Holiday Overview
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
Day 1 - Arrive Auckland
Arrive in Auckland, check into your chosen hotels and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Day 2 - Auckland
A full day at leisure to explore Auckland.
Staying at Fable Auckland
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.
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.
Staying at Copthorne Hotel Wellington Oriental Bay
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.
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.
Staying at Furneaux Lodge
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.
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.
Staying at Scenic Hotel Marlborough
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.
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.
Staying at White Morph
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.
Day 12 - Christchurch
A full day at leisure to explore Christchurch.
Staying at Fable Christchurch
Day 13 - Christchurch
Today your itinerary concludes in Christchurch.
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Image Gallery
Coastal Pacific
Auckland
Interislander
Marlborough Sounds
Christchurch Tram
Viewing Car
Blenheim Vineyard
Track to Kaikoura
Christchurch
Leaving Auckland
Queen Charlotte track
Wellington
Blenheim
Kaikoura
Christchurch
Christchurch
Viewing Car
Auckland
Wellington
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2026, 2027 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 917 5742 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
North, South, East & West featuring the Ghan Train
- Sydney
- Adelaide
- Alice Springs
- Darwin
- Perth
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Travel on the incredible Ghan Train
- Enjoy Vibrant Sydney
- Vist the beautiful Blue Mountains
- Enjoy time in sun kissed Perth
13 Nights from £6985pp
Coast to Coast on the Indian Pacific
- Perth
- Adelaide
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Travel on the incredible Indian Pacific Train
- Cruise Sydney's awe inspiring harbour
- Enjoy time in sun kissed Perth
- Take a walking tour to discover Melbourne
14 Nights from £6170pp
Rovos Rail with Kruger Safari & Cape Town
- Johannesburg
- Kruger National Park
- Pretoria
- Rovos Rail
- Cape Town
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Journey on the luxury Rovos Rail train
- Enjoy an African Safari
- Spend time in Cape Town
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New Zealand’s Best of Both Islands
- Auckland
- Rotorua
- Napier
- Wellington
- Abel Tasman
- Punakaiki
- Christchurch
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Geo Thermal Activity in Rotorua
- Tranzalpine Train
- Abel Tasman National Park
- Hawkes Bay Winelands
13 Nights from £3480pp
Rockies & Alaska Experience
- Banff
- Lake Louise
- Jasper
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Kamloops
- Vancouver
- Alaska Cruise
- GoldLeaf Service Upgrade Included
- Save up to £550 per booking with Rocky Mountaineer
- Free cabin upgrades available
- Receive a free case of wine
- Exclusive savings of £100 per booking on Rocky Mountaineer
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
15 Nights from £6499pp
Indian Pacific and Holland America Cruise
- Perth
- Barossa Valley
- Adelaide
- Sydney
- Melbourne
- Milford Sound
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Wellington
- Napier
- Rotorua
- Bay of Islands
- Auckland
- Receive a free case of wine
- Save £300 per booking book by 31 October
- Travel on the incredible Indian Pacific
- Enjoy a lunch cruise around Sydney Harbour
- A spectacular 14-night New Zealand cruise
- Visit the Pinnacles
26 Nights from £9300pp