Coastal Trails & Rails

Enjoy a scenic drive to the little unique town Akaroa- Canterbury’s oldest town and the home to the Hector Dolphins. Leaving the City, heading towards Bank Peninsula- stopping at the Hill top view point- be immersed in the panoramic views over the city and looking out above the harbour. Passing through Barry’s Cheese factory- explore the hand crafted cheese’s made fresh onsite. Carrying on over the hill to Akaroa- a small with magnificent views of the harbour, wildlife, marine life and artwork! Spend some free time exploring the township and the character it holds- or partake in the activities the town has to offer!

Following earthquakes that razed its centre and much of the outlying suburbs, Ōtautahi-Christchurch is well into a billion-dollar makeover. In the middle of the Canterbury Plains, bordering the pacific ocean, New Zealand’s newest city is an ideal gateway to exploring the middle of the South. Go punting on the Avon River, take a historic tram ride, catch the gondola to the rim of an extinct volcano or do all three! See the world’s only Cardboard Cathedral and for nature enthusiasts - wander the renowned Christchurch Botanic Gardens, or head to Oxford Terrace in the city to find a great spot to eat or drink. Drive an hour in any direction to ski, mountain bike, wine taste, whale-watch, bungy jump or play golf. Take the winding Port Hills road to the French settlement of Akaroa & Banks Peninsula and tour the vines in Waipara for an authentic New Zealand wine-tasting experience.

Experience New Zealand’s only marine-based whale-watching company. Whale Watch Kaikōura offers a once-in-a-lifetime, up-close encounter with the giant Sperm Whale. You are also likely to encounter New Zealand fur seals, dolphins, and albatross. Depending on the season you may also see Pilot, Blue, and Southern Right whales as well as migrating humpbacks. Often orcas can be spotted here and the world’s smallest dolphin, the Hectors, occasionally makes an appearance.

Kaikōura is a stunning coastal town known for its rich marine life and dramatic scenery. Visit the fur seal colony, take a whale-watching cruise, or swim with playful dusky dolphins. The town is rich with attractions, walking tracks, and activities for every visitor. A walk around the Kaikōura Peninsula is a must, where you can explore tide pools teeming with marine life, observe sea creatures basking on the rocks, and, for bird lovers, spot the impressive native albatross. Just be sure to keep a respectful distance from any sea lions you meet. Highlights like Ohau Point and historic Fyffe House offer insight into the region’s wildlife and whaling past. Finish your visit by sampling the fresh local seafood, renowned for having some of the best fish and chips in the country, or by taking a relaxing wander through the tranquil Lavendyl Lavender Farm.

The Coastal Pacific train journey travels between Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city and the delightful port of Picton. This journey is a scenic feast of New Zealand, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. The Coastal Pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges - one of them being New Zealand’s only road-rail bridge. The Coastal Pacific includes an open-air viewing carriage where all your senses are awakened with the clean and fresh sea air. This leg of the journey crosses the wonderful North Canterbury countryside to the township of Kaikoura. Kaikoura offers dramatic landscape scenes of mountains meeting the sea. Kaikoura is world famous for its resident whale population and whale-watching tours. The more adventurous traveller might wish to get closer to marine life and swim with the dolphins.

Experience a magical swimming encounter with dusky dolphins off the coast of Kaikoura. You’ll be taken out in the catamaran and have the chance to swim in the water with these wild mammals in a completely natural environment. The dusky dolphin inhabits the waters around Kaikoura for most of the year - making it one of the only places in the world where dolphins can be encountered every day. It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information please see here.

Picton is a picturesque portside town at the top of the South Island. Gateway to the forest, marine and island attractions of the Marlborough Sounds, Picton is built around a sheltered harbour. Home to cafes, restaurants and galleries it also has a floating maritime museum and aquarium. Picton is also the starting point for Queen Charlotte Track, one of New Zealand’s leading hiking trails.

The Coastal Pacific train journey travels between the delightful port of Picton and Christchurch, the South Island’s largest city. This journey is a scenic feast of New Zealand, with the Kaikoura mountain ranges on one side of your train and the rugged Pacific Ocean coastline on the other. One of the world’s most scenic train journeys, the Coastal Pacific travels through 22 tunnels and crosses 175 bridges, one of them being New Zealand’s only road-rail bridge. As on The TranzAlpine, The Coastal Pacific includes an open air viewing carriage where all your senses are awakened with the clean, fresh, sea air.

If you are passing through Picton or Marlborough, this one day guided walk is an excellent outing into the Marlborough Sounds. For those that want the added value of having everything provided as well as the chance to learn about the history and wildlife of the Marlborough Sounds with one of the passionate and knowledgeable local guides, this is the perfect one day experience of the Queen Charlotte Track. It is important you read and understand the risks associated with this activity. For more information please see here.

The vibrant Nelson city centre offers an abundance of cafes, restaurants, bars and shops and along the waterfront, you will find many fine restaurants specialising in seafood to enjoy. Founded in 1841 by the New Zealand Company the region today still boasts many remarkable buildings from these early days, however it is its close proximity to Abel Tasman National Park that is one of Nelson’s greatest advantages to visitors with its pristine waters, beautiful native bush and golden beaches making this an adventure seeker’s paradise. Nelson is also famous for its art and crafts and you will find many local offerings - including the world-famous Hoglund Glassworks.

Board your coach in Picton and first travel south to Blenheim, the centre of the Marlborough wine region. From Blenheim you’ll pass the vast grape growing areas as you head west towards Renwick, then through the fertile valleys and onto the picturesque port town of Havelock. Continue through the Rai Valley and over the ranges before dropping to the coast and Tasman Bay. Follow the shore into the city of Nelson.

During this tour you will be strolling golden sand beaches, walking and exploring natural wonderland of Abel Tasman National Park. You will enjoy stunning views and experience unique interpretation of this National Park. Access is by water taxi to Medlands Beach and walking through an ever changing forest of silver fern, beech trees and Manuka & kanuka. This fully guided journey interprets the less obvious features as well as Māori history and the rich variety of vegetation, birds and aquatic life.

Nelson is a great city to explore on foot. Visit the historic areas, and the famous Cathedral, or relax and enjoy the atmosphere at one of the many cafes on Trafalgar Street. Nelson is also noted for its many artists, and galleries displaying their work can be enjoyed by following one of the Art trails listed locally. Around 45 minutes drive away is Abel Tasman National Park. The region offers countless opportunities to explore for visitors of every age and capability, from enjoying the golden sand beaches and clear warm waters to guided kayaking trips viewing seals and dolphins, to exploring some of New Zealand’s finest walking tracks.

The vineyards of Nelson are set amongst exceptional scenic countryside often with a foreground of either rich horticultural land, or ever changing tidal estuaries, and a background of mountains from Mount Richmond Forest Park or Kahurangi National Park. You will visit the top wineries of Nelson - all family owned, driven by passion and enthusiasm that allows their cultural influence to show through in the consistently high quality wines of world class, limited only by their boutique size. They create hand-made wines, taking risks with wild fermentations, unproven grape varieties and new styles of wine.

Travel over the productive Waimea Plains, through the historic Upper Moutere and up Takaka Hill. The first short walk is through ancient granite and marble rock outcrops and into a quaint forest remnant for a spectacular view back towards Nelson. The taonga, Te Waikoropupu Springs are the largest freshwater springs in New Zealand, the largest cold water springs in the southern hemisphere, and is the clearest water ever measured in the world. This small area surrounding the springs is wahi tapu, a place held in high cultural and spiritual regard, is steeped in gold mining history and is the perfect place to observe the many stages of re-vegetation of a unique indigenous forest that contains a huge collection of plants including mature beech and podocarp trees and plants found nowhere else. View the Golden sands of Ligar Bay then feast on a gourmet lunch on Tata Beach before overlooking a mussel farm, Wainui Bay, and Abel Tasman National Park.

Board your coach in Nelson and cross the hills to the harbour town of Havelock. Continue through the Rai Valley and onto Renwick and the heart of the Marlborough wine region, Blenheim. From Blenheim you cross the 'dry hills' of the Marlborough ranges and head towards one of the most spectacular coastlines of the South Island, the Kaikoura Coast. The road hugs the shore for around 50 kilometres and offers many chances to view the native wildlife such as seabirds and New Zealand fur seals. To the east is the turquoise waters of the South Pacific Ocean and to the west the towering Kaikoura Ranges. Kaikoura Township is a bustling little place with many cafes, restaurants and shops but the main reason for visiting here is the wildlife. Arriving into Christchurch City puts you right in the heart of the regenerating city.

Established in 1863, Christchurch’s 75-acre Botanic Gardens host the finest collection of exotic and indigenous plants to be found anywhere in New Zealand. Operating a continuous daily service, the Botanic Gardens Tour allows you to discover the natural beauty, history, and culture of this central city oasis while at the same time being taken around the gardens in all weather, comfort, and style. The professionally-guided tours allow you the flexibility of staying on the shuttles for the full circuit or alternatively, you can choose to ''hop on or hop off'' at any of the clearly-identified stops around the Gardens.