Reviews

Raewyn Quayle, Auckland, NZ - March '24 Tour

What a fabulous tour! A trip of a lifetime encompassing our love of trains. We meet some awesome tour mates and made some friends from overseas. The tour was professionally put together with excellent tour guides and leaders and nothing was too much trouble. Bucket list adventures all ticked off and the most gorgeous weather, we were spoilt.

Dorothy Wilson, Lower Hutt, NZ - March '24 Tour

I rate the trip 10 out of 10. The organisation and execution of the trip were excellent along with the top quality transport, accommodation, meals and experiences. Everyone on the team was welcoming, friendly, helpful and really informative. The places we went to and the scenery on the trip were outstanding - even the weather Gods smiled on us!

I was initially nervous that my hearing impairment would be a barrier, but soon realised that this was not a problem at all. Everyone made sure that I could hear them or helped out when I missed information. I have already recommended this trip to family, friends & even a stranger on the ferry & will continue to do so!

Susan and Bob James, WA, AUS - October '23 Tour

This was one of the best organized tours we have ever been on and would thoroughly recommend it to anyone. The itinerary definitely showed us the best of the South Island of New Zealand and we were awestruck by the magnificent and grandeur of the mountainous scenery.

We had a wonderful holiday.

Angela Reece, Te Kuiti, NZ - October 2023 Tour

10/10! A massive thank you to everyone - this trip will be in my heart as a picture book for the rest of my life. The Tour Guides were awesome, very friendly and knowledgeable - nothing was too much to ask them.

Les & Lesley Dickenson, NSW, AUS - October '23 Tour

Thanks again for the great trip and we will be recommending it to others. It was one of the best run tours I have every been on and I have been on quite a few! We have been to NZ several times and visited most of the places before but doing this as a group works really well and gave us a different insight to some of the places.

Anne Foley, New South Wales AUS – April 2023 Tour
We thoroughly enjoyed our Sir Edmund Hilary Tour 13th – 22nd April 2023. The tour was very well organized with excellent tour guides and bus drivers. Enjoyed the train trips and watching enthusiastic people taking photos and waving wherever we went. Accommodation and meals were excellent. Loved all the places we visited and seeing how the South Island has changed in fifty years since I have travelled around NZ. We were very jealous of your beautiful country with everywhere so green. Cattle and sheep so healthy plus all the tractors we saw! We rate our holiday 10 out of 10. We would recommend the Sir Edmund Hilary Explorer Tour to our friends and family.

Mary Carstensen, Darwin, AUS- April 2023 Tour
I did the tour in April 2023. It was a wonderful trip through stunning landscapes, conducted by expert guides with top notch accommodation and meals. The trains are relaxing and the scenery is panoramic. The staff go all out to make it happen seamlessly and have interesting stories to tell. It is very good value with no hidden extras and fair refunds if optional tours are cancelled by weather or other events.

Helen Bessey, Canberra, AUS – April 2023 Tour
My overall experience was excellent - I enjoyed the trip so much, it certainly was "a trip of a lifetime". I would like to do it all again and I found that sentiment amongst fellow travellers. I would most certainly recommend the trip to friends and family. The included activities were excellent - every day was a highlight.

Robbie Summers, Nelson, NZ – October 2022 Tour
My overall experience was fantastic and I would and have recommended it to family and friends. Everything, the hotels, the food and places we visited were a great experience for me and I wasn't disappointed with anything! All of our tour personnel were friendly and helpful. The Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer Tour is worth every single penny and I wish you all the best for next the one.

Francie Taylor, Darfield, NZ - April 2021 Tour
Home again after a wonderful trip with the Pounamu Tourism Group. The planning that has been put into and executed by the staff is mind boggling. From the Tour Leader and his Support team to the Bus Drivers they all worked very hard to make it a holiday to remember. We only had to sit back and enjoy which we certainly did.

Sue Berkland, Turangi, NZ – April 2023 Tour
This trip was one of the best I have ever been on! The crew were happy, knowledgeable and helpful but above all professional. The hotels were exceptional, the food excellent especially the breakfasts and dinners. I would be very happy to recommend your company and this trip in particular to anyone!

Joke De Boer, Victoria, AUS – October 2022 Tour
I enjoyed the unique method of travel. There is something special about travelling in a heritage train. I really enjoyed the ability to stand at the end of the carriage and watch the world roll by. We were very fortunate with the weather when visiting Mt Cook/Aoraki and that was a highlight for sure.

Mike Abeltshauser, Nelson, NZ- April 2021 Tour
We enjoyed the trip very much. It was Mike’s best 65th Birthday present ever!!! If you ask us about the highlight of the trip, we couldn’t name just one, there were so many for us.

Raewyn Groombridge, Napier NZ – April 2021 Tour
Highlights were the steam train sections, Milford trip and the Earnslaw. All bucket list items crossed off. We have been singing your praises to all our friends and they are truly jealous of our journey so maybe you will get some signing up next time.

John McBrearty, Christchurch, NZ - April 2021 Tour
There are two words, both beginning with “f” that for me describe the Tour – fantastic and fabulous. I booked for the Tour back in June last year and from the initial contact right through to the time I walked back into my house on Friday 6 May there is absolutely nothing I could fault. I thought it was outstanding and I enjoyed every minute. I would certainly be interested in doing further trips with Pounamu.