KEY POINTS:
Where: Recognised as one of the world's most spectacular rail journeys, the TranzAlpine Express runs across the Southern Alps between Christchurch and Greymouth. The trip is 223km long, lasts 4 1/2 hours and includes 16 tunnels and five viaducts.
What to do: Easy. Sit and admire the stunning scenery. The modern train comes fully equipped with plush seats and wide windows, and the carriages are heated in winter and cooled in summer.
Heading out of Christchurch the train first speeds across the farmlands and fields of the Canterbury Plains, through Rolleston and Darfield and the spectacular gorges and river valleys of the Waimakariri region. When you reach Springfield the train begins the climb into the Southern Alps headed for Arthurs Pass. About here you part company with State Highway 73, which shadows the railway from Aylesbury, and your journey suddenly feels fantastically remote. As the train climbs toward Cass and Arthurs Pass it crosses the famous Staircase Viaduct which, at 73m, is the highest in the South Island. Keen trampers can break their trip at Arthurs Pass and visit the national park - the spectacular Bridal Veil track is especially popular.
Past Arthurs Pass the train reaches its highest point on the trip before heading into the Otira tunnel, one of the longest in the country.
From there the gradual descent begins down through beech rainforest, past picturesque Moana on the shores of Lake Brunner and on to Greymouth
Once you're in Greymouth, and if you haven't yet had your fill of spectacular scenery, take a helicopter ride along the coast toward Hokitika and then back inland over the alps. Alternatively try some off-road motorcyling riding or, for something more leisurely, head to Shantytown - a faithfully restored 1900s pioneer town, born out of the 1860s gold rushes.
If you go: The TranzAlpine Express departs Christchurch and Greymouth daily. Visit www.tranzscenic.co.nz
