Ride the Northern Explorer to Wellington, cruise the Marlborough Sounds, and explore Blenheim and Queen Charlotte Sound. Travel by Coastal Pacific train to Kaikōura for whale watching, then on to Christchurch for vintage tramcar dining and the spectacular TranzAlpine train. Visit Oamaru’s Riverstone Castle and penguin colony, see the Moeraki Boulders, and enjoy Dunedin’s heritage and the Taieri Gorge railway. A relaxed adventure through stunning landscapes and rich local stories.
Activity Level 1
Early Booking Discount - Book by 16 Sep, 2025 and save an extra $70 per person
Home pick up and return within the Auckland Metropolitan area (if applicable).
Services of a Travelwise Holidays Tour Leader throughout.
Quality hotel accommodation with private facilities throughout (as detailed in itinerary).
Breakfast and dinner daily, 3 special lunches.
All coach transfers, sightseeing and admission fees as specified in tour itinerary.
Northern Explorer Rail
Wellington touring including Te Papa Museum
Ferry travel from Wellington/Picton.
Queen Charlotte Sound cruise & Furneaux Lodge lunch.
Blenheim Riverside Rail & Omaka Aviation Centre
Coastal Pacific Rail & Kaikoura Whale Watch
Tramcar dinner & Earth quake Museum Christchurch
Scenic flight over, and TranzAlpine Rail through the Southern Alps.
Hokitika, Greymouth
Riverside Castle tour & Blue Penguin Colony visit Oamaru
Moeraki Boulders
Taieri Gorge Rail service & Olveston House tour Dunedin.
Airfares Christchurch/Hokitika, Dunedin/Auckland on Air New Zealand.
MON 16 MAR – AUCKLAND/WELLINGTON
Depart Auckland on the ‘Northern Explorer’ rail service at 7.45am. Explore the rural heart of the North Island on this epic journey to Wellington. See the scenic wonders of Middle Earth, soar over towering viaducts, across the high plains of the volcanic plateau and beneath three mighty volcanoes. Arrive in Wellington at 6.45pm. Stay Travelodge Hotel, Wellington, 2 nights. Included: D
TUE 17 MAR – WELLINGTON
This morning we have a tour of Te Papa Museum. Discover our rich stories at the bold and innovative national museum. Free afternoon and dinner at the hotel.
Included: B, D
WED 18 MAR – WELLINGTON/BLENHEIM
This morning board the ferry. Most of the journey is a scenic spectacle, with the ferry looping around Wellington Harbour and drifting through the fjord-like channels and inlets of the Marlborough Sounds. The rest of the journey is spent navigating Te Moana o Raukawakawa / Cook Strait - a seafaring adventure through a dramatic and rugged channel where two seas meet. Arrive Picton at 12.15pm. Stay Scenic Hotel Marlborough, Blenheim, 2 nights. Included: B, D
THU 19 MAR – QUEEN CHARLOTTE SOUND CRUISE
Today cruise the serene native bushland of Queen Charlotte Sound and land at cosy Furneaux Lodge. Beautifully located at the head of Endeavour Inlet, it is relaxing and peaceful. Furneaux Lodge is the perfect escape in paradise. Indulge in sumptuous Marlborough food while enjoying the awe-inspiring scenery and unobstructed views. Dinner is included tonight. Included: B, L, D
FRI 20 MAR – BLENHEIM/KAIKOURA
Sightseeing tour including the narrow gauge railway along the picturesque Taylor River and the impressive Omaka Aviation Centre and Knight of the Sky & Dangerous Skies exhibitions. In the afternoon embark on the ‘Coastal Pacific’ rail service departing 2.05pm. Travel along rugged coastlines, across remote beaches, between mountains and sea, on a timeless journey of breathtaking beauty. Arrive Kaikoura at 4.15pm. A village caught between the rugged seaward Kaikōura Range and the Pacific Ocean. Stay Sudima Hotel, Kaikoura, 1 night. Included: B, D
SAT 21 MAR - KAIKOURA, WHALE WATCH/CHRISTCHURCH
The morning’s excursion is Whale Watching, one of the world's best places to do so. You have a 95% chance of spotting giant sperm whales, as well as dusky dolphins, orcas, humpback whales and everything in between. Later board the 4.25pm train to Christchurch, arriving 7.30pm. Stay Fable Hotel. Christchurch, 3 nights.
Included: B, D
SUN 22 MAR - CHRISTCHURCH SIGHTSEEING, TRAMCAR DINNER
A late start then a leisurely stroll to see the Quake City exhibition at the Canterbury Museum. Dedicated to telling the stories of the Canterbury earthquakes that impacted the region. It explores the science of earthquakes, the phenomenon of liquefaction, and the human experiences during and after the earthquakes. Rest of the afternoon is at leisure then the fabulous Christchurch Tramcar dining experience this evening. A unique dining experience in a 1920s vintage designed Tramcar.
Included: B, D
MON 23 MAR– CHRISTCHURCH/HOKITIKA/TRANZALPINE
This morning fly over the Alps to Hokitika. Head to Greymouth for an early lunch at Speight’s Ale House, before heading to Greymouth Railway Station. Explore the Southern Alps aboard the TranzAlpine train - one of the world's great train journeys, covering 223 kilometres (139 miles) and taking just under 5 hours. Traveling coast-to-coast through the 'Great Divide' and the indomitable spine of mountains that partitions the South Island. Arrive in Christchurch and dinner at the hotel.
Included: B, L, D
TUE 24 MAR – HOKITIKA/OAMARU
Depart Christchurch and head to Ōamaru via. On arrival in Ōamaru take a tour of Riverstone Castle, a grand castle built with Oamaru stone. It stands three floors tall, encompassing approximately 1250 square meters and features a dungeon, underground tunnels, and four guest suites with roof decks. Its exterior is adorned with turrets, ramparts, gargoyles, and carved Oamaru stone details. A geothermal system heats the entire castle. This evening visit the Ōamaru Blue Penguin Colony to watch the penguins as they arrive home from their day fishing at sea. It’s a chance to see the world's smallest penguins in their natural habitat. Stay Brydone Hotel, Ōamaru, 1 night. Included: B, L, D
WED 25 MAR – OAMARU/MOERAKI/DUNEDIN
Head South to view the Moeraki Boulders - the mysteriously spherical stones scattered across the beach. Each boulder weighs several tonnes and is up to two metres high. Onward to Dunedin and a tour of Olveston House - New Zealand's finest historic Home. Lavishly furnished with exotic artefacts, artworks and antiques, it is complete with all the original contents from 1966. Stay Scenic Hotel Southern Cross, Dunedin, 2 nights. Included: B, D
THU 26 MAR – DUNEDIN, TAIERI RAIL
This morning ride the iconic Taieri Gorge rail service. Travel across Otago’s sweeping countryside, traverse towering viaducts and glide along the rushing Taieri River. Return to the hotel mid afternoon. Included: B, D
FRI 27 MAR – DUNEDIN/AUCKLAND
Head to Dunedin airport for your 9.25am flight to Auckland. Arrive in Auckland at 11.15am. Included: B
Deposit: $500pp
