19 Days | New Zealand Signature Rail, Cruise & Coach with Flights

AUCKLAND BAY OF ISLANDS

Enjoy a city tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, before travelling to Matakohe to enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Māori tribes and the British.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

BAY OF ISLANDS (FREE DAY)

Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight. This evening is also free, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional).

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands

Meals included: Breakfast

BAY OF ISLANDS AUCKLAND 

This morning cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Upon return to Paihia, travel south via Whangarei, before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the many eateries surrounding your hotel.

Accommodation: SkyCity Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

AUCKLAND ROTORUA

This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15 kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train including a delightful morning tea. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua renowned for its geothermal activity and Māori culture.

Accommodation: Pullman Rotorua (City View Room)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

ROTORUA

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming entertainment and education that is unlike anything you’ve seen before. Enjoy some free time this afternoon before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Māori Hāngi and Concert.

Accommodation: Pullman Rotorua (City View Room)

Meals included: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

ROTORUA WELLINGTON

Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and continue south to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.

Accommodation: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

WELLINGTON

A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon and this evening is also free to explore Wellington’s lively food scene.

Accommodation: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor (Executive Room)

Meals included: Breakfast

WELLINGTON Marlborough Sounds Kaikõura  CHRISTCHURCH

This morning board the Interislander Ferry where you can relax in comfort in the Queen Charlotte Lounge. Enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. For 2025 Departures, Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Ranges. Meet your coach in the fishing village of Kaikōura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch.

(Please note that due to operational reasons the Coastal Pacific Train is not operating in 2024 and this leg will be done by coach).

Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

CHRISTCHURCH

Today visit the International Antarctic Centre, designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch. This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at leisure. This evening is free to explore the local cuisine.

Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast

CHRISTCHURCH ARTHUR’S PASS FRANZ JOSEF

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur’s Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before arriving at the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier (Douglas Wing)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

FRANZ JOSEF - QUEENSTOWN (B)

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Meals included: Breakfast

QUEENSTOWN (FREE DAY)

Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader will assist with the many optional activities available. This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown.

Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown

Meals included: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

QUEENSTOWN MILFORD SOUND OVERNIGHT CRUISE

This morning travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via Te Anau to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner for your amazing overnight cruise. There is plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife - you’re bound to encounter seals and if you’re lucky maybe dolphins and penguins. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by tender boat or kayak (swimwear required) - or to simply relax on board. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef.

Accommodation: Overnight Milford Mariner

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

MILFORD SOUND TE ANAU

Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to explore more of the fiord. Return to the wharf to meet your coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Deluxe Room)

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

TE ANAU DUNEDIN

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. This afternoon enjoy a tour of Olveston Historic Home, beautifully preserved merchant’s home from the turn of the century containing a wealth of precious treasures of a bygone era.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner 

DUNEDIN

This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for a city tour followed by some free time for optional activities. This evening is also free to dine at leisure.

Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Southern Cross

Meals included: Breakfast

DUNEDIN  CHRISTCHURCH

Today travel to the small town of Oamaru, famous for its limestone architecture before continuing to Christchurch. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel

Meals included: Breakfast, Specialty Dinner

DEPART CHRISTCHURCH

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.

Meals included: Breakfast