The Mainlander

Rail & Stay Packages

  • 3 Night's Accommodation
  • Day Excursions

Relaxed southern rail journey with 3 nights accommodation included.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the stunning scenery New Zealand has to offer.

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Package Options

The journey south

Return rail, a Dunedin stay, and time to slow down.

Experience the south by rail with return train travel, Dunedin accommodation, and selected package options including Taieri Gorge or Invercargill.

Travel from Christchurch and settle into a relaxed long weekend — a slower, more memorable way to see the South Island.

From NZ $1,199 per person twin share

Package Options

Why choose this

Why Choose a Rail & Stay Package?

  • A relaxed 3-night / 4-day southern rail getaway on The Mainlander
  • Return rail travel included as part of your selected package
  • 3 nights accommodation at Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar hotel), with daily breakfast and transfers
  • Package options available from Christchurch
  • Selected options include a Taieri Gorge train ride or a day trip to Invercargill by train
  • Selected Friday departures throughout the season
  • A simple way to enjoy the journey, accommodation and itinerary in one package
3 nights accommodation included
9 dates available
Day 1 CHC DUN Day 4 DUN CHC

Christchurch → Dunedin (Return)

Take in the changing landscapes of the South Island as you travel between Christchurch and Dunedin on a scenic rail journey. Enjoy…

From NZD $1,026 pps
3 nights accommodation included
9 dates available
Day 1 CHC DUN Day 2 DUN INV DUN Day 4 DUN CHC

Christchurch → Dunedin (Return) + Invercargill Day Trip

Explore further south as your rail journey continues beyond Dunedin to Invercargill, passing through ever-changing landscapes along the way. Includes 3 nights'…

From NZD $1,126 pps
3 nights accommodation included
9 dates available
Day 1 CHC DUN Day 4 DUN CHC

Christchurch → Dunedin (Return) + Taieri Gorge Day Trip

Journey through some of the South Island's most striking scenery, including the dramatic Taieri Gorge. This package includes rail travel between Christchurch…

From NZD $1,126 pps

Three ways to travel

Package Options

Choose from 3 rail and accommodation packages, with return departures from Christchurch. Daily breakfast and transfers included.

Package 1

Christchurch → Dunedin (return)

A relaxed southern short break that keeps things simple and memorable. Travel south on The Mainlander, settle into Dunedin for three nights, and explore one of the South Island's most character-filled cities at your own pace — with daily breakfast and transfers included.

  • Return Mainlander rail travel
  • 3 nights at Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar hotel)
  • Daily breakfast and transfers included
  • Christchurch → Dunedin (return)
From NZ $1,199 per person twin share · $2,399 couple · $1,749 single
Book this package
Package 2

Christchurch → Dunedin + Taieri Gorge (return)

Make the rail journey the heart of your getaway. Travel from Christchurch to Dunedin on The Mainlander, enjoy three nights accommodation with daily breakfast and transfers included, and add the unforgettable Taieri Gorge experience while based in Dunedin.

  • Return Mainlander rail travel
  • 3 nights at Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar hotel)
  • Daily breakfast and transfers included
  • Taieri Gorge excursion included
From NZ $1,349 per person twin share · $2,699 couple · $1,899 single
Book this package
Package 3

Christchurch → Dunedin + Invercargill (return)

Travel from Christchurch to Dunedin on Friday, stay three nights with daily breakfast and transfers included, and continue further south with a rail journey through Gore to Invercargill and back — experiencing more of the lower South Island with Dunedin as your base.

  • Return Mainlander rail travel
  • 3 nights at Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar hotel)
  • Daily breakfast and transfers included
  • Invercargill day journey included
From NZ $1,349 per person twin share · $2,699 couple · $1,899 single
Book this package
View Ticket Only Options
Book Dates

Accommodation

Dunedin Leisure Lodge

Your 3-night package includes accommodation at Dunedin Leisure Lodge – A Distinction Hotel (or similar). Set within two acres of beautifully kept gardens and flowing lawns, it offers a more peaceful and relaxed place to stay while you enjoy your Mainlander getaway. Neighbouring the Dunedin Botanic Garden and just a short distance from the city centre, Otago Museum, the University of Otago, and Forsyth Barr Stadium, it is a well-located base that combines comfort, convenience, and a quieter garden setting.

The package covers

One package. The essentials sorted.

Rail journey

Travel on The Mainlander as part of your selected package and enjoy one of the South Island’s great rail experiences. From Canterbury through Otago and into the deep south, this is a journey shaped by changing landscapes, a slower pace, and the simple pleasure of seeing more along the way.

Accommodation

Your package includes 3 nights accommodation at Dunedin Leisure Lodge - A Distinction Hotel (or similar hotel), plus daily breakfast and transfers, giving you a comfortable and well-placed base for your stay in Dunedin.

Excursions

Selected packages feature added experiences such as the Taieri Gorge journey or the extended rail trip through Gore and Invercargill, giving you the chance to see more of the south and enjoy a richer Mainlander experience.

Before you book

Frequently Asked Questions

A few helpful answers before you book your Mainlander package getaway.

Each package includes rail travel on The Mainlander, 3 nights accommodation at Dunedin Leisure Lodge (or similar hotel), daily breakfast and transfers, with pricing based on the specific itinerary selected.

Yes. These package options include 3 nights accommodation, daily breakfast and transfers as part of the overall fare.

Accommodation for the 3-night packages is at Dunedin Leisure Lodge – A Distinction Hotel (or similar hotel).

Twin share pricing is based on two people sharing a room, with the per person price shown accordingly.

No. The Taieri Gorge experience is included only in the package where it is specifically listed.

For many travellers, yes. The package option is designed for convenience, giving you rail travel and accommodation together in one simpler booking.

Absolutely. If you would prefer to arrange your own stay, the Weekend Train Journeys / Ticket Only option is available separately.

Mobility: The Mainlander Train has limited mobility access with no Wheelchair or Scooter access. Guests will be required to board unaided, using the vertical steps on all transport.

Passengers with mobility challenges MUST be able to climb 2–3 vertical, high, train steps, and be capable of walking a short distance, unaided (for shuttle transfers).

We can carry lightweight mobility devices that fold/compact down (like walkers).

The route

The Beautiful South

From the rolling Canterbury Plains to the dramatic Otago coastline and the deep south’s wide horizons, The Mainlander offers a front-row seat to the country’s most diverse and breathtaking scenery. Along the way, enjoy warm southern hospitality, insightful commentary, and the charm of classic rail travel where the journey is every bit as memorable as the destination.

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The Mainlander Deep South 8-day tour of the South Island of New Zealand

Go further

Looking to see more of the South Island?

If you want to turn your Mainlander getaway into something bigger, our 8-Day Southern Rail & Coach Tour takes you even further. Starting in Christchurch, this extended journey combines rail travel with handpicked accommodation, guided coach touring, and some of the South Island’s most iconic places including Invercargill, Te Anau, Queenstown and Doubtful Sound.

View 9-Day Southern Rail & Coach Tour

Traveller stories

What our travellers say...

Real words from people who’ve ridden The Mainlander — slow travel, big scenery, and the kind of journey you remember long after you’re home.

Reviews from Facebook

Absolutely breathtaking from start to finish. Watching the Canterbury Plains give way to the Otago coastline through the window was something I'll never forget. The on-board team were warm and knowledgeable — couldn't have asked for more.
Margaret T. Christchurch
We booked the Rail & Stay package for our anniversary and it exceeded every expectation. The accommodation was perfectly chosen and the train journey itself was pure magic.
David & Helen R. Wellington
Three and a half hours of the most spectacular scenery I've ever seen from a train. The Kaikoura coast section alone is worth the ticket price.
James O. Auckland
Such a relaxed, beautiful way to see the South Island. I've driven this route before but seeing it by train is a completely different experience.
Sarah M. Nelson
The 8-day tour was the highlight of our New Zealand trip. Every detail was taken care of and the scenery just kept getting better.
Richard & Anne B. United Kingdom
Booked this as a surprise for my parents' 50th wedding anniversary. They absolutely loved it — the best trip Mum'd had in years.
Emma K. Christchurch
I was a bit nervous travelling solo but the staff made me feel completely at ease. The scenery through South Canterbury is genuinely stunning.
Patricia L. Timaru
Simple, affordable and utterly gorgeous. The Mainlander is the best-kept secret in New Zealand travel. Already planning my return trip.
Tom H. Dunedin
From boarding in Christchurch to our final night in Dunedin, everything was seamless. Unlike anything else you can do in New Zealand.
Carolyn & Bruce W. Queenstown
An extraordinary journey through some of the most beautiful countryside on earth. I've recommended The Mainlander to everyone I know.
Graham F. Australia

Next step

Ready to Board The Mainlander?

Choose your package, pick a departure weekend, and settle into a relaxed southern rail getaway with accommodation included.

Book a Package