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:
- 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.
Featured accommodation
Rydges Auckland
Unmissable Experiences
Bay of Islands Extension
Day 2 - Auckland
A full day at leisure to explore Auckland
Featured accommodation
Rydges 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.
Featured accommodation
Distinction Wellington
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
Distinction Wellington
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Day 12 - Christchurch
A full day at leisure to explore Christchurch.
Featured accommodation
Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Day 13 - Christchurch
Today your itinerary concludes in Christchurch.
Rydges, Auckland
Just 700 yards from Viaduct Harbour, Rydges Auckland offers rooms with stunning city or harbour views. All rooms have free WiFi, a flat-screen TV with cable channels and in-room movies. Guests enjoy an on-site fitness centre.
Distinction Wellington
The ideal base for business or leisure, the 4.5 star Wellington hotel offers 89 stylish and contemporary apartments, from studio rooms to 2 bedroom apartments, and stunning penthouse suites.
Furneaux Lodge, Marlborough Sounds
Located at the head of Endeavour Inlet in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds, Furneaux Lodge has a backdrop of native forest and lush rolling lawns right to the stunning green-blue water.
Scenic Hotel Marlborough, Blenheim
Located in the heart of sunny Marlborough,the Scenic Hotel Marlborough is just minutes walk from the centre of Blenheim with some of New Zealand's finest food and wine virtually on your doorstep. Scenic Hotel Marlborough offers guests the ultimate in modern comfort and service.
White Morph
Set on the Esplanade in Kaikoura, Heritage Collection The White Morph enjoys commanding views of the ocean and mountains, and gives you access to all of the region’s experiences.
Rydges Latimer Christchurch
Enjoy luxurious accommodation at the Rydges Latimer Christchurch hotel surrounded in stunning natural beauty. This 4.5-star hotel has been built to ensure a top-of-the-line experience, features and amenities, with 100 percent compliance to the latest building code requirements.
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
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