South Island Rail Tour 2025

22nd April – 3rd May

Day 1 Homeport to Blenheim Tuesday 22nd April:

After your home pick up, we’ll transfer you to your flight to Blenheim. Enjoy a day exploring the sights of Blenheim. Visit the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre – this houses filmmaker Peter Jacksons collection of World War 1 aircraft. Plenty of time to explore Blenheim before dinner. 

Meals: Dinner

Hotel: Scenic Blenheim

Day 2 Blenheim to Christchurch Wednesday 23rd April:

Enjoy your journey to Christchurch on the Coastal Pacific Train, a Reid Tours representative will meet you and transfer you to your hotel, the Chateau on the Park. This evening, you enjoy a welcome dinner with your fellow passengers.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Chateau on the Park, Christchurch 

Day 3 Christchurch-Punakaiki-Hokitika Thursday 24th April:

This morning, we join the award winning Tranz Alpine train as it journeys across the Canterbury Plains. Then via the scenic Waimakariri Gorge onto the Alpine Village of Arthurs Pass in the Southern Alps. We then re-join our coach. After crossing Arthurs Pass we continue via Lake Brunner to Punakaiki. This is one of New Zealand’s most beautifulcoastal roads. We then continue south to the Historic Gold town of Hokitika. Our hotel looks out over the Tasman Sea.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Beachfront Hokitika 

Day 4 Hokitika to Fox Glacier Friday 25th April :

This morning you will have time to visit the greenstone and gold shopsof Hokitika before we visit the scenic Hokitika Gorge, where the river emerges from the Alps. We continue onto the treetop walk at Lake Mahinapua. experience life with the birds high in the ancient Rimu and Kamahi Forest. You can also enjoy great views of the southern alps, rain forest and Lake Mahinapua. Our journey continues south to our overnight stop at Fox Glacier.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Heartland Hotel 

OPTIONAL EXTRA: Helicopter flight

Day 5 Fox Glacier to Haast Saturday 26th April:

This morning, we visit Lake Matheson with its wonderful views of Mt Cook and the surrounding high peaks of the Southern Alps. Continuing south through ancient rain forests and passing numerous lakes, we continue onto Jacksons Bay the most southern point on the West Coast. Plenty of time to explore the area made famous by Arawhata Bill. We will also visit the Haast Visitor Centre.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Heritage Hotel

OPTIONAL EXTRA: Haast river jetboat

Day 6 Haast – Arrowtown – Te Anau Sunday 27th April:

This morning we leave the West Coast and travel via the Haast Past to Wanaka. We continue onto Arrowtown with its amazing Autumn colours, before heading south to our overnight stop at Lake Te Anau

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: The Village Inn, Te Anau

Day 7 Te Anau – Milford Sound – Te Anau Monday 28th April:

Leaving Te Anau we travel via the Eglington valley and Homer tunnel to Milford Sound. You will enjoy a cruise on the majestic Milford Sound with lunch provided. View Mitre Peak and the numerous waterfalls of this picturesque sound. We return to Te Anau mid-afternoon where you can enjoy a look around before dinner.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Hotel: The Village Inn, Te Anau

Day 8 Te Anau to Queenstown Tuesday 29th April:

This morning after a wonderful breakfast we bid farewell to Te Anau and travel through to Queenstown. We will enjoy a Gondola ride with uninterrupted views of Queenstown and the surrounding Wakatipu Basin and feast on a beautiful lunch. Mid-afternoon you’re free to explore the town. Tonight, you’re free to dine at one of the many cafes and restaurants in Queenstown.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Hotel: Novotel Gardens, Queenstown

Day 9 Queenstown Wednesday 30th April:

Today is a free day to enjoy the wonderful setting of Queenstown. Your tour manager will advise you of the many options available.

Meals: Breakfast

Hotel: Novotel Gardens, Queenstown

Day 10 Queenstown to Mt Cook Thursday 1st May:

This morning, we travel north via the Lindis Pass into the McKenzie Country. We travel to the unique location of Mt Cook following the shore of Lake Pukaki. Your tour includes access to the Edmond Hillary Centre and wonderful 3D Movie of the area and planetarium. We’re staying tonight in the magnificent Hermitage Hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Hermitage Hotel, Mt Cook Village

Day 11 Mt Cook to Christchurch Friday 2nd May:

This morning you’ll have breakfast in the shadow of the majestic Mt Cook itself. Following breakfast, we’ll drive back along the lake and rejoin the highway to Christchurch, complete with a stop in Geraldine for lunch. On arrival in Christchurch, we will arrive back at the Chateau on the Park.

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Hotel: Chateau on the Park, Christchurch

Day 12 Christchurch to home Saturday 3rd May:

Following a delicious breakfast and farewells, you’ll be transferred to the airport for your flight, on arrival a shuttle will be waiting for you to transfer you to your home.

Meals: Breakfast

Inclusions

Home pick up and return by shuttle.

Eleven nights’ Accommodation on a twin share basis.  ​  ​                        

Meals as indicated on the itinerary.

Coastal Pacific train journey.  

10 days 5-star coach travel. 

Return air flights.

Tranz Alpine train journey.

Rain forest treetop walk Hokitika (subject to weather conditions)

Queenstown Gondola & lunch

Milford Sound Cruise including lunch.

3D Movie Mount Cook.

Return air flights.

Price information

Price per person Twin share $5,275.00

Single Room supplement $1,100.00

For more information and to get a booking form please fill out the form below

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