TranzAlpine Train, Arthur's Pass and Castle Hill Day Trip
Description
Experience the South Island's remarkable natural landscapes by taking a journey on the TranzAlpine train from Christchurch to Arthur's Pass, which is considered one of the world's greatest train journeys for the scenery through which it passes. Enjoy breathtaking views of Canterbury Plains, Southern Alps, ice-fed Waimakariri River, lush beech forests and stunning landscapes. Explore walking tracks in Arthur's Pass National Park with spectacular mountain views & pristine waterfalls. Capture mirror images at Lake Pearson & wander through the majestic limestone boulders at Castle Hill. A perfect day trip for nature lovers, hikers & adventure seekers.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Once we’ve collected you from your chosen location around 7:00 am, we transfer you to the TranzAlpine for one of the world's most scenic rail journeys. Enjoy breathtaking alpine vistas from panoramic windows or the open-air carriage. Your guide will meet you at Arthur's Pass Station to begin your mountain tour.
While you enjoy the rail journey, your guide travels ahead to meet you right on the platform at Arthur’s Pass Station. From there, we’ll drive to the Otira Viaduct lookout for spectacular views—including the vibrant red Rata flowers during summer. Keep an eye out for the cheeky Kea, New Zealand’s inquisitive alpine parrot! Our mountain exploration continues with a visit to the stunning Avalanche Creek Waterfall and several other scenic highlights within the National Park.
For the highlight of your afternoon, we highly recommend the Devils Punchbowl walking track. A leisurely 1-hour return walk leads you through lush beech forest to the base of a thundering 131-metre waterfall. The sheer power of the water and the mist on your face make this an unforgettable alpine experience
After your walk, enjoy some well-earned downtime in the charming Arthur’s Pass village. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy lunch at a local cafe, browse the historic visitor centre, or simply soak up the peaceful mountain atmosphere before we continue our journey
Our return journey to Christchurch takes a different route by road, offering scenery that the train tracks don't reach. Our first stop is the serene Lake Pearson. This high-country lake is famous for its glassy, mirror-like reflections of the surrounding mountains—a photographer’s dream and a perfect spot for a peaceful afternoon break.
Stop at Flock Hill: Discover the stunning 'Narnia' filming location. This site was featured in Disney's The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe as the primary battlefield—a spectacular setting surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Craigieburn Valley.
Our final highlight: Experience the 'Treasure from Afar' at Kura Tāwhiti. To the Ngāi Tahu iwi, this area holds Tōpuni status—a symbolic cloak of protection over its sacred values. As you walk the easy access track, look for traces of 500-year-old charcoal drawings and learn how these rocks were formed 30 million years ago when New Zealand was still under a shallow inland sea.
Leaving the mountains behind, we travel across the vast Canterbury Plains. We make one final, delicious stop in the rural town of Springfield to see the famous giant doughnut—a must-photo landmark! From there, it’s a relaxing final leg back to the city, where we say our goodbyes and drop you off at your chosen location.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup timing will be confirmed a day prior to travel date. Pickup/ drop-off is offered from selected Central Christchurch Hotels listed below: 1. Christchurch Bus Interchange 2. Heritage Hotel/ Distinction Hotel 3. Crowne Plaza Hotel 4. The Mayfair, 155 Victoria Street 5. Chateau on the Park 6. Fino Hotel & Suites, 87 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, New Zealand 7. Quest on Kilmore, 93 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, New Zealand 8. Hotel Montreal, 363 Montreal Street, Christchurch, New Zealand 9. Wyndham Garden Christchurch City, 64 Kilmore Street, Christchurch, New Zealand
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Fully guided tour except the walks in the National Park & Castle Hill.
- Bring your phone, USB charger & headphones to enjoy the audio commentary on the TranzAlpine Train.
- Maximise your scenery with our confirmed morning train tickets during winter months (May to September). By travelling earlier in the day, you enjoy full daylight for the entire journey—perfect for capturing the spectacular winter landscapes.
- Please note this tour may operate in reverse during summer from October to April. If morning train tickets are sold out, you will travel from Arthur’s Pass to Christchurch in the afternoon. Since the sun sets late in summer, you will still enjoy the entire journey in full daylight with spectacular views.
- We have designed our itinerary with a dedicated break at [Arthur's Pass National Park], giving you the freedom to explore the local cafes and choose a meal that suits your appetite.
Reviews(482)
I thoroughly enjoyed this tour. Our guide, whose name I didn’t get, did a wonderful job taking us around Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill and providing information on the area. The bus was delayed picking up the group in Arthur’s Pass after the train ride, but the company did a great job with keeping the group updated as to when our guide would arrive. The hike up to the Devil’s Punchbowl Falls was worth it, and the loop at Castle Hill was great as well. I would recommend this tour.
Kia Ora Lisa C, Thank you for the great review and recommendation! We are happy to hear you loved the views at Castle Hill and the hike to Devil's Punchbowl Falls. We always aim to keep our guests updated if unexpected delays happen, so we appreciate you mentioning our communication. We will pass your compliments on to your guide! Safe travels!
Amazing well organised tour. Very experienced driver and guide. Scenery speaks for itself - breathtakingly beautiful. Great day 👍
Thank you for the great review! We are so glad you had a well-organized day and enjoyed the breathtaking scenery. Our team works hard to provide a seamless experience, so your kind words mean a lot to our driver/ guide. Thanks for the thumbs-up!
Fantastic experience. The train trip was fabulous to see the southern alps up close. Exploring Arthur’s Pass was just devine and Castle Hill is exceptional.
Kia Ora Heidi_B, Thank you for the wonderful feedback! We're so glad you loved the Southern Alps train trip and enjoyed exploring the stunning landscapes of Arthur’s Pass and Castle Hill. It was an absolute pleasure hosting you, and we hope to see you again soon!
It was a fabulous experience. The train was gorgeous and the views were unbeatable. Plus, the staff was incredibly kind. The driver was great with fun facts and lots of yummy snacks. I really enjoyed the hike and other walks included - lots of stops and viewpoints, which was great. Really great tour - I recommend it, especially the train!
Kia Ora Peter_G, Thank you so much for the fabulous review! We are thrilled to hear you loved the stunning train journey, the beautiful viewpoints, and the hikes. Our driver will be delighted to hear that you enjoyed the fun facts and snacks—we always aim to keep our guests entertained and well-fed! Thank you for highly recommending our tour and the train experience. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Anuj was our tour guide and he was absolutely brilliant. Very informative and knowledgeable, made the whole experience very smooth and enjoyable. Always looking out for us and took great care of the whole group with the snacks that helped a lot along the way. This itinerary was great to explore beautiful landmarks as a solo traveller. I would highly recommend this trip as well as Anuj if you’re lucky enough to get him.
Thank you for the glowing recommendation! We're so glad our itinerary is perfect for solo travelers looking to explore these beautiful landmarks. I will be sure to pass your kind words along to your guide—he truly is brilliant at taking care of our guests. Safe travels on your future journeys!
I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this tour. I cant recommend it enough for the solo traveller. The other participants were lovely, the guide was fabulous, and the scenery was mind blowing. The many stops to take photographs and go for good walks were just the right amount.
Kia Ora Freedom46067605703, Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are absolutely thrilled that you enjoyed every minute of the tour and found the scenery mind-blowing. It is fantastic to hear that our pace of walks and photo stops was just right for you.
We had a fantastic day. It was a great way to see the country side as well as explore the forest and see the waterfalls at Arthur's Pass. VJ was our tour guide and he was very knowledgeable. We started the day by taking the Alpine Train to Arthur's pass. Then VJ took us to beautiful scenic spot and showed us where filming took place for the Lion the witch and the wardrobe. He also shared NZ snacks with us. It was a wonderful way to spend a day in Christchurch.
Kia Ora Lisa_W, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We aim to provide a seamless and memorable day trip from Christchurch, so it is wonderful to hear that you enjoyed the combination of the Alpine Train, Arthur's Pass waterfalls, and our specialized scenic stops. Thank you for choosing us for your day out in Christchurch, and we hope to see you again!
I did enjoy our tour from Christchurch via TranzAlpine to Arthurs’ path and back to the city. Our tour guide are accommodating and providing good insights and explanation. He provides guidance or alternative activity for some who cant do a hike. We did a couple of small stops for scenic lookout when we are going back to the City. The tour was not rush and we are able to be back to the city earlier than expected Highly recommended tour!
Kia Ora Kenneth_M, Thank you for the fantastic recommendation! We are delighted that you enjoyed the TranzAlpine train ride, our guide's helpful commentary, and the relaxed, unhurried pace of the tour. We always aim to make our trips flexible and accommodating for all fitness levels. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure soon!
Thoroughly enjoyed this trip. Commentary from our driver was great and he was very accommodating. Shame the weather was not good but still loved it
Kia Ora Penny_S, Thank you so much for the wonderful review! While we can't always control the New Zealand weather, we are absolutely thrilled to hear that you still thoroughly enjoyed the trip. Our guide will be so glad to know that his commentary and hospitality helped make the day special despite the gray skies. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back on a clear, sunny day next time!
Anuj is a superb tour guide, one of the best I have ever had! He was very knowledgeable and flexible.
