New Zealand Coach Tour (Rail Journeys & Scenic Cruises)

An unforgettable journey awaits you

Embark on a travel experience that will stay with you forever. We offer a blend of culture, adventure, and tranquility, ensuring every moment is filled with wonder. Whether you’re seeking thrill or relaxation, we create journeys that are truly unforgettable.

The journey Begins

Ultimate Tour Style Coach

20 Business Class reclining leather seats with adjustable headrests and calf support. Panoramic viewing, air conditioning, seat belts and onboard restroom. Wood grain timber tray table with built-in cup holder. Seat-side personal storage providing easy access to your travel bag. Personal audio control unit with multiple music channels and a complimentary set of headphones. Stylish centre galley area equipped with refrigerated drinking fountain and fridge units. Complimentary daily onboard Wi-Fi allowance and USB charging port. Access to daily newspapers and range of glossy magazines.
Day 1: Arrive Auckland

On arrival into Auckland you will be met by a Grand Pacific Tours representative and transferred to your hotel. This evening enjoy a complimentary pre-dinner drink as you meet your travelling companions.

Overnight: Auckland

Meals: Dinner
Day 2: Auckland - Bay of Islands

Board the luxurious Ultimate Coach and enjoy an Auckland city sights tour before travelling to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Continue through Whangarei to the Bay of Islands. This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British.

Overnight: Paihia, Bay of Islands

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3: Bay of Islands

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).

Overnight: Paihia, Bay of Islands

Meals: Breakfast
Day 4: Bay of Islands - Auckland

This morning you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands including an island visit aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. On return to Paihia, travel south returning to Auckland. This evening is free to dine at leisure.

Overnight: Auckland

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5: 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. Visit the restoration workshop and on return to Glenbrook Station, morning tea will be served. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua to visit the National Kiwi Hatchery, for a unique behind the scenes tour of the world’s largest kiwi hatchery.

Overnight: Rotorua

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6: Rotorua

Today begins with a Gondola ride at the Skyline Rotorua for breakfast with champagne, spectacular views and also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action packed hour of farming entertainment and education that's 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 Maori Hangi and Concert.

Overnight: Rotorua

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7: 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 then continue south to NZ’s capital city, Wellington.

Overnight: Wellington

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 8: 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 Ultimate coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also at leisure.

Overnight: Wellington

Meals: Breakfast
Day 9: Wellington - Kaikõura - Christchurch

This morning board the Interislander Ferry, cross the Cook Strait and enjoy the scenery as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikõura Ranges. Meet your Ultimate Coach in the fishing village of Kaikõura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch.

Overnight: Christchurch

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 10: 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 your leisure. This evening is free to enjoy one of the many eateries near your hotel.

Overnight: Christchurch

Meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Christchurch - Arthur's Pass - Fox Glacier

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 Ultimate Coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing via Franz Josef to the township of Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.

Overnight: Fox Glacier

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 12: Fox Glacier - Queenstown

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into Arrowtown to visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants.

Overnight: Queenstown

Meals: Breakfast
Day 13: Queenstown at Leisure

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with 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.

Overnight: Queenstown

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14: Queenstown - Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise

Today travel via Te Anau to Manapouri. Enjoy lunch as you cruise across this glacial lake. A short ride over the Wilmot Pass brings you to the boarding point to join the Fiordland Navigator for an amazing overnight experience. As you cruise through the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound, naturalist guides will provide commentary and point out the resident wildlife. When evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared by the onboard chef.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15: Doubtful Sound - Te Anau

Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Deep Cove for the trip to Manapouri. Return to the wharf and meet your Ultimate Coach for the journey to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).

Overnight: Te Anau

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 16: 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. Today Dunedin is New Zealand’s oldest university city.

Overnight: Dunedin

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 17: Dunedin

Travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour you will hear the tragic and scandalous stories followed by time to wander around this Garden of International Significance and an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Return to Dunedin for a city tour followed by some free time. Optional activities available include a tour of the Speight’s Brewery, which produces New Zealand’s most popular beer, see wildlife in their natural habitat or take a tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing many treasures of a bygone era.

Overnight: Dunedin

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 18: Dunedin - Christchurch

This morning travel to the city of Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue north to Pleasant Point Museum and Railway for a short rail experience followed by lunch and time to explore the preserved heritage of the South Canterbury railway. This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with selected beverages and your newfound friends.

Overnight: Christchurch

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 19: Depart Christchurch

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

Meals: Breakfast

Download Full Itinerary

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Applicable taxes vary depending on travel destination and are not included. Please ask your sales agent what extra taxes will be payable for your tour.

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What’s Included

Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
Return airport transfers in New Zealand
Professional Coach Captain
17 nights 4.5 star accommodation
Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
6 two night stays
Hotel porterage
4 rail journeys
4 cruises
All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
Extensive Optional Activities
Ultimate Documentation Pack

What’s Not Included

Airfare unless specified as included within the itinerary
Taxes as applicable
Travel Insurance and Cancellation Protection (strongly recommended, ask us for a quote!)
Gratuities for Local Guides, Tour Managers, and/or Bus Drivers
Meals not specifically mentioned as included in the itinerary
Items (attractions and sightseeing & entrance fees) not listed as included in the itinerary

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tour Questions

The 19 Day Ultimate New Zealand Rail, Cruise & Coach Holiday is a fully escorted journey covering highlights across New Zealand's North and South Islands. The tour combines coach travel, scenic rail journeys, cruises, sightseeing and 4.5-star accommodation.

The itinerary includes the Bay of Islands and Waitangi Treaty Grounds, Rotorua's geothermal and Māori experiences, Wellington, scenic rail journeys, Queenstown, Dunedin, Larnach Castle and an overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound.

Travelers journey aboard Anderson's Ultimate Coach, which features business-class leather reclining seats, individual tray tables, onboard restrooms and Wi-Fi. The coach is designed to provide a comfortable way to travel between the destinations included in the itinerary.

Yes. The itinerary includes several rail experiences, including the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Coastal Pacific and TranzAlpine journeys. These routes showcase different landscapes across New Zealand during the North and South Island journey.

Yes. The tour includes a visit to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds followed by a cruise toward Cape Brett and the famous Hole in the Rock. The cruise also provides opportunities to see marine life such as dolphins.

Rotorua includes several experiences, including a Skyline Rotorua gondola ride, the Agrodome, Te Puia's geothermal attractions and a Māori Hangi and Concert. The itinerary combines Rotorua's natural, cultural and geothermal highlights.

Yes. The Doubtful Sound experience includes a journey across Lake Manapouri and over Wilmot Pass before boarding the Fiordland Navigator for an overnight cruise. Naturalist guides provide information about the fiord's environment and wildlife during the cruise.

The Queenstown itinerary includes free time to explore the city and a cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Travelers also enjoy a gourmet barbecue dinner, a farm tour and the return cruise.

Yes. The tour includes a Dunedin city tour and a visit to Larnach Castle on the Otago Peninsula. Travelers can explore the castle and gardens and enjoy an Ultimate High Tea in the Grand Ballroom.

The package includes 17 nights of 4.5-star accommodation, a professional Coach Captain, airport transfers, hotel porterage, the specified rail journeys and cruises, the Doubtful Sound overnight cruise and the sightseeing and prepaid attractions listed in the itinerary. Meals are included as specified in the tour itinerary.

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