Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer from Christchurch to Wellington

Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Tour is featuring the 'Big 5" rail journeys of the South Island. The guided tour begins in Christchurch, where you board one of the world's great train journeys, the TranzAlpine, and traverse the majestic Cantenbury Plains and Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass. Arrive in Franz Josef, travel through Haast Pass and see Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, and Lake Dunstan before reaching Queenstown. Enjoy a lake cruise on the historic TSS Earnslaw, a gourmet BBQ at Walter Peak, and visit Arrowtown.  You will visit Milford Sound and then continue towards the east coast to Dunedin, where you will board the historic Rogers K92 locomotive. Travel by rail over river gorges, towering viaducts, and through numerous historic tunnels in the remote Taieri Gorge. You will keep traveling along the coastal route to Oamaru and then detour inland towards Aoraki Mount Cook. Back in Christchurch, you will join the Coastal Pacific Scenic Train and continue along the Pacific Coast across remote beaches, between mountains and sea to Kaikoura. The grand finale will be travelling across Marlborough on a historic WW1 memorial steam locomotive and finish the magnificent Explorer journey in Wellington.

Your adventure begins at Christchurch Railway Station, where you'll board the iconic TranzAlpine. Renowned as one of the world's greatest train journeys, it spans 223 kilometers and takes nearly five hours. Along the way, you'll witness breathtaking vistas, follow the ice-fed Waimakariri River, cross the majestic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps, and pass through vast native beech forests. In Greymouth, luxury coaches will be ready to transport you to your hotel in Franz Josef.

Wake up and choose to seize the opportunity for a helicopter tour of the Franz Josef Glacier. Afterwards, depart from Franz Josef and journey down the West Coast through the Haast Pass, travelling through expansive native rainforests and over the majestic Southern Alps. This remote area boasts a ruggedly beautiful landscape with vast rainforests, gushing waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains. Continuing through Makarora, bordering Mount Aspiring World Heritage Park, pass by the crystal-clear waters of Lake Wanaka, Lake Hawea, and Lake Dunstan. Finally, arrive in the adventure playground of Queenstown. Cap off this special day by admiring The Remarkables Mountain Range and the stunning view of Lake Wakatipu from the hotel.

Start your day with a scenic lake cruise aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw, a charming 1912 Edwardian steamboat. Sail across the serene waters of Lake Wakatipu to reach Walter Peak High Country Farm, where a gourmet BBQ lunch awaits. In the afternoon, explore the historic and picturesque goldmining town of Arrowtown with a visit to the Lakes Distict Museum.

Departing from Queenstown, the journey continues to the quaint village of Kingston, nestled at the southernmost end of Lake Wakatipu. Here, the iconic Kingston Flyer Steam Train awaits to take passengers on a memorable round trip between Kingston and Fairlight. Next, enter the Fiordland National Park district and continue along the Southern Scenic Route, stopping to visit the Takahe Bird Sanctuary. The Takahe, with their prehistoric appearance, are the stars of the show, and meeting them is a 'must do' for visitors to Fiordland. The sanctuary plays a crucial role in the success of the Takahe Recovery Programme. Ample time is then spent experiencing the wonders of Te Anau and Milford Sound.

Traveling along the Milford Road, between Te Anau and Milford, is considered one of the world's finest alpine drives. The route offers exceptional scenery, from broad grassy flats and dense rainforest to towering mountains, glacial lakes, and alpine herb fields. A day tour to Milford Sound showcases some of the most spectacular natural scenery. The journey begins with a coach ride through stunning landscapes along the Milford Road, leading into Fiordland, where a cruise boat awaits. The tour includes a cruise around the fiord, allowing close-up views of landmarks like Mitre Peak and wildlife such as dolphins and seals. The cruise reaches the innermost parts of Milford Sound, extending to the open Tasman Sea and back. A one-day itinerary allows for taking in all the beautiful sights along the way, enjoying a scenic cruise around the fiord, and returning to Te Anau in time for dinner.

Depart from Te Anau for Dunedin, passing through Mandeville to visit the Croydon Aviation Museum and Waimea Plains Railway, where the Rogers K92 Steam Locomotive (the original Kingston Flyer) is fired up. This luxury coach journey offers views of the pristine beauty and rugged countryside that the Southland region is renowned for.

Situated on the picturesque Otago Peninsula, Larnach Castle stands as one of New Zealand’s premier visitor attractions. Lovingly restored by the Barker Family, the castle and its surrounding grounds are central to the Dunedin visitor experience. Arrive in time for refreshing high tea in the Ballroom Café, followed by a guided garden tour. In the afternoon, explore the hidden underground Fort Taiaroa, established over 100 years ago to counter the threat of invasion from Tsarist Russia. The fort is located beneath the Albatross colony, which is the only mainland breeding colony of Royal Albatross in the world.

Departing from Dunedin by rail, the journey continues along the coast towards Oamaru before detouring inland via the Waitaki Valley and Omarama by coach, heading towards the spectacular Aoraki Mt Cook. This area is home to New Zealand's tallest mountain, where Sir Edmund Hillary honed his climbing skills in preparation for conquering Mt Everest. Recognized as part of the Te Wahipounamu UNESCO World Heritage Area, the national park offers a breathtaking environment of glaciers, terminal lakes, turbulent rivers, and the mighty Aoraki Mt Cook soaring to 3,724 meters. After dinner, there is an option to enjoy stargazing at the Planetarium, digitally immersed in the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve.

Enjoy a leisurely morning followed by a visit to the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, which pays tribute to New Zealand’s global icon and showcases the country's colorful transport, climbing, and hotel history. In the afternoon, take a scenic drive through the National Park, surrounded by the silent splendor of the Southern Alps. Optional morning activities include a glacier explorer cruise or a scenic ski plane flight, with expert pilots navigating over the glacial lake and passing soaring mountain tops above New Zealand’s longest glacier, the 600-meter thick Tasman Glacier. Before dinner, a guest speaker from the Hillary family will give a presentation in the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre Theatre. After the presentation, there is an optional Planetarium Show in the same theatre.

Depart from the hotel in the morning, leaving Aoraki Mt Cook by coach and journeying back to the coast via Tekapo, Geraldine, and Rakaia on the way to Christchurch. Upon arrival in Christchurch, choose between a privately chartered historic tram ride around the city or an exploration of modern-day Antarctica at the International Antarctic Centre, experiencing a taste of this unique and breathtaking continent, just like the explorers of the past.

Departing Christchurch on the Coastal Pacific Scenic Train, the journey heads to Kaikoura, home to resident whales. Here, the majestic mountains of the Southern Alps rise from the deep trenches of the Pacific Ocean. Throughout the year, various species of whales can be spotted off the coast of Kaikoura, with the huge resident sperm whales frequently sighted. The ocean trench near the shore allows for these magnificent creatures to be seen up close.

This morning, experience the true "rockstar of rail" with a grand finale of epic proportions as the train is hauled under full steam by the glorious Marlborough Flyer. All aboard for the spectacular coastal journey as we depart Kaikoura, heading north via the Dashwood Pass and Awatere Valley to Marlborough, the renowned wine region boasting over 100 vineyards. This historic WW1 memorial steam locomotive, Ab608 Passchendaele, is named in honor of the fallen soldiers at The Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. Having hauled royal trains during two royal visits in the early 1900s, this is truly a journey fit for a king.

On the final day of the tour, enjoy one of the world's most picturesque ferry crossings. Weave through Queen Charlotte Sound and cruise across Cook Strait to the harbor city of Wellington. The tour concludes in Wellington, New Zealand's vibrant capital, renowned for its picturesque harbour, rich cultural scene, and dynamic culinary offerings.