/> Skip to content
BOOK ONLINE NOW or call us on 1300 631 383

New Zealand Rail, Cruise and Coach Holiday

New Zealand Rail, Cruise and Coach Holiday

From Auckland to Dunedin and flying home from Christchurch, this New Zealand experience includes two of New Zealand’s famous rail journeys and an overnight cruise in Milford Sound. Explore the Bay of Islands, Rotorua’s geysers and Larnach Castle. Tour the diverse and cultural cities of the north and south islands, and enjoy traditional Maori Hangi and concert at Te Puia.

Book Now

 

19 Day Rail, Signature Rail, Cruise and Coach Holiday

Locally Escorted Tour

 

Click here for a Printer friendly itinerary

Day 1

Home – Auckland
Today you will board your flight to Auckland where on arrival, 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.

D

Day 2

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 Mãori tribes and the British.

B, D

Day 3

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 dinner cruise (optional).

B

Day 4

Bay of Islands – Auckland
This morning 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, call into the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree before returning to Auckland.

B, D

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 followed by 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 Mãori culture.

B, D

Day 6

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 Mãori Hãngi and Concert.

B, D

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 continue south to New Zealand’s capital city, Wellington.

B, D

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 coach for an extensive city tour. Enjoy time at leisure this afternoon and this evening is also free to explore Wellington’s lively food scene.

B

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. Meet your coach and travel along the rugged coastline to Kaikõura where the mountains spectacularly meet the sea. Continue south to the garden city of Christchurch.

B, D

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 leisure. This evening is free to explore the local cuisine.

B

Day 11

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 located in the centre of the Southern Alps. 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.

B, D

Day 12

Queenstown
See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into picturesque Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu. This evening is free to dine at one of the many fine restaurants.

B

Day 13

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.

B, D

Day 14

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. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef.

B, D

Day 15

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).

B, D

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. This afternoon visit Speight’s Brewery, a Dunedin icon, for an informative and interactive tour through this working brewery. The tasting session will be followed by a delicious dinner at the Ale House restaurant.

B, D

Day 17

Dunedin
This morning travel along the Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle where you hear of the tragic and scandalous history on a guided tour. Enjoy time to wander around this Garden of International Significance followed by a delicious Devonshire Tea. Return to Dunedin for a city tour followed by some free time. Optional activities you might be interested in, include the chance to see wildlife in their natural habitat.

B, D

Day 18

Dunedin - Christchurch
This morning visit Olveston Historic Home, a prosperous merchants’ home from the turn of the century before travelling to Oamaru, famous for its limestone. This evening enjoy a pre-dinner drink and reminisce on memories shared with your new friends at the farewell dinner.

B, D

Day 19

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

B

B=Breakfast, D=Dinner

 

TOUR FARE (incl GST) DEPARTING BRISBANE: $9,159 per person

TOUR FARE (incl GST) DEPARTING THE HUNTER: $9,159 per person

Single Supplement available @ $2,650 extra

 

BOOKING TERMS AND CONDITIONS - as per detailed itinerary

It is not possible to display the home pick-ups map because JavaScript is disabled in your web browser.

JavaScript Information

The map below shows the home pick-up areas and price bands that we service.

Loading
Home Pick-up Pricing Key:
$100.00
$50.00
$0.00

Please select the number of passengers that will be travelling

From Price Book Now Call Back Telephone Favourites
Loading

It is not possible to display any suggested tours because JavaScript is disabled in your web browser.

Loading

Explore Australia with us

We offer Australian Holiday Tours around our beautiful country and Day Tours from Brisbane and the Hunter.In addition, we present a range of selected International Tour destinations and are happy to work with your group or community to provide individual Charter Tours that meet your special interests.

Contact Us

Cross Country Tours
88 Hoskins Street, Sandgate QLD 4017
(PO Box 357, Sandgate, Qld, 4017)

This website uses cookies to store essential information. By continuing to browse the website you are agreeing to their use. With your permission we would like use additional cookies. For more information you can view our cookie policy. Select Settings to change your cookie preferences. To allow the use of all cookies select Accept.