See the best of New Zealand by train

It runs from Auckland to the capital three times a week, setting off from Auckland on Monday, Thursday and Saturday and returning the following day on Tuesday, Friday and Sunday. Travelling non-stop from Auckland to Wellington will take you a little less than twelve hours. But if you want to break it up, then you’ll want to hop off at Ohakune station and spend some time in Tongariro National Park.

Nestled in the heart of the North Island, Tongariro is both our oldest national park and a dual world heritage area. Home to two giant volcanoes, it’s one of the North Island’s most popular spots for outdoor enthusiasts, with plenty of hikes and ski fields to explore. Stop in for a day or find a place to stay and make it three – you won’t regret it.

Your next stop is Wellington, where you’ll arrive in the capital just after 6 pm. And at that time of day, there’s only one thing on your mind – dinner. Luckily for you, that’s something Wellington does better than most. The city is packed with excellent eateries, from cosy bistros to world-class restaurants and everything in between. 

There’s also lots to see and do in the city if you want to take a few more days before boarding the Cook Strait ferry to continue your NZ train journey.

From Wellington, the Interislander ferry will sail you across the Cook Strait and into Picton. You can then choose to catch the Coastal Pacific train at 2:15 pm or spend a few days exploring the area before moving on.

There are plenty of hotels, motels and holiday parks for you to choose from, with so much to see and do. And just outside the township are some of the country’s great walks, not to mention shuttles and tours of our world-famous Marlborough wine country. 

Kaikoura is a popular place to spend the night, with activities starting bright and early the next morning. If you’re an ocean lover, you can’t pass up the world-famous whale watching tours. Or you can wander through the seaside town with some good food and gain an appreciation for how it’s changed since the 2016 earthquake. A new museum and a new alpine lake are just two of the things worth checking out.

Then at 4:25 pm, hop back on the Coastal Pacific train and enjoy some delicious dinner options on board before you arrive in Christchurch.

Christchurch is another great city that’s changed significantly in the last few years. Head along to ride the historic trams and go punting on the Avon River before grabbing a bit to eat at the Riverside Market.

Here we are – the final leg of the journey. Make sure you have the camera ready. This stretch is all about the scenery, running alongside the ice-fed Waimakariri river, crossing the majestic Southern Alps and winding through miles of native beech forest. It really is spectacular.

You’ll also stop in at the stunning Arthur’s Pass, where you have a choice: take five minutes to stretch your legs, or spend the night and hop back on the train the next day. Being high up in the mountains, the latter gives you the chance to explore one of the country’s truly sublime trails. Plus, you don’t need to be a mountaineer to enjoy it, as there are walking tracks of all grades available. And if you’re lucky, you might even meet a Kea – one of the cheeky local parrots found only in New Zealand's Southern Alps. 

Pulling up in Greymouth may feel like the end of the journey. But it's just the beginning, if you're carrying onwards to explore the wild West Coast.

Greymouth is also a destination in itself, with gold panning, glaciers and wildlife to explore, plus an abundance of great eateries and breweries to refuel at. The TranzAlpine train has links with the Intercity bus, rental cars or look up one of the local tour providers and book yourself a magical tour around the West Coast.