Overview
This once-in-a-lifetime rail holiday in will combine three of New Zealand’s great train journeys with five days of driving the untamed West Coast from Queenstown, home to giant glaciers, waterfalls & blowholes.
| Duration | 12 days / 11 nights |
|---|---|
| Starts | Queenstown, South Island |
| Ends | Auckland, North Island |
| Destinations | Auckland, Christchurch, Milford Sound, Picton, Queenstown, Wellington, West Coast |
| Code | ANZ2612DGRE |
Inclusions
- 11 nights of superior accommodation (3.5/4 star)
- 5 Days Car Hire from Queenstown to Greymouth
- Premium car hire insurance with a nil excess
- Small Group Milford Sound Coach & Cruise with Lunch
- Explore the Glacier Country in Franz Josef
- TranzAlpine Scenic Train Journey
- Coastal Pacific Scenic Train Journey
- Interislander Ferry from Picton to Wellington
- Northern Explorer Scenic Train Journey
- Shuttle Transfers in Christchurch, Wellington & Auckland
Pricing & Dates
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Itinerary
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Arrive into Queenstown and transfer to your superior accommodation. Settle into this alpine playground, framed by Remarkables peaks and Lake Wakatipu. Enjoy a relaxed evening dining on the waterfront or exploring the town’s vibrant atmosphere.
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Experience one of New Zealand’s most iconic natural wonders with a small group coach and cruise to Milford Sound. Travel through Fiordland National Park, then cruise beneath towering cliffs and cascading waterfalls, with lunch included on board. Return to Queenstown this evening.
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Collect your premium rental car (with nil excess insurance included) and journey over the Crown Range to Wanaka. Enjoy a leisurely afternoon by Lake Wanaka, perhaps exploring lakeside walking trails or local vineyards.
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Drive through the spectacular Haast Pass, where waterfalls, rainforest and dramatic alpine scenery accompany you west. Arrive in Franz Josef and settle into glacier country for a two-night stay.
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Today is yours to explore this remarkable landscape. Walk to glacier viewpoints, discover rainforest trails, or opt for a scenic helicopter flight over the Franz Josef Glacier. Relax this evening in the peaceful surrounds of the West Coast.
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Travel north along the rugged West Coast to Greymouth, where you return your vehicle. Enjoy a relaxed evening preparing for one of the world’s great rail journeys tomorrow.
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Board the iconic TranzAlpine for a spectacular journey across the Southern Alps. Cross viaducts, river valleys and dramatic mountain passes en route to Christchurch. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure.
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Travel north aboard the Coastal Pacific, where the Pacific Ocean meets rugged coastline and vineyard country. Arrive in Picton and board the Interislander Ferry for a scenic cruise through the Marlborough Sounds and across Cook Strait to Wellington. Transfer to your hotel on arrival.
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Enjoy a free day in the capital. Explore the vibrant waterfront, visit Te Papa Museum, or discover the city’s renowned café culture before your next rail adventure.
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Board the Northern Explorer for a journey through the heart of the North Island. Volcanic plateaus, rolling farmland and engineering marvels unfold along the way before arriving in Auckland. Transfer to your hotel for a two-night stay.
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Discover Auckland at your own pace — explore the Viaduct Harbour, take a ferry to Waiheke Island, or climb Mt Eden for panoramic harbour views. Enjoy a final evening reflecting on your grand rail journey.
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Transfer to the airport for your onward journey, departing with unforgettable memories of alpine crossings, coastal railways and spectacular scenery from south to north.
Terms and Conditions
Back to topPackage must start on a Tuesday.
Pricing featured is based on 2 adults sharing and priced as per person in Australian Dollars. Pricing is correct at the time of submission but is subject to change without notice. Valid for select travel dates in 2025, 2026 & 2027. Due to Great Train Journeys schedules, this package must start on a Monday (2025) & Tuesday (2026-27). Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates apply including special events and holiday periods. Accommodation will be confirmed at time of booking. Car hire is based on a Toyota Corolla Hybrid or similar with Ezi Car Rental including Premium Insurance with a NIL excess. Pick up is from Queenstown Airport and drop off is at Greymouth. A one-way fee of NZ$150 is to be paid direct.
Resources
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Collection
Great Rail Journeys of New Zealand
Discover a collection of our most popular Independent Rail Holidays and Guided Rail Tours.
