Great Journeys
Experience New Zealand by combining iconic train routes with guided touring, offering a different perspective on the country’s landscapes.
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See New Zealand from a different angle
Great Journeys New Zealand combines scenic rail travel with guided coach touring, creating itineraries that showcase the country in a different way. Journeys are built around New Zealand’s most well known train routes, offering views that aren’t accessible by road.
By blending train with coach, these tours provide a balanced way to explore, with the comfort of organised travel and the added experience of seeing the landscape unfold from the rail.
All departures are guaranteed, making it a reliable option for travellers who want a structured itinerary with something a little different included.
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Contact usWhat to expect with Great Journeys
Scenic rail and coach touring combined
Guaranteed departures
Guided experiences with free time
Comfortable 3.5 to 4.5 star stays
Smaller group travel options available
How Great Journeys tours work
Great Journeys tours follow a structured itinerary, combining rail journeys with coach travel between destinations. Key train routes are built into each trip, offering a different way to experience New Zealand’s landscapes.
Between rail journeys, you’ll continue by coach, with guided experiences and time to explore along the way. Accommodation, transport and many activities are organised in advance, so the overall journey feels well planned and easy to follow.
Classic and Signature touring styles
Great Journeys offers two main touring styles.
Classic tours have groups of up to 35 travellers and offer a more relaxed structure, with fewer inclusions and more free time. Accommodation is typically in the 3.5 to 4 star range, and rail journeys are taken in Scenic class.
Signature tours are smaller, with up to 20 travellers, and include more guided experiences throughout the trip. Accommodation is a step higher, generally 4 to 4.5 star, and rail journeys are upgraded to Scenic Plus for a more premium onboard experience.
Both options combine rail and coach travel, with a focus on making the journey itself part of the experience.
Prefer something more flexible?
If you like the idea of guided touring but want more flexibility, we can combine a guided tour with extra time before or after, creating a trip that fits you better.
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Rail journeys that shape the experience
What sets Great Journeys apart is the focus on rail travel as part of the itinerary, not just transport between places. Routes such as the TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific offer wide views across mountains, rivers and coastline, giving a different perspective compared to travelling by road. These journeys slow the pace slightly and create moments where the scenery becomes the focus, rather than something you pass through.
Highlighted tour:
Great Journeys Signature Spectacular South TourWhy book Great Journeys with us
We’ll help you choose the right Great Journeys tour based on your travel style, pace and how much you want included. With both Classic and Signature options available, it’s important to find the right fit. We can also tailor your wider trip around the tour, adding extra nights, experiences or extensions before and after so everything flows naturally. Our team knows New Zealand first hand and can guide you on how these journeys work and what to expect along the way.
Our best price guarantee
Great trips come down to good planning, the right experiences and a smooth journey. We offer competitive pricing across a wide range of New Zealand coach tours, and if you find the same coach tour for less, we’ll beat it before you book. You’ll get the best price, trusted advice and a well organised trip, all in one place.
Popular Great Journeys tours
Great Journeys FAQs
Train journeys are a key part of the itinerary, but they’re combined with coach travel to connect between regions. Rail sections typically include scenic routes like the TranzAlpine, Coastal Pacific or Northern Explorer, experienced as full or half day journeys rather than the entire trip being by train.
Classic tours offer more free time and fewer inclusions, while Signature tours include more experiences, smaller groups and upgraded rail travel.
The pace is generally balanced, with a mix of travel days, scenic rail journeys and time at each destination.
They suit travellers who enjoy scenic travel, a structured itinerary and a mix of rail and coach experiences.
The core itinerary is fixed, but we can tailor your overall trip with additional stays and experiences before or after.
Expert travel consultants
Talk to our local travel specialists
Planning New Zealand but not sure where to start?
Download our New Zealand travel guide for practical advice on where to go, how long to spend, and how to plan a trip that feels well paced from the start.