Covering both the North and South Islands, these exciting new rail experiences, showcasing the best of regional history, culture and landscapes, will be operated by KiwiRail’s scenic rail business, Great Journeys New Zealand.

The 11 short break packages are designed to be self-guided trips along three rail networks: the Northern Explorer between Auckland and Wellington, the Coastal Pacific between Picton and Christchurch and the TranzAlpine, which goes between Christchurch and Greymouth.

A series of 12 different multi-day, fully guided tours – the longest stretching from Auckland to Queenstown over 17 days – will operate as set departures each year and offer two different styles. Classic Tours (6-15 days) give travellers the option of mixing free time with organised excursions, while the Signature Tours (6-17 days) aim to appeal to those seeking a complete experience that fully explores the grandeur of New Zealand.

Immersing travellers in the heart and soul of New Zealand, both the packages and tours are designed to be convenient and easy, with accommodation, transfers and visitor experiences all taken care of, while simultaneously getting travellers to discover the country’s regions and go off the beaten track. For example, you could spend a night in a UNESCO World Heritage Park, take part in a rail cart experience in Taumarunui, go wine tasting in Marlborough, encounter albatross in Kaikōura or visit the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks on the West Coast

The short-break packages begin later in 2022 and multi-day guided tours in early 2023. Both will be available for booking online later this year. For more information head over to Great Journeys New Zealand(opens in new window).