The Experience Of A Lifetime
World Travel Awards Winner
13 Day South Island New Zealand Rail and Coach Adventure
Inspired by one of the greatest and most iconic adventurers of our time, The Sir Edmund Hillary Explorer, invites you on an epic
journey
by rail and luxury coach throughout the majestic South Island of New Zealand.
Upcoming Journeys
2025 Winter Edition Tours
2025/2026 Spring / Summer Tours
"THE BIG 5" RAIL ADVENTURES OF THE SOUTH ISLAND
Our 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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Lynn & Debra Willis, Florida, USA - September 2024 Tour
Recommended for anybody… especially for 50+ crowd. The trains and excursions are really excellent. Our trip was truly best of our lives. I would do it all again.
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.
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.
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!
Raewyn Quayle, Auckland, NZ - March 2024 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.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
We want to reassure everyone that we will continue to monitor and be responsive to Government health advice to ensure that we continue to protect the safety and wellbeing of our staff and travellers. At this stage, face masks are recommended, but not mandatory. It is highly recommended that all passengers take out their own comprehensive travel insurance and review their own health insurance, is this is a concern.
At times entering and exiting trains, coaches and vessels can be demanding for those with restricted mobility. To ensure the tour is enjoyable for you, a good standard of physical and mental health and fitness is required. For your enjoyment and safety during the tour, you will need to be able to climb and descend 15 steps, walk unassisted comfortably for 500 metres over uneven surfaces, carry your own bags at times and be able to look after yourself unassisted for an extended period, if required. If you need a walk-in shower at your hotel, please let us know so that we can allocate one in advance, as these are limited. Personal assistance is not available as part of the SEHE Tour. If you require personal assistance, then you must travel with a companion capable of providing this.
Most of the train carriages have a toilet.
The tour is a combination of train, luxury coach and ferry over the 13-day tour duration.
For your enjoyment and comfort, seating is not pre-allocated. We ask that you rotate seating on a regular basis to allow different viewing opportunities for all passengers. If you wish to be seated with a group of friends, please let us know before the tour so that you will be allocated seating on the same coach. If you suffer from travel sickness, please ensure that you have appropriate medication with you.
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