2 Day Punakaiki Gold Train Escape from Christchurch

Depart Christchurch on the TranzAlpine train and travels across the Canterbury Plains, over the stunning Southern Alps and onto the West Coast. Enjoy a guided tour to the Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and blowholes. These amazing structures, resembling stacks of pancakes, consist of limestone eroded by the force of the surf over years. You can walk right up to the rocks and view the blowholes caused by pounding surf. Overnight in Greymouth and on your second day, discover the thrill of the goldrush at Shantytown. Return to Christchurch on the TranzAlpine train.

In 2007, The TranzAlpine service will be interrupted for routine Otira Tunnel work. During the following dates the train will operate as normal between Christchurch and Arthur's Pass and return. However coaches will be used to transport those passengers wishing to travel onwards from Arthur's Pass to Greymouth and return. Coaches will depart as usual from the Greymouth Railway Station, at the scheduled train departure time and travel to Arthur's Pass, where they will meet the train and travel as normal to Christchurch.

Schedule Details Departs:

Daily

Unavailable Dates:

• December 25 (Christmas Day)

Departure Point: Tour departs from Christchurch Railway Station, Troupe Drive, Addington, Christchurch Departure Time: Tour departs at 8:15am. Final check in is 7:45am Return details: Tour concludes at Christchurch Railway Station at approximately 6:35pm on Day 2 Hotel Pickup: Not provided, please make your own way to the tour departure point, the Christchurch Railway Station Itinerary: Day 1: Christchurch - Greymouth

7:55am: Final check-in at Christchurch Railway Station. Please check in at the front counter to receive your carriage and seat numbers, then proceed out the doors to your left and pop your luggage onto the luggage van.

8:15 am: Depart Christchurch on The TranzAlpine. The TranzAlpine is truly one of the great train journeys in the world. The TranzAlpine crosses the farmlands of the Canterbury Plains, winds its way through spectacular gorges of the Waimakariri River and the rugged snow capped Southern Alps, before descending into the lush rainforests of the West Coast to Greymouth.

During the course of your journey to Greymouth you will travel 230 kilometers, pass through 16 tunnels and cross 5 major viaducts. Many of the viaducts have high wind fences, testimony to the strong westerly winds that regularly pummel their way across the Alps. You will be amazed at the contrast between the eastern and western sides of the Southern Alps as you pass through the 8.5 km Otira tunnel which takes you under these mighty mountains.

As lunch is not included in this tour we recommend you purchase a meal on the train.

12:45 pm: Arrive Greymouth. Please collect your luggage from the train and board the hotel courtesy coach, which will be at the station waiting for you and you will be transferred to the hotel. One night's accommodation has been booked for you at ASHLEY MOTOR INN.

2:00 pm: A representative from Kea West Coast Tours will collect you from the Ashley Hotel and take you along the spectacular Coast Road to Punakaiki, the main center of Paparoa National Park.

5:00pm: You will be delivered back to the Ashley Hotel.

Day 2: Greymouth - Christchurch

10:00am:

12:00pm: Return to Greymouth Station.

1:20pm: Please check in for your return journey to Christchurch.

1:45 pm: The TranzAlpine departs Greymouth.

6:05pm: Arrive Christchurch. Your Tranz Scenic Great Train Escape package concludes we hope you had a fantastic time.

Additional Information