greatjourneysofnz.co.nz

# Great Journeys New Zealand

> Great Journeys New Zealand (GJNZ) is KiwiRail's scenic rail brand, operating New Zealand's long-distance passenger trains — the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, and TranzAlpine — alongside the sister company Interislander Cook Strait ferry crossing. GJNZ offers three core ways to travel: Single and return scenic train journeys, fully guided multi-day rail tours, and curated short break packages, all connecting travellers with New Zealand's landscapes, culture, and regional food and wine.

## Trains & packages

- [Scenic trains](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/): Book a seat on New Zealand's world-class scenic trains — Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, and TranzAlpine — connecting major cities and landscapes across the North and South Islands.
- [Guided rail tours](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/): Fully guided, multi-day rail holidays combining scenic train travel, premium accommodation, a local tour director, and curated included experiences. Choose between Classic and Signature tour tiers.
- [Short breaks & packages](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/short-breaks-and-packages/): Curated 1–4 day rail getaways departing Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, with accommodation, activities, and regional food included. Luxury package options available. Themed collections include Sail & stay, Luxury, Food & wine, Nature & wildlife, Escape & relax, and City breaks.
- [Deals and offers](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/deals-and-offers/): Current promotions and fare discounts, including Kids25 school-holiday fares, the go20 winter promo code, and 10% partner discounts for AA Members, NZMCA, Senior Gold Card, and TOP 10 Holiday Park Club.
- [Rail events and experiences](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/deals-and-offers/rail-events-and-experiences/): Themed and seasonal special-event trains and exclusive packages, including the Tormore Express murder mystery dinner train with The Court Theatre, the Matariki rail experience, and World of WearableArt (WOW) train packages.
- [Train timetables](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/train-timetables/): Departure and arrival schedules for all scenic train routes.
- [Custom group travel](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/about/custom-group-travel/): Tailored rail travel for group bookings.

## Scenic train routes

- [Northern Explorer train](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/northern-explorer-train/): Auckland to Wellington, crossing the central North Island volcanic plateau. [Route details](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/routes/northern-explorer/) | [Timetable](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/northern-explorer-train/timetable/)
- [Coastal Pacific train](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/coastal-pacific-train/): Christchurch to Picton, following the Kaikōura coastline. [Route details](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/routes/coastal-pacific/) | [Timetable](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/coastal-pacific-train/timetable/)
- [TranzAlpine train](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/tranzalpine-train/): Christchurch to Greymouth, crossing the Southern Alps — rated among the world's great train journeys. [Route details](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/routes/tranzalpine/) | [Timetable](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/tranzalpine-train/timetable/)
- [Interislander Cook Strait crossing](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/routes/interislander-cook-strait-crossing/): Ferry crossing between Wellington and Picton connecting the North and South Islands.

## Guided rail tours (named itineraries)

Signature tours pair boutique accommodation, selected meals, Scenic Plus train travel, and hand-picked activities. Classic tours offer relaxed travel with comfortable stays, selected meals, activities, and scenic rail journeys.

**Signature tours**
- [New Zealand up close](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/signature-tour-auckland-to-queenstown/): Auckland to Queenstown.
- [Cities and seas](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/signature-tour-auckland-to-christchurch/): Auckland to Christchurch.
- [Inspiring North Island](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/signature-tour-auckland-to-wellington/): Auckland to Wellington.
- [Spectacular South](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/signature-tour-wellington-to-queenstown/): Wellington to Queenstown.
- [Captivating coast](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/signature-tour-wellington-to-christchurch/): Wellington to Christchurch.
- [Inspirational alps](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/signature-tour-christchurch-to-queenstown/): Christchurch to Queenstown.

**Classic tours**
- [New Zealand highlights](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/classic-auckland-to-queenstown-tour/): Auckland to Queenstown.
- [Cities and coastal highlights](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/classic-auckland-to-christchurch/): Auckland to Christchurch.
- [Northern highlights](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/classic-auckland-to-wellington/): Auckland to Wellington.
- [Southern highlights](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/classic-tour-wellington-to-queenstown/): Wellington to Queenstown.
- [Coastal highlights](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/classic-wellington-to-christchurch/): Wellington to Christchurch.
- [Alpine highlights](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/tours/classic-christchurch-to-queenstown/): Christchurch to Queenstown.

## Onboard experience

- [Scenic Plus](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/travel-experience/scenic-plus/): Premium onboard dining experience hosted in an exclusive carriage, featuring a regionally inspired, seasonally changing menu prepared in a custom-built kitchen carriage, paired wines and NZ beverages, and dedicated host service. Offered on the Northern Explorer, Coastal Pacific, and TranzAlpine, each with a menu themed to its region.
- [Scenic class carriages](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/travel-experience/our-scenic-class-carriages/): Details on onboard seating and carriage comfort for standard Scenic class.
- [Open-air viewing carriage](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/travel-experience/open-air-viewing-carriage/): Outdoor viewing deck available on scenic train journeys.
- [Scenic café](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/travel-experience/scenic-cafe/): Onboard food and beverage options.
- [GJNZ app](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/infotainment-app/): Onboard infotainment and journey information app.
- [Check-in & baggage](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/travel-experience/check-in-and-luggage/): Practical travel information for boarding.
- [Accessibility](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/travel-experience/accessibility/): Accessibility information for travellers.
- [Booking help](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/travel-experience/booking-help/): FAQs and guidance on how to book, checking train run dates, and troubleshooting booking issues.
- [Our railway stations](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/scenic-trains/our-railway-stations/): Station locations across the New Zealand rail network.

## Help & support

- [Our Travel Centre](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/travel-centre/): GJNZ's dedicated Travel Centre team builds custom holidays and itineraries around train, tour, and package travel. Contactable by phone (0800 872 467, NZ office hours Mon–Fri 9am–5pm) or online enquiry form.
- [FAQs](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/about/frequently-asked-questions/): Answers to common questions grouped by before your journey, booking enquiries, throughout your journey, and luggage queries.
- [Contact us](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/about/contact-us/): General customer contact channels.

## Destinations

- [Destinations overview](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/): New Zealand destinations reachable by GJNZ rail and ferry services.
- [Explore the West Coast](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/explore-nz/explore-the-west-coast/): In-depth guide to the West Coast region.

**North Island cities**
- [Auckland](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/auckland/)
- [Hamilton](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/hamilton/)
- [Palmerston North](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/palmerston-north/)
- [Wellington](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/wellington/)
- [Rotorua](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/rotorua/)

**North Island volcanic plateau**
- [Ohakune](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/ohakune/)
- [Tongariro National Park](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/tongariro-national-park/)
- [Taumarunui](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/taumarunui/)
- [Waitomo Caves & Otorohanga](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/otorohanga/)

**South Island Pacific coast**
- [Picton & Marlborough Sounds](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/picton-and-marlborough-sounds/)
- [Blenheim](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/blenheim/)
- [Kaikōura](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/kaikoura/)
- [Christchurch](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/christchurch/)
- [Springfield](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/springfield/)

**South Island West Coast**
- [Moana & Lake Brunner](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/moana/)
- [Greymouth](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/greymouth/)
- [Punakaiki](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/punakaiki/)
- [Hokitika](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/hokitika/)
- [Franz Josef](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/franz-josef/)
- [Haast](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/haast/)

**Southern Alps**
- [Queenstown](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/queenstown/)
- [Arthur's Pass](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/destinations/arthurs-pass/)

## Travel inspiration

- [Travel blog](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/explore-nz/travel-blog/): Travel advice, destination guides, and journey inspiration.
- [Escape by rail](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/explore-nz/escape-by-rail/): Inspiration for planning a rail-based New Zealand escape.
- [Carbon calculator](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/explore-nz/travel-blog/carbon-calculator/): Tool for estimating and comparing emissions from rail travel versus other transport.

## About

- [About us](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/about/): Company overview.
- [Our story](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/about/our-story/): GJNZ's heritage and cultural narrative.
- [Sustainability](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/about/sustainability/): Environmental sustainability initiatives and commitments.
- [Travel trade partners](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/about/trade-partners/): Information for travel agents and trade partners.
- [Community support](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/about/community-support/): Community initiatives.
- [Media enquiries](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/about/media-enquiries/): Press and media contact information.

## Company info 

- [Terms & conditions](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/terms-and-conditions/)
- [Privacy policy](https://www.greatjourneysnz.com/privacy/)