NORTH ISLAND SOUTH ISLAND TRAVEL PLANNING ADVENTURE ACTIVITIES ATTRACTIONS ROMANTIC FOOD & WINE SHOPPING NZ TRAVEL FAQ's SPECIAL INTEREST BOOKS & STORIES SITE RESOURCES
New Zealand Rail Travel is a great way to go if you like a comfortable trip through magnificent scenery.
The bonus is, you can get up and move around,ride in the open back car, enjoy a meal. Consider train travel for at least part of your holiday around New Zealand.It could be the highlight of your trip.
We do not have extensive train systems as in some countries, but you will have some lovely experiences.
New Zealand scenery from a train is often just stunning, as they tend to go through more remote areas where you will have excellent views of braided rivers, mountains, hill stations,go over impressive viaducts towering over raging rivers, through native bush and along coastal routes.
The coastal trip from Picton to Christchurch is just gorgeous running along the coast and through many tunnels.If you are very lucky you might see whales or dolphins in the distance!
The Scenic Rail Pass - gives you access to the complete Tranz Scenic Train Route.
You can travel on the:
• Overlander - from Auckland to Wellington
• Tranz Coastal - from Picton to Christchurch
• Tranz Alpine - from Christchurch to Greymouth - beautiful.... especially in winter.
• Palmerston North to Wellington.
• Christchurch to Queenstown – Taieri Gorge - This would be on a combo 3-in-1 ticket as the last 58 kms is by coach.
• Taieri Gorge Rail - This is a wonderful trip from Dunedin's Historic Railway Station to Pukerangi or Middlemarch Taieri Gorge Train
Combo 3-in-1 tickets -
( valid 12 months) allow unlimited bus travel on Newmans and Intercity coaches, One Cook Strait Ferry Crossing and 2 one way train journeys on the Tranz scenic network.
• Kingston Flyer - From half an hour south of Queenstown to Fairlight. Summer only. This historic restored turn of the century steam train is a must for train enthusiasts.
NOTE: UNFORTUNATELY THIS SERVICE IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE.I will leave it here in the hopes it recovers and starts running again.
CITY RAIL SYSTEMS
Auckland has a limited city train service running west and south from Britomart Station.A trip to New market where there is excellent shopping is a short trip for the experience.
NOTE:
For the next year ( February 2008) I understand there is a long walk between stations while they build a new station .
Wellington has a comprehensive commuter rail system north of the city.
Christchurch and Dunedin both have rail services to different parts of the South Island.
For further information on New Zealand Rail services go toRail New Zealand