Peter Harrison

New Zealand Rail Adventure

See More of NZ by Train

Tour Overview

Embark on an epic tour of New Zealand that combines the thrill of iconic rail journeys with the flexibility of self-drive adventures, offering unparalleled access to the country’s most fascinating landmarks.

Experience the diversity of landscapes ranges from the geothermal wonderland of Rotorua, with its bubbling mud pools and geysers on the North Island to the grasslands of the Canterbury Plains on the South Island.
From Auckland Travel south by rail or car and take the stunning ferry crossing to the South Island, to ride the legendary TranzAlpine, one of the world’s great train journeys, crossing the Southern Alps and revealing breathtaking vistas of rugged mountains and shimmering rivers.
Take the wheel to explore must-see destinations like the majestic Milford Sound, nestled deep in Fiordland National Park, and the awe-inspiring Fox Glacier, where ancient ice meets lush rainforests.
From vibrant cities like Wellington and Queenstown to natural wonders like Lake Tekapo and the Waitomo Caves, this tour seamlessly blends the magic of rail travel with the freedom to uncover New Zealand’s hidden gems at your own pace.

Travel Tips

No rail trip to New Zealand is complete without the 3 scenic long-distance routes: the Northern Explorer (Auckland to Wellington), the Coastal Pacific (Picton to Christchurch) and the TranzAlpine (Christchurch to Greymouth).
The best way to visit is to hire a car and to self-drive – many of the heritage railways and other attractions are only accessible by road.
Travel during the summer months of December to March, which bring long, bright and sunny days – perfect for rail travel!
Don’t miss cruises on Lake Wakatipu and on Milford Sound – both have options which include lunch.
Experience the Rotorua Railway line onboard self-powered ‘RailCruise’ cars and marvel at the splendour of Waitomo Glow Worm Caves.
Heritage railways include Weka Pass Railway, Pleasant Point Railway, the Bush Tramway Club, the Kingston Flyer and Glenbrook Vintage Railway. Timetables do vary, and some only operate on the weekends, which means that careful planning is required.
Rail journeys should be pre-booked as they are very popular and can sell out in peak season.
All day hop on hop off tickets for the Christchurch Tram allow you travel in beautifully restored heritage tramcars whilst visiting the best of the central city sights at your leisure.
Located between Te Anau and Dunedin, a great place to break your journey is Croydon Aviation Heritage Centre which features 1920s and 30s aircraft and a café.
Places to stay include Christchurch, Fox Glacier, Queenstown, Te Anau, Dunedin, Kaikoura, Blenheim/Picton, Wellington, Hamilton, Rotorua and Auckland.