Discover New Zealand travel destinations and attractions by rail, bus and ferry. While our rail network isn’t vast, thanks to their skill and determination, there are some incredible train journeys on offer. Our Coastal Pacific train takes you along rugged coastlines, across remote beaches, between mountains and sea, on a timeless journey of breathtaking beauty. Let us show you the best of New Zealand on other platforms by selecting 'On' and allowing us to share data from your visit(s) with our partners. Find airfares. Our website uses cookies to give you the best experience and for us to analyse how you use our site. New Zealand traveller's guide Located approximately 1,500 kilometres east of Australia in the South Pacific Ocean, New Zealand is roughly equivalent in size to Great Britain yet has only around four million inhabitants. Great Journeys of New Zealand is proud to have signed up to the New Zealand Tourism Sustainability Commitment. The Seasider New Zealand Rail Maps provides free high-quality maps of the national railway network of New Zealand. In fact, with all of the arrangements taken care of on your behalf, you're entirely free to sit back, relax and enjoy the very best of New Zealand by train. Welcome aboard. In the North Island, the Northern Explorer(opens in new window) links Wellington and Auckland. In addition to above, we use other cookies and analytics to provide a better site experience. A potted history of New Zealand railways: 1862 - first railway … The TranzAlpine covers 223.8 kilometres in four and a half hours. New Zealand Railway Fee Stamps. Travel between Christchurch and Picton and enjoy views of the untouched South Island eastern coastline, native bush, charming coastal towns and dramatic seascapes. While our rail network isn’t vast, thanks to their skill and determination, there are some incredible train journeys on offer. For example, they offer a 7-night trip from Auckland to Wellington on the Northern Explorer, Wellington to Picton on the inter-island ferry, Picton to Christchurch on the Coastal Pacific, and Christchurch to Greymouth on … Taieri Gorge Railway Travel through the Taieri Gorge on the Taieri Gorge Railway with some spectacular river gorge scenery complete with plenty of tunnels and bridges. In 1920 New Zealand Railways established it own Railways Studios – the country’s first outdoor advertising studio. The fantastically scenic train trip on the TranzAlpine - one of the world’s greatest - crosses the Southern Alps on a journey that links the city of Christchurch to historic Greymouth, a river town on the rugged West Coast. At the rear of the train, an observation carriage includes lounge-style seating surrounded by glass on three sides. Southland has the Kingston Flyer and Auckland is the launching point for amazing boutique steam train trips around the whole country. Nothing is for sale from these pages. New Zealand awaits. The pass is also a convenient way to combine several of New Zealand’s great train trips into the rail journey of a lifetime. South Island train tours are ideal for both young and old, couples and groups, and a broad range of interests. Experience the extremes of New Zealand’s scenery, from the fertile farmlands of Waikato to the volcanic peaks of the Central Plateau and the sparkling Kapiti coast. The CC2M line … The Government's re-nationalisation of the railways , buying the assets off Tranz Rail for $655 million, has rewound history. New Zealand’s most photographed building, Dunedin Railway Station, is the beginning of two scenic railway journeys. For more information about the maps project choose one of the links below. A remarkable 12-hour journey through the volcanic heart of the North Island with highlights including Tongariro National Park and the famous Raurimu Spiral, a feat of railway engineering. Rail transport in New Zealand has a particular focus on bulk freight exports and imports, with 19 million net tonnes moved by rail annually, with 99.5% of New Zealand's exports and imports being transported through the countr… While each of New Zealand’s great train trips has its own personality, they all offer warm hospitality and expert commentary as they carry you in comfort through the youngest country on earth. Face Coverings Mandatory on Northern Explorer, Please read our latest COVID-19 procedures before travel. As well as day excursions, from the mid-1890s New Zealand Railways offered special deals for travellers taking longer rail journeys over the Christmas and Easter holiday Page 4 – Railways Studios. The Great Journeys of New Zealand. Seals and penguins can often be seen on the rocks. This is a . We use cookies to provide you with a better experience on this site. The Northern Explorer train service is a scenic rail journey through the five unique geographical regions of the North Island - travelling between Auckland, New Zealand's largest city - home of the Sky Tower, through the central heartland of the North Island to Wellington - New Zealand's harbour capital and arts and culture centre. Our three iconic trains, Coastal Pacific, Northern Explorer, TranzAlpine and our Interislander Cook Strait ferry offer a seamless connection between the North and South islands, and to many spectacular destinations along the way. It is purely to help guide you to better collecting. Each of Kiwirail Scenic Journey's great train trips can be completed as a single journey in one day. Our three iconic trains, Coastal Pacific, Northern Explorer, TranzAlpine and our Interislander Cook Strait ferry offer a seamless connection between the North and South islands, and to many spectacular destinations along the way. The first phase of the project will involve the construction of a 23km-long line between City Centre and Mangere (CC2M), while City Centre to North-west line will be developed in the next phase. Train travel in New Zealand is a scenic experience Each of the three scenic passenger rail journeys in New Zealand are unique, with views from the Northern Explorer train showing you the diverse countryside of the North Island - towering viaducts, spectacular gorges, hidden valleys, to the rugged coastline of the South Island, seen from the Coastal Pacific train to the mountain … And across 175 bridges with a multi-day Scenic rail Pass, you can catch the Coastal Pacific ( in. Weeks of repairs journeys of New Zealand our history and heritage of enthusiasts outdoor carriage..., with a better site experience the next stage of this journey chuffs across the Canterbury,. 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