on to Duntroon to visit the Vanished World Centre and learn about the unique fossil history of this area.
After breakfast, board our train and travel through Dunedin, Gore and Balclutha before arriving in Invercargill to enjoy one of the southernmost cities in the world.
This morning we will have an excursion to Bluff before a free afternoon to explore the city. Why not discover the world class vintage truck collection at Bill Richardson Transport World, or learn about the legend of speed - Burt Munro at E Hayes Motorworks. Or simply take a stroll through the botanical gardens.
After breakfast, board our train and travel through to Balclutha. Here we depart our train and travel by coach to the spectacular Nugget Point and the Catlins. Highlights include podocarp forests, rugged coastlines, hidden lakes and stunning waterfalls. Arrive in Dunedin late afternoon.
This morning enjoy a sightseeing tour of the ‘Edinburgh of the South’ including Signal Hill, the world’s steepest street, the Botanical Gardens, the University, Forsyth Barr Stadium and the Otago Settlers Museum. An optional tour on the Taieri Gorge Railway is available this morning. The afternoon is then free. Alternatively, an optional tour to the Royal Albatross Centre is available this afternoon. Please note: These optional excursions overlap, so only one can be selected.
After breakfast we head north along the coastal rail route through Palmerston, Timaru and the plains via Ashburton to return to Christchurch and say farewell to our charter train. Enjoy a farewell dinner tonight to end our wonderful rail experience.
Transfer to the airport for return flights to Auckland or other destinations (please ask).

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