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.
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
Intercontinental 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
Intercontinental 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.
Intercontinental Wellington
Adjacent to Wellington’s waterfront, InterContinental Wellington is a global five-star hotel located in the heart of Wellington city. It is the seamless and personal service that makes InterContinental Wellington one of the best luxury hotels in Wellington. You will experience truly memorable moments and get the insider knowledge from the award-winning Concierge team, to help you discover the arts, events, shopping, and culinary culture. Discover the glamour, sophistication and unrivalled heritage that InterContinental Wellington has to offer
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
Alternative Holidays That May Interest You
Below you will find a small selection of 2024, 2025 holidays that may interest you. Remember, we tailor-make each holiday to your exact needs, so please call us on 0800 270 0009 and let one of our Holiday experts design the perfect trip for you
USA Train Holidays
The Texas Eagle
- 13 Nights
- Los Angeles
- San Antonio
- Austin
- Dallas
- Chicago
USA Road Trips
Mountains and Canyons Fly-Drive
- 14 Nights
- Denver
- Glenwood Springs
- Moab
- Kayenta
- Page
- Williams
- Las Vegas
Canada Winter Experiences
Winter Escapades
- 9 Nights
- Vancouver
- Jasper
- Lake Louise
- Banff
- Calgary
Vietnam Holidays
Complete Vietnam
- 14 Nights
- Hanoi
- Halong Bay
- Hue
- Hoi An
- Phu Quoc
- Ho Chi Minh
- Mekong Delta
Ontario & Quebec
The Capitals & Eastern Canada
- 10 Nights
- Toronto
- Ottawa
- Quebec City
- Niagara Falls
Denali Explorer & Glaciers
- 13 Nights
- Anchorage
- McKinley Wilderness Lodge
- Denali Wilderness Lodge
- Whittier
- Hubbard Glacier
- Glacier Bay National Park
- Skagway
- Juneau
- Ketchikan
- At Sea
- Vancouver Port
- Vancouver
New Zealand Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
South Island’s Natural Wonders
- 9 Nights
- Christchurch
- Franz Josef
- Wanaka
- Queenstown
- Lake Tekapo
USA Train Holidays
Journey Through the Rockies to the Red Rocks and Beyond
- 14 Nights
- Denver
- Moab
- Monument Valley
- Grand Canyon
- Williams
- Las Vegas
- San Francisco
USA Cruises
Boston, Maine & Canada
- 15 Nights
- Boston
- Bar Harbor
- Halifax
- Charlottetown
- Sydney NS
- New York
- Portland Maine
Ontario & Quebec
The Maritimes, Quebec & Ontario
- 15 Nights
- Halifax
- Baddeck
- Liscombe Mills
- Montreal
- Ottawa
- Toronto
USA Train Holidays
Rockies to the Red Rocks & Beyond
- 8 Nights
- Denver
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Glenwood Springs
- Moab
- Kayenta
- Grand Canyon
- Las Vegas
Canada Holiday Offers
The Rockies, Vancouver & Victoria
- 12 Nights
- Banff
- Lake Louise
- Jasper
- Vancouver
- Victoria
Australia Multi Centre Holidays 2024, 2025
Australia and New Zealand Combined
- 14 Nights
- Melbourne
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Queenstown
- Sydney
USA Train Holidays
Rockies to the Red Rocks Explorer Salt Lake City
- 5 Nights
- Salt Lake City
- Moab
- Glenwood Springs
- Denver
Spectacular Rail Journeys
Northern BC & Rockies Explorer
- 17 Nights
- Whistler
- Jasper
- Banff
- Prince George
- Prince Rupert
- Port Hardy
- Vancouver
Canadian Rockies & Grand Alaska
- 13 Nights
- Calgary
- Banff
- Kamloops
- Vancouver
- Vancouver Port
- Inside Passage
- Ketchikan
- Juneau
- Skagway
- Glacier Bay
- College Fjord
- Whittier
- Anchorage
Alaska by Rail and Sea
- 15 Nights
- Fairbanks
- Talkeenta
- Anchorage
- Seward
- Hubbard Glacier
- Juneau
- Skagway
- Ketchikan
- Icy Strait Point
- Inside Passage
- Vancouver
Yukon & Alaska
Alaskan Wilderness Discovery
- 21 Nights
- Vancouver
- Alaska Cruise
- Alyeska
- Anchorage
- Talkeenta
- Denali National Park
- Fairbanks
- Seattle
Canadian Rocky Mountains
Canadian Rockies & Alaskan Explorer
- 14 Nights
- Banff
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Kamloops
- Vancouver
- Alaska Cruise
British Columbia by Rail and Alaska Cruise
- 17 Nights
- Vancouver
- Jasper
- Prince George
- Prince Rupert
- Alaska Cruise
Canadian Rocky Mountains
Canadian Discovery
- 14 Nights
- Vancouver
- Kamloops
- Jasper
- Banff
- Calgary
- Toronto
Majestic Alaska & Rocky Mountains
- 14 Nights
- Calgary
- Banff
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Vancouver
- Alaska Cruise
Vancouver, Alaska & the Rockies
- 18 Nights
- Vancouver
- Canada Place
- Inside Passage
- Tracy Arm/Juneau
- Skagway
- Glacier Bay
- Ketchikan
- Kamloops
- Jasper
- Banff
- Calgary
Spectacular Rail Journeys
Highlights of Eastern & Western Canada
- 16 Nights
- Toronto
- Niagara Falls
- Banff
- Jasper
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Vancouver
- Whistler
Canadian Rocky Mountains
Mighty Rockies & Eastern Maritimes
- 19 Nights
- Vancouver
- Kamloops
- Jasper
- Banff
- Montreal
- Quebec City
- Charlottetown
- Sydney NS
- Bar Harbor
- Boston
June Holidays
Rocky Mountain RailTour - an escorted tour
- 10 Nights
- Calgary
- Banff
- Lake Louise
- Jasper
- Kamloops
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Vancouver
- Victoria
May Holidays
Rockies Grand Circle - an escorted tour
- 14 Nights
- Vancouver
- Whistler
- Sun Peaks Resort
- Jasper
- Banff
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Kamloops
- Victoria
Calgary Stampede
Cowboys & Trains - The Calgary Stampede
- 13 Nights
- Vancouver
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Kamloops
- Jasper
- Banff
- Calgary
Best of Western Canada
- 14 Nights
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Tofino
- Campbell River
- Jasper
- Banff
Spectacular Rail Journeys
Across Canada by Rail
- 27 Nights
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Edmonton
- Jasper
- Banff
- Calgary
- Toronto
- Montreal
- Halifax
Canada & Alaska Sojourn Eastbound
- 19 Nights
- Vancouver
- Alaska Cruise
- Kamloops
- Jasper
- Banff
- Toronto
- Niagara Falls
Calgary Stampede
Rainforest to Goldrush & Calgary Stampede
- 14 Nights
- Victoria
- Vancouver
- Whistler
- Quesnel
- Jasper
- Banff
- Calgary
Jewels of Alaska & Canada
- 19 Nights
- Banff
- Jasper
- Quesnel
- Whistler
- Vancouver
- Alaska Cruise
- Victoria
Ontario & Quebec
Grand Canadian Adventure
- 17 Nights
- Toronto
- Banff
- Jasper
- Kamloops
- Vancouver
- Victoria
- Whistler
Rocky Mountaineer and Canadian Heli-Hiking
- 14 Nights
- Banff
- Golden
- Rocky Mountaineer
- Vancouver
- Sonora Island