About

Sir Edmund Hillary for the Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer train tours

Sir Edmund Hillary epitomised the New Zealand spirit of adventure and he is our inspiration when planning your experience of a lifetime. We pay homage to Sir Edmund Hillary as we explore the South Island of New Zealand and experience the postcard perfect vistas and dramatic alpine scenery that this part of the world is renowned for.


At Aoraki Mt Cook, a visit to the museum dedicated to Edmund’s adventurous spirit and his achievements is a must. A guest speaker from the Hillary family will also give you an insight into growing up as part of this famous family and find out about how they continue to keep their father’s memory alive.  In Christchurch, learn more about his team’s expedition crossing Antarctica using converted farm tractors at the International Antarctic Centre. You will also travel through Marlborough, where Edmund was trained for the air force during the Second World War and where he made some daring ascents of Mt Tapuae-o-Uenuku.

  

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INCLUDES "THE BIG 5" RAIL JOURNEYS OF THE SOUTH ISLAND

 1

Your guided journey begins in The Garden City, Christchurch, where you board one of the world’s great train journeys, The TranzAlpine and traverse the majestic Canterbury Plains and Southern Alps via Arthur’s Pass.

 2

We then track inland to experience the wonders of Queenstown, Te Anau and Milford Sound. Cruise on the steamship TSS Earnslaw and ride the iconic steam train, The Kingston Flyer, the icing on the cake for railfans and historians.

 3

Onward to Dunedin where we enjoy another iconic rail journey with Dunedin Railways through the remote and rugged landscape of the world-famous Taieri Gorge, an epic rail journey over white water rapids, towering viaducts and historic tunnels.

 4

Back to Christchurch to join The Coastal Pacific Scenic Train, one of the most picturesque journeys on New Zealand’s railways. Throughout this scenic experience, you will meander along the Pacific coast across remote beaches, between mountains and sea, on a timeless journey of breath-taking beauty to Kaikoura.

 5

From Kaikoura through to Marlborough, saving the best for last, the grand finale of epic proportions, sees you hauled under a full head of steam by the glorious Marlborough Flyer. This historic WW1 memorial steam locomotive Ab608 Passchendaele, named in honour of our fallen soldiers at The Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. This is a locomotive fit for kings, having hauled royal trains on two previous royal visits in the early 1900’s. A journey to end all journeys from a bygone era.

An epic 13-day journey of a lifetime! 

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