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(491)
Fantastic from start to finish. Great guide who explained everything clearly and thoroughly. Options for hiking, dining walking, sightseeing. Amazing views from the train and bus, and all transport very comfortable. No bathroom on bus, but plenty of stops so not an issue. Two thumbs up!
Kia Ora Karen_T, Thank you for the wonderful feedback! We are delighted that you enjoyed the comfort, views, and flexibility of our tour. It is great to hear our guide took such good care of you and that the scheduled stops kept your journey comfortable. We look forward to seeing you again! Kind regards, NZSI Team
A wonderful day. Good driving and communication, very informative. A great way to appreciate the Tranz Alpine Train combined with a return trip by bus visiting even more beautiful scenery.
Kia Ora Gary_a, Thank you so much for the fantastic review! We are thrilled that you enjoyed the combination of the TranzAlpine Train and our return bus tour. Our team loves sharing the beautiful scenery and history of the region, so it is wonderful to hear that you found the trip informative. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future! Kind regards, NZSI Team
We had a great day. Our guide was very attentive and made an effort to make sure we all had a good time.
Kia Ora ColJulie, thank you so much for the wonderful review! We are absolutely thrilled to hear that you had a great day with us. Our guides always strive to be attentive and ensure everyone has a fantastic time, so I will be sure to pass your kind words along to the team. We hope to welcome you back for another great experience soon! Kind regards, NZSI Team
I enjoyed it and highly recommend.
Kia Ora adeahm2026, Thank you for taking the time to share your experience. We are delighted to hear that your trip was a success and that we helped you achieve a bucket list goal. Your recommendation means the world to our team. Kind regards, NZSI Team
What a fantastic day out. The train trip is awesome. The rest of the tour was a great surprise. So many locations. So much knowledge shared.
Kia Ora Sandra, Thank you for sharing your experience! We pride ourselves on offering a comprehensive day tour with incredible scenic train views, diverse locations, and deep local knowledge. It's wonderful to hear that the trip was such a pleasant surprise for you. We look forward to hosting you on another adventure in the future! Kind regards, NZSI Team
accurate, precise information, kindness, the tour guide was attentive and informed
Kia Ora Ann, Thank you so much for the high praise! We are so glad our attentive guide and precise information made your trip memorable. Creating lasting experiences for travelers is our passion. Hope to see you again soon! Kind regards, NZSI Team
Our guide, Paul, was excellent.
Beautifull experience, the view, the traind. Everithing was wonderful
Kia Ora, We greatly appreciate your kind words! It is fantastic to know that everything about your journey was wonderful and that you loved the views. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you back again someday! KInd Regards NZSI Team
We would certainly recommend this tour. It started with us being picked up from our hotel on time and taken to the train station. The train journey lived up to our expectations - sat back, engaged with other tourists & enjoyed the beautiful scenery. Our guide met us as we exited the train at Arthurs Pass & he ensured everyone was looked after for the rest of the tour, providing umbrellas & ponchos to help us keep dry. He was great! Very knowledgeable and managed everything at the right pace.
Kia Ora Therese, Thank you so much for the wonderful recommendation! We are thrilled to hear that your tour started smoothly with a timely pickup and that the TranzAlpine train journey lived up to your expectations. It is fantastic to know our guide looked after everyone so well with the umbrellas and ponchos, and that you enjoyed his knowledge and pacing. We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you on another adventure in the future! KInd Regards
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!
