Rail

We have some exciting news to share.
We have just had a confirmation of the return of all Great Journeys of New Zealand scenic rail journeys.
The Northern Explorer will return travelling between Auckland and Wellington from 30th of September.
The Coastal Pacific will return on a limited 3 days per week schedule from the 13th of October travelling between Christchurch and Picton.
This means we are now able to offer our full special rail itineraries to explore our beautiful country.

Dunedin Railways are no longer operating the Taieri Gorge Railway, this has been sadly cancelled until further notice therefore we are no longer able to offer the Taieri Gorge Railway as part of the Rail itinerary. 

We are thrilled to announce our dates for our Hosted Rail Tours in 2021.

13 Day Rail Itinerary

AUCKLAND – WELLINGTON – PICTON – KAIKOURA (WHALE WATCHING) – CHRISTCHURCH – GREYMOUTH (RETURN) – CHRISTCHURCH – AUCKLAND (Flights to or from any domestic NZ airport can be arranged from Christchurch at the conclusion of the holiday if preferably over Auckland). This is a private itinerary not a tour. 

This itinerary caters for rail enthusiasts and those who like to have all the hard work, driving around the country, all being done for you. Included in this itinerary are four stunning rail journeys with some wonderful scenic excursions along the way. 

We start in Auckland before boarding the Northern Explorer south to Wellington. Have a few days enjoy the arts and culture of New Zealand’s capital city before crossing the Cook Strait on the ferry to Picton. Have a night to take in a scenic cruise in the beautiful Marlborough Sounds before hopping on the Coastal Pacific to Kaikoura. Enjoy an evening of fresh seafood, crayfish before a morning whale watch off the coast of Kaikoura. Re-join the train to Christchurch where you will have a ticket onboard the historic Christchurch Tramways. 

Take the TranzAlpine to Greymouth, this is one of the worlds greatest scenic railway journeys, either same day return or enjoy a relaxing night at Punakaiki to see the famous Pancake Rocks. 

This itinerary is designed to take a minimum of 13 days but can be catered to individual requirements and interests

Wine and Food

CHRISTCHURCH (Waipara day tour) – WANAKA/QUEENSTOWN – FOX GLACIER – PUNAKAIKI – PICTON (BLENHEIM) – WELLINGTON – MARTINBOROUGH – NAPIER – TAURANGA – AUCKLAND 

New Zealand is well known for producing some of the world’s best wine, Sauvignon Blanc inparticular and Pinot Noir. This itinerary can really be started any of New Zealand’s major arrival centre’s (Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or Queenstown). 

This holiday is catered for those who want to experience the finest wine and food we have to offer. 

This itinerary starts in Christchurch where you can leisurely make your way to North Canterbury where you find the Waipara district, this can be done as a day trip from Christchurch. Take the scenic highway to Queenstown or Wanaka to enjoy the Central Otago region. Central Otago is renowned for producing fine Pinot Noir. You can add a day or so to explore Fiordland by road or we can arrange a scenic flight to take you to Milford Sound from Wanaka. From Wanaka head up to Fox Glacier for a driving break before a long drive up to Blenheim/Picton to enjoy the fruits of Marlborough, New Zealand’s largest wine region. Enjoy a few days exploring the wineries and a lunch cruise to one of the many stunning resorts in the Marlborough Sounds from Picton. Take the ferry to Wellington. 

A short drive from Wellington brings you to the Martinborough area in the Wairarapa district, there are endless wineries here and some top class accommodation. After Martinborough continue driving north east toward Hawke’s Bay and Napier. Hawke’s Bay in the oldest wine growing region in New Zealand and has some beautiful wine heritage, fruit growing and restaurants. A scenic drive from Napier takes you to the Bay of Plenty which is the home of the kiwifruit amongst other fruits. Depart from Auckland. 

This itinerary is designed to take a minimum of 17 days

Nature

AUCKLAND – BAY OF ISLANDS – COROMANDEL – NEW PLYMOUTH – KAPITI ISLAND – WELLINGTON – MALRBOROUGH SOUNDS – KAIKOURA (whale watch) – CHRISTCHURCH – PUNAKAIKI (On Tranz Alpine train) – FOX GLACIER – QUEENSTOWN – DOUBTFUL SOUND – STEWART ISLAND – DUNEDIN (Otago Peninsula) – AUCKLAND or CHRISTCHURCH.

This itinerary has been catered for those who just want to indulge in New Zealand’s best scenery and enjoy the fruits of nature. 

Start your holiday in Auckland and head up for a few days in the Bay of Islands, staying in Russell. Enjoy a self-guided or locally guided tour to Cape Reinga in the Far north of the country. Included will also be a cruise to the famous “Hole in the Rock” in the Bay of Islands. After a few days drive south to the Coromandel Peninsula where you can enjoy hiking trails and beaches all to yourself. A day drive to New Plymouth will bring you to one of New Zealand’s most exciting up and coming cities. Beautiful gardens, museums, art galleries and much more. Explore the beautiful Kapiti Island, stay overnight on the island to get up close to the local bird and wildlife. Explore Kaikoura and its whale watching, a cruise around the Marlborough Sounds, Christchurch City, Akaroa and the world famous Fiordland. Visit Queenstown and the majestic Stewart Island, this is nature at it’s very best and a picture of what New Zealand may have been like 300 year ago. Finish off in Dunedin to see penguins and albatross at the Albatross Centre on the Otago Peninsula. 

This is the holiday for all bird and nature lovers. 

This itinerary is designed to take just over 3 weeks

Golf (green fees not included)

North Island 

WELLINGTON – NAPIER – ROTORUA – TAUPO – NEW PLYMOUTH – AUCKLAND – BAY OF ISLANDS – AUCKLAND 

Start this golfing holiday trying the local courses around Wellington and Martinborough, on the way north to Hawke’s Bay. There are a number of fabulous courses in Hawke’s Bay including the famous Cape Kidnappers, we can arrange tee times if interested in playing. Travel on to Taupo and Rotorua where you can enjoy the local culture for a day off playing before travelling west to New Plymouth. Taranaki is a great area for golfers, then travel up to Auckland where there are numerous courses and activities for those who want to do something else. Travel up to the Bay of Islands for some ultimate relaxation or perhaps a round a Carrington Golf Club.  

South Island 

CHRISTCHURCH – QUEENSTOWN – MILFORD SOUND – TE ANAU – DUNEDIN – MOUNT COOK / LAKE TEKAPO – CHRISTCHURCH 

Start your golfing holiday in Christchurch, there are many wonderful courses to choose from. After a few days in the Garden City of Christchurch head south to Queenstown and/or Wanaka, there are some wonderful courses in these areas with stunning views to boot. Add in a trip to Fiordland to enjoy Milford or Doubtful Sound and Te Anau, there is a local course to play here as well. 

Head east to Dunedin where again there is plenty to choose from casual golf clubs (Balmoral) to the links at St Clair. Enjoy a free day exploring the sights of Dunedin before travelling to Mount Cook. Relax for an evening or two here before heading back to Christchurch. There are a number of wonderful local courses in Lake Tekapo, Fairlie, Geraldine, Mayfield, Methven and Terrace Downs on the way north. 

These itineraries are designed to take approximately 2 weeks each

Art and Culture

WELLINGTON – NEW PLYMOUTH – ROTORUA – NAPIER – WELLINGTON

This short holiday is for those who enjoy the arts and culture New Zealand has to offer. It is perfect for those who may want to visit New Zealand for a short time before or after a show or sport fixture.

There are few better cities than Wellington to start the holiday. Wellington has a wonderful mix of fashion, museums, theatres with a wonderful waterfront. After a few days in the capital take a scenic drive up to New Plymouth in Taranaki. New Plymouth is an up and coming destination in New Zealand, it has fabulous restaurants and cafes, art galleries, museums and beautiful gardens. There is always something to do in New Plymouth.

Travel to Rotorua, one of New Zealand’s main centres for the Maori culture and natural wonders. Visit Taupo on the way to Napier the capital of art deco 1930’s NZ style, buildings and culture. Take a Napier city in a classic car, or take a car out to one of the many wonderful Hawkes Bay wineries.

Return to Wellington to depart.

Pete's Favourite Itinerary

AUCKLAND – COROMANDEL – ROTORUA – NAPIER – WELLINGTON – PICTON – KAIKOURA – CHRISTCHURCH – DUNEDIN – TE ANAU (Milford and/or Doubtful Sound) – WANAKA – WAKARE – CHRISTCHURCH – TRANZ ALPINE (return with a night in Punakaiki) – CHRISTCHURCH or AUCKLAND

The Endeavour NZ Itinerary Specialists Team have designed our own itineraries. The first has been designed by Pete, Managing Director of Endeavour NZ.

This itinerary allows visitors to enjoy a busy holiday in New Zealand but also enough time to relax and take in the local scenery, sights and some of the countries’ best known attractions.

Start in Auckland to freshen up before a short scenic drive to the Coromandel Peninsula. The Coromandel has beautiful beaches, walking trails, the famous Hot Water Beach and boasts, according to locals, “the best fish and chips in New Zealand!”

Visit Hobbiton on the way to Rotorua to indulge in the Maori culture and see the geothermal parks, geysers and much more before travelling on to Napier in the Hawke’s Bay to take in the local food and wine scene. Explore Wellington before crossing the Cook Strait to Picton, and the South Island. Enjoy a stunning scenic cruise in the Marlborough Sounds, perhaps even stopping for lunch at Punga Cove or Bay of Many Coves. Travel down the east coast to Christchurch via Kaikoura for whale watching and sampling the local crayfish.

Enjoy Dunedin, where you can visit the Albatross Colony on the Otago Peninsula or jump on the Taieri Gorge railway. Leave Dunedin for a scenic drive along the south coast, stop off for a night in Bluff on the way or continue on to Te Anau where you can take in the stunning Milford and / or Doubtful Sound. Take the overnight cruise in the Fiords to really get the best out of it. Return to Christchurch via Wanaka and a farm stay in rural Canterbury. Add on the Tranz Alpine train from Christchurch to the West Coast.

John's Favourite Itinerary

AUCKLAND – BAY OF ISLANDS – ROTORUA - TAUPO – WELLINGTON – PICTON / MARLBOROUGH SOUNDS – KAIKOURA – CHRISTCHURCH – AORAKI/MOUNT COOK – DUNEDIN – TE ANAU – QUEENSTOWN – WANAKA – FOX GLACIER – CHRISTCHURCH (USING TRANZ ALPINE TRAIN FROM GREYMOUTH)

This itinerary has been designed by our Customer Services and booking agent John.

Starting in Auckland take a short 3 hour drive to the Bay of Islands where one can really sit back and relax. Enjoy a trip to the far north taking in 90 mile beach, dune riding, Cape Reinga, visit the Kauri tree museum and take in the Bay of Islands with the Famous “hole in the Rock”.

Travel south to Rotorua for an evening at Te Puia to experience a hangi, a traditional Maori style of cooking, learn how to do the haka. Enjoy the geothermal wonderland that is the Bay of Plenty before visiting Taupo and the great lake then on to Wellington. There are always things to do in Wellington, it has been described as the “world’s coolest little city”.  

Cross the Cook Strait to explore Picton and the Marlborough Sounds, Kaikoura and it’s whale watching and Christchurch. Enjoy a day in Christchurch on the historic city trams, a punt ride on the Avon river, a ride up the Christchurch Gondola and tour of the beautiful Christchurch Botanic Gardens, all at your own leisure. See Aoraki Mount Cook National Park from above with a scenic flight from Lake Tekapo, enjoy the night at Mount Cook stargazing or take a cruise on the terminal lake of the Tasman glacier, this is a fabulous experience and very unique worldwide.

From Aoraki Mount Cook to Dunedin where Albatross Colony, ride the Taieri Gorge Railway or visit Larnach Castle. A scenic drive along the south coast will take you to Te Anau, the closest centre and gateway to Fiordland National Park. Take in Milford and / or Doubtful Sound before driving up to Queenstown and Wanaka. Enjoy a cruise on Lake Wakatipu on the Legendary Earnslaw Steamship to Walter Peak Station. Take in the incredible scenery of State Highway 6 up the West Coast from Wanaka, over the Haast Pass up to Fox Glacier. Take the Tranz Alpine train from Greymouth to return to Christchurch.

This action filled holiday will take around 4 weeks at a leisurely pace but still fitting plenty in.