15-DAY NEW ZEALAND RAIL & SCENIC HOLIDAY
Discover New Zealand by Rail, Ferry & Scenic Touring
Experience New Zealand from north to south on a journey combining some of the country’s great rail routes, the Cook Strait ferry and scenic touring through both islands.
Travel from Auckland through volcanic landscapes, Wellington, Marlborough, Kaikōura, Christchurch, the West Coast and the Southern Lakes before finishing in Queenstown.
Three great rail journeys. Two islands. One carefully planned New Zealand adventure.
Your Journey at a Glance
Start
Auckland
Finish
Queenstown
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Travel Style
Rail, & Scenic Touring
Duration
15 Days / 14 Nights
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From
NZ$7,600 per person twin share
Accommodation
3–3.5 Star Hotels
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Key Transport
Northern Explorer • Interislander • Coastal Pacific • TranzAlpine
Pricing is indicative and may vary by season, availability and selected experiences.
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Your 18-Day Route
Auckland → Ohakune → Wellington → Marlborough → Kaikōura → Christchurch → Punakaiki → Franz Josef → Queenstown
This 15-day journey links some of New Zealand’s most memorable landscapes using scenic rail, ferry travel and road touring, with time built in to explore key destinations along the way.
Why You’ll Love This Journey
Great New Zealand Rail Journeys - Travel aboard the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific and TranzAlpine through some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes.
Cook Strait & Marlborough
Cross between the North and South Islands by ferry before arriving through Queen Charlotte Sound into Marlborough.
Kaikōura & the Pacific Coast
Travel between mountains and sea with free time to experience Kaikōura’s marine wildlife and coastal scenery.
West Coast to Queenstown
Explore Punakaiki, Franz Josef and the Southern Lakes before finishing in Queenstown.
Your 15-Day Itinerary
Each day is planned around realistic travel times, transport connections and time to enjoy the destinations along the way.
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Day 1 — Arrive in Auckland
Welcome to Auckland, New Zealand’s City of Sails. After checking into your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore independently.
Visit the Sky Tower, wander along Queen Street, explore the waterfront or enjoy one of the many restaurants and bars around the central city.
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
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Board the Northern Explorer scenic train and travel south through the Waikato countryside towards the volcanic landscapes of the central North Island.
Cross historic viaducts and experience the famous Raurimu Spiral before arriving in Ohakune, beneath the peaks of Ruapehu. You’ll spend the next two nights here, giving you time to explore the region independently.
Included today: Northern Explorer scenic train
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast. -
Today is yours to discover Ohakune and the Ruapehu region at your own pace.
Choose from optional experiences such as a relaxing hot tub, local walking trails or an e-bike journey along the historic Old Coach Road, passing old viaducts, tunnels and regenerating native forest.
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast. -
Rejoin the Northern Explorer and continue south through dramatic rivers, gorges, farmland and coastal scenery.
Make use of the open-air viewing carriage as the train travels towards Wellington. Once you arrive, the evening is free to discover the capital independently, from the waterfront and Parliament precinct to Cuba Street’s restaurants and cafés.
Included today: Northern Explorer scenic train
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast. -
Spend the day exploring Wellington at your own pace.
Visit Te Papa, wander along Cuba Street, ride the historic Cable Car, explore the Botanic Gardens or visit Zealandia Eco-Sanctuary. Wellington’s compact city centre makes it easy to discover many of its attractions on foot.
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner. -
Today you leave the North Island and travel across Cook Strait aboard the Interislander ferry.
As you approach the South Island, enjoy the spectacular scenery of the Marlborough Sounds and Queen Charlotte Sound before arriving in Picton, the gateway to Marlborough.
Included today: Interislander ferry crossing
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast. -
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Marlborough before boarding the Coastal Pacific scenic train.
Travel through wine country and along the spectacular Pacific coastline, with mountains on one side and the ocean on the other. Keep watch for fur seals along the rocky shoreline before arriving in Kaikōura.
The evening is yours to enjoy the town and its famous seafood.
Included today: Coastal Pacific scenic train
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast. -
Spend the morning enjoying Kaikōura independently.
Optional experiences include whale watching, scenic flights and marine wildlife encounters, or simply explore the township and coastline at your own pace.
Later, board the Coastal Pacific again and continue south through rolling countryside to Christchurch.
Included today: Coastal Pacific scenic train
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast.If you would like a more structured experience, suggested options include the Wētā Workshop Experience or a guided tour of Te Papa.
Accommodation: Adina CityLife Wellington
Suggested experiences: Wētā Workshop Experience or guided Te Papa tour.
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Enjoy a full day to discover Christchurch.
Explore the Arts Centre, Christchurch Art Gallery, Riverside Market and Botanic Gardens, ride the historic tram or take a punt along the Avon River. You could also choose an optional day trip to Akaroa.
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner. -
Board the world-famous TranzAlpine for one of New Zealand’s great rail journeys.
Travel beside the Waimakariri River, cross the Southern Alps and pass through the historic Otira Tunnel before reaching the West Coast.
Continue by road to Punakaiki, where you can explore the remarkable Pancake Rocks and blowholes.
Included today: TranzAlpine scenic train and Punakaiki Pancake Rocks
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast. -
Begin the day at the West Coast Treetop Walk, where elevated walkways take you through ancient rimu and kāmahi forest.
Continue south into Glacier Country and take a short walk to a viewpoint overlooking the Franz Josef Glacier valley.
Optional helicopter flights can be added if you would like to experience the glacier from the air. Afterwards, enjoy free time in Franz Josef township.
Included today: West Coast Treetop Walk and glacier viewing walk
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast. -
Travel through the dramatic landscapes of the Haast Pass on your journey towards Queenstown.
Pass rugged coastline, clear rivers, alpine lakes and mountain scenery before stopping in a local fruit-growing region and visiting historic Arrowtown.
Continue to Queenstown, where you’ll spend the final three nights of your journey.
Included today: Scenic journey through the Southern Lakes and Arrowtown
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner. -
Today is completely free for you to experience Queenstown your way.
Choose an optional journey to Milford Sound, take a scenic flight or helicopter experience, cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw or simply explore Queenstown’s lakefront, shops, cafés and restaurants.
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast. -
Enjoy another full day to personalise your Queenstown stay.
Visit the Gibbston wine region, choose an adventure activity, explore nearby Arrowtown or simply relax beside Lake Wakatipu and enjoy the alpine surroundings.
An included dinner gives you a chance to enjoy your final evening in Queenstown.
Accommodation: 3–3.5 star hotel
Meals: Breakfast and dinner. -
Enjoy breakfast before your 15-day New Zealand rail journey comes to an end.
Depending on your onward travel arrangements, you may have some additional time to explore Queenstown before departing.
Meals: Breakfast.
What’s Included
Your 15-day journey combines scenic rail, ferry travel, accommodation and selected touring across both islands, with the main arrangements coordinated before you travel.
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14 nights in comfortable 3–3.5 star hotel accommodation
Accommodation throughout Auckland, Ohakune, Wellington, Marlborough, Kaikōura, Christchurch, the West Coast and Queenstown
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Northern Explorer scenic train from Auckland to Ohakune
Northern Explorer scenic train from Ohakune to Wellington
Interislander ferry across Cook Strait
Coastal Pacific scenic train through Marlborough to Kaikōura
Coastal Pacific scenic train from Kaikōura to Christchurch
TranzAlpine scenic train across the Southern Alps
Road transport through the West Coast and Southern Lakes
Pick-ups and drop-offs at destinations where specified
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Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes
West Coast Treetop Walk
Short nature walk to the Franz Josef Glacier viewing area
Scenic journey through the Southern Lakes
Visit to historic Arrowtown as part of the journey to Queenstown
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Breakfast on most mornings
Four included dinners during the itinerary
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Coordinated travel itinerary
Transport connections arranged in advance
After-hours emergency support while travelling
Itinerary can be customised to suit your dates and interests
Not Included
Flights to and from New Zealand, travel insurance, meals not specifically listed, personal expenses and optional activities are not included unless added to your itinerary.
Where You’ll Stay
Stay in comfortable 3–3.5 star hotels throughout the journey, selected to work conveniently with the rail, ferry and touring connections.
Auckland — 1 night
Ohakune / Ruapehu — 2 nights
Wellington — 2 nights
Marlborough — 1 night
Christchurch — 2 nights
Punakaiki / West Coast — 1 night
Franz Josef — 1 night
Queenstown — 3 nights
Accommodation is based on comfortable 3–3.5 star hotels. Specific properties may vary depending on availability and travel dates
Make This New Zealand Journey Your Own
Use this 15 - day itinerary as your starting point, then we can adjust the route, accommodation and experiences to suit your travel dates, interests and budget.
We’ll bring the transport, accommodation and touring together into one carefully planned New Zealand holiday.