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Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach

4.8/5 Based on 12 Reviews No Booking FeesDedicated Travel Advisor
Fully Guided Coach Small Group Rail Scenic
Our Price From 11,409 Per Person
Exclusive Savings 490 Per Person
 Trip Length
19 Days
 Trip Starts
Auckland
 Trip Finishes
Christchurch
19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach Itinerary (Grand Pacific)
Countries Explored: New Zealand
Trip Style
Ultimate
Departures
Accommodation
4 - 4.5 Star
Max. Group Size
20
Guide Level
Fully Guided
Trip Code
UGPR19

Overview

Read 12 reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Grand Pacific's 19 Day Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach. Experience a Fully Escorted small group tour combining rail, coach & an exclusive overnight cruise. This tour will excite both rail enthusiasts and their travelling companions who wish to enjoy the best of New Zealand at a relaxed pace. On three rail journeys you will experience an operating steam railway; the wild spirit of the coast on the Coastal Pacific; the magnificent Southern Alps on the TranzAlpine one of the world's great train journey and the rugged...read more & spectacular Taieri Gorge River. See more of New Zealand by rail, coach and cruise!

Itinerary

On arrival in Auckland you will be met by a tour representative and transferred to your hotel. Meet your travelling companions over a complimentary pre-dinner drink. Stay: Crowne Plaza Auckland (D)

Board the luxurious Ultimate Coach and enjoy an Auckland city sights tour before travelling to the Parry Kauri Park to see a magnificent example of a Kauri Tree. Continue through Whangarei to the Bay of Islands.

This afternoon enjoy a guided tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, the location of the signing of the treaty between the Maori tribes and the British. Stay Two Nights: Scenic Hotel Bay of Islands (Deluxe Rooms) (B/D)

Today is a free day. Choose from the many optional activities available, including the Cape Reinga coach trip via Ninety Mile Beach or a spectacular scenic flight.

This evening is also at leisure, you may like to enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise (optional). (B)

This morning you will explore the scenic beauty of the Bay of Islands including an island visit aboard a luxury catamaran. Cruise to Cape Brett and the famous ‘Hole in the Rock’, keep an eye out for dolphins and other marine life. On return to Paihia, travel south, returning to Auckland. This evening is free to dine at leisure. Stay: Crowne Plaza Auckland (B)

This morning travel to Glenbrook Vintage Railway for a nostalgic 15 kilometre trip back in time on a beautifully restored vintage steam train including a delightful morning tea. Depart Glenbrook and travel through magnificent countryside of rolling hills and green pastures famous for dairying. Continue to Rotorua to visit the National Kiwi Hatchery, for a unique behind the scenes tour of the world’s largest kiwi hatchery. Stay Two Nights: Regent of Rotorua (B/D)

Today begins with a gondola ride and breakfast at Skyline Rotorua where spectacular views are on offer. There is also time for a thrilling luge ride! Enjoy some leisure time in the geothermal capital before travelling to Te Puia to see the boiling mud pools and awesome geysers that Rotorua is famous for. This evening experience an entertaining Māori Hāngi and Concert. (B/SD)

Travel along the Thermal Explorer Highway to the spectacular Huka Falls. Continue to Lake Taupo for some free time to enjoy this scenic lakeside town. Travel via the Tongariro National Park and then continue south to the capital city of Wellington. Stay Two Nights: InterContinental Wellington (Premium Room) (B/D)

A highlight this morning will be time to explore Gallipoli: A Scale of War exhibition at Te Papa, New Zealand’s National Museum. Cutting edge technology brings these stories to life through the eyes of New Zealanders who found themselves in extraordinary circumstances. Reboard your coach for an extensive city tour which showcases the history and culture on show. Enjoy free time this afternoon and this evening is also at leisure. (B)

This morning board the Interislander Ferry and experience the comfort and intimate setting of the Premium Lounge. Enjoy breakfast as you travel through the Marlborough Sounds to Picton. Join the Coastal Pacific, a truly spectacular rail journey that follows a thin wedge of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Kaikōura Ranges. Meet your Ultimate Coach in the fishing village of Kaikōura for the journey to the garden city of Christchurch. Stay Two Nights: The George (B/D)

Today visit the International Antarctic Centre designed to provide an informative account of life in Antarctica. This is followed by an introductory city tour of Christchurch.

This afternoon includes a journey on board the Christchurch Tram at your leisure, one of Christchurch's leading attractions.

This evening is also free to enjoy one of the many eateries near your hotel. (B)

This morning board the TranzAlpine, renowned as one of the great train journeys of the world. Travel over massive viaducts, river valleys and spectacular gorges as you ascend to Arthur's Pass located in the centre of the Southern Alps. Board your coach and travel to Hokitika, famous for its Greenstone before continuing via Franz Josef to Fox Glacier where time is available to experience a scenic flight (optional, weather permitting) over the spectacular glaciers. Stay: Distinction Fox Glacier (B/D)

See the snow-capped peaks of the Southern Alps as you travel south along the West Coast. Continue via the Haast Pass, an area of stunning beauty before arriving into Arrowtown and visit the Lakes District Museum. Continue to Queenstown, a year-round resort situated on the shores of magical Lake Wakatipu.

This evening is free and you may choose to dine out at one of the many fine restaurants. Stay Two Nights: Heritage Queenstown or similar (B)

Today is a free day for you to explore Queenstown with many options available.

This evening board the vintage steamship TSS Earnslaw and cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak Station. Sit back, relax and enjoy a delicious gourmet barbecue dinner featuring a menu of seasonal, fresh and locally sourced food at the Colonel’s Homestead. After dinner enjoy a short farm tour then reboard the TSS Earnslaw for a sing along by the piano as you cruise back to Queenstown. (B/SD)

Today travel via Te Anau to Manapouri. Enjoy lunch as you cruise across this glacial lake to join the Fiordland Navigator for an unforgettable night in the Fiordland National Park. As you cruise through the pristine beauty of Doubtful Sound, naturalist guides will provide commentary and point out the resident wildlife. As evening falls enjoy a delicious carvery buffet prepared freshly by the onboard chef. Stay: Fiordland Navigator (B/L/D)

Start the day with a hearty breakfast before heading back to Deep Cove for the trip back to Manapouri. Return to the wharf and meet your Ultimate Coach for the journey to Te Anau where you will enjoy an afternoon at leisure. You may like to visit the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves (optional). Stay: Distinction Te Anau Hotel & Villas (B/D)

Travel via Gore and Balclutha to Dunedin, famous for its stunning Edwardian and Victorian architecture dating back to the gold rush of the 1800s. Enjoy a city tour of New Zealand’s oldest university city. Stay Two Nights: Distinction Dunedin Hotel (B/D)

Travel along the picturesque Otago Peninsula to Larnach Castle. On a guided tour you will hear the tragic and scandalous tales which make up the castle’s history. There is time to explore this Garden of International Significance followed by an Ultimate High Tea served in the Grand Ballroom. Return to Dunedin for some free time. Optional activities to consider include a wildlife excursion to observe animals in their natural habitat or a guided tour of Olveston Historic Home, containing a wealth of treasures of a bygone era. (B/D)

This morning travel to the city of Oamaru, famous for its limestone. Continue north to Pleasant Point Museum & Railway for a short rail experience followed by lunch and time to explore the preserved heritage of the South Canterbury railway.

This evening enjoy a farewell dinner with selected beverages and your new friends. Stay: The George or similar (B/L/SD)

Time to say goodbye. You will be transferred to the airport for your flight home after a memorable New Zealand holiday. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Kauri Museum
  • Waitangi Treaty Grounds
  • Hole in the Rock Cruise
  • Glenbrook Vintage Railway
  • National Kiwi Hatchery Tour
  • Skyline Gondola & Luge Ride
  • Te Puia traditional Maori Hangi & Concert
  • Thermal Mud Pools & Geysers Guided Tour
  • Te Papa, New Zealand's National Museum
  • Cruise on the Interislander Ferry, Premium lounge
  • Coastal Pacific Rail Journey
  • International Antarctic Centre
  • Christchurch Tram
  • TranzAlpine Rail Journey
  • Lakes District Museum
  • Cruise Lake Wakatipu on the TSS Earnslaw
  • Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
  • Larnach Castle and Ultimate High Tea
  • Pleasant Point Museum and Railway
  • City sights tour of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch & Dunedin

  • Personalised Meet and Greet on arrival
  • Return airport transfers in New Zealand
  • Ultimate Small Group Tour Coach with 20 luxury leather reclining seats on a full-size vehicle, 2 door access and panoramic windows
  • Professional Coach Captain
  • 17 nights 4.5 star accommodation
  • Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise
  • 6 two night stays
  • Hotel porterage
  • 5 rail journeys
  • 4 cruises
  • All sightseeing and prepaid attractions
  • Ultimate Documentation Pack

  • 18 cooked breakfasts including a specialty breakfast at Stratosfare Restaurant in Rotorua
  • 13 sumptuous dinners including 3 specialty dinners: Maori Hangi & Concert, Rotorua; Walter Peak Homestead, Queenstown; Farewell Dinner with selected beverages, Christchurch
  • 2 lunches: Doubtful Sound Overnight Cruise; Pleasant Point Museum and Railway
  • 2 delicious morning teas including an Ultimate High Tea at Larnach Castle

  • Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
  • Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
  • Dinner on Day 1 not included for anyone arriving later than 8pm
  • 2024: Sep 5, 6; Oct 28; 2025: Jan 6, 14; May 1 - Coastal Pacific rail journey not operating on these departures

Trip Reviews (12) View All Most Recent 'Ultimate Rail, Cruise and Coach' Reviews

4.8
AVG. RATING 4.8 / 5
12 Reviews
5 Star
75%
4 Star
25%
3 Star
2 Star
1 Star
Wonderful Tour of NZ 1 , United Kingdom, Jan 2023
Have just returned from the most fantastic trip with Grand Pacific and I can honestly say that it more than exceeded my expectations. I had been very uncertain about coach travel, but as a single traveller, there are not too many options and the small group tour coach operated by GPT was so comfortable with only 20 seats on a full size vehicle. My travel ...read more companions turned out to be a delight and we had some great experiences together.

The tour itself was extremely well coordinated and organised and our coach captain kept us all in order and took very good care of all our wants and needs. He was patient and knowledgeable and kept us amused and entertained during the sometimes necessarily long journeys, and we felt very safe and secure in his care.

There was a good choice of excursions at the various tour stops and the standard of hotels used was generally extremely high, with good locations with the overnight stay on the boat through Doubtful Sound being one of the highlights of the whole trip for me, along with the helicopter flight from Fox Glacier. The only comment I would make is that the trip could have been improved if we had stayed 3 nights and not 2 at most of the towns. With the excursions taking up the free time it would have been great to have more free time to explore each place, as fort the majority of tourists this will be the only time they get to visit NZ given the distances most had travelled to get there.
Very comfortable, relaxing & enjoyable trip with the friendliest & punctual touring group ever. 1 , WA, Australia, Jan 2023
Thoroughly enjoyed our 19-day ultimate tour of New Zealand being driven on the ultimate coach with just 20 guests. We had the best group of touring companions and were on time every time with all our departures. Having a free day on Day 2 of the trip was questionable and it would have been better placed after the long drive from Rotorua to Wellington ...read more on day 8. This drive was made worse as we had to detour via the western side of Lake Taupo due to road works on the Eastern route.

Our highlight was the overnight cruise on Doubtful Sound, having just 47 other passengers as company on the overnight trip to this secluded and beautiful region of New Zealand. WOW a special place. This trip could be improved with a few additional days and a visit to a winery will top it off. Well done Grand Pacific and thank you. A special thank you to Georgie from Global Journeys who arranged our trip and kept us up-to-date with our booking.
The best of NZ in comfort.   0 , SA, Australia, Dec 2022
Great tour of NZ highlights. Luxury coach with excellent driver/guide who went the extra mile for guests. Visited lots of wonderful places & planned & optional activities were excellent, including Bay of Islands, Rotarua Skyline Ride & Luge, Franz Josef Glacier & helicopter, Haast River jet, Wildlife & Cultural tours, old steam trains & Larnach Castle. ...read more Doubtful Sound Cruise was one of many memories we will treasure. Majority of accommodation of a high standard with welcoming staff. Well organised & would highly recommend.
Ultimate Tour of New Zealand 6 , NSW, Australia, Sep 2022
We just returned from NZ after being on the Ultimate tour run by Grand Pacific Tours which was booked by the wonderful Jemma and Hannah from Global Journeys. We were the first tour back for over 2 years after Covid and it was a great holiday. The Tour Leader who doubled as the Coach Driver, Paul, loved his job and was terrific person as well. The hotels ...read more were all excellent and the meals were great. The included attractions such as Doubtful Sound overnight cruise, TSS Earnslaw Cruise to Walter Peak, Te Puia Maroi Hangi and Concert, International Antarctic Centre just to name a few were some of our favourites. Every detail about the tour was first class and the scenery of New Zealand was absolutely beautiful. We would highly recommend this tour.
Excellent New Zealand tour   2 , VIC, Australia, Feb 2020
Thoroughly enjoyed this well organised, extremely comfortable and interesting tour. Group size was perfect and the Ultimate coach made travelling a breeze. Of the optional tours, we particularly enjoyed Skippers Canyon, but everything we did and saw was enjoyable.
19 Day Ultimate Small Group New Zealand Trip 2 , QLD, Australia, Oct 2019
We have just returned from a Business Class on Wheels NZ holiday which was fantastic. The coach was extremely comfortable. Accommodation was very good but do tell them on booking that you want a separate shower as many of the hotels just have a shower over the bath and no hand rails. Highlight was certainly Doubtful Sound. Unfortunately we were rained ...read more out in Bay of Islands and didn't get to see the Hole in the Rock. Having only 20 on the trip made the whole experience great. Would certainly recommend.
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New Zealand

Grand Pacific New Zealand (2024-25)

Since 1996, Grand Pacific Tours, the New Zealand Coach Holiday Specialist has been indulging travellers from all over the world with the holiday of a lifetime. Tour in style, choose between an Ultimate Small Group Tour, boasting a Business Class level of comfort with only 20 luxury leather seats, or a Signature Mid-Size Group Tour, enjoying Premium...more Economy comfort onboard a coach with 32 seats.

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Note
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you enquire. Additional savings may apply. We guarantee the lowest price in Australia. T&C’s apply.

Flights Included:
All departures can be booked with return flights from Australia to New Zealand included. Please select the flight option when you enquire with us.
Note
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Prices and trip information are correct at the time at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Grand Pacific. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from Grand Pacific. These should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.

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