Escorted Tour

South Island Summer Rail

Including •Franz Josef • Milford Sound • The Catlins • Stewart Island

Summertime in the South Island provides a stunning panorama of magnificent southern mountain scenery, meandering rivers and coastal plains. This 14-day tour allows you to experience the scenic south in style travelling by train and luxury coach.

Board the Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington; the Coastal Pacific Train takes you along the Kaikoura coastline from Picton to Christchurch; and the TranzAlpine from Christchurch to Greymouth. Along the way you’ll get to experience the West Coast, Queenstown, Te Anau, Milford Sound, and Stewart Island plus a special day in The Catlins. This tour is planned at a leisurely pace with frequent two night stops, and our tour escort ensures your tour is relaxing, fun and hassle free.

Your travel itinerary

Thursday 04 March

Auckland – Wellington

Lunch Dinner

Board the Northern Explorer for a spectacular daytime journey from Auckland to Wellington including the famous Raurimu Spiral, views of Mt Ruapehu, the Rangitikei River and scenic Kapiti Coast. Arrive in the capital for an overnight stay and welcome dinner.

Friday 05 March

Wellington – Picton

Breakfast Dinner

Enjoy a morning city tour, before arriving at the ferry for an early afternoon Cook Strait crossing to the picturesque Marlborough Sounds. Arrive in Picton for an overnight stay.

Saturday 06 March

Picton – Blenheim - Christchurch

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

A leisurely morning before a visit to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre in Blenheim followed by a vineyard lunch. Continue your journey on board the Coastal Pacific Train travelling along the picturesque Kaikoura Coast to Christchurch. Pass through Kaikoura, famous for its whale watching, and head inland through the rolling hill country of North Canterbury.

Sunday 07 March

Christchurch

Breakfast Dinner

After breakfast, meet your local guide for a walking tour of the regenerated city. Lunch at own expense, then enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Monday 08 March

Christchurch – Franz Josef

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

This morning board the TranzAlpine train to journey across the spectacular Southern Alps to the rugged West Coast. Climb the mountain range with scenic stops along the way including Arthurs Pass. Continue through the renowned rain forests and wetlands to arrive in Greymouth. Transfer to a coach and enjoy a scenic drive to Franz Josef for a two night stay.

Tuesday 09 March

Franz Josef

Breakfast Dinner

A sightseeing day to this unique part of New Zealand. The opportunity to explore both Franz Josef and Fox Glacier, or simply a day to relax. If you prefer an optional helicopter ride to Franz Josef Glacier is available. Return to Franz Josef for dinner and a relaxing evening.

Wednesday 10 March

Franz Josef - Queenstown

Breakfast Dinner

Today your journey continues south past Fox Glacier winding through lush forests and eventually back to the coastline to the last village before catapulting you into the mountains and over one of the most spectacular mountain passes, the Haast Pass. The road then continues alongside the two mountain fed lakes of Wanaka and Hawea before entering the wine country at Cromwell and on into the Kawarau Gorge arriving into Queenstown late afternoon for a two night stay.

Thursday 11 March

Queenstown

Breakfast Dinner

Today is at leisure to enjoy ‘The Jewel of the South’. Maybe take the gondola to admire the panoramic views of Lake Wakatipu, or for the more adventurous a helicopter ride – there’s plenty of choice. This evening enjoy a cruise aboard the TSS Earnslaw before a special gourmet BBQ dinner at Walter Peak Station.

Friday 12 March

Queenstown – Te Anau

Breakfast Dinner

After breakfast, travel by coach along the Lake Wakatipu shoreline through farmland to the beautiful Lake Te Anau for a two night stay. An optional afternoon tour is available to the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves.

Saturday 13 March

Te Anau – Invercargill

Breakfast Dinner

After breakfast drive along the scenic southern route and rich Southland countryside to Invercargill with the afternoon at leisure to explore. Why not discover the world class vintage truck collection at Bill Richardson Transport World, or learn about the legend of speed, Burt Munro, at E Hayes Motorworks. Or, simply take a stroll through the botanical gardens.

Sunday 14 March

Invercargill – Stewart Island - Invercargill

Breakfast Dinner

This morning travel to Bluff and cross Foveaux Strait by large modern catamaran to Stewart Island. Once on the island you can enjoy an optional leisurely cruise of beautiful Paterson Inlet and Ulva Island, or explore the small township of Oban by foot. Return mid-afternoon to your Invercargill hotel. Dinner is included tonight.

Stewart Island’s densely forested hills, tiny population and untouched coastline of rocky outcrops and creamy golden sand beaches make it a natural refuge for marine and bird life and a wonderful destination for people who value nature and wild places.

Monday 15 March

Invercargill – Catlins - Dunedin

Breakfast Lunch Dinner

After breakfast drive through the Catlins. Highlights include podocarp forests, rugged coastlines, hidden lakes and stunning waterfalls. The natural landscapes are enthralling. Continue north to your inner-city hotel in Dunedin and a farewell dinner tonight.

Tuesday 16 March

Dunedin - Home

Breakfast

Enjoy a leisurely morning with time to explore one of the best preserved Victorian and Edwardian cities in the Southern Hemisphere, before heading to the airport for your afternoon flight home.

Optional Tours

Tuesday 09 - Franz Josef and Fox Glacier Helicopter Flight $495 per person - Imagine flying the entire length of the Fox Glacier with time for a glacier snow landing before descending the Glacier Valley, with the mountains behind.

Thursday 11 - Queenstown Helicopter Flight - $495 per person - Look down on spectacular scenery as you cross Lake Wakatipu with a special landing during the flight. Continue over Ben Lomond and the famous historic Skippers Canyon. See the renowned steep canyon walls of the Shotover River and fly past Coronet Peak and the Wakatipu Basin.

Friday 12 - Te Anau Glow Worm Caves - $154 per person - Described by the Sydney Morning Herald as ‘one of the most unusual limestone cave experiences on the planet’, the Te Anau Glow Worm Caves is a must-do for anyone visiting Fiordland.

Monday 15 - Ulva Island Explorer - $188 per person - Enjoy a scenic cruise through Paterson Inlet with lunch included, taking in hidden coves, unspoilt beaches and the chance to spot fur seals and penguins. Visit the renowned wildlife sanctuary of Ulva Island for a 1.5 hour guided walk. Group numbers are limited. *A good standard of fitness and mobility is required due to the beach landing.

Monday 15 - Stewart Island Village and Bays Tour - $65 per person - Gain an entertaining insight into New Zealand’s southernmost community, and learn about the history and environment of Stewart Island. You will have plenty of time to get off the bus for photo stops and short walks. Highlights include a visit to the gateway of Rakiura National Park, beautiful Horseshoe Bay and Observation Rock.

Inclusions

13 nights hotel/ motel accommodation
Cooked breakfast daily
Five lunches and 12 dinners
All sightseeing and entrance fees as specified
Commentaries provided by your drivers and guides
Comfortable air-conditioned coaches with panoramic windows
One way airfare from Dunedin to Auckland (other destinations please ask)
Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Cook Strait ferry crossing
All gratuities are included
Northern Explorer Train
Coastal Pacific Train
TranzAlpine Train
Lunchtime scenic cruise of Milford Sound
Stewart Island day tour experience
TSS Earnslaw Cruise and gourmet BBQ dinner
Pukekohe Travel Escort subject to 15 passenagers travelling

Cost

Cost Per Person * Auckland - Auckland	Twin Share	Single
	$7,295	$9,495
Pre and post tour arrangement on request.

*This is a cash price. Credit cards will incur a 1.5% fee
*Itinerary and costs subject to change, airline and fuel charges and currency fluctuations prior to final payment

Exclusions

Domestic travel insurance- please ask us for a quote
Items of a personal nature

Booking Conditions

A non-refundable deposit of $500 per person will secure a place on the tour.
FULL PAYMENT is due no later than 15 January 2027
Bookings made after 15 January 2027 will require full payment

Cancellations

Deposit – non refundable
After 15 January 2027 – the tour is non refundable

Travel Insurance

We strongly recommend all clients purchase travel insurance to protect against cancellations, lost items, and delays that could lead to unexpected costs. Please ask us for a quote.

Advantages of joining our South Island Summertime Tour

Hassle Free - Our experienced tour escort allows you to sit back and relax. No tipping is expected and our family friendly manner makes this a tour to remember.

Our Accommodation - Accommodation has been carefully selected on location, a high standard of comfort and friendly, helpful service. Rooms have single, twin or double beds, en-suite bathroom, television, radio, telephone and generally have tea and coffee making facilities.

Travelling alone - We will do our utmost to match suitable participants in share accommodation to avoid the single room supplement. For those who prefer, we have rooms for sole use.

Extend my holiday please - Yes, it is possible to extend your holiday at the end of the tour.

Health and Mobility

To ensure the tour is enjoyable for you and others in the group, a good standard of fitness and mobility is required. The ability to walk unaided for 500 metres and negotiate steps and uneven surfaces is essential. Mobility frames and wheelchairs are not practical or permitted. It is expected you will arrive on tour fit, healthy and ready to travel.

Ship Information

Terms and Conditions

For full terms and conditions please visit our website Terms and Conditions or please ask our tour consultant for a copy.

Note: Pukekohe Travel reserves the right to correct errors and omissions on our website without recourse.
* Itinerary subject to change