5 DAY SUGGESTED ITINERARY – AUCKLAND TO CHRISTCHURCH
5 DAY SUGGESTED ITINERARY – AUCKLAND TO CHRISTCHURCH
Travel Day 1: Auckland to National Park
Depart: 7.45am - Arrive: 1.14pm
This morning you board the Northern Explorer train at Auckland and head south passing through the farming landscape of the Waikato region to the rugged bush country ascending to the Volcanic Plateau via the famous Raurimu Spiral, passing the the Volcano's of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro for your destination at National Park for a 1 or more nights stay.
This service operates Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
Travel Day 2: National Park to Wellington
Depart: 1.15pm - Arrive: 6.25pm
The next morning board the Northern Explorer train at National Park Station. From National Park you pass Mt Ruapehu before descending through stunning river gorges of the central North Island to the rolling farming landscape of the Palmerston North region to Wellington - The Harbour Capital for a 2 night stay in New Zealand's capital city for a 1 or more nights stay.
This service operates Monday, Thursday and Saturday.
Travel Day 3: Wellington to Kaikoura
Depart: 9.00am - Arrive: 5.10pm
From Wellington you board an Interislander ferry for a daytime sailing from Wellington, with it's picturesque harbour, crossing Cook Strait before entering the magnificent Marlborough Sounds. The 3 hour (92 kilometers) ferry journey is aboard a modern ship with a range of on board facilities from eateries, a shop, movie theatre, a games arcade, a large bar with live entertainment, numerous passenger lounges, open air decks and a friendly on board crew to assist you. Your Interislander journey ends at Picton located in a sheltered marine harbour where you will have time to experience this charming small town. From Picton you board the Coastal Pacific train traveling South along the eastern coast of the South Island, passing through the local Marlborough vineyards, Lake Grassmere Salt Ponds and stopping at Kaikoura - famous for viewing whales and dolphins, for a 1 or more nights stay.
Travel Day 4: Kaikoura to Christchurch
Depart: 5.20pm - Arrive: 8.30pm
The next day you board the Coastal Pacific train at Kaikoura Station to travel south following the stunning coastline before heading inland through the Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch for a 1 or more nights stay.
Travel Day 5: Christchurch to Greymouth Day Excursion
Depart: 8.15am - Return: 6.31pm
Today travel between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand to the other and return. From your carriage you'll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River, as you ascend through the Southern Alps to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass. From Arthurs Pass you'll descend through the Otira tunnel to the lush beech rain forests of the West Coast into Greymouth. After a hour stopover in Greymouth, The TranzAlpine train departs Greymouth heading east to the Southern Alps ascending up through the Otira tunnel to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass, then slowly descending through river valleys of the Waimakariri River, crossing the Canterbury Plains to Christchurch.
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Christchurch to Greymouth
Depart: 8.15am - Arrive: 1.05pm
Today travel between Christchurch and Greymouth, from one coast of New Zealand to the other and return. From your carriage you'll see the fields of the Canterbury Plains and farmland, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River, as you ascend through the Southern Alps to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass. From Arthurs Pass your descending through the Otira tunnel to the lush beech rain forests to the West Coast to Greymouth. This is a great base for visits to Punakaiki and the always popular glaciers. From Greymouth you can head south to the Glaciers for 1 or 2 night stopover in the townships of Franz Josef or Fox Glacier and onto Wanaka and Queenstown or north to Westport through the Buller Gorge to Nelson.
Please note: You must purchase a New Zealand Travel Rail Pass before you can make any travel sector reservations.
Itineraries are a guide only and times / schedules are subject to change. Accommodation is additional and not included with your pass.
