5 DAY SUGGESTED ITINERARY - CHRISTCHURCH TO AUCKLAND
5 DAY SUGGESTED ITINERARY - CHRISTCHURCH TO AUCKLAND
Travel Day 1: Greymouth to Christchurch
Depart: 2.05pm - Arrive: 6.31pm
This afternoon, you depart Greymouth on The TranzAlpine train heading east to the Southern Alps ascending up through the Otira tunnel to the alpine village of Arthurs Pass slowly descending towards Canterbury through river valleys of the Waimakariri River, crossing the Canterbury Plains to the Garden City of Christchurch for 1 or more nights stay.
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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 to the West Coast to 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 for 1 or more nights stay.
Travel Day 2: Christchurch to Kaikoura
Depart: 7.00am - Arrive: 10.13am
This morning you board the Coastal Pacific train traveling north travelling through the north Canterbury plains before heading east to the coast and north along the rugged coastline the separates the majestic Kaikoura Ranges from the sea to Kaikoura famous for viewing whales and dolphins, for 1 or more nights stay.
Travel Day 3: Kaikoura to Wellington
Depart: 10.23am - Arrive: 5.15pm
This morning you leave Kaikoura your journey takes you north on the Coastal Pacific train, along the coastline before turning inland passing Lake Grassmere Salt Ponds and the wineries of Blenheim to the Picton – the gate way of the beautiful Marlborough Sounds. At Picton, you board your Interislander ferry for your 3 hour (92 kilometre) journey on board 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 through the Marlborough Sounds and out to Cook Strait before entering picturesque harbour of Wellington – The Harbour Capital and New Zealand's capital city for 1 or more nights stay.
Travel Day 4: Wellington to National Park
Depart: 7.55am - Arrive: 1.20pm
This morning you board the Northern Explorer train heading along the Wellington's coast line to the rolling farming landscape of the Palmerston North ascending up through stunning river gorges of the central North Island to the volcanic plateau passing Mt Ruapehu to National Park for 1 or more nights stay.
This service operates Wednesday, Friday and Sunday only.
Travel Day 5: National Park to Auckland
Depart: 1.20pm - Arrive: 6.50pm
This afternoon you leave National Park on the Northern Explorer train, traveling along the volcanic plateau passing the Volcano's of Mt Ngauruhoe and Mt Tongariro before descending down the famous Raurimu Spiral to the rugged bush country and through rolling framing landscape of the Waikato region and onto Auckland – the city of sails.
This service operates Wednesday, Friday and Sunday only.
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.
