The “Big 5” rail adventures
TranzAlpine, Kingston Flyer steam, two exclusive Mainlander sectors and Taieri Gorge bring alpine, heritage, gorge and deep-south rail into one itinerary.
Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer
11-Day Spring / Summer Tour 2026/27
See the South Island's standout landscapes in eleven carefully paced days, combining the “Big 5” rail adventures with Franz Josef, Queenstown, Milford Sound, Dunedin and Aoraki Mt Cook.
Starts and ends in Christchurch
World Travel AwardsNZ's Leading Tour Operator 2025
RouteChristchurch returnSouth Island highlights loop
Duration11 days10 nights
DeparturesNov 2026 to Mar 20275 departures currently available
Payment20% depositHold your departure
The Hillary connection
Aoraki Mt Cook brings the story to life.
The journey spends two nights at Aoraki Mt Cook, where Sir Edmund Hillary developed the climbing skills that helped shape his later achievements.
- Two nights beneath Aoraki Mt Cook
- Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre
- Hear from a Hillary family representative
What sets this tour apart
Eleven days. The South Island's icons, beautifully connected.
From the TranzAlpine and Franz Josef to Queenstown, Milford Sound, the deep south and Aoraki Mt Cook, this journey brings together the places and experiences people come to New Zealand to see.
The Big 5Five memorable rail sectors woven through the journey.
TranzAlpineKingston FlyerMainlander SouthTaieri GorgeMainlander Coast
10 nights of 4-Star+ accommodation
Hand-picked stays include the Mercure overlooking Lake Wakatipu, Distinction Dunedin and two nights at The Hermitage beneath Aoraki Mt Cook.
Milford Sound, Queenstown and the West Coast
Cross the Southern Alps, travel the wild West Coast, cruise Milford Sound and spend time in Queenstown, all within the same carefully paced journey.
Aoraki Mt Cook and the Hillary story
Two nights at Mt Cook include the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and a presentation from a Hillary family representative.
Only 20% deposit to secure
Reserve your preferred departure with a 20% deposit, with staged payments closer to travel.
The Big 5
Five rail journeys. Five different sides of the South Island.
From the Southern Alps to heritage steam, remote gorge country and exclusive Mainlander sectors through the deep south, rail remains one of the defining threads of the tour.
Day 2
TranzAlpine
Christchurch to Greymouth across the Southern Alps via Arthur's Pass.
Day 5
Kingston Flyer
A heritage steam journey between Kingston and Fairlight.
Day 7
The Mainlander — Deep South
Invercargill to Dunedin through rolling rural landscapes of the deep south.
Day 8
Taieri Gorge
River gorges, historic tunnels and the Wingatui Viaduct.
Day 9
The Mainlander — Otago Coast
Continue north from Dunedin towards Oamaru before turning inland for Aoraki Mt Cook.
Free tour brochure
Take the full 11-day tour away with you.
View the full itinerary, inclusions, season pricing and Big 5 rail adventure details before deciding which departure suits you.
- Complete 11-day itinerary
- Tour inclusions and meal details
- Big 5 rail journey overview
- 2026/27 season information
Live availability
Choose your 11-Day departure.
Browse the current 11-Day Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer departures below. Availability, pricing and booking are shown live from the secure Pounamu Tourism Group booking system.
11-Day Explorer
Christchurch return
Live availability
What's included
The important details are already taken care of.
Rail, coach travel, hotels, meals and the signature sightseeing experiences are brought together before you arrive.
Luxury coach transfers
Luxury coaches travel with the tour between rail sectors, hotels and included experiences.
Expert tour leaders
Experienced Kiwi tour leaders accompany the journey from start to finish.
Meals included
10 cooked breakfasts, 7 dinners and 8 lunches, including the Walter Peak gourmet BBQ lunch.
Included experiences
TranzAlpine, Pounamu Pathway, TSS Earnslaw, Walter Peak, Kingston Flyer, Milford Sound, Taieri Gorge and more.
Optional extras
Add selected experiences such as glacier flights, glowworm caves, Doubtful Sound, Larnach Castle or a scenic ski plane flight.
Tour itinerary
11 days, carefully paced.
Most days have one main transfer, with time built in for the South Island's standout rail journeys, landscapes and included experiences.
Day 01Christchurch — welcome and tour briefing
Meet your fellow explorers and tour guides at Sudima Airport Hotel before the welcome dinner and tour briefing.
Tonight: Sudima Airport Hotel, Christchurch.
Day 02Christchurch, Greymouth and Franz Josef
Cross the Southern Alps aboard the TranzAlpine to Greymouth, visit the immersive Pounamu Pathway experience, then continue by coach to Franz Josef.
Tonight: Scenic Hotel Franz Josef.
Day 03Franz Josef, Haast Pass and Queenstown
Travel through rainforest, waterfalls and alpine country via Haast Pass, Lake Wānaka and Lake Hāwea before arriving in Queenstown.
Tonight: Mercure Queenstown Resort.
Day 04Queenstown — TSS Earnslaw and Walter Peak
Cruise Lake Wakatipu aboard the historic TSS Earnslaw to Walter Peak High Country Farm for the included gourmet BBQ lunch.
Tonight: Mercure Queenstown Resort.
Day 05Queenstown, Kingston and Te Anau
Ride the Kingston Flyer steam train between Kingston and Fairlight, then continue into Fiordland with a visit to the Takahē Sanctuary in Te Anau.
Tonight: Distinction Hotel Luxmore, Te Anau.
Day 06Te Anau and Milford Sound
Travel one of the world's great alpine roads into Fiordland, then cruise Milford Sound past Mitre Peak to the open Tasman Sea.
Tonight: Distinction Hotel Luxmore, Te Anau.
Day 07Te Anau, Invercargill and Dunedin
Travel to Invercargill before boarding The Mainlander through the rolling landscapes of the deep south to Dunedin.
Tonight: Distinction Hotel Dunedin.
Day 08Dunedin — Taieri Gorge and afternoon at leisure
Explore remote Taieri Gorge by Dunedin Rail through historic tunnels and across the Wingatui Viaduct, with the afternoon free for optional Dunedin experiences.
Tonight: Distinction Hotel Dunedin.
Day 09Dunedin, Oamaru and Aoraki Mt Cook
Continue north by The Mainlander towards Oamaru, then turn inland through the Waitaki Valley and Omarama for Aoraki Mt Cook.
Tonight: The Hermitage Hotel.
Day 10Aoraki Mt Cook — Hillary Centre and Mueller Lake
Visit the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre, enjoy time in the national park and hear from a Hillary family representative before dinner.
Tonight: The Hermitage Hotel.
Day 11Aoraki Mt Cook, Tekapo, Geraldine and Christchurch
Return to Christchurch by coach via Tekapo, Geraldine and Rakaia, where the 11-day journey comes to an end.
Optional: Post-tour accommodation in Christchurch can be arranged.
Watch the journey
The Sir Edmund Hillary
Explorer Experience
A short introduction to our award-winning rail and coach journeys through the heart of New Zealand’s South Island.
The route
The South Island, by rail and coach.
A South Island loop in eleven days, from Christchurch across the Southern Alps to the West Coast, through Queenstown, Fiordland, Dunedin and Aoraki Mt Cook before returning to Christchurch.
ChristchurchFranz JosefQueenstownTe AnauInvercargillDunedinOamaruAoraki Mt Cook
Check departure dates
Photo gallery
What the journey feels like.
From the Southern Alps and glacier country to Lake Wakatipu, Fiordland, Dunedin and Aoraki Mt Cook, every few days brings a completely different landscape.
Common questions
Things worth knowing before you book.
These are the practical details people usually want to understand before choosing a departure.
Ask a questionWhat does the tour price include?
The tour includes the Big 5 rail adventures, Milford Sound day trip and cruise, high-quality coach travel, 10 nights of accommodation, professional tour leaders, prepaid sightseeing and excursions listed in the itinerary, plus 10 cooked breakfasts, 7 dinners and 8 lunches.
Is the entire tour by train?
No. Rail is a major part of the experience, while luxury coach travel reaches the West Coast, Fiordland, Aoraki Mt Cook and other places not connected by passenger rail. The itinerary combines both to make the most of the South Island.
Can I join if I have mobility issues?
Guests need to be able to climb and descend two flights of stairs, walk unassisted for around 500 metres over uneven surfaces, manage their own bags at times and look after themselves during the journey. Please discuss mobility requirements before booking.
Can I travel solo?
Absolutely. Solo travellers are welcomed throughout the tour. A single supplement of NZ$1,495 applies when you request your own private room, and availability may be limited on some departures.
What are the payment terms?
A 20% deposit secures your booking, 40% is due six months before departure and the balance is due the month before departure. Direct bank payment is available without a card fee.
What is the cancellation policy?
More than six months before departure, a full refund applies with no cancellation fee. From 60 days or more, 20% of the package price applies; 30 to 59 days, 50%; less than 30 days, 100%. If Pounamu Tourism Group cancels a tour, a 100% refund applies.
Compare the signature tours
Still deciding how you want to see the South Island?
Compare the 11-day highlights journey, the complete 14-day experience and the small-group Pinnacle Tour.
Spring / Summer 2026/27
11-Day Tour
Best for: Travellers wanting the South Island's major highlights in eleven well-paced days.
Duration11 days
FromNZ$7,495
- Big 5 rail adventures
- Milford Sound and Queenstown
- Two nights at Aoraki Mt Cook
Spring / Summer 2026/27
14-Day Tour
Best for: Travellers wanting the complete South Island rail journey, including Kaikōura and Marlborough.
Duration14 days
FromNZ$8,995
- Complete Super 6
- Coastal Pacific and Weka Pass
- Kaikōura and Marlborough
Small group · 5-star luxury
The Pinnacle Tour 2027
Best for: A once-in-a-lifetime small-group experience hosted by Peter Hillary.
Duration15 days
FromNZ$25,995
- Hosted by Peter Hillary
- Premium accommodation
- Signature air, rail and wilderness experiences
The story behind the journey
Inspired by one of the greatest adventures of our time.
Sir Edmund Hillary epitomised New Zealand's spirit of adventure. The tour carries that connection through the landscapes that helped shape his story, especially Aoraki Mt Cook, where he developed the climbing skills that later took him to Everest.
On the 11-day journey, that history becomes part of the experience through two nights at Mt Cook, the Sir Edmund Hillary Alpine Centre and a presentation from a Hillary family representative.
2 nightsat Aoraki Mt Cook
Alpine Centreincluded in the itinerary
Family speakerHillary connection brought to life
Your South Island journey starts here
Eleven days. Five rail adventures. The South Island's great landscapes.
Choose your departure, secure your place with a 20% deposit, or talk with the Leisure Tours team before you book.