
Why I love New Zealand
16/02/2026 · By Tim Hall
Tour Manager Tim Hall discusses what to expect on a Great Rail Journeys holiday to New Zealand, including breathtaking natural wonders and friendly people.
Read moreA holiday to Australasia is a journey of a lifetime, which is why many travellers choose to visit both Australia and New Zealand at the same time. Great Rail Journey's Highlights of Australia & New Zealand tour provides an exciting, expertly curated itinerary to both destinations, led by a knowledgeable Tour Manager.
This epic discovery tour combines iconic locations with scenic rail journeys into spectacular landscapes. Cruise into the World Heritage Great Barrier Reef, spend an afternoon on an underwater observatory and experience the pure serenity of New Zealand's most famous ancient glacier-carved fjord, during a boat trip on Milford Sound.
Featuring the great city of Sydney - and an evening cruise with dinner around the famous harbour - we also spend time in Melbourne before exploring New Zealand's buzzing metropolis of Auckland, the 'adventure capital' - Queenstown, and 'Garden City' of Wellington. Among other outstanding rail journeys. This tour includes a ride through tropical rainforest on Australia's Kuranda Scenic Railway and a trip aboard New Zealand's TranzAlpine train into the spectacular Southern Alps to the attractive city of Christchurch.
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Discover New Zealand's dynamic cities, extraordinary national parks, spectacular alpine mountains, glacial lakes and breathtaking Fiordland on this extensive tour of the North and South Islands. This epic adventure combines the greatest features of this wonderful country in one holiday: superb railways, incredible landscapes and the warm...





Experience Australia with a combination of luxury train travel and incredible natural wonders, journeying between Adelaide and Alice Springs in Gold Service on the world-famous Ghan. From the Blue Mountains and Great Ocean Road to the breathtaking monolith of Uluru and the dazzling colours of the Great Barrier Reef, discover Australia's...





Join us on an epic adventure into this vast, vibrant and varied land to experience Australia's spectacular natural wonders, from the rainforests of tropical Cairns and kaleidoscopic colours of the Great Barrier Reef to the burnished red tones of the ancient sacred site of Uluru. Explore laid-back Adelaide and its world-acclaimed wine region...





From Australia's Great Barrier Reef and its Red Centre to its fantastic cities, experience the country's diverse landscapes and iconic landmarks during the festive season - on a holiday which includes a Christmas Eve wine-tasting and lunch in the Barossa Valley and a beach-style Christmas Day in Adelaide. Starting in Cairns, this...





Become immersed in Australia on an exceptional cross-country holiday by rail. Explore Perth and meet the quokkas of Rottnest Island before boarding the luxurious Indian Pacific train for a four-night journey with meals, drinks and excursions included. Taste famed wines in the Barossa Valley and savour a bonfire under the stars. Marvel at...





Embark on a journey of a lifetime, witnessing iconic landmarks, spectacular natural wonders and top locations throughout Australia and New Zealand. Encounter cities like Melbourne and Sydney in southern Australia and the many allures of the tropical north, including the UNESCO-listed Great Barrier Reef. Then, explore New Zealand's North and...





Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime journey from Sydney to Perth aboard the iconic Indian Pacific train and travel in the style of the golden age of travel. This luxury train takes you from the famous harbour city of Sydney, home to the iconic Sydney Opera House, to Perth, a vibrant urban city with a bustling arts scene. Sit back and watch the...





Take the journey of a lifetime on the Indian Pacific rail route from Perth to Sydney. See Australia in a unique way, aboard this plush and stylish train, experiencing the country's landscape from a privileged perspective. Then spend some time in Sydney, the iconic harbour city, where you can experience the famous beaches, the opera house, and...





Let the charms of Australia beguile and delight you on this truly epic journey from Sydney to Ayers Rock. Travel aboard the iconic The Ghan sleeper train and experience the golden age of travel as you pass by inspiring sights and diverse landscapes. You'll explore some of Australia's most famous cities and you'll discover aboriginal art, all...





Take the journey of a lifetime as you travel aboard The Ghan and experience the golden age of travel onboard this luxurious train whilst traversing the expanse of Australia, spanning from its southernmost tip to its northern reaches. This incredible adventure takes you through the 'red centre' of Australia, from Adalaide to Darwin, allowing...
Discover the fantastic railways of Australasia. It should come as no surprise that we love railways and we know many of you do too! That's why our tours feature some of the most iconic railways and trains on the continent.
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