For those who haven’t heard of this Great Journeys adventure, the TranzAlpine train traverses the majestic Southern Alps mountain range on its route across the South Island between Christchurch and Greymouth.  

Most travellers tend to book in spring or summer, but the scenery in winter is just jaw-dropping, albeit a little chilly! 

It’s an almost five-hour journey from one coastline to the other. We boarded in Greymouth and headed to Christchurch, having just finished the delightful West Coast Wilderness Trail Great Ride. 

WCWT saw us ride more than 120km over four days from Ross to Greymouth, while also soaking up many off-trail activities on the way – Hokitika Gorge, West Coast Treetop Walk and Zipline, the iconic Cowboy Paradise and Shanty Town Heritage Park, to name a few. 

After our week-long adventure we relished the chance to sit back and relax in our comfy, warm Scenic Plus carriage with a glass of wine in hand and a delish three-course meal inspired by the Canterbury plains, Southern Alps and West Coast (Scenic Plus is a worthwhile addition!)  

Looking out the window from our award-winning, world-class carriage with specially designed seats, we had plenty to feast our eyes on too.

The scenery is captivating. Think lush beech rain forest of the West Coast, snow-capped dramatic mountain landscapes, alpine villages, spectacular gorges and river valleys off the ice-fed waters of the Waimakariri River and pristine lakes. 

As you edge closer to Christchurch, the gateway to the South Island, there’s the fields of the Canterbury Plains. Measuring 200km from north to south and 70km across, they are one of New Zealand's primary agricultural regions. 

Throughout the journey make sure you stretch the legs and experience the open-air viewing deck, as we did.

You’ll feel at one with nature, like you can reach out and touch the mountains, feel the wind on your face, hear the waterfalls and rivers flowing and breathe in that fresh mountain air. 

Or, from your seat download the Great Journeys NZ app and listen to the GPS-triggered audio commentary available through headphones to get the history and context of the landmarks along the railway. 

You’ll learn plenty of fun facts along the way. Here’s a few:  

• The railway follows ancient Māori trail through the mountains that was later plotted by engineer Arthur Dobson.  

• The most dramatic of four viaducts crosses the Staircase Gully/Otarama Steam. Wedged between tunnels, the Staircase Viaduct towers a breathtaking 73 metres over the stream below. 

• Surrounded by swampland and eerie ancient forest, Lake Brunner is the largest lake on the West Coast. The view from the TranzAlpine train is phenomenal.  

• The Ōtira Tunnel marks the transition from Canterbury to West Coast. Sometimes called the Great Divide or Main Divide, the mountains under which the Ōtira Tunnel travels stand in the way of the weather. As a result, the weather is typically wetter on the west side - and the rainforest is noticeably more vibrant. 

• The climb from Kowai to the high plains of Craigieburn was some of the trickiest terrain that New Zealand's railway engineers had to work with. Following the pre-cut channels of the Waimakariri and Broken River gorges was the simplest route through the mountains, but the steep rocky banks and tributaries meant 15 short tunnels and four dramatic viaducts had to be built.  

The sheer magnificence of the landscapes that the TranzAlpine meanders through is simply stunning. No words or photos can really capture this spectacular scenery. 

You have to experience it for yourself. Definitely an adventure to add to your bucket list. 

FAQs 

Where does the TranzAlpine go? 

TranzAlpine runs from Christchurch to Greymouth.  

How long does it take? 

You can make the journey there and back in one day, hop on for a section that suits your itinerary, or make a few days of it – travel from Christchurch to Greymouth and stay the night, or vice versa. 

What season is best? 

Summer and spring are popular travelling times, but winter offers that next level of awesome. 

How do I get there? 

Fly into Christchurch and take the TranzAlpine to Greymouth. Or you can fly into Hokitika Airport from Christchurch Airport, drive 30 minutes (shuttles are available)  to Greymouth and catch the train back to Christchurch.  

There are plenty of accommodation options for all budgets in these regions. 

Can we take bikes/e-bikes? 

Bikes and e-bikes can be taken on board. You must pre-book your bike when you buy your train ticket. It costs $35 per bike.Label your bike with your name and phone number. 

Do I have to take my bike apart? 

You don't have to deflate tyres. Handlebars must be removed or turned sideways, pedals removed or turned in, and panniers, accessories and helmets removed. Bikes must also be free of any dirt.