New Zealand By Train, Bus & Ferry

Although celebrated as New Zealand's ‘adventure capital’, Queenstown offers far more than a fast-paced action-packed holiday. Settled on the shores of Lake Wakatipu beneath a soaring panorama of the Remarkables Mountain Range, this alpine town is surrounded by a plethora of historic, gastronomic and scenic wonders. Enjoy a free day to explore at your leisure.

Join a fully-guided day tour from Queenstown to the world-renowned Milford Sound; the crowning jewel of Fiordland. Highlights of the drive will include Lake Wakatipu, the Devil’s Staircase, the truly majestic mountains of Fiordland, Mirror Lake, the Chasm, and Homer Tunnel. You will then travel through the mind-blowing Homer Tunnel, emerging as the valley descends sharply down to Milford Sound, with its hundreds of waterfalls cascading into the crystal clear waters beneath.  At Milford Sound, board a cruise to enjoy up-close views of waterfalls, Mitre Peak and the spectacular surrounds. Following your cruise, make the return journey back to Queenstown and your guide will drop you off at your accommodation.

Your time is free to do as you please. Browse the waterfront cafes and have lunch at Michelin star chef Josh Emett's ‘Rata.’ Catch a ride on the 100-year-old Steamship - the TSS Earnslaw - to Walter Peak Station for dinner and a farm tour. Take a leisurely lakeside stroll or ride the gondola for breathtaking views. If you do really want the adrenaline rush Queenstown is known for, take your pick from the Shotover Jet, Bungy, Canyon Swing, Zipline, Luge or Heli-ski.

Today is free for more independent adventures in Queenstown.

Today it’s time to sit back, relax and let someone else take the wheel. Travel by InterCity bus from Queenstown to Christchurch on the direct service, that normally departs around 8:00am and is expected to pull into Christchurch at 4:45pm. Make your own way or catch a taxi from the bus depot to the Christchurch hotel for your two-night stay.

Climb aboard a vintage tram for a unique tour of Christchurch and see the “Garden City” at your own pace with a full-day hop-on and hop-off tram ticket. Travel through the regenerated city centre to see innovative architecture. See how the city centre has been rebuilt after the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Listen to a fascinating commentary from your driver as you take a full circuit in just 50 minutes, or jump on and off at leisure at 18 stops. The tram currently starts at Cathedral Junction and travels through Cathedral Square, before passing the River Avon. Hop off at the Canterbury Museum, just a short stroll from the Botanic Garden and Arts Centre. Discover the city’s largest urban space at Hagley Park, or explore the boutique stores of New Regent Street, New Zealand’s “Most Beautiful Street.”

Considered one of the world's great train journeys, the TranzAlpine Scenic Train takes you from Christchurch to Greymouth. Catch a taxi to the station to board first thing this morning and travel across the South Island, from the east to the west coast through Arthur's Pass National Park. There’s an open viewing carriage that’s great for taking photos and a dining car on board that serves hot and cold regional dishes and drinks. A tip: take cash with you as often eftpos facilities are not available for parts of the train journey. On arrival at Greymouth railway station, catch a taxi to the motel for your two-night stay.

Enjoy a free day in Greymouth, the largest town on the West Coast and an area that’s known for its Greenstone (Pounamu). Walk to the coast and take in the endless sea-views or pick up a souvenir at one of the many craft shops. Appreciate the country-town feel and dine at the local pubs or renowned Monteith’s brewery.

This afternoon re-board the TranzAlpine Scenic Train for the return journey to Christchurch (don’t forget to take back-up cash for the dining car). From the comfort of your carriage see lush beech forest, deep river valleys and the spectacular peaks of the Southern Alps. Descend to the windswept Canterbury Plains before arriving in the city of Christchurch. On arrival at the Christchurch train station, please catch a taxi to your overnight accommodation.

The day is free for you to see more of Christchurch. Some of the popular sights include The Art Gallery, Cathedral Junction, Avon River, the Canterbury Museum and the Arts Centre. 

Check out of your hotel this morning and catch a taxi to the bus depot in time for your Intercity bus to Picton – the gateway of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. The bus journey takes approx. 5 hours 40 minutes. At Picton, you’ll board the Interislander ferry for the 3.5 hour (92 kilometre) journey. The ferry is a modern ship with a range of onboard facilities. Including eateries, a shop, movie theatre, a games arcade, a large bar with live entertainment, numerous passenger lounges, open air decks and friendly crew to assist you. The route sails through the Marlborough Sounds and out to Cook Strait, before entering picturesque harbour of Wellington – The Harbour Capital and New Zealand's capital city.  Catch a taxi from the port to your hotel for the 4-night stay.

Today you will be picked up from your choice of Wellington location at 9.30am or 1.00pm and head to Mt Victoria for superb views of the city and harbour and to give you the lie of the land. Peter Jackson's Weta Cave film empire is your next stop, with a brief look at the Museum and Shop. We continue to follow the rugged coastline around to Red Rocks and then drive back into the city and take you on a cable car ride and walk down through the picturesque Botanical Gardens to the Lady Norwood rose gardens. Then we head to the iconic Beehive and Parliament buildings before visiting Wellington's oldest church, Old St Pauls. We return you to your home base at 1pm or 4.30pm.

Enjoy time to explore at your leisure. There’s loads to see, like stunning 360-degrees views of all of Wellington, the Harbour and Cook Strait from atop the famous cable car ride or travelling through the inner-city streets and seeing a stunning coastline. Spend the day getting a great overview of what the “cool little capital’ has to offer its visitors!

Enjoy a free day to see more of Wellington.

This morning, catch a taxi to the station to board the Northern Explorer train for a full day rail journey. Head along Wellington's coast line to the rolling farming landscape of the Palmerston North. Climb through stunning river gorges of the central North Island to the volcanic plateau. From National Park, your journey passes the volcanoes of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro, before descending the famous Raurimu Spiral to the rugged bush country, through rolling farming landscape of the Waikato region and onto Auckland – the city of sails.  On arrival catch a taxi from the station to the Auckland hotel for five nights.

Start your Auckland hop-on hop-off bus tour at Philips Corner/Princes Wharf. You can create your own sightseeing itinerary with a flexible ticket, valid for one day. Listen to interesting audio commentary during the entire loop on the red circle or blue circle route. Buses depart regularly throughout the day on a seasonal schedule. If you’d like, hop on and off throughout the day to explore Auckland on your own or visit top attractions. Discover New Zealand history at the Auckland Museum, meet King and Gentoo penguins at Kelly Tarlton's SEA LIFE Aquarium and soak up the city skyline from the Sky Tower, to name a few. 

Auckland, based around 2 large harbours, is a major city in the north of New Zealand’s North Island. In the centre, the iconic Sky Tower has views of Viaduct Harbour, which is full of superyachts and lined with bars and cafes. Auckland Domain, the city’s oldest park, is based around an extinct volcano and home to the formal Wintergardens. Near Downtown, Mission Bay Beach has a seaside promenade.

Today is free to see more of Auckland.

Today is free to explore Auckland at your leisure, or let us know if you'd like to prebook a sightseeing tour.

It’s time to check out of your hotel room this morning. As the journey concludes, the fond memories begin!