NEW ZEALAND DAY 3
It was an early start this morning — bags in the lobby by 6:30 and time for one more excellent buffet breakfast before departure. The breakfast spread did not disappoint! We were joined by Joe from Brisbane, Australia, a retired Queensland railway worker who spent his career on long-haul passenger lines before moving into signalling. His stories added a nice touch of railway authenticity to our day ahead.
Christchurch, often called the gateway to Antarctica, has a fascinating history. Our Uber driver told us that after the devastating earthquakes in 2010 and 2011, much of the city center was closed and rebuilt from the ground up. Even today, you can still see traces of the damage mixed with the new, modern architecture that symbolizes the city’s resilience.
We departed by coach at 7:00 a.m. for the short ride to Christchurch Railway Station, located in Addington. The station, rebuilt in a sleek, modern style, is now the city’s only remaining passenger terminal. From here, the TranzAlpine and Coastal Pacific trains depart — two of New Zealand’s most scenic rail journeys.
The TranzAlpine is often ranked among the world’s great train journeys, stretching about 223 kilometers (139 miles)from Christchurch on the east coast to Greymouth on the west. It crosses the Canterbury Plains, winds through deep river valleys, and climbs into the Southern Alps via the historic Otira Tunnel — a 5-mile engineering feat completed in 1923.
Once aboard, the train glided out so smoothly we hardly noticed we were moving. The panoramic viewing windows framed the landscapes like living postcards. Midway through the journey, we stopped briefly at Arthur’s Pass, a tiny alpine village nestled high in the mountains. We stepped off for some fresh, cool air and took a few photos of the train against the dramatic backdrop of peaks and clouds — the perfect postcard moment before reboarding.
Back on board, we treated ourselves to a cheese platter and a glass of brut from the well-appointed café car — a relaxing, civilized way to take in the scenery as we crossed the divide toward the lush west coast. With 51 people in our tour group, there was a cheerful buzz as everyone compared photos and tried to spot the next waterfall or viaduct.
We arrived right on time in Greymouth, where our coach was waiting. The warmth inside the bus was a bit of a surprise after the crisp mountain air, but spirits were high as we continued south toward Franz Josef.
We reboarded the bus onto the Pounamu Pathsay – an immersive Maori cultural experience crafted by Weta Workshop.
Enroute to the hotel we stopped at Hari Hari to see a recreation of his bi-plane and an amazing mosaic park that has been created with messages from people around the world!
Our home for the night, the Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier, sits in the heart of Westland Tai Poutini National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage area. Surrounded by rainforest and framed by glacier-fed peaks, it’s one of the few places in the world where you can stand on a beach and see a glacier in the same day.
Dinner was a generous buffet, offering a hearty selection of local dishes — a welcome meal after a long but spectacular day of travel. Breakfast will also be included in the morning before we continue our South Island adventure. A perfect end to Day One in New Zealand.
Did You Know?
- The TranzAlpine covers 223 km (139 miles) in just under five hours — from Christchurch to Greymouth — crossing 16 tunnels and four major viaducts.
- The train climbs to 737 meters (2,418 feet) at Arthur’s Pass — the highest point on New Zealand’s rail network.
- The Otira Tunnel, completed in 1923, was once the longest tunnel in the British Empire.
- Franz Josef Glacier descends from the Southern Alps to just 300 meters above sea level — one of the steepest and most accessible glaciers in the world.
- The Scenic Hotel Franz Josef Glacier is part of the Scenic Hotel Group, known for sustainable operations and for hosting guests exploring the West Coast glaciers and rainforest.
Anthony's Travel Adventures 