The Picton to Christchurch train operates between the delightful port of Picton - the gateway to the Marlborough Sounds to Kaikoura - home of whale watching and Christchurch - the South Island’s largest city. 

Your journey takes you through the wine growing region of Blenheim to the rugged Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train, the Pacific Ocean coastline on the other with views of marine wildlife such as seals and penguins to some of New Zealand’s finest horticultural and farmland areas of the Canterbury Plains all from the comfort of your carriage. 

Along the way you pass though the town of Kaikoura, where you can break your journey to take in whale watching or get up and close by swimming with the dolphins.

The train's carriages have advanced air bag suspension system for quieter and smoother travel, un-tinted, non-reflective, panoramic side and roof windows to capture the dramatic coastal and mountain views of the magnificent South Island, GPS triggered journey commentary in five languages at your seat via passenger headphones, plus information displays and overhead HD video.

All carriages are centrally heated, air conditioned with on board washroom/toilet facilities, forward facing or 'Table' (4 people around a table) seating allowing you to share experiences through large panoramic windows.

There is an open air viewing carriage where all your senses are awakened with the clean, fresh, sea air and a Café Carriage offering a selection of alcoholic and non alcoholic hot/cold drinks, snacks and light meals.

For mobility-impaired passengers, there are spaces for wheel chairs and a disabled public toilet. Wheelchair hoists provide access to the café carriage from track level. For hearing-impaired passengers - a hearing loop covers all of the café carriage saloon and serving area.

The train is a reserved seating 'One Class/Non Smoking' service.

You can travel on the Coastal Pacific train on RailBus New Zealand's Auckland to Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown or Auckland to Rotorua and Christchurch and/or the Christchurch to Wellington, Rotorua and Auckland scenic travel journeys.

The train connects at Picton with various Cook Strait ferry sailings from Wellington in the North Island.

This train connects at Blenheim with various bus and coach services operating from Nelson.

This train connects with bus and coach services at Christchurch to Mt Cook, Dunedin, Invercargill, Te Anau, Lake Tekapo, Stewart Island and Queenstown.

So, sit back and enjoy a genuine kiwi rail experience through the South Island's north eastern rugged coastline.

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