19 Days | New Zealand Signature Rail, Cruise & Coach with Flights
Auckland - Wellington - Christchurch - Queenstown - Dunedin - Milford Sound - Bay of Islands - Rotorua - Franz Josef - Picton
Fully escorted tour with flights from Australia
4 amazing cruises & 3 iconic rail journeys included
Enjoy 17 nights of hand-picked 4-Star accommodation
Milford Sound overnight cruise, airport transfers & more
From
$10,799
Typically $11,059
pp Twin Share
Book
Now
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Description
For a LIMITED TIME ONLY receive the extremely popular GPT JACKET for FREE
This incredible 19-day Signature Rail Cruise and Coach all-inclusive tour is the perfect way to explore New Zealand, with its incredible sightseeing, quirky cities, abundant wildlife and friendly locals. Discover an array of amazing highlights, including the Glenbrook Vintage Railway, Coastal Pacific Rail Journey, world-renowned TranzAlpine Rail Journey, Skyline Rotorua Gondola, Milford Sound Overnight Cruise, Larnach Castle, city tours and much more.
Your fully escorted tour includes 17-nights in 4-star accommodation, return airport transfers in New Zealand, 3 rail journeys and 4 cruises. A professional coach captain and tour leader will warmly welcome you and are excited to show you the spectacular highlights of the tour while you can sit back, enjoy and explore in Premium Economy Comfort on the Signature Coach.
Comprising two main islands—the North and South Island—along with several smaller islands, New Zealand is famous for its striking geographical diversity. From volcanic mountains and geothermal areas in the north to fjords, glaciers, and towering peaks in the south, the country’s scenery attracts adventurers, nature lovers, and filmmakers alike. Its natural beauty has served as the backdrop for numerous films, including the Lord of the Rings trilogy, which brought its rugged landscapes to international attention.
The North Island is known for its subtropical climate, Maori cultural heritage, and geothermal activity. Rotorua, a popular tourist destination, is renowned for its hot springs, mud pools, and geysers, offering visitors a glimpse into the geothermal forces shaping the land. The island is also home to the country’s capital, Wellington, a vibrant city with a strong arts scene, and Auckland, the largest city, known for its iconic skyline dominated by the Sky Tower. Additionally, the North Island is culturally significant for the Maori people, and places like Waitangi, where the Treaty of Waitangi was signed, provide visitors with rich insights into the nation’s colonial history and indigenous culture.
The South Island, by contrast, is celebrated for its rugged wilderness and outdoor adventure opportunities. The Southern Alps stretch across the island, offering stunning vistas of snow-capped peaks and alpine lakes, while Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famous for its dramatic fjords like Milford Sound. Queenstown, often referred to as the adventure capital of the world, draws thrill-seekers for activities like bungee jumping, skiing, and skydiving. In addition to its adrenaline-fueled attractions, the South Island also offers a slower pace, with tranquil vineyards in the Marlborough region producing some of the world’s finest Sauvignon Blanc.
In 2025, explore the best of the New Zealand with us and travel in premium comfort on a custom-designed coach. With an expert driver and guide, fantastic accommodation, plus a range of meals, included activities and more, this is your chance to explore the best of Aotearoa in style.
Itinerary Downloadable Itinerary
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8 Day 9 Day 10 Day 11 Day 12 Day 13 Day 14 Day 15 Day 16 Day 17 Day 18 Day 19
Australia New Zealand
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 when you meet your Tour Leader and travelling companions for dinner.
Accommodation: Grand Millenium Auckland
Meals Included: Dinner
*Flights included ex Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane only.
Auckland Bay Of Islands
Enjoy a city tour of Auckland, dubbed the ‘City of Sails’, before travelling to Matakohe to enjoy a visit and informative talk at the Kauri Museum. Travel via Whangarei to Paihia, situated in the heart of the beautiful Bay of Islands. Enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Māori tribes and the British.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Bay of Islands (Free Day)
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 optional dinner cruise.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands
Meals Included: Breakfast
Bay of Islands Auckland
This morning we cruise through the beautiful Bay of Islands aboard a luxury catamaran to Cape Brett, where a historic lighthouse keeps watch over Piercy Island, or as it is popularly known, the ‘Hole in the Rock’. Keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. Upon return to Paihia, travel south via Whangarei, before returning to Auckland. This evening is free to explore the many eateries surrounding your hotel.
Accommodation: Grand Millenium Auckland
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 including a delightful morning tea. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua, renowned for its geothermal activity and Māori culture.
Accommodation: Pullman Rotorua
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Rotorua
Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Next stop is the Agrodome for an action-packed hour of farming, entertainment and education that is 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 Māori Hāngi and Concert.
Accommodation: Pullman Rotorua
Meals Included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
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 continue south to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.
Accommodation: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 coach for an extensive city tour. This afternoon, ride the Wellington Cable Car to Kelburn Station where you can explore the Cable Car Museum or stroll through the Botanic Gardens. This evening is also free to explore Wellington’s lively food scene.
Accommodation: James Cook Hotel Grand Chancellor
Meals Included: Breakfast
Wellington Marlborough Sounds Kaikõura Christchurch
This morning, board the Interislander Ferry 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 Kaikōura Ranges. Meet your coach in the fishing village of Kaikōura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch.
Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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 leisure. This evening is free to explore the local cuisine.
Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast
Christchurch Arthur's Pass Franz Josef
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. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone, before arriving at the township of Franz Josef where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Franz Josef Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast
Queenstown (Free Day)
Today is a free day to explore Queenstown. Your Coach Captain and Tour Leader will assist with the 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.
Accommodation: Millennium Hotel Queenstown
Meals Included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
Queenstown Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
This morning, travel to Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue via Te Anau to Milford Sound and board the Milford Mariner for your amazing overnight cruise. There is plenty of time to view the fiord’s spectacular waterfalls, rainforest, mountains and wildlife - you’re bound to encounter seals, and if you’re lucky, maybe dolphins and penguins. There are opportunities to explore the shoreline by tender boat or kayak (swimwear required) - or to simply relax on board. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef.
Accommodation: Overnight Milford Mariner
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Milford Sound Te Anau
Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back out to the Tasman Sea (weather permitting) to explore more of the fiord. Return to the wharf to meet your coach and enjoy the scenic drive to Te Anau, where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glowworm Caves (optional).
Accommodation: Distinction Luxmore Hotel (Deluxe Room)
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
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. Enjoy a city tour of New Zealand’s oldest university city.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Dunedin
Travel along the picturesque Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour, you will hear the tragic and scandalous tales which make up the castle’s history. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance, followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for some free time. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era.
Accommodation: Scenic Hotel Dunedin City
Meals Included: Breakfast
Dunedin Christchurch
Today travel to the small town of Oamaru, famous for its limestone architecture, before continuing to Christchurch. This evening, enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.
Accommodation: Distinction Christchurch Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast, Speciality Dinner
New Zealand Australia
Time to say goodbye! You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Inclusions & Exclusions
Inclusions
This fantastic, fully escorted tour includes transfers in New Zealand, Premium Economy 32 seat coach travel, 4-star accommodation, most meals, sightseeing and attractions
- Professional Coach Captain & Experienced Tour Leader
- Flights from either Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane with Air New Zealand (please contact us for a quote from regional Australia)
- 17 nights in premium 4-Star accommodation
- Personalised ''meet and greet" on arrival
- Return airport transfers in New Zealand
- 3 iconic New Zealand rail journeys (please note that due to operational reasons, the Coastal Pacific Train is not operating in 2024 and this leg will be done by coach)
- 4 separate cruises including an overnight experience on the Milford Sound
- All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
- Extensive optional activities
- Signature documentation pack
Meals:
- 18 cooked breakfasts, including speciality breakfast Stratosfare Restaurant, Rotorua
- 12 dinners
- 2 morning teas
Pre-Paid Included Tours:
- Kauri Museum
- Waitangi Treaty Grounds
- Wellington Cable Car
- Hole in the Rock Dolphin Cruise
- Glenbrook Vintage Railway
- Skyline Rotorua Gondola and Luge Ride
- Agrodome
- Thermal mud pools and geysers*
- Te Puia traditional Mãori Hãngi and Concert
- Te Papa, NZ’s National Museum
- Cruise on the Interislander Ferry
- Coastal Pacific Rail Journey
- International Antarctic Centre
- Christchurch Tram
- TranzAlpine Rail Journey
- Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
- Lakes District Museum
- HIGHLIGHT Milford Sound Overnight Cruise
- Larnach Castle and Devonshire Tea*
- City sights tour of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin
Exclusions
- Meals not mentioned
- Any additional requests
- Travel insurance
- Laundry
- Items of a personal nature, such as souvenirs
Important Information: All departure dates are guaranteed*
Single Supplement: There is a single supplement of $3200 payable on check out
Room Types: Twin or double, maximum occupancy of 2
Child Policy: Children under 16 years are not permitted
Passport & Visa Requirements: All visitors require a passport to enter New Zealand. Your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the date that you intend to leave New Zealand. For Australian citizens travelling on an Australian passport, you do not need a visa or permit to visit New Zealand. Visitors from visa-waiver countries must request an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) prior to travelling to New Zealand. For visitors from non-visa waiver countries, it is recommended you contact your Travel Agent or NZ Immigration for full entry requirements. If you are not an Australian Citizen or permanent resident, you may also have to pay for an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL). Please check with your Travel Agent for up to date immigration requirements
Travel Insurance: We recommend Covermore travel insurance. To quote and book, please click HERE
Pre & Post Accommodation:
- Auckland: from $200 pp twin share / $400 Single Room per night
- Christchurch: from $200 pp twin share / $400 Single Room per night
Sounds like you? Please note that New Zealand packages with Grand Pacific Tours can sell out up to 12 months in advance. Please contact us if you're interested.
Departure Dates
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