Days 1 and 3
Aboard The Mainlander
Almost 600km of rail from Christchurch to Dunedin and on to Invercargill.
Leisure Tours Signature Tour
9-Day Southern Rail & Coach Tour
Experience nine unforgettable days through New Zealand's Deep South, combining almost 600km aboard The Mainlander with the Catlins, Milford Sound, Queenstown, TSS Earnslaw and the Mackenzie Country.
Starts and ends in Christchurch
World Travel AwardsNZ's Leading Tour Operator 2025
RouteChristchurch returnDeep South circuit
Duration9 days8 nights
RailAlmost 600kmThe Mainlander
Departures3 datesNov and Dec 2026
Four-time World Travel Awards winner
Travel with New Zealand's Leading Tour Operator.
Recognised as New Zealand's Leading Tour Operator in 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.
Why this tour
Nine days. The Deep South at its most unforgettable.
From the rhythm of The Mainlander to the Catlins' wild coast, Milford Sound, Queenstown and the Mackenzie Country, each day reveals a different side of the South Island. Rail, road, fiord, lake and high country come together in one beautifully varied journey.
01
Almost 600km aboard The Mainlander
Settle into the journey from Christchurch to Dunedin and on to Invercargill, watching the eastern plains and Deep South unfold from the rails.
02
Wild coastlines and world-famous fiords
Travel the Catlins' rugged southern coast before heading deep into Fiordland for the Milford Road and a cruise beneath the peaks of Milford Sound.
03
Queenstown from lake to high country
Take in Arrowtown and Lake Wakatipu, sail aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw, then spend the evening at Walter Peak High Country Farm.
04
A small-group journey with room to enjoy it
With a maximum of 24 guests, eight nights of accommodation and an experienced guide throughout, the tour stays personal and comfortably paced.
Deep South highlights
Nine days of rail, fiords, wild coastlines and alpine country.
The Mainlander is one of the highlights, but the real appeal is how much of the South the full itinerary brings together: Dunedin, the Catlins, Milford Sound, Queenstown, Walter Peak and the Mackenzie Country.
Days 1 and 2
Dunedin & Otago
Two nights in Dunedin, with the Taieri Gorge rail journey available as an optional extra.
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Day 4
The Catlins
Waipapa Point, Nugget Point and the Southern Scenic Route through one of the South Island's wildest coastal landscapes.
Days 5 and 6
Fiordland & Milford Sound
The Milford Road, Homer Tunnel and a cruise through Milford Sound to the Tasman Sea.
Day 7
Queenstown & Walter Peak
Travel via Arrowtown, then cruise Lake Wakatipu for the included Walter Peak dinner.
Days 8 and 9
Mackenzie Country
Wanaka, Lindis Pass, Omarama, Lake Pūkaki, Tekapo and Geraldine, with wide-open high country scenery on the road home.
Tour brochure
Take the full 9-day tour away with you.
See the complete itinerary, hotels, inclusions and departure information before choosing your date.
- Complete 9-day itinerary
- Named accommodation each night
- Included meals and experiences
- 2026 departure dates and pricing
Live availability
Choose your 9-Day departure.
Browse the current 9-Day Southern Rail & Coach Tour departures below. Availability, pricing and booking are shown live from the secure Pounamu Tourism Group booking system.
From NZ$4,950 per person sharing
Single supplement NZ$999
20% deposit
What's included
Rail, coach, hotels and the big experiences.
The core itinerary is packaged together so you are not trying to piece together transport, accommodation and major sightseeing as you go.
Mainlander rail
Christchurch to Dunedin and Dunedin to Invercargill, almost 600km on the Main South Line.
Guided coach
Coach touring and transfers through the Catlins, Fiordland, Queenstown and Mackenzie Country.
8 nights accommodation
Named 4-star minimum hotels across Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, Queenstown and Omarama.
Meals included
8 cooked breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners, including the Walter Peak gourmet BBQ.
Signature experiences
Milford Sound, TSS Earnslaw, Walter Peak, Transport World, Te Hikoi and Takahē Sanctuary.
Tour itinerary
Nine days, carefully paced.
Two-night stays in Dunedin, Invercargill and Te Anau give the journey room to breathe.
Day 01Christchurch to DunedinThe Mainlander • welcome dinner+
Register at Addington Railway Station, then travel roughly 368km south aboard The Mainlander to Dunedin.
Meals: lunch on the train, welcome dinner and tour briefing.
Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge, A Distinction Hotel.
Day 02DunedinDay at leisure • optional Taieri Gorge+
Enjoy a relaxed day in Dunedin. The Taieri Gorge train journey is available as a pre-booked optional extra.
Meals: breakfast.
Stay: Dunedin Leisure Lodge.
Day 03Dunedin to InvercargillThe Mainlander • Transport World+
Continue south by rail to Invercargill, then visit Bill Richardson Transport World.
Meals: breakfast, lunch on the train and dinner.
Stay: Distinction Invercargill Hotel.
Day 04Invercargill and The CatlinsSouthern Scenic Route • Nugget Point+
A full-day coach excursion through the Catlins, including Waipapa Point Lighthouse and Nugget Point.
Meals: breakfast and lunch.
Stay: Distinction Invercargill Hotel.
Day 05Invercargill to Te AnauSouthern Scenic Route • Takahē Sanctuary+
Travel via Riverton, Tuatapere and the Takitimu Mountains, with Te Hikoi Museum and Takahē Sanctuary on the way to Te Anau.
Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau.
Day 06Te Anau and Milford SoundMilford Road • fiord cruise+
Drive the Milford Road through Eglinton Valley and the Homer Tunnel, then cruise Milford Sound toward the open Tasman Sea.
Meals: breakfast and lunch on the cruise.
Stay: Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau.
Day 07Te Anau to QueenstownArrowtown • TSS Earnslaw • Walter Peak+
Travel via Arrowtown, then board the TSS Earnslaw for the cruise to Walter Peak High Country Farm and an included gourmet BBQ dinner.
Meals: breakfast and Walter Peak dinner.
Stay: Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort.
Day 08Queenstown to Wanaka and OmaramaLindis Pass • Mackenzie Basin+
Coach via Wanaka and Lindis Pass into the Mackenzie Basin and on to Omarama.
Meals: breakfast and dinner.
Stay: Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama.
Day 09Omarama to ChristchurchLake Pūkaki • Tekapo • Geraldine+
Return to Christchurch via Lake Pūkaki lookout, Tekapo and Geraldine, where lunch is included.
Meals: breakfast and lunch.
The tour concludes on arrival in Christchurch. Optional post-tour accommodation is available separately.
The route
The Deep South, by rail and coach.
Travel south by rail from Christchurch to Dunedin and Invercargill, then loop back north by coach through Fiordland, Queenstown, Wanaka, Omarama and the Mackenzie Country.
ChristchurchDunedinInvercargillThe CatlinsTe AnauMilford SoundQueenstownWanakaOmaramaTekapo
A look at the journey
This is what nine days in the Deep South looks like.
Rail journeys, fiords, lakes, heritage towns and wide-open southern landscapes, all part of the same guided tour.
The MainlanderDeep South railMilford SoundTSS EarnslawOptional Taieri GorgeBefore you book
Things worth knowing.
The practical details travellers usually want to check before securing a departure.
What is included in the tour?
Mainlander rail from Christchurch to Dunedin and Dunedin to Invercargill, guided coach touring, eight nights of hotel accommodation, major sightseeing and attractions in the published itinerary, plus 8 cooked breakfasts, 5 lunches and 5 dinners.
Where do we stay?
- Dunedin Leisure Lodge, 2 nights
- Distinction Invercargill Hotel, 2 nights
- Distinction Luxmore Hotel, Te Anau, 2 nights
- Oaks Queenstown Shores Resort, 1 night
- Distinction Heritage Gateway Hotel, Omarama, 1 night
Is the entire tour by train?
No. Rail covers the Christchurch to Dunedin and Dunedin to Invercargill sectors. The remainder of the touring itinerary is by guided coach, including the Catlins, Fiordland, Queenstown and Mackenzie Country.
What are the payment terms?
A 20% deposit secures the booking. The balance is due in the month before departure.
What about mobility access?
The Mainlander has limited mobility access. Guests need to be able to board unaided using 2 to 3 high train steps and walk short distances unaided for transfers. Lightweight mobility devices that fold or compact can be carried. Contact the team before booking if you have mobility questions.
How big is the group?
The Southern Rail & Coach Tour is capped at a maximum of 24 guests per departure.
Choose your journey
Want shorter, or want to go even further?
The Leisure Tours page family can keep the same flow while giving travellers a clear next option if nine days is not quite the right fit.
Shorter getaway
Rail & Stay Package
Return Mainlander rail from Christchurch with three nights in Dunedin and daily breakfast.
Duration4 days
FromNZ$1,199pp
You're viewing
9-Day Southern Rail & Coach Tour
Almost 600km by rail plus the Catlins, Milford Sound, Queenstown and Mackenzie Country.
Duration9 days
FromNZ$4,950pp
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“
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 • Mainlander passenger review
Your Deep South journey starts here
Ready to book your Deep South journey.
From NZ$4,950 per person sharing, with a 20% deposit to secure your place.