Coastal Pacific

Great Journeys New Zealand

New Zealand

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Navigate from Picton to Christchurch across a span of 348km.

Train running directly on the rugged coast between Pacific Ocean and Seaward Kaikōura Range — one of the world's great coastal-rail alignments
Ohau Point fur-seal colony — hundreds of New Zealand fur seals visible from the train window
Whale and dusky-dolphin sightings (sperm whales can be seen year-round off Kaikōura)
Mangamaunu Bay views just north of Kaikōura
Pink-and-white Lake Grassmere salt-lakes between Blenheim and Kaikōura
Marlborough vineyards — over 30,000 ha of Sauvignon Blanc country surrounding Blenheim
Canterbury Plains farmland and snow-capped Southern Alps on the final approach to Christchurch

Duration
5.5 hours
Distance
348 km
Est. Price
NZD 239–299 Scenic adult / 167–209 child; NZD 519–535 Scenic Plus adult; NZD 957 return Scenic Plus

Meals: Meals not included; Scenic Cafe on board for purchase

Ensuite: No

Meals: Chef-prepared regional dishes, wine, coffee and afternoon tea served at seat; complimentary drinks throughout the journey

Ensuite: No

Engine / Locomotive

KiwiRail DC and DXR-class diesel-electric locomotives (typically DC 4220–4280 class)

Track Gauge

1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in) Cape gauge — New Zealand national network standard

Braking Technology

Air brakes (Westinghouse); electro-pneumatic brake blending on passenger stock

Route Engineering Challenges

Navigating the narrow coastal corridor between the Pacific Ocean and the Seaward Kaikōura Range for ~30 km
The Kaikōura earthquake (Nov 14 2016, M7.8) — 9 km of track and 20+ bridges/tunnels destroyed; rebuilt and reopened Dec 2018 with seismic-resilience upgrades (settlement-resistant embankments, landslide fences)
Multiple river crossings along the coastal plain — Clarence, Conway, Kowhai rivers
Bridge structures through active coastal-erosion zones between Oaro and Kaikōura
Single-track sections between Clarence and Kaikōura require scheduled cross-passes

Carriages

Purpose-built panoramic sightseeing carriages with large un-tinted windows; 2018 refurbishment added wheelchair hoist access to cafe

Open-air viewing

Dedicated outdoor viewing platform carriage — feel the sea breeze along the Kaikōura coast

Electrification

None – diesel-hauled throughout (first electrified section in NZ, the Arthur's Pass Midland Line, abandoned 1938)

Maximum speed

100 km/h on flat sections; 25–50 km/h along Kaikōura coast

Line owner

KiwiRail (below-track); Great Journeys New Zealand operates the on-train service

Operating season

Spring–Autumn: Sep 1 2026 – Apr 30 2027 daily

Duration
5.5 hours
Distance
348 km
Est. Price
NZD 239–299 Scenic adult / 167–209 child; NZD 519–535 Scenic Plus adult; NZD 957 return Scenic Plus