The TranzAlpine

The TranzAlpine travels daily between Christchurch and Greymouth and is rated one of the top six train journeys in the world.

Travelling from one coast to the other, you see the 'patchwork' fields of the Canterbury Plains, followed by the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri River, all from the comfort of your carriage or the open air viewing deck which provides many opportunities to photograph your favourite spots.

Your train then climbs high into the mighty Southern Alps, before descending through lush beech rain forest to the historic West Coast town of Greymouth. The trip is 223.8 kms long and takes just four and a half hours, passing through 16 tunnels and 5 viaducts, the highest being the Staircase standing at 73 metres.