Coastal Pacific
Beautiful beginnings and endingsPicton is the arrival and departure point for the Interislander, one of the world’s most scenic ferry rides |
|
From the boat to the trainFollow the signs for 200 metres from the ferry terminal to Picton station |
|
|
See, sip, sampleBlenheim is in the heart of New Zealand's biggest wine growing region. Stop off here and enjoy the local wine and gourmet food |
|
Crossing 175 bridgesOne of many bridges crossed on the journey |
Between mountains and seaTravel alongside mountans and surging sea, with the Pacific Ocean almost close enough to touch |
|
|
Training ground for EverestAcross the Clarence River, this training ground for Sir Edmund Hillary can often be seen |
Wild coastlineKeep an eye out for seals and other wildlife on the rocks |
|
Surf spottingThe wild coastline creates picture-perfect spots where surfers often gather |
|
Whale watching centralThe railway station is also a base for booking many of Kaikoura's wildlife encounters |
|
|
Inland, over riversThe Coastal Pacific sweeps inland, over broad braided rivers that attract jet boaters and rafters |
|
Crossing the plainsLook out across the patchwork farmland of the Canterbury Plains, New Zealand’s largest continuous area of flat land |
|
Spoilt for choice in ChristchurchChristchurch continues to offer visitors plenty to see and do in all directions |
Alongside mountains and sea
This memorable journey between Chistchurch and Picton stops at Blenheim and the renowned whale watching town of Kaikoura. Along 98 kilometres of ruggedly beautiful coastline you’ll get astonishingly close to the surging Pacific Ocean and steeply rising Kaikoura Ranges.
You’ll also travel through beautiful wine growing regions, across broad, braided rivers and the rich patchwork
farming landscape of the Canterbury Plains.
For just $10 include Kaikoura or Blenheim as a longer stopover on your journey
Travel from Wellington to Christchurch on the Coastal Pacific, including an Interislander passage. Conditions apply. Book now.
Whale watch central
To go and watch whales look for the Kaikoura train station.
Crayfish
Also known as Koura in Maori, Crayfish abound in Kaikoura
I travelled on the Coastal Pacific to Kaikoura to see the whales for the day - such great scenery that I wouldn't have seen if I didn't take the train.