Travelling around New Zealand by train means seeing it all! From snow-capped mountains and rugged coastlines to ancient forests and clean green farmland - go and experience some of the world’s most unique and beautiful landscapes unseen by road. You’ll always travel in comfort as all the Tranz Scenic train carriages are carpeted, centrally heated and air-conditioned. Your seats recline and the panoramic windows allow you to sit back and enjoy the ever-changing views. There are four different journeys to be had with Great Journeys of New Zealand.
TranzAlpine
Travel across the heart of the South Island from Christchurch to Greymouth on the west coast on what is considered to be one of the world’s greatest train journeys. Cross the lush Canterbury Plains, climbing to the high pass guarded by towering, angular mountains. Settle back in warm comfort and enjoy the breathtaking views through panoramic windows or experience the sting of icy mountain air from the open viewing platform, warming your hands on a mug of steaming hot chocolate. Descend to the West Coast, perhaps New Zealand’s last frontier. Your destination is Greymouth, a great base for exploring this unspoiled region with its mighty glaciers and famous Punakaiki pancake rocks. Stop over for a day or two and go adventuring.
Coastal Pacific
The Coastal Pacific railway tour travels between the port of Picton and Christchurch. The journey is a scenic feast, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges onone side of the train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. Along the way you pass though Kaikoura, where you can break your journey to take a whale watching trip or even swim with dolphins. Travel on through some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural and farmland areas, and see amazing wildlife from the comfort of your train carriage.The Coastal Pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges, one of them being New Zealand’s only road-rail bridge and has an open air viewing carriage where you can enjoy the scenery in clean, fresh, sea air.
Northern Explorer
Journey through the heart of the North Island, travelling between Auckland and Wellington, New Zealand’s capital. Along the way you pass the Central North Island ski towns of National Park and Ohakune and will see fantastic views of New Zealand farmland, the volcanic plateau, Mount Ruapehu, the world famous Raurimu Spiral, and stunning river gorges.
All carriages in this spectacular railway tour feature large panoramic windows giving sweeping views of the magnificent North Island. The Observation Carriage includes a mix of seating including lounge style seating arranged at the very rear of the glass backed carriage enabling you to enjoy a totally unique experience.
Interislander Ferry
The Interislander ferry is the longest running Cook Strait ferry service in New Zealand. Interislander sails between Wellington (North Island) and Picton (South Island). The Interislander ferry is known as one of the most beautiful ferry journeys in the world and one of New Zealand's most iconic tourism experiences.
The Interislander is one of the unmissable Great Journeys of New Zealand. It connects to our scenic rail experiences; the Coastal Pacific, which runs from Picton to Christchurch, and the Northern Explorer which journeys through the heart of the North Island.
No matter which journey you choose, each route is unique and all truly memorable. If you want to start planning your holiday to New Zealand, visit fcholidays.com/newzealand for inspiration.
