The Mainlander

Rail & Stay Packages

  • 3 Night's Accommodation
  • Day Excursions

Return rail travel, three nights’ accommodation, breakfast and transfers included, plus the option to explore Taieri Gorge or travel on to Invercargill by rail.

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The journey south

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

Spend three nights in Dunedin and make the journey south part of the holiday. Settle in aboard The Mainlander, watch the Canterbury Plains and Otago countryside roll past your window, then enjoy time to explore Dunedin at your own pace. With return rail travel, accommodation, daily breakfast and transfers taken care of, you can also choose to extend the experience with a rail journey through the Taieri Gorge or continue south to Invercargill.

From NZ $1,199 per person twin share

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Why choose this

Why Choose a Rail & Stay Package?

✓ 3 nights / 4 days on a relaxed southern rail getaway
✓ Return travel aboard The Mainlander
✓ 3 nights accommodation in Dunedin
✓ Daily breakfast and transfers included
✓ Departures from Christchurch
✓ Choose Taieri Gorge or Invercargill rail add-ons
✓ Rail, accommodation and key experiences bundled into one easy package

Choose your journey

Three ways to experience the south

Every package travels from Christchurch to Dunedin aboard The Mainlander and includes three nights in Dunedin. Choose the classic Rail & Stay package, add the Taieri Gorge, or enjoy a full-day rail journey further south to Invercargill.

The Mainlander travelling through South Island scenery Christchurch → Dunedin
Package 1

Christchurch → Dunedin (Return)

Travel from Christchurch to Dunedin aboard The Mainlander, stay three nights in Dunedin, then return to Christchurch by rail on Monday. A relaxed southern getaway with plenty of time to explore the city at your own pace.

  • Return Mainlander rail travel
  • 3 nights at Dunedin Leisure Lodge or similar hotel
  • Daily breakfast included
  • Transfers included
View 4-day itinerary
  1. Day 1 Christchurch → Dunedin. Travel south aboard The Mainlander and check in for your first night in Dunedin.
  2. Day 2 Dunedin. Enjoy breakfast, then spend the day exploring the city at your own pace.
  3. Day 3 Dunedin. Another relaxed day to explore and enjoy your final full day in the city.
  4. Day 4 Dunedin → Christchurch. Breakfast before returning north aboard The Mainlander.
From NZ $1,199pp Twin share · $2,399 couple · $1,749 single
Select Dates
Taieri Gorge Railway travelling through rugged Otago scenery Dunedin + Taieri Gorge
Package 2

Christchurch → Dunedin + Taieri Gorge (Return)

Travel from Christchurch to Dunedin aboard The Mainlander, stay three nights in Dunedin and add the spectacular Taieri Gorge Railway experience before returning north on Monday.

  • Return Mainlander rail travel
  • 3 nights at Dunedin Leisure Lodge or similar hotel
  • Daily breakfast and transfers included
  • Taieri Gorge excursion included
View 4-day itinerary
  1. Day 1 Christchurch → Dunedin. Journey south aboard The Mainlander and settle into your Dunedin accommodation.
  2. Day 2 Taieri Gorge. Enjoy the included scenic rail excursion through the dramatic Taieri Gorge.
  3. Day 3 Dunedin. Enjoy a free day to explore the city at your own pace.
  4. Day 4 Dunedin → Christchurch. Breakfast before boarding The Mainlander for the return journey north.
From NZ $1,349pp Twin share · $2,699 couple · $1,899 single
Select Dates
Invercargill and Southland Invercargill & Southland
Package 3

Christchurch → Dunedin + Invercargill (Return)

Travel from Christchurch to Dunedin on Friday and stay three nights in Dunedin. On Sunday, journey further south by rail through Gore to Invercargill and return to Dunedin that evening, before travelling back to Christchurch on Monday.

  • Return Mainlander rail travel
  • 3 nights at Dunedin Leisure Lodge or similar hotel
  • Daily breakfast and transfers included
  • Invercargill return day journey included
View 4-day itinerary
  1. Day 1 Christchurch → Dunedin. Travel south aboard The Mainlander and settle into your Dunedin accommodation.
  2. Day 2 Dunedin. Enjoy breakfast and a full day to explore Dunedin at your own pace.
  3. Day 3 Dunedin → Invercargill → Dunedin. Travel through Gore to Invercargill, spend time in the deep south, then return to Dunedin for your third night.
  4. Day 4 Dunedin → Christchurch. Breakfast before returning north aboard The Mainlander.
From NZ $1,349pp Twin share · $2,699 couple · $1,899 single
Select Dates
3 nights accommodation included
6 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 $1,199 pps
3 nights accommodation included
6 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 $1,349 pps
3 nights accommodation included
6 dates available
Day 1 CHC DUN Day 3 DUN INV Day 3 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 $1,349 pps

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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Southern Rail & Coach Tour brochure cover

Go further

Looking to see more of the South Island?

If you want to turn your Mainlander getaway into something bigger, our 9-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.

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