The TranzAlpine Train has been described as one of the great train journeys of the world.
One of my fondest New Zealand experiences was a trip that my wife, son and I took on the TranzAlpine train, which crosses the central South Island from
Christchurch,
on the east coast, to Greymouth, on the
West Coast.
This spectacular journey, crosses the rolling Canterbury Plains, then passes through
As you can see from the photos on this page, the scenery is breathtaking, particularly in winter. The TranzAlpine train has an open air observation car which provides the perfect place for the seemingly endless photo opportunities available, and if you are anything like us, you will welcome having a large capacity storage card on your camera. You will need it.
The ever changing scenery as you pass between Christchurch and Greymouth is really quite amazing. One minute you are in a tunnel, the next you pass over a raging river or through a steep gorge. The Canterbury Plains are a wonderful patchwork, but give little indication of the rugged vistas that await as you approach the Southern Alps.
As mentioned, to see the country at its most spectacular, the colder months are always best.
TranzAlpine Train And Arthur's Pass National Park Guided Tour As an alternative to making the full
Board the train in Christchurch, then relax as you cross the Canterbury Plains and into the rugged Waimakariri Gorge and high country, then into the beautiful Southern Alps. At Arthur's Pass you are met by your guide, who will take you along the old stage 
coach route through the spectacular Otira Gorge. How they built this road in the 1860's amazes me every time I make the journey.
From Arthur's pass you pass through high country where you stop to view the Cave Stream as it tunnels underground through the rugged limestone of the surrounding alps. View the amazing Castle Hill rocks from the highway. Or, if you are feeling adventurous take a walk to the top for views of the countryside. Your return trip to Christchurch includes the Waimak Gorge, where the Waimakariri River flows into the Canterbury Plains. Inclusions:
•Guided walks through the beautiful Arthur's Pass National Park •Pickup and drop off from centrally located Christchurch hotels •Air-conditioned minivan transport •Travel on the world class TranzAlpine train •Light refreshments •GST (Goods and Services Tax) Click below to view full details of this sensational tour:
Click on the following link to learn more about the TranzAlpine Train. Acknowledgement-we would like to thank Tranzscenic for some of the information and pictures used on this page.
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beautiful gorges and valleys around the Waimakariri River, before heading into the Southern Alps, through Arthur's Pass, then through thick beech rainforest before arriving at Greymouth.
The full journey takes four and a half hours one way, and is 224 kilometres long. It passes through 19 tunnels, and over four viaducts, the highest of which is over 70 metres! Don't look down!
Your trip is a wonderfully relaxing way to see some of the best scenery in New Zealand, and sitting back in your comfy seat, having a local beer or wine (available on board), is one of life's great pleasures.
We were really blown away by the majesty of the South Island scenery encountered on the TranzAlpine train, and recommend the trip without hesitation. This really is a "must do" if you have the time on your New Zealand holiday.
east/west crossing on the TranzAlpine train, why not combine the train jorney from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass with a guided tour of Arthur's Pass National Park?
