New Zealand
Grand Rail
19 Days

SUPER SPECIAL!
FREE AIRFARES! *

FREE Return Airfares including door to door service!

*Limited offer, subject to availability. Door to door areas vary.

19 days / 18 nights

The New Zealand Best Tour is a comprehensive and evenly paced tour to experience the best of New Zealand’s South Island, and includes all 3 Great New Zealand Rail Journeys.

 

  • Northern Explorer Train – Auckland to Wellington
  • Coastal Pacific Train – Picton to Christchurch
  • TranzAlpine Train – Christchurch to Greymouth

 

Featuring multiple 2 night stays to give an even pace to the travel (and not be packing/unpacking everyday).

The tour includes 2 special event dinners – the TSS Earnslaw Cruise to Walter Peak for dinner, and the exclusive dinner at Larnach Castle.

Stay 2 nights in Auckland, Stay 2 nights in Wellington and visit Te Papa & view the Gallipoli “Scale of War” exhibit, cruise cook strait to Picton, 2 nights Christchurch. Travel through Arthurs Pass, visit Shantytown goldmining village in Greymouth, Fox Glacier, 2 nights Queenstown, TSS Earnslaw cruise & Walter Peak dinner, Cruise Milford Sound, Te Anau, Invercargil & Bluff, The Catlins, 2 nights Dunedin, visit Olveston House, Larnach Castle & exclusive dinner, Mt Cook and Lake Tekapo.

LAND ONLY AUD$8499

per person, twin share, land only (no flights)

SUPER SPECIAL!
FREE AIRFARES! *

See Land Only price above

INC RETURN AIRFARE:

SPECIAL!! AUD$8499

Normally:

SYDNEY AUD$9298

BRISBANE AUD$9398

MELBOURNE AUD$9498

ADELAIDE AUD$9598

* Darwin and Perth have an additional $350 supplementary price in addition to the free airfares.

SPECIAL!! AUD$8849

Normally:

PERTH AUD$9948*

DARWIN AUD$9948*

NOT LISTED? ENQUIRE

SUPER SPECIAL!
FREE AIRFARES! *

See Land Only price above

FLIGHTS PACKAGES & 
DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE

See “Door to Door Service – Flight Options” below for details.

Solo travellers (same gender) are matched for twin share at no extra cost.

AUD $1799 Single Supplement

(to guarantee a single room)

Click section to expand details

Departure Dates

03 Nov 2024

SOLD OUT!

02 Feb 2025

SOLD OUT!

16 Feb 2025

1 LEFT! 

02 Mar 2025

SOLD OUT!

16 Mar 2025

SOLD OUT!

23 Mar 2025

2 LEFT! 

20 Apr 2025

6 LEFT! 

Door to Door Service & Flight Options (including home/hotel pickup & return)

Gold Club Tours offer door to door service & transfers, as well as return flight packages which include door to door service.

COMPLIMENTARY TRANSFERS (flight packages include additional transfers/door to door service)


Tour Only – Door to Door inclusions

  Day 1

1. From your arrival flight (or nominated address) to hotel.

  Final Day

1. From your hotel to your departure flight (or nominated address). 


Flight Package – Door to Door inclusions 

  Day 1  

1. From your home (or nominated address) to your flight to New Zealand.

2. On arrival in New Zealand, you are met at airport and taken to your hotel. 

  Final Day:  

1. From your hotel to your departing flight.

2. On arrival in Australia, you are met at airport and taken to your home.

Flight Packages inc Door to Door Service Locations

Flight packages from $799 per person.
 

Call or email us to check your preferred tour date – we can confirm availability and pricing. 

If your area is not listed, please contact us and we can advise you options and prices for flights and/or door to door service from your preferred location.

Return flight packages, including door to door service (home or hotel pickup & return) are listed below. Many suburbs we pickup from are not listed below. If your area falls in between the below listed and the airport, we almost certainly pickup, call or email to confirm your area is included.

EX: Sydney $799
EX: Brisbane $899
EX: Melbourne $999
EX: Adelaide $1099

Flights

Flights packages are based on economy airfares. Should you wish to travel on alternative dates, times or airliers, or wish to upgrade to  business or first class, please advise and we can advise options and any pricing change (alternative flight arrangements subject to availability and confirmation – fares and arrangments are not confirmed until funds have been recieved). Typically, guests fly to the airport closest to their home return area, although this may vary in some instances, particularly in smaller and/or more remote areas. Guests who wish to have specific requests catered to, such as direct vs connecting flights, specific flight times or specific airports, alternative locations, alternative dates, etc, may incur additional charges (wherever possible we do not charge additional).

Extra Accommodation (pre and post tour options)

Gold Club Tours offer additional accommodation options for guests travelling on our tours.

We have set pricing for guests to stay pre-tour or post-tour at:

 

Locations

  • Auckland
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Other locations on request

Pricing

  • Including Breakfast – AUD $320    (breakfast included for 1 or 2 guests)  

If you wish to arrange accommodation at another location that is not listed here, please contact us.

Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Arrive Auckland

Guests who have selected a Gold Club Tours airfare package are transferred from their home address to join their flight to Auckland, New Zealand.

 

Welcome to New Zealand!

On arrival, you have a complimentary transfer to your hotel – either from your inbound flight arriving in Auckland, or from your nominated Auckland address. You will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. (Guests already in Auckland have a complimentary transfer from their Auckland address to the hotel available at no charge).

The remainder of the day is at leisure, and this evening have dinner with your new travelling companions who have arrived.

 

Stay: Holiday Inn Express Auckland (or similar)

Day 2

Auckland at Leisure

Today you are at leisure, to relax or explore Auckland. Your Gold Club Tour Leader can assist you in making recommendations for optional activities. Perhaps visit the Sky Tower to view the city from the observation deck 186m high, or consider a day trip to Waiheke Island via ferry for wine tasting tour. This evening we dine in the hotel restaurant. 

 

Stay: Holiday Inn Express Auckland (or similar)

Day 3

Glenbrook Vintage Train to Matamata*
Rotorua & Lake Rotoiti Cruise

 

This morning we depart the hotel by tour coach to travel to join our exclusively chartered Glenbrook Vintage Train. With plenty of room onboard, guests are able to comfortably move around at leisure in the charming rustic heritage rail carriages of yesteryear. Making our way through the Waikato, we arrive at Waharoa station (approximately 5km outside of Matamata) where we rejoin our tour coach to continue on to Rotorua. 

This afternoon, enjoy a specially chartered cruise on the geothermal Lake Rotoiti. Make a stop at a “hot water beach” where the sand and water are heated by the magma that sits deep under the Rotorua area. Fascinating commentary on the area is given, including viewing (from the boat) ancient Maori food storage caves.

At the conclusion of our time, we head to our hotel where we check-in for the evening.

 

Stay: Rydges Hotel Rotorua (or similar)

Day 4

Rotorua - Te Puia Geothermal Park, Buffet Dinner & Maori Cultural Experience

This morning you have a free day at leisure to relax, or to explore the unique activities and sights that Rotorua has to offer. Perhaps take a scenic flight by helicopter or float plane, or enjoy a geothermal mud bath a “Hell’s Gate”.

Later this afternoon, we head to Te Puia – the world famous geothermal park situated in the Whakarewarewa Valley. See spectacular geysers, boiling mud pools and hissing steam vents. Enjoy a sumptuous buffet dinner after your guided tour, and then experience a fascinating Maori cultural performance.

 

Stay: Rydges Hotel Rotorua(or similar)

Day 5

Northern Explorer Train to Wellington

This morning you depart your hotel to join the Northern Explorer Train for Wellington.

Travel through the heart of the North Island, passing through the Tongariro National Park and Ohakune.  Enjoy fantastic views from the panoramic windows or perhaps venture out to the open air viewing deck.  See magnificent views of the volcanic plateau, Mount Ruapehu and the world famous Raurimu Spiral, as well as stunning river gorges. Upon arrival at Wellington, you are taken to your hotel. 

 

Stay: Rydges Hotel Wellington (or similar)

Day 6

Wellington, Te Papa “Gallipoli – The Scale of War"

This morning we visit Te Papa museum and view the “Scale of War” exhibit. This is a world renowned exhibition produced by Peter Jackson & Weta Workshop detailing New Zealand’s role in the Gallipoli Campaign. At the conclusion of our time at Te Papa, we enjoy a tour of Wellington’s sights including Mt Victoria, the Beehive and the Botanic Gardens. After the tour, the rest of your day in Wellington is free for you to explore or relax.

 

Stay: Rydges Hotel Wellington (or similar)

Day 7

Cook Strait, Picton, Coastal Pacific Train to Christchurch

After breakfast this morning, we depart the hotel for the interislander ferry and farewell Wellington. Travel across across Cook Strait and enter Queen Charlotte Sound and cruise this idyllic & tranquil waterway to the busy and scenic little fishing town of Picton.  Lunch is available onboard (at your own expense).  On arrival in Picton, you will join the Coastal Pacific Train to travel the eastern seaside of the South Island. Pass through the seaside town of Kaikoura, before arriving in Christchurch. As we arrive after 7pm, we enjoy dinner this evening onboard the train. On arrival in Christchurch you are met and transferred to your hotel. 

 

Stay: Pavillions Hotel (or similar)

Day 8

Christchurch

After breakfast this morning, enjoy a tour of some of the well-known city sights that Christchurch is famous for. At the conclusion of the city sights tour, the remainder of the day is at leisure. Your tour leader can assist you with lunch recommendations and optional excursions.

 

Stay: Pavillions Hotel (or similar)

Day 9

TranzAlpine Train, Pounamu Pathway, Hokitika

This morning join the Tranz Alpine Train to Greymouth. Head up into the Southern Alps and view dramatic alpine scenery – mountain peaks, rugged gorges and rivers. Stop briefly at Arthur’s Pass, the alpine village in the centre of the Alps. Then on to Greymouth, and a visit to the Pounamu Pathway. Immerse yourself in the legends and history of pounamu, the revered greenstone of the Māori people. Explore the interactive Pounamu Pathway Center with engaging exhibits and multimedia displays that bring to life the stone’s significance and traditional carving techniques. Then we head on to Hokitika where we stay this evening.

 

Stay: Beachfront Hotel (or similar)

Day 10

Hokitika - Fox Glacier

This morning we continue south along the coastal road, with wonderful panoramic views of alpine scenery and dense native forests as we head towards glacier country. We then continue on to Franz Josef & Fox Glaciers. These twin rivers of ice are unique, as nowhere in the world outside the polar regions, are glaciers found so close to sea level.

Optional Helicopter - Scenic Flight & Glacier Landing

AUD$325 per person

Take in the grandeur of Fox Glacier on a 20 minute trip. Land on the snow plains of the Fox Glacier, jump out and take it all in. Includes scenic helicopter flight, Snow landing atop the Glacier, Informative pilot commentary.

At Franz Josef Glacier or Fox Glacier (weather permitting), you have the opportunity to take an optional scenic flight over these spectacular ice-flows. This evening, we dine at a local restaurant.

 

Stay: Bella Vista Fox Glacier (or similar)

Day 11

Fox Glacier - Queenstown

Continuing south, we will pass isolated andlovely Bruce Bay before reaching the small settlement of Haast. Leaving the coast today, we will travel inland past Thunder Creek Falls to the “Gates of Haast.”

Optional - Haast River Safari

AUD$120 per person

60 min trip through the mighty Haast River Valley. Journey into the heart of Te Wahipounamu, the South West World Heritage Area. Hear fascinating commentary as you travel on purpose-built, fully enclosed safari boats.

Then it is a steepclimb, following the ancient Maori greenstone  pilgrimage route through the Haast Pass, and down to the shores of the milky, glacier-fed Lakes of Hawea and Wanaka, to arrive in the picturesque township of Wanaka.  We then travel through rich farmlands before continuing to Queenstown, where we will stay two nights.

 

Stay: Mercure Resort Queenstown (or similar)

Day 12

Cruise on TSS Earnslaw & Dinner at Walter Peak

Today, the entire day is at leisure for you to enjoy the many scenic delights of this world-famous alpine resort. Many guests will want to take advantage of the optional tour to Arrowntown, which is available for free to Gold Club Tours guests. Your tour leader can assist you in planning your day and making arrangements. 

Optional - Arrowtown Visit

INCLUDED FREE!

This morning guest have the option of joining an optional visit to the historic goldmining settlement of Arrowtown. Arrowtown is a gorgeous this picturesque town that offers a glimpse into New Zealand's 19th-century gold mining era. Wander the quaint streets lined with beautifully preserved heritage buildings, explore the fascinating museums, and visit the historic Chinese Settlement. Guests are then returned to their hotel, or they can continue by joining the optional Queenstown Wine Tour.

Optional - Queenstown Wine Tour

AUD$170 per person

Guests who have joined the optional Arrowtown Tour have the option to continue on the Queenstown Wine Tour. Visit several local vineyards to hear about their different wines, including tasting the various local varieties.

This evening, we will board the vintage steamship T.S.S. Earnslaw for a delightful cruise across Lake Wakatipu to Walter Peak, a high country sheep station. There is time to inspect the sheep and highland cattle before relaxing in the Colonel’s Homestead and enjoying some friendly Kiwi Hospitality and a sumptuous dinner, which is one of the culinary highlights of the tour.

Stay: Mercure Resort Queenstown (or similar)

Day 13

Queenstown - Milford Sound Cruise - Te Anau

This morning we drive along Lake Wakatipu to Lake Te Anau and enter Southland. Here, outstanding scenery greets us as we continue through the beech forests of the Eglington Valley with its steep walls, grassy floor and exquisite mirror-like lakes before entering the rugged grandeur of the Hollyford Valley. We pass through Cascade Creek and the hand-hewn Homer Tunnel, stopping at The Chasm, before continuing on through the glacial formations of the Cleddau Valley and descending to Milford. Here, we board our boat and follow the deep icy blue waterway to explore the hidden depths of Milford Sound. There is plenty of time to admire the intricately carved deep fiord and rock walls, and the most memorable of them all: Mitre Peak. Sitting at 6,000 feet, it is the tallest peak in the world rising directly from the bottom of the ocean. We cruise by tumbling waterfalls of Lady Bowen falls, Stirling Falls and many others as we journey to the hidden mouth of the Sound and out to the Tasman Sea. Watch out for the schools of playful dolphins that surf the bow wave of the boat and spot the seals basking in the sun on the rocky shores. Then our coach will take us to our hotel in Te Anau, home of the South Island’s largest lake.

 

Stay: Distinction Luxmore Te Anau (or similar)

Day 14

Te Anau - Bluff - Invercargill

This morning, we drive along Lake Manapouri, said to be New Zealand’s most beautiful lake, before crossing the rich and fertile country of Southland. Invercargill boasts being both the southernmost & westernmost city in New Zealand, and is essentially the gateway to Bluff, home of its namesake: the world-famous Bluff oysters. Bluff oysters are widely regarded as the finest in the world! Enjoy a brief tour of Bluff and Invercargill, before having free time.

Optional - Stewart Island Tour

AUD$315 per person

The optional visit to Stewart Island includes a return flight from Invercargill, a guided tour on the island of approximately 1 hour, with some free time, as well as return transfers to and from Invercargill airport.

The rest of the afternoon you have free time. This evening, enjoy dinner in the hotel’s restaurant.

 

Stay: Ascot Park Hotel (or similar)

Day 15

Invercargill - The Catlins - Dunedin

This morning, we depart Invercargill for Dunedin via the magnificent coastal vistas of the Catlins, famed for the wildlife, forests and rugged natural beauty. Late this afternoon, we arrive at the traditionally “Scottish City” of Dunedin – quaint, friendly and once New Zealand’s hub of commerce. During the gold rush years, Dunedin was New Zealand’s largest and most prosperous city and is home to New Zealand’s first university. We will stop at the Olveston House, a 35 room Jacobean mansion that allows an intimate view of the life of a prosperous Dunedin merchant and his family in Edwardian times. The mansion houses a treasure of Georgian and Victorian furniture, paintings, silver, china and glassware with a notable oriental collection.

 

Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar)

Day 16

Dunedin, Larnach Castle Dinner

Today, we enjoy a day at leisure in Dunedin to explore – perhaps take a short walk up to the Octagon, the commercial heart of the city and home to many restaurants and pubs. You may choose to visit the Speights Brewery or the Otago Settlers Musuem, or a trip out to some of the amazing wildlife sites & reserves on the Otago Peninsula (your tour leader will be able to assist you with arrangements, admissions and transport are at additional expense).

This evening, we visit Larnach Castle, an imposing stone mansion that was constructed in 1871 by William Larnach, a former government minister. Your guide will inform you of the dark Larnach secrets as you are escorted through the mansion to view the ornately furnished rooms and halls. Here, we are privileged to enjoy an exclusive sumptuous dinner at the castle.

 

Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar)

Day 17

Dunedin - Mt Cook - Omarama

Today’s coach journey is highlighted by magnificent mountains, crystal clear lakes and man-made wonders as we pass the hydro dams at Waitaki and Aviemore, and on to Mt Cook National Park, home of New Zealand’s highest mountain. We stop at Mt Cook, before continuing to our accommodation in Omarama.

 

Stay: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel Omarama (or similar)

Day 18

Omarama - Tekapo - Christchurch

Today we depart for Christchurch. We travel to beautiful Lake Tekapo, where a stop is made to view the Church of the Good Shepherd. Crossing Burkes Pass, we travel through the sheep-stations and tussock-covered lands of the MacKenzie Country and across the colourful patchwork quilt of the Canterbury Plains, the country’s largest wheat producing area, before arriving in Christchurch, the second largest metropolitan area in New Zealand. On arrival at Christchurch, you will check into your hotel for the evening.

 

Stay: Pavilions Hotel (or similar)

Day 19

Depart Christchurch

Sadly, this is the last day of our tour. A complimentary transfer to your nominated address is included. For guests who have purchased a flight package, you are at leisure to enjoy the day until the time for your transfer to the Christchurch airport to join your departing flight. On arrival at your destination airport you are met and returned to your home.

Tour Inclusions

Tour Highlights

Tour Reviews

Tour Leader

4.74

313 Reviews

1 Comments

I’ve been to 7 guided tours & Leanne & Robin were the best tour guides I ever had – They both worked hard, have patience of an angel.

Emelda Cole, Red Beach, Auckland

Accommodation

4.61

312 Reviews

1 Comments

The rooms were all wonderful

Sue Wood, Invercargill

Breakfasts

4.72

304 Reviews

1 Comments

Really good variety everywhere we stayed & good quality food. If we needed something extra more than helpful to do so. Always with a smile.

Jim & Anna Niven, New Lynn, Auckland

Dinners