Best of the West Coast Rail Tour - 7 days/6 nights
CHRISTCHURCH (1 night) - GREYMOUHth- POUNAMU PATHWAY - SHANTYTOWN - HOKITIKA (3 nights) - HOKITIKA GORGE -TREETOPS WALK - FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER - LAKE MATHESON - ROSS GOLDFIELDS - ECO CRUISE (Summer only) - REEFTON - DENNISTON - WESTPORT - NILE RIVER RAILWAY - PUNAKAIKI (1 night) - CHRISTCHURCH (1 night)
Commence Christchurch first sunday of every month year round (Minimum 2 passengers). Locally hosted on the West Coast.
2025. June 01, July 06, August 03, September 07, October 05, November 02, December 07
2026. January 04, February 01, March 01, April 05, May 03
5 days/4 nights commencing Christchurch railway station monday morning Day 2 and ending Christchurch railway station Day 6 at 7pm.. Minimum 2 passengers.
This tour can commence any day 17 July 2025 - 11 May 2026 for minimum of 4 passengers.
Day 1. Sunday ARRIVE CHRISTCHURCH
Arrive Christchurch and you will be transferred to your accommodation.
Day 2. Monday. CHRISTCHURCH - HOKITIKA
Transfer to the rail station.
8.15am. Depart Christchurch railway station aboard the "Tranz Alpine" express for one of the most scenic rail journeys in the world across the Canterbury Plains climbing through the foothills of the Southern Alps criss crossing the Waimakariri River on the way to Arthurs Pass for a brief break. Travel through the Otira tunnel and descend into the rainforest of the West Coast. Pass Lake Brunner and the Grey River and arrive Greymouth 1.05pm.
You will be met by your local guide and visit Shantytown. Ride the train (usually diesel hauled), pan for gold, and recapture something of the atmosphere of the gold rush era. On to Hokitika and catch up on Hokitika in its prime during the gold rush era.
Three nights accommodation and breakfast at the Beachfront Hotel, Hokitika.
Day 3. Tuesday. HOKITIKA (B)
This morning we go back to nature at the Hokitika Gorge for a short walk among the breathtaking scenery. Enjoy a leisurely Eco boat cruise (Summer only) on the Lake Mahinapua waterways originally used by pioneers, gold diggers, and early explorers. Drive south to the West Coast Treetop Walkway for an exhilirating treetop adventure high in the ancient Rimu and Kamahi trees with great views (weather permitting) of Lake Mahinapua, the Southern Alps, and Tasman Sea.
Day 4. Wednesday. FRANZ JOSEF GLACIER AND LAKE MATHESON (B)
Full day excursion to Franz Josef Glacier with visit to the glacier lookout and free time for helicopter flights to land on the glacier. Visit beautiful Lake Matheson and the Ross Goldfields Museum.
Day 5. Thursday. HOKITIKA - REEFTON - DENNISTON - WESTPORT - PUNAKAIKI (B)
Drive north to Reefton. Visit the Reefton Distillery Co with a little tasting and the Bearded Mining Company for a visit to a recreated miners hut and cup of billy tea. Drive to the Denniston lookout and on to Denniston to see the famous incline and discover the history of the area,. See the Visit the Westport coal museum and Cape Foulwind seal colony before arriving at the Scenic Punakaiki Hotel.
Day 6. Friday. PUNAKAIKI - GREYMOUTH - CHRISTCHURCH (B
Visit the historic gold mining town of Charleston for a ride on the Nile River railway through the rainforest. Explore the Punakaiki Rocks and Paparoa National Park.
Return to Greymouth for a short tour and time to explore. Rejoin the "Tranz Alpine" train departing 2.05pm to recross the Southern Alps to Christchurch where arrival is scheduled for 7pm. Passengers on the 7 day tour will be transferred back to your hotel (Accommodation at the airport Novotel for early departures Saturday. 5 day tour ends on arrival at Christchurch Railway Station.
Day 7. Saturday. CHRISTCHURCH DEPART (B)
Passengers on the 5 day tour will be transferred to the airport.
Tour cost per person:
01 June - 07 September, 2025 and 03 May, 2026.
7 day tour. 2 per room $2,990. Single room $3,700
5 day tour. 2 per room $2,590. Single room $3,190
05 October 2025 - 04 January, 2026.
7 day tour. 2 per room $3,390. Single room $4,250
5 day tour. 2 per room $2,890. Single room $3,520
01 February - 05 April, 2026.
7 day tour. 2 per room $3,590. Single room $4,500
5 day tour. 2 per room $2,950. Single room $3,700
"SCENIC PLUS" SERVICE INCLUDING EXCLUSIVE CARRIAGE AND SERVICE, MEAL, AND REFRESHMENTS IS AVAILABLE ON ONE OR BOTH JOURNEYS BUT MUST BE RESERVED ON YOUR INITIAL RESERVATION - extra cost $200 per person per one way journey
Tour cost includes (7 day tour):
** Arrival and departure transfers and 1 night accommodation and breakfast in Christchurch before and after the West Coast.
** Return travel from Christchurch to Greymouth aboard the "Tranz Alpine" train.
** All travel on the West Coast by driver escorted mini or midi bus.
** 6 nights accommodation and breakfast
** Admission fees to: Shantytown, Treetops walk, Waterways cruise (summer only), Reefton Distillery, Coaltown Museum, Pounamu Pathway, Nile River rail ride
5 day tour includes all of the above except transfers, accommodation, and breakfasts in Christchurch before and after the West Coast. Tour starts and ends at Christchurch Railway Station.
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THE RAIL CONNECTION - "Northern Explorer", Interislander, and "Coastal Pacific
THE FAST TRACK
2 days/1 night. Depart Auckland 7.45am and Hamilton 10.05am Saturday, Arrive Wellington 6.25pm. 1 night with breakfast close to Wellington Railway station, Sunday. "Interislander to Picton, "Coastal Pacific" to Christchurch. Ttransfer to Christchurch accommodation,
Tour cost per person
01 June - 30 September, 2025 and 30 April, 2026. 2 per room $990. Single room $1,190
01 October, 2025 - 31 January, 2026. 2 per room $1.190. Single room $1,490
01 February - 31 March, 2026. 2 per room $1,350. Single room $1,650.
Upgrade to SCENIC PLUS - "Northern Explorer" $250. "Coastal Pacific" $220, "Tranz Alpine" $220
Upgrade to "Interislander" Premium Lounge $90
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THE RAIL CONNECTION - Auckland - Wellington - Christchurch or vv. 3 days/2 nights or 5 days/4 nights.
Southbound.
Depart Auckland Strand Railway station 7.45am, Papakura 8.35am, Hamilton 10.05am, and Otorohanga 10.45am every Monday and Thursday from 01 September apart from some maintenance days May 30-02 June, July 10-13, October 23-26. Minimum 2 passengers
Includes: "Northern Explorer" to Wellington, transfers and 2 nights accommodation and breakfast in central Wellington . Half day tour including Oriental Bay, Weta Workshop tour, part of the Marine Drive, Mt Victoria, Botanical Gardens, Optional visit to Zealandia or one hour guided tour of Parliament. Depart Wellington by "Interislander" 8.45am for Picton connecting to the "Coastal Pacific" departing Picton 1.30pm arriving Christchurch 7.30pm. Transfer to central city 4 star hotel - usually Distinction in Cathedral Square. 2 nights accommodation and breakfast. Tour ends at the hotel after breakfast on day 5.
Why not continue on our SOUTHERN ICONS, BEST OF THE WEST COAST, OR FABULOUS FIORDLAND TOURS.
Northbound
Depart Christchurch Railway Station 7am and Rangiora 7.30am every Monday and Friday from 01 September (apart from some maintenance days for "Northern Explorer" listed above). Minimum 2 passengers.
Includes: "Coastal Pacific" from Christchurch arriving Picton 12.40pm. Depart aboard the "Interislander" at 2.15pm aboard the "Kaitaki" arriving Wellington 5.45pm. Transfer to Hotel, Half day tour of Wellington as above, Transfer to rail station day 3 and join "Northern Explorer" departing 7.55am arriving Hamilton 4.25pm, Papakura 5.55pm and Auckland Strand Rail station at 6.45pm. 3 day tour ends on arrival at Strand Railway station. 5 day tour transfer to hotel for 2 nights accommodation and breakfast, usually Heritage, Grand Millennium, or Airedale Suites.
Tour cost per person Auckland/Christchurch or Christchurch/Auckland. 01 September - 30 September, 2025
3 days/2 nights: 2 per room $1,390. Single room $1,690
5 days/4 nights: 2 per room $1,590. Single room $1,990
Tour cost per person 01 October - 30 November, 2025 and 01 April - 31 May, 2026 add $200 per person
Tour cost per person 01 December, 2025 - 31 March, 2026 - add $300 per person
SCENIC PLUS - the best way to travel with dedicated carriage and also viewing carriage, main meal, refreshments, host service. Extra cost per sector: "Northern Explorer" Auckland-Wellington or vv $200. "Coastal Pacific" Picton-Christchurch or vv $200.
'INTERISLANDER" Lounge class including exclusive adult only lounge with meal and refreshments - extra cost $78 per person each way
EXTEND THE EXPERIENCE.
Depart Auckland and Hamilton thursday for Wellington. Enjoy 3 nights exploring Wellington, or 2 nights Wellington and 1 night at Picton or Kaikoura arriving Christchurch sunday.
back to South Island Tours.. Explore Our Magnificent South Island. 
