Itinerary

Day 1-14

Day 1 - Sydney / Christchurch
Upon arrival in Christchurch, make your way to your accommodation.

Day 2- Christchurch / Greymouth / Franz Josef
Your journey begins at Christchurch Railway Station (Meeting time at 7:15am at the Addington Train station for tour registration no later than 7:30am), where the iconic TranzAlpine awaits. Often regarded as one of the world's great train journeys for the scenery through which it passes. The journey is 223 kilometres one-way, taking almost five hours. You will see epic vistas, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River, traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps, and see large tracts of native beech forest. In Greymouth, the Pounamu Pathway is a newly opened immersive visitor experience highlighting the rich Māori Culture, history, and West Coast heritage - crafted by Wētā Workshop. Luxury coaches await to transport you to your hotel in the ruggedly beautiful Franz Josef.

Day 3 - Franz Josef / Haast / Queenstown
Wake up to enjoy the option for a helicopter tour of the Franz Josef glacier. Leaving Franz Josef, we travel down the West Coast through the Haast Pass, journeying through large tracts of native rain forest and over the Southern Alps. This remote area has a ruggedly beautiful landscape of vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls and snow-capped mountains. Continuing through Makarora on the border of Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, we pass by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea and Lake Dunstan. The adventure playground of Queenstown then awaits! Cap off a special day as we take in The Remarkables Mountain Range and the view of Lake Wakatipu from the hotel.

Day 4 - Queenstown
Wake up to join a lake cruise on board the historic TSS Earnslaw, the 1912 Edwardian steamboat, which takes us across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet BBQ lunch.

Day 5 - Queenstown / Kingston / Te Anau
Departing Queenstown, we continue to the village of Kingston, nestled on the southernmost end of Lake Wakatipu. Here, the iconic Kingston Flyer Steam Train awaits to take you on a memorable return journey between Kingston and Fairlight. Then, we enter the Fiordland National Park district, continuing to traverse the Southern Scenic Route. Our journey calls in to visit the Takahe Bird Sanctuary. Takahe are the stars of the show, and meeting these prehistoric-looking characters is a must-do for Fiordland visitors. The sanctuary is a large part of the success of the Takahe Recovery Programme. We spend an extended time experiencing the wonders of Te Anau and Milford Sound.

Day 6 - Te Anau / Milford Sound / Te Anau
Travelling along the Milford Road (between Te Anau and Milford) is one of the finest alpine drives in the world. The scenery is exceptional, ranging from broad grassy flats, dense rainforest and towering mountains through to glacial lakes and alpine herb fields. A day tour to Milford Sound offers some of the most spectacular natural scenery to be viewed anywhere in the world. Board the coach and travel through stunning scenery along the Milford Road and into Fiordland, where your cruise boat awaits you. The tour includes a cruise around the fiord so you can experience its wonders up close and see landmarks like Mitre Peak and amazing wildlife, such as dolphins and seals. Cruise the innermost reaches of Milford Sound to the open Tasman Sea and back (or there is the optional upgrade to explore Doubtful Sound instead). A one-day itinerary is enough to see all the beautiful views along the way, take a scenic cruise around the fiord, and get back to Te Anau in time for dinner.

Day 7 - Te Anau / Mandeville / Dunedin
Departing Te Anau for Dunedin, via Mandeville a special journey is made to Waimea Plains Railway, which is home to the historic Rogers K92 Steam Locomotive (the original Kingston Flyer) and we also explore the Croydon Aviation Museum. During this luxury coach journey, we take in the unmatched pristine beauty and rugged countryside that the Southland region is renowned for.

Day 8 - Dunedin
In the morning, we explore the remote Taieri Gorge by Dunedin Rail over river gorges, weaving our way through a myriad of historic tunnels and guide you to the historic Wingatui Viaduct, a marvel of 1880s construction that remains the largest wrought iron structure in New Zealand. An afternoon at leisure is planned or there are the optional excursions visit to Larnach Castle for a high tea & garden tour or explore the hidden underground Fort Taiaroa, located underneath the local Albatross colony.

Day 9 - Dunedin / Oamaru / Aoraki / Mt Cook
Departing from Dunedin by rail, we continue to hug the coast towards Oamaru. We then detour inland via Waitaki Valley & Omarama by coach and towards the spectacular Aoraki Mt Cook. Here, we find the home of the tallest mountain in New Zealand, which helped Sir Edmund Hillary to develop his climbing skills in preparation for the conquest of Mt Everest. Recognised as part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, the National Park is a breathtaking environment of glaciers, terminal lakes, turbulent rivers and Australasia's tallest peak, the mighty Aoraki Mt Cook, soaring above at 3,724 metres. There is the option after dinner to enjoy star-gazing at the Planetarium, digitally immersed in what has been voted the world's largest International Dark Sky Reserve.

Day 10 - Aoraki, Mt Cook
Enjoy a leisurely morning and then a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, which is a tribute to New Zealand's global icon as well as discovering New Zealand's colourful transport, climbing and hotel history. Followed by an afternoon scenic drive through the National Park, surrounded by the silent splendour of the Southern Alps. Morning optional activities include a glacier explorer cruise or a scenic ski plane flight with expert pilots navigating their way over the glacial lake, passing soaring mountain tops over NZ's longest glacier - the 600 metre thick, Tasman Glacier. The guest speaker is a Hillary family representative in the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre Theatre before dinner. The optional Planetarium Show takes place in the theatre after the Hillary presentation.

Day 11 - Aoraki, Mt Cook / Geraldine / Christchurch
A morning departure from the hotel leaving Aoraki Mt Cook by coach, we journey back to the coast via Tekapo, Geraldine and Rakaia on the way to Christchurch. On arrival in Christchurch, enjoy either a privately chartered Tram for a historic tram journey around the city or explore modern day Antarctica at the International Antarctic Centre and experience a taste of this unique and breathtaking continent - just like the explorers before you.

Day 12 - Christchurch / Kaikoura
Departing Christchurch on the Coastal Pacific Scenic Train, our destination is Kaikoura, home of resident whales, where the guardians of the seas - the mountains of the Southern Alps - rise majestically from the deep trenches of the Pacific Ocean. Several different species of whale can be seen off the coast of Kaikoura at different times of the year, and most of the time, the huge resident Sperm Whales can be sighted. The ocean trench just off the coast means sperm whales are often seen close to shore.

Day 13 - Kaikoura / Marlborough / Wellington
After a relaxing breakfast in Kaikoura and it will be all aboard the Coastal Pacific Train, journeying all the way to the top on of the South Island, Picton (instead of disembarking the train in Blenheim). Enjoying lunch as well as with a complimentary glass of Marlborough wine on board, as you journey through the Marlborough region by train. In Picton, you will then board the Ferry for a leisurely afternoon sailing across the Cook Strait to Wellington, where you will be transferred to the Rydges Hotel in time for dinner.

Day 14 - Wellington
Wake up in Wellington for the final day of your tour, where you a morning visit to Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Affectionately known as, Te Papa, this museum includes the must-see, Gallipoli - The Scale Of Our War exhibition. There will be two airport transfers from the Rydges Hotel to Wellington Airport - departing from the hotel at 12pm and another transfer departing at 2.15pm. End of your unforgettable adventure. 

Terms and Conditions

Terms and Conditions apply: All prices are quoted in Australian dollars, based on per person double occupancy unless stated otherwise, and inclusive of all taxes and discounts. All prices & itineraries are current as of 26 June 2025 & subject to change without notice. Prices are subject to change due to availability, currency fluctuations, fuel price, and tax increases. Oceanview and Balcony cabins may have obstructed views, please check with your consultant. Price includes any stated bonus nights, upgrades & package savings, if applicable. All passports, visas, travel permits, and vaccinations are the responsibility of the travelling passenger to secure prior to travel. Airfares are capacity controlled and are subject to change at any time without notice, based in economy class from Sydney and are subject to the carriers' flight schedules and conditions. Seasonal and flight routing surcharges may apply. Airfares are based on the lowest available fare, which comes with strict conditions i.e., non-refundable, or non-changeable. Please ask your consultant for pricing on flexible fare options that allow cancellations and/or amendments at a fee. Please call us for prices from other airports. Travel packages advertised may include multiple products provided by several suppliers to provide a travel itinerary. Each component of the package will be treated independent of each other, and the specific terms & conditions of each product supplier will apply. Hotels may charge resort fees, or a security bond not included or mentioned in this package, payable direct upon check-in.  We recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance. Please note: For your own enjoyment and safety during the tour, please note that a reasonable level of fitness and mobility is required as there will be the need to climb and descend stairs (on coaches, excursions and at hotels), carry your own bag and walk some distances on uneven ground.We reserve the right to correct errors without penalty.