Scenic Train Journeys in New Zealand you Shouldn’t Miss

New Zealand is home to some of the world’s most incredible scenery. With towering mountains, ancient glaciers, and an abundance of beautiful lakes, rivers and forests, there’s so much to see and do. With so much to see, it’s hard to fit all of it into one itinerary, but luckily, New Zealand’s train tours can help you see all the stunning sights in one place! Train journeys offer an incredibly immersive experience that not only lets you see some of New Zealand’s best locations, but can also include accommodation, dining experiences, and guided tours to provide you with the full experience.

New Zealand currently has three unique train journeys, each capturing a different part of this special island nation. The Northern Explorer, travelling the North Island from Auckland to Wellington. Coastal Pacific, exploring the South Islands east and west coasts from Picton to Christchurch. Lastly, perhaps the most famous, The TranzAlpine - considered one of the world’s greatest train journeys, travels from Greymouth to Christchurch. We’ll dive into each of these incredible experiences and highlight why you can’t miss these train journeys in New Zealand.

The Northern Explorer - The North Island’s Incredible Train Journey

If you’re thinking about exploring the North Island on your next adventure to New Zealand, you should consider checking out the Northern Explorer. This epic experience departs from either Auckland or Wellington, and travels 681 kilometres (423 miles) between the two major cities. Our New Zealand Travel Specialists recommend jumping on this train from whichever New Zealand airport you arrive in. It’s a great introduction to New Zealand’s North Island, and there’s nothing better than getting off a long plane flight and hopping on a relaxing train journey to begin exploring New Zealand.

Throughout this train journey, you’ll see the wonders of locations featured in The Lord of the Rings such as the iconic Mt Doom (Mount Ngāuruhoe) as you soar over towering viaducts and volcanic plateaus. You’ll also see icy mountain streams of Ruapehu, cling to the cliffs of the Kapiti Coast, and glide over lush fields and fjords. The Northern Explorer also features scenic dining options to enjoy along the way, with open-air viewing carriages as well to really breathe it all in. 

If you’re after a truly unique way to explore the North Island, you should definitely consider adding a trip on the Northern Explorer to your next New Zealand holiday itinerary! 

Recommended Tour:

Our New Zealand Travel Specialists create bespoke itineraries for those wishing to travel New Zealand. If you’d love to experience the Northern Explorer, consider checking out our North Island Discovery Tour. Starting in Auckland, you’ll set off on the ultimate North Island adventure, visiting the best wineries, exploring the magical Hobbiton, and of course, journeying on the Northern Explorer.

Coastal Pacific - The South Island’s East Coast Adventure

Discover the South Islands northern coastline with the Coastal Pacific train journey. One of New Zealand’s most picturesque coastal adventures, this train journey travels from the South Island’s Christchurch all the way up to Picton. Travelling along the stunning Kaikoura coast, you’ll witness seals and potentially whales as you travel along this coastal rail network. As you travel north through the Marlborough wine region, you can indulge in some of New Zealand’s most famous wines and vineyards. This train journey really has it all, and it comes highly recommended from our New Zealand Travel Specialists for those wanting to explore the very best of the South Island. 

If you’re coming from the North Island, you’ll start this journey from Picton and travel south. Alternatively, you can start this trip in Christchurch and travel north. Where you slot this experience in your travel itinerary depends on the direction you’re wanting to go. We generally recommend that if you’ve finished exploring areas such as Queenstown and Milford Sound, your best bet is to get on this train in Christchurch and head north to Picton and Nelson. Likewise, if you’ve arrived in Picton after exploring the North Island (or potentially finishing up on the Northern Explorer), then the Coast Pacific is the perfect way to begin your South Island adventure!

Recommended Tour: 

There is so much to see and do in New Zealand’s South Island, and there’s no better way to explore the north-eastern coastline than the Coastal Pacific. Our Southern Beach Explorer tour features the Coastal Pacific train journey, and is a great itinerary for those wanting to experience the South Islands stunning beaches and wildlife.

The TranzAlpine - A World-Renowned Train Journey

Now we don’t usually save the best for last or pick favourites, but the TranzAlpine is a world-renowned train journey that takes you through the glorious Southern Alps. One of the shorter train journeys, the TranzAlpine covers 223 kilometres (139 miles) each-way, taking just under 5 hours to complete the trip. This means it’s the perfect day trip to add to any New Zealand itinerary! The train travels from Coast-to-coast, starting in Christchurch or Greymouth, and glides through the massive spine of mountains that stretches across the South Island. If you’re wanting to immerse yourself into New Zealand’s alpine scene, this is definitely one for the bucket list!

This train journey is world renowned for its incredible access to some of New Zealand's best scenery. Journey across the Canterbury plains into the jagged mountains of the South Island. Explore stunning rivers and lakes, and gawk at the enormous snow-capped peaks in the comfort of your world-class train cabin. Words do not do this train journey justice, and it’s definitely something you need to see to believe! 

Recommended Tour: 

Out of all our New Zealand travel itineraries, the TranzAlpine is one of our most inquired about experiences. Because of this, we’ve developed a range of tours that include this jaw-dropping experience. Our personal favourite, and one of our most popular tours, is our Southern Highlights Tour. This tour starting in Christchurch takes you on a journey across some of the South Island's most iconic locations - including Queenstown, Milford Sound, and Christchurch. If you’re wanting to get the most out of your visit to the South Island, then this tour is for you!

Unforgettable Journeys Made for You

There are so many options when it comes to travelling around New Zealand, and a train journey is not only a unique way of travel, but also one of the best ways to experience the land of the long white cloud. It removes the hassle of needing to drive yourself, gets you access to some of New Zealand’s most remote locations, and provides you with everything you need to know about your journey. It’s truly an all-in-one experience second to none! If you’re thinking about touring New Zealand, then these unforgettable train journeys can’t be missed! 

Looking to plan your next New Zealand holiday? Our New Zealand Travel Specialists have years of experience developing bespoke New Zealand itineraries and would love to assist! Chat with our team today to start exploring your travel options. Alternatively, check out some of our other blogs or tours to get some travel inspiration.