New Zealand By Train

  • Auckland
  • Wellington
  • Marlborough Sounds
  • Blenheim
  • Kaikoura
  • Christchurch
  • 13 nights from
  • £3,670 per person
  • Trip Code: RT-1110

Holiday Overview

New Zealand By Train 

Trains and ferries can be a very leisurely way of travelling around New Zealand as it allows you to step away from driving which you may do enough of at home. You will embark on the Northern Explorer in the North Island and the Coastal Pacific in the South Island. Each train allows you to sit back and relax and view the volcanic vistas, vineyards or coast lines of both islands.

 

Start Auckland End Christchurch

13 nights / 14 days

Islands Visits: North and South Islands

Highlights;

Northern Explorer train past Mount Ruapehu & surround volcanic plateau

Walk up Mount Victoria for views over Wellington

Coastal Pacific train through the Marlborough

Whale watching in Kaikoura

New Zealand By Train includes:

  • Flights
  • Rail Travel from Auckland to Christchurch
  • 2 Nights Accommodation Auckland
  • 2 nights Accommodation Wellington
  • Interisland Ferry
  • 2 Nights Accommodation Marlborough Sounds
  • 2 Nights Accommodation Blenheim
  • 2 Nights Accommodation Kaikoura
  • Whale Watch Cruise
  • 2 Nights Accommodation Christchurch
  • Transfer - Auckland hotel to train station
  • Transfer - Kaikoura hotel to train station
1

Day 1 - Arrive Auckland

Arrive in Auckland, check into your chosen hotels and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Featured accommodation

Fable Auckland

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InterContinental Auckland

Unmissable Experiences

Bay of Islands Extension

2

Day 2 - Auckland

A full day at leisure to explore Auckland.

Featured accommodation

Fable Auckland

Enhance your experience

InterContinental Auckland

Unmissable Experiences

Auckland Experiences

3

Day 3 - Auckland - Wellington

Depart Auckland for Wellington on the Northern Explorer. You will see stunning river gorges, Mount Ruapehu, the volcanic plateau and New Zealand farmland - all from the panoramic windows or open air viewing decks allowing you the best possible views.

Please note the current schedule operates Monday, Thursday & Saturday, departing Auckland 07:45 arriving Wellington 18:25.

Featured accommodation

Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay

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Intercontinental Wellington

4

Day 4 - Wellington

A full day of leisure to explore Wellington, perhaps take the cable car to the Mount Victoria lookout for a panoramic view of the city, make sure you visit Hannah’s Laneway, to sample some of the local gourmet produce.

Featured accommodation

Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay

Enhance your experience

Intercontinental Wellington

5

Day 5 - Wellington – Picton – Marlborough Sounds

Take the scenic ferry from Wellington to Picton and onto the beautiful Marlborough Sounds via water taxi. Spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Featured accommodation

Furneaux Lodge

6

Day 6 - Marlborough Sounds

A full day of leisure to enjoy the beautiful surroundings, perhaps walk a section of the Queen Charlotte Track, or take a kayak out onto the calm waters.

Featured accommodation

Furneaux Lodge

7

Day 7 - Marlborough Sounds – Picton – Blenheim

Take a water taxi back to Picton and board the Coastal Pacific train to Blenheim. Summer schedule 14:15 – 14:36. Spend the rest of the day at leisure in Blenheim.

Featured accommodation

Scenic Hotel Marlborough

8

Day 8 - Blenheim

Blenheim is situated in the heart of wine-growing Marlborough. It is one of the sunniest towns in New Zealand. In and around Blenheim you’ll find an array of cafes, restaurants, wineries, bars, shops and artisan food outlets.

Featured accommodation

Scenic Hotel Marlborough

9

Day 9 - Blenheim – Kaikoura

Continue the Coastal Pacific rail route onto the coastal town of Kaikoura, famed for its whale watching. Summer schedule; depart Blenheim 14:36 arrive Kaikoura 17:10.

Featured accommodation

White Morph

10

Day 10 - Kaikoura

Today enjoy a whale watching cruise. Every Whale Watch tour is a unique experience and the sightings vary. Giant Sperm Whales are the stars of the show and year-round residents. A typical Whale Watch tour may encounter New Zealand Fur Seals, pods of Dusky Dolphins and the endangered Wandering Albatross.

Featured accommodation

White Morph

11

Day 11 - Kaikoura – Christchurch

Spend the day at leisure before taking the final leg of the Coastal Pacific to Christchurch, departing at 17:20 arriving 20:30. Please note there is an option to take an earlier Inter City Coach transfer.

Featured accommodation

Fable Christchurch

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The Observatory Hotel Christchurch

12

Day 12 - Christchurch

A full day at leisure to explore Christchurch.

Featured accommodation

Fable Christchurch

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The Observatory Hotel Christchurch

13

Day 13 - Christchurch

Today your itinerary concludes in Christchurch.

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