The Most Beautiful Train Routes at the End of the World (2026/2027/2028/2029)
starting at 7.220 €

New Zealand - Adventure trip by train

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22-day train adventure with train journeys on New Zealand's North and South Islands

Australia & Oceania

New Zealand

1 - 26 people

22 days

New Zealand offers a diversity of natural landscapes unlike almost any other country, along with modern cities and the ancient Maori culture. This round-trip tour covers all the highlights, but what makes it truly exceptional is that you’ll travel not only by bus but also on New Zealand’s scenic trains. The country’s long-distance trains are modern, very comfortable, and feature open-air observation cars. All train routes run on narrow-gauge tracks and wind through landscapes that couldn’t be more diverse—an experience that can only be fully enjoyed from the train!

Stephanie Gräf

A specialist in personalized and exciting trips around the globe.

I am your contact person for questions and bookings regarding your trip.

You can reach me by phone or email:
+49 (0)201 858 90 960
welcome@inventia.de

Select consultation appointment

HIGHLIGHTS

Dream routes with comfortable trains: Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, TranzAlpine
Ride on the Driving Creek narrow-gauge railway on the Coromandel Peninsula
To spectacular canyon landscapes with the Taieri Gorge
Experience Rotorua: Hot Springs and Geysers
Visiting the Maori: Traditional dances and hangi
Boat trips on the Otago Peninsula and through Milford Sound
Ferry crossing over the legendary Cook Strait

route

itinerary

Day 1 Flight to Singapore

(If you booked without flights, your trip begins on Day 4)

Day 2 Stopover in Asia

Transfer to your hotel in Singapore.

Day 3 Boomtown Singapore

Glittering skyline and colonial style: explore this contrasting metropolis at your own pace. Evening flight to Auckland. (B)

Day 4 Welcome to the land of the kiwis!

Arrival on New Zealand's North Island. Time to relax at the hotel in Auckland.

Day 5 Driving Creek narrow-gauge railway

From Auckland, you’ll travel to the Coromandel Peninsula. Here, during your ride on the Driving Creek narrow-gauge railway, you’ll enjoy fantastic views of the lush greenery and the majestic fern trees. In the afternoon, you’ll visit Hot Water Beach, where hot spring water seeps through the sand at low tide. (B)

Day 6 The warm heart of the North Island

You will reach Lake Rotorua through forest and water-rich wilderness. Spectacular thermal areas surround the lake, which was formed from the caldera of a volcano. (F)

Day 7 A day with the Maori

Against the backdrop of spouting geysers and steaming springs, you will learn about Maori customs at the Te Puia Cultural Center. A sumptuous buffet lunch with delicious dishes from the hangi earth oven awaits you. (FM)

Day 8 The kiwi and the glowworm cave

In the morning, you’ll visit a breeding center for kiwis, New Zealand’s national birds. Afterward, you’ll drive to Waitomo, where you’ll take an impressive underground boat tour of the famous glowworm cave. Then you’ll head to Hamilton. (B)

Day 9 On the Northern Explorer

From Hamilton, enjoy the approximately 8-hour train ride on the Northern Explorer across the North Island, passing through Tongariro National Park, all the way to Wellington. (B)

Day 10 New Zealand's capital city

In the morning, you'll visit Te Papa, New Zealand's lavishly equipped national museum. The afternoon is then yours to spend as you wish. We recommend taking the cable car to the Botanical Garden. (FA)

Day 11 On the Coastal Pacific

In the morning, you’ll board the ferry bound for the South Island. The approximately three-hour ferry ride to Picton takes you out onto the open sea before you reach the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. In Picton, you’ll board the Coastal Pacific, which will take you to Christchurch in about 5 hours. From the train windows, with a little luck, you’ll spot fur seals along the unique coastline. (B)

Day 12 At Mount Cook

In the morning, we’ll head south. In Tekapo, if you’d like: a helicopter sightseeing flight (weather permitting). You’ll also have the chance to catch a glimpse of Mount Cook, New Zealand’s highest mountain. Today’s destination is the small town of Twizel. (FA)

Day 13 Magical Moeraki Boulders and Otago Peninsula

Today, you will pass through the Waitaki Valley via Oamaru to the Moeraki Boulders, stone spheres shrouded in numerous legends. The journey continues to Dunedin, founded by Scots and now the second largest city on the South Island. After a short city tour, you will take a trip along the Otago Peninsula and observe the home of cormorants, penguins, and countless marine mammals from the ship. (F)

Day 14 Taieri Gorge and Te Anau

In the morning, an insider’s tip awaits you: a ride on the Taieri Gorge Train into the remote canyon landscape of the Taieri River. From there, you’ll continue by bus through the fertile farmland of South Otago to Te Anau. Lake Te Anau separates the small town from the mountains of Fiordland National Park. Take a stroll along the lake or go on a jet boat ride (if you’d like). (B)

Day 15 Experience Milford Sound

Drive through rugged mountain terrain to Fiordland National Park. The boat tour through the world-famous Milford Sound—a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site—through pristine wilderness all the way to the sea is unforgettable! Afterward, the journey continues to Queenstown. (B)

Day 16 Picturesque Queenstown

Enjoy a day off at Lake Wakatipu against the backdrop of majestic mountains. (B)

Day 17 Gold mining settlement and Franz Josef Glacier

This morning, you’ll visit the lovingly restored gold rush settlement of Arrowtown. The journey continues along the idyllic lakes of Wanaka and Hawea to the Haast Pass. You’ll arrive at Westland National Park, home to rare endemic bird species. Overnight stay in Franz Josef. Optional: Helicopter sightseeing tour (weather permitting). (B)

Day 18 New Zealand Alps

Take a detour to the Franz Josef Glacier Valley before continuing north toward Hokitika. Here, you’ll visit a jade workshop. Then, travel via Greymouth to today’s destination, Punakaiki. (B)

Day 19 On the TranzAlpine

The route continues along the coast to Paparoa National Park. Then take the TranzAlpine and cross Arthur's Pass on one of the most beautiful railway lines in the world. (B)

Day 20 Christchurch

A short city tour of Christchurch, followed by a gondola ride up to the Port Hills with fantastic views of the Southern Alps and Lyttelton Harbor. The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy your farewell dinner aboard a historic streetcar. (FA)

Day 21 Return journey

Transfer to the airport and return flight to Germany. (F) (If you booked without flights, your trip ends on Day 21)

Day 22 Landing in Frankfurt

Information

Included services:

Flights from/to Frankfurt in Economy Class
18 nights in comfortable hotels and good mid-range hotels
Train rides on the Driving Creek, Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, Taieri Gorge, and TranzAlpine
Transfers as per itinerary in air-conditioned coach/minibus (depending on number of guests)
Transport of luggage (23 kg per person)
Excursions/sightseeing tours as per itinerary in German (if there are fewer than 20 guests, the tour guide will also be the driver)
Transfers between the airport and hotel with an English-speaking driver
Ferry crossing, entrance fees, sightseeing tours, and national park fees as per itinerary
Meals as per itinerary (B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner)
Travel guides and information material New Zealand

Not included in the price: