An unforgettable deep south adventure by rail and coach, including almost 600km aboard The Mainlander through Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill.
Deep South by rail & coach
From the rolling Canterbury plains to the dramatic Otago coastline on board the Mainlander Train – your route continues with a two-night stay in Dunedin and then by train to Invercargill. Onwards by coach to Te Anau, Queenstown and Omarama, before returning to Christchurch.
Explore The Catlins and Fiordland’s Milford Sound, Queenstown’s TSS Earnslaw and the Mackenzie Country, a complete southern circuit that includes almost 600km of rail.
Why choose this
– Nearly 600km aboard The Mainlander, following the historic Main South Line through some of the South’s best scenery
– Travel by rail and coach through the Catlins, Fiordland, Queenstown and Mackenzie Country, with the details arranged for you
– Enjoy a full-day Milford Sound cruise, a journey aboard the TSS Earnslaw and dinner at Walter Peak
– Eight nights away, meals included and a relaxed small-group experience capped at 24 guests
From NZ$4,950 per person
Departures: 20 & 27 November, and 4 December 2026
9-day guided tour: Christchurch to Dunedin to Invercargill to Te Anau to Queenstown to Omarama to Christchurch. Featuring almost 600km of rail…
9-day guided tour: Christchurch to Dunedin to Invercargill to Te Anau to Queenstown to Omarama to Christchurch. Featuring almost 600km of rail on The Mainlander, Catlins, Milford Sound, and TSS Earnslaw.
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Route overview
Nine days / eight nights from Christchurch through the Deep South returning to Christchurch.
Optional pre-tour accommodation is available for the night before at The Commodore Hotel, Christchurch. Registration on Day 1 is from 8:20am at Addington Railway Station; The Mainlander Train departs 9:10am for the ~368km Main South Line journey to Dunedin.
Included Meals: lunch on the train, welcome dinner and tour briefing at the hotel (6:30pm).
Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge — A Distinction Hotel.
A leisurely day in Dunedin, or there is the option to go on the Taieri Gorge train journey through historic tunnels and the Wingatui Viaduct (bookable pre-tour).
Included Meals: breakfast included (lunch and dinner on your own).
Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge — A Distinction Hotel.
Continue south on The Mainlander Train along the Main South Line to Invercargill. On arrival, visit Bill Richardson Transport World — the world’s largest private collection of its type.
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch on the train, dinner at the hotel.
Stay: Distinction Invercargill Hotel.
Full-day coach excursion into The Catlins on the Southern Scenic Route — ancient forests and rugged coastlines, including Waipapa Point Lighthouse and Nugget Point.
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch (dinner on your own).
Stay: Distinction Invercargill Hotel.
Coach via the Southern Scenic Route toward Fiordland — Riverton, Tuatapere and the Takitimu Mountains — with visits to Te Hikoi Museum and the Takahe Sanctuary en route to Lake Te Anau.
Included Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner at the hotel.
Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau.
One of the world’s great alpine drives along the Milford Road through Eglinton Valley and the Homer Tunnel, then a memorable Milford Sound cruise to Mitre Peak and the open Tasman Sea.
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch on the cruise (dinner on your own).
Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau.
Travel to Queenstown via historic Arrowtown. In the evening, cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for a gourmet BBQ dinner.
Included Meals: breakfast and Walter Peak dinner (lunch on your own).
Stay: Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort.
Coach via Wanaka and the famous Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Basin — an “otherworldly sea of gold” between Central Otago and the Southern Alps.
Included Meals: breakfast and dinner at the hotel (lunch on your own).
Stay: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama.
Return to Christchurch via Lake Pūkaki lookout (Aoraki / Mt Cook views), Tekapo’s historic church, and enjoy lunch in Geraldine at Barkers Café. Tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch.
Included Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Optional post-tour accommodation at The Commodore Hotel, Christchurch.
Tour brochure
Enter your name and email and we’ll send the official PDF brochure straight to your inbox. Including full itinerary, hotels, inclusions and departure dates.
Along the way
From Victorian Dunedin and Bill Richardson Transport World to the wild Catlins coast, Milford Sound, the TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu, and alpine Mackenzie Country, with 4-star hotel stays each night.
Travel almost 600 km by rail across the Canterbury Plains and along the Otago coastline. The train is not simply the way south. It is part of what makes this tour special.
What’s covered
Almost 600km on the Main South Line. Christchurch to Dunedin and on to Invercargill, with modern carriages and commentary.
Eight nights in named hotels: Dunedin Leisure Lodge, Distinction Invercargill, Distinction Luxmore (Te Anau), Oaks Queenstown Shores, and Distinction Heritage Gateway (Omarama).
Catlins coast, Milford Sound cruise, TSS Earnslaw & Walter Peak dinner, Transport World, Takahe Sanctuary and Mackenzie Country — woven into one seamless 9-day itinerary.
Before you book
A few helpful answers about the 9-Day Southern Rail & Coach Tour.
Mainlander rail Christchurch→Dunedin and Dunedin→Invercargill, coach touring throughout, eight nights’ hotel accommodation, and prepaid attractions including Bill Richardson Transport World, the Catlins scenic day, Te Hikoi Museum, Takahe Sanctuary, Milford Sound cruise, and the TSS Earnslaw cruise with Walter Peak dinner.
Meals included: 8 cooked breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners (including Walter Peak).
Optional extra: Taieri Gorge train (bookable pre-tour). Flights and optional pre/post Christchurch nights are not included.
Eight nights in carefully selected 4-star (minimum) hotels:
Optional pre- and post-tour nights are available at The Commodore Hotel, Christchurch.
Yes — you travel with an experienced driver/guide. A welcome dinner and tour briefing is held on Day 1 in Christchurch.
No. Rail and coach transport are included for the touring itinerary. Your coach escorts the train journey and provides transfers to hotels and excursions.
Yes. Optional pre-tour and post-tour accommodation is available at The Commodore Hotel, Christchurch (not included in the tour price).
From NZ $4,950 per person sharing. Single supplement NZ $999.
A 20% deposit secures your booking; the balance is due the month before departure.
Book online for the 20 Nov, 27 Nov and 4 Dec 2026 departures, request the tour brochure (we’ll email you the PDF), or call +64 (0)3 974 1812.
Our Rail & Stay Packages offer a 3-night Dunedin-based option with Mainlander rail included.
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). A reasonable level of fitness is required for stairs on coaches/excursions/hotels and short walks on uneven ground.
We can carry lightweight mobility devices that fold/compact down (like walkers).
There is a maximum of 24 guests per departure on the ‘Southern Rail & Coach Tour”.
The journey
Travel nearly 600km aboard The Mainlander from Christchurch, then continue by guided coach through the Catlins, Fiordland, Queenstown and Mackenzie Country before returning to Christchurch. With two-night stays in Dunedin, Invercargill and Te Anau, there is time to settle in and enjoy each stop.
Shorter getaway
If nine days is more than you need right now, our Rail & Stay Packages combine Mainlander rail with three nights in Dunedin — a relaxed southern short break with optional Taieri Gorge or Invercargill day journeys.
Traveller stories
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.
Next step
From NZ $4,950 per person sharing. Choose your departure — 20 Nov, 27 Nov or 4 Dec 2026 — and book the 9-day / 8-night Southern Rail & Coach Tour online.