New Zealand by Rail, Road and Sea Tour

Depart from the UK airport most convenient for you with Qantas & Emirates. Choose from London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stanstead, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, Edinburgh or Glasgow. Alternatively, fly direct to Singapore with Singapore Airlines from London Heathrow or Manchester. Flights with Singapore Airlines from Manchester are available on selected dates. Please speak with one of our travel experts for more details. No matter which airline or airport you choose, there will be no additional cost.

Arrive into the wonderful city of Singapore and transfer to the four-star M Hotel Singapore.

Alternative stopover: Dubai or Bangkok

We have based days 2-4 of this itinerary on a stopover in Singapore. Should you prefer, you may choose to stop in Bangkok or Dubai for the same price if flying with Qantas & Emirates. Your stopover includes transfers, daily breakfast and a city sightseeing tour. Flight timings will vary. Please speak with one of our personal travel experts for more details.

Known as ‘the crossroads of Asia’, Singapore is a city where east meets west; a cosmopolitan melting pot with an inspirational identity. This morning, enjoy a tour of this wonderful city. Included is a stop at Merlion Park with impressive views of Marina Bay. See the historic Civic District, Thian Hock Keng Temple and the fabulous orchid gardens set within Singapore’s botanical gardens. Return to the hotel where the rest of our day is free to spend as we please.

A day at leisure in Singapore to further explore the city, until it’s time to leave for our evening flight to Auckland. Possibly visit historic Raffles for high tea or discover the wonderful Gardens by the Bay.

If flying with Qantas & Emirates your flight will travel via Australia before arriving into Christchurch. We transfer to the centrally-located Distinction Hotel Christchurch, where we spend our first night in New Zealand. On arrival we meet our Tour Manager in New Zealand.

We travel south, first making a stop at Oamaru, where we stroll through New Zealand’s best-preserved Victorian streets. A stop is then made in Moeraki to view a collection of huge spherical boulders which are scattered along a beautiful stretch of beach. Maori legend says that the boulders are gourds washed ashore from a voyaging canoe called Araiteuri, that was wrecked when it made landfall a long time ago. Scientists have discovered the boulders are actually calcite concretions, created about 65 million years ago, which have been raised from the seabed and uncovered one by one by the elements. We continue to the ‘Edinburgh of the South’, Dunedin is South Island’s second largest city and is considered New Zealand’s architectural heritage capital, with its lovingly-restored Victorian and Edwardian buildings. Upon arrival we will check in to Southern Cross Hotel or Scenic City Hotel for a two-night stay.

This morning, we enjoy a sightseeing tour, taking in the city’s neo-Gothic churches, town hall, opulent theatres and other 19th century buildings. In the afternoon, why not join an optional wildlife cruise to the Otago Peninsula? Enjoy uninterrupted views of the world’s only mainland colony of royal albatross. We may also encounter sea lions, blue penguins and Hector’s dolphins.

This morning, we say goodbye to Dunedin. Fresh, green farm scenery will accompany us to Balclutha, which has a distinctive arched concrete bridge. We travel onwards via Gore and Lumsden until we reach Te Anau. We spend tonight at Distinction Hotel Luxmore.

Tour Highlight

Today we travel to the magnificent Fiordland National Park and to Milford Sound, which will undoubtedly prove to be one of our tour’s many highlights. Only when out cruising on Milford Sound can the sheer scale of the dramatic scenery be fully appreciated: towering peaks rise all around and spectacular waterfalls cascade into the calm waters below. Our cruise takes in the impressive Mitre Peak and Bowen Falls. Remember to keep a look out for dolphins as well as seals and penguins. In the afternoon, we travel to Queenstown, where a scenic drive takes us through a variety of landscapes – farmland, native tussock grasslands, lush beech forests and impressive glacial valleys. Enjoy three nights at the four-star Millennium Hotel.

We Recommend - TSS Earnslaw

Enjoy a leisurely cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamboat TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak Homestead.

This morning we take a tour to visit the nearby historic mining town of Arrowtown. The heart of its history is Buckingham Street, a procession of small-town heritage buildings that stretch into a tree-lined avenue of tiny miners’ cottages. Be sure to try a cream tea in one of the quaint tea rooms. In the afternoon, we are free to enjoy this wonderful alpine setting. The thrill-seekers amongst us may wish to try the Shotover Jet – an exhilarating boat ride amongst the crags and boulders of the Shotover River canyon. For a more serene experience, maybe stroll by the lakeside or take a gondola ride to the top of Bob’s Peak for a magnificent panoramic view of Queenstown.

Queenstown smiles south across Lake Wakatipu into an incomparable alpine scene. Today has been left free to take advantage of the incredible variety of activities available in and around New Zealand’s most glamorous alpine resort. For a relaxing experience, follow Queenstown’s wine trail for an enjoyable day of wine tasting and sightseeing, or take leisurely cruise across Lake Wakatipu aboard the vintage steamboat TSS Earnslaw. For something a little more adventurous, a four-wheel drive adventure along the famous Skippers Road may be appealing.

Tour Highlight

Enjoy incredible scenery today as we travel via Lake Dunstan, created by the mighty Clyde hydro dam in 1994. Continue along the shores of Lake Wanaka and across the Haast River Bridge and via Clark Bluff, along one of the most exciting scenic roads ever built. Later in the afternoon we reach Westland National Park and the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier.

A relaxing day to take in the beauty of Franz Josef and the surrounding area at our leisure. A transfer has been arranged to the Franz Josef glacier valley. From here, we can stroll through the amazing rainforest to a viewpoint, from which there is a wonderful vista of the steep glacier valley and the glacier terminal in the distance. Weather permitting, we may also take an optional scenic flight, which is at an additional cost, over the glacier and the awe-inspiring Alpine region.

We Recommend - Scenic flight over Franz Josef Glacier

Enjoy an optional helicopter flight over awe-inspiring Franz Josef Glacier.

Tour Highlight

After breakfast, we experience South Island’s striking natural landscapes in all their glory as we journey between Greymouth and Christchurch onboard the TranzAlpine. Considered to be one of the greatest rail journeys in the world, we traverse the Southern Alps, view miles of native beech forest, travel the edges of the ice-fed Waimakariri River and cross the patchwork fields of the Canterbury Plains. Our final stop is in Christchurch, where we stay for two nights at the centrally-located Distinction Hotel Christchurch.

This morning, we discover Christchurch on an orientation tour. Later, we journey out of the city to the Waipara Valley, whose warm and dry summers, followed by cool autumn nights, make this region perfect for growing olives, lavender, hazelnuts and grapes. We explore this pretty area and sample its cool climate wines during a tasting and lunch in one of its wineries.

Tour Highlight

Another fantastic rail experience awaits today as we board KiwiRail’s Coastal Pacific train. From the comfort of our seats, we are in prime position to view lush native bush, soaring mountains, pretty coastal towns and the roaring Pacific Ocean, as we wind our way along this truly stunning coastline. We disembark in Picton and cruise across the Cook Strait to New Zealand’s North Island. Dolphins and sea birds can often be seen playing in the waters, and the scenery is truly magnificent as we travel through Queen Charlotte Sound. On arrival in Wellington, we transfer to the Copthorne Hotel Oriental Bay, for a three-night stay.

Today, go behind the scenes of some of the best-loved movies in history with this tour of the Weta Workshop near Wellington, a studio famous for creating some of the movie industry’s most famous costumes, props, special effects and much more. Their creations have featured in much-loved films including Lord of the Rings, Avatar and District 9. After our visit of the Weta Workshop we enjoy a short orientation tour of Wellington, including a scenic drive to Mount Victoria for a fantastic view over the city.

A Freedom Day to spend as we please. Wellington is compact, cultured and full of character. There are a whole host of excellent activities in and around Wellington. A visit to Te Papa museum is highly recommended, as it offers a fascinating insight into New Zealand’s rich history and cultural heritage. Alternatively, ride a cable car to Wellington’s beautiful botanical gardens or take a relaxing stroll through the city’s streets and waterfront.

Tour Highlight

We board the Northern Explorer train and depart Wellington for our rail journey to Otorohanga. View spectacular scenery through our carriage’s panoramic windows as we journey north, including fascinating coastline, river valleys, rolling green farmland and quaint towns. From the comfort of our carriage or from the open observation carriage we may view the spectacular dormant volcanoes of Tongariro National Park. Later, we experience an amazing feat of railway engineering as we wind our way through the Raurimu Spiral. We disembark in Otorohanga, and travel by coach to Rotorua. The next two nights are spent at the Distinction Hotel Rotorua.

This morning, we tour some of Rotorua’s most famous sights, including its tudor-inspired Bath House. We explore Te Puia, home to the Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve and its spouting geysers, bubbling mud pools and hissing fumaroles. Our afternoon is free to relax at your leisure. For those interested, a floatplane flight over Mount Tarawera offers breathtaking aerial views. This evening, we attend a concert featuring traditional song and dance, including the world famous war dance – The Haka. Also included is a buffet dinner.

We journey north from Rotorua, crossing a landscape of rolling hills and dairy farmland. We cross the Waitemata Harbour on the famous Auckland Harbour Bridge and spend time at one of Auckland northern beaches. In the afternoon, we continue into the Northland region, which is known as the ‘winterless north’, as its lovely climate is influenced by subtropical conditions. We drive past Whangarei and our journey ends in Paihia, gateway to the Bay of Islands, and our next three nights are spent at the Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands.

Tour Highlight

This morning, we discover the spectacular scenery of the region and learn about the area’s rich culture and history during a spectacular cruise. When conditions permit, get up close to the dramatic cliffs at Cape Brett and travel through the iconic ‘Hole in the Rock’ on Motukokako. Encounter diverse wildlife in their natural surroundings and keep an eye out for dolphins and birdlife during your cruise. The skipper will stop at Otehei Bay on Urupukapuka Island, with time for a short walk or relaxation on its beautiful beach, before we return to Paihia. There is the opportunity to disembark in the picturesque township of Russell and return to Paihia by public ferry (at an extra cost) in the early afternoon. Alternatively, our free afternoon provides an excellent opportunity to visit the Waitangi National Reserve, where Maori chiefs and the British Governor signed the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840.

Our day has been left at leisure to further explore the beautiful Bay of Islands. For many this provides a great opportunity to visit New Zealand’s northern tip at Cape Reinga, where the Pacific Ocean and Tasman Sea collide. This fabulous full day excursion also includes a journey along Ninety Mile Beach in a custom-built coach that moves effortlessly over the terrain of sandy beaches, rugged roads and quicksand streams.

We Recommend - Cape Reinga

Take a tour to Cape Reinga, at the top of the North Island, where the Pacifi c Ocean and Tasman Sea meet, followed by a drive along Ninety Mile Beach.

We journey south from Pahia with a stop in Waipoua Kauri Forest Reserve, home to gigantic kauri trees, the most famous of which is Tane Mahuta, ‘Lord of the Forest’. Later, we arrive into Auckland, crossing the city’s imposing Waitemata Harbour Bridge, and stay for two nights at the Legacy Airedale Hotel.

This morning, we take an orientation tour of the city. Known as the ‘City of Sails’, Auckland is New Zealand’s most populous city, with a beautiful waterside setting and a landscape dotted with volcanic hills. We drive along the stunning coastline of the famous Waitemata Harbour. In the distance see Rangitoto Island, a dormant volcano, dominating the horizon. Our afternoon is free to spend as we please. Perhaps take a scenic boat trip in Auckland’s harbour to enjoy the beautiful sunset, before indulging in a three course dinner.

All good things must come to an end, and this morning we transfer to Auckland Airport. Our flights to our chosen UK airport operate via Australia and Dubai if travelling with Qantas & Emirates, or via Singapore if travelling with Singapore Airlines.

This morning, we arrive at our chosen airport, bringing to an end our incredible adventure.