NZ trip. any advice?

[ge_rik]

Hi
I'm presently planning a once in a lifetime trip to New Zealand.

I'm trying to decide whether to include a trip on the Coastal Pacific Railway. I'm definitely going to travel on the Tranzalpine, but can't decide whether the Coastal Pacific is worth the time and money it would take.

Does anyone have knowledge, experience or advice?

Rik

[Lonsdaler]

I've no experience of the Pacific coastal railway but I can recommend Dunedin Railways https://www.dunedinrailways.co.nz/. We did the Taieri Gorge trip in 2009. It's about a 5 hour 'there and back' through spectacular scenery. And of course, it's all narrow gauge! Dunedin station is a thing of beauty too.

P1030456.png (2.9 MiB) Viewed 58397 times

Dunedin Railway Station

[ge_rik]

I've no experience of the Pacific coastal railway but I can recommend Dunedin Railways https://www.dunedinrailways.co.nz/. We did the Taieri Gorge trip in 2009. It's about a 5 hour 'there and back' through spectacular scenery. And of course, it's all narrow gauge! Dunedin station is a thing of beauty too.
P1030456.png
Dunedin Railway Station

That's great info, thanks. Despite my researches so far, I hadn't come across this. A mate has mentioned the Otago Peninsula for its albatrosses and penguins but, even though he was a train spotter as a kid, he didn't mention the railway. From the look of the photos, it's now definitely on the list.

Rik

[gregh]

I also recommend the Taieri Gorge trip - did it 15 years ago. For a while it stopped running so it's good to see it is back.
The Dunedin station is magnificent and when I was there they had a Fairlie behind a big glass window!

The town of Oamaru is worth seeing for it's old buildings and the fairy penguins.

[Old Man Aaron]

Afraid I've barely been out of Queensland and can offer no NZ-specific advice.

But I will say - Don't forget to stop in at a heritage line or six, they need our support.

And please do share pics here when the trip happens. Next year I'd guess?

[ge_rik]

- Don't forget to stop in at a heritage line or six, they need our support.
And please do share pics here when the trip happens. Next year I'd guess?

Don't worry, Greg has a few lined up in Oz and I'm visiting one or two in NZ.
This coming Oct/Nov

Rik

[GTB]

Don't worry, Greg has a few lined up in Oz and I'm visiting one or two in NZ.
This coming Oct/Nov

I haven't been in the Shaky Isles for going on 50 yrs. and they still had real railway services when I was there. A friend loves the place, the preservation groups at Ferrymead near Christchurch and MOTAT near Aukland are frequently mentioned.

If you are in Oz in Nov., this years GSSU is on from 7-9/11/25. https://greatsouthernsteamup.com/

It is held in a venue in Gembrook at the upper end of the Puffing Billy line, the first preserved railway in Aust. Two birds with one stone as the saying goes........

Graeme

[GAP]

Not a railway as such but a ride on the tram in Christchurch is worth it.
The woodwork on the trams are a masterpiece in restoration.
A tram ride and punting on the river Avon was a nice way to pass some time when I visited about 12 years ago.
https://www.christchurchattractions.nz/punting/
https://www.christchurchattractions.nz/ ... urch-tram/

[ge_rik]

Don't worry, Greg has a few lined up in Oz and I'm visiting one or two in NZ.
This coming Oct/Nov

I haven't been in the Shaky Isles for going on 50 yrs. and they still had real railway services when I was there. A friend loves the place, the preservation groups at Ferrymead near Christchurch and MOTAT near Aukland are frequently mentioned.

If you are in Oz in Nov., this years GSSU is on from 7-9/11/25. https://greatsouthernsteamup.com/

It is held in a venue in Gembrook at the upper end of the Puffing Billy line, the first preserved railway in Aust. Two birds with one stone as the saying goes........

Graeme

Unfortunately, I fly to NZ on 26 Oct.

Rik

[ge_rik]

I've been trying to sort out my schedule for my first few days in NZ. I arrive in Auckland on Sunday 26 Oct at 1130. I was trying to work out if I could travel up to the Bay of Islands Railway in Kawakawa ( https://bayofislandsvintagerailway.org.nz/ ). The journey is around 3hrs so it looks like I wouldn't get there to catch the last train at 1500. If I stayed there overnight and rode the first train, I wouldn't make it back down to the Glenbrook Railway for their last train.

So, I'm now planning to go straight to the Glenbrook Railway on the Sunday and then go over to the Goldfields Railway at Waihi (https://www.waihirail.co.nz/). I could then travel down to Rotorua and nip over to Awakeri to take a ride on the Awakeri Rail Adventure ( https://www.awakerirail.co.nz/ ).

Does anyone have experience on any of these railways or know of somewhere else I may have missed?

Rik

[James Butler]

Aucklander here - I visit Glenbrook every year or so and highly recommend it, it's the best "proper" preserved railway line in the North Island. They have a great selection of locomotives they can choose from and the trip includes a stop-off at the workshops to see what's in progress. Note though that they're only open "most" Sundays and public holidays and they don't seem to have published their calendar for October yet. It so happens that October 27 is Labour Day this year so you've got a better than average chance of a Monday ride but you might want to email them in advance. Most of the places mentioned below have similar timetables (even if the venue is open, the trains might not be running) so it's definitely worth checking before you make detailed plans!

For more general engineering and historical interest in Auckland proper, MOTAT is good fun when the trams are running and they fire up one of their steam locos.

Awakeri and Waihi look like fun but I haven't been to either myself. If you're on that side of the island personally I'd recommend the Driving Creek Railway. This is pretty unique and worth a visit if you can get to Coromandel (about 2h drive north of Waihi, 3h direct from Auckland). For myself I'd prefer that over trundling up and down a little stretch of preserved mainline, but it's very much a matter of taste.

Definitely pop into the Silver Stream Railway if you're in Wellington.

Moving south, I've heard nothing but good things about Dunedin Railways but I haven't made it there yet. Then there's the Kingston Flyer which was "on pause" for several years but seems to be going again. Ferrymead in Christchurch is much like MOTAT but with more trains, or like Glenbrook but with more general history... a bit like a cross between the two. Ferrymead's distinction above all other railway museums in NZ is that the line is electrified and they have a collection of retired electric locomotives and EMUs.

To answer your original question: the Coastal Pacific is nice and if you actually want to go from Christchurch to Picton or vice versa I would recommend it. But it's not a scenic must-see like the Trans Alpine, I wouldn't bother as an out-and-back.

[ge_rik]

Thanks James
That's really helpful. I've checked with the Glenbrook and they will be open on Labour Day. I spotted the Driving Creek but it's a bit out on a limb in terms of travelling times. As you say, it looks interesting and quirky so I might give it a try especially as I can't find much about the Goldfields Ry.

I wasnt aware of the Silver Stream and the Ferrymead so that's useful info.

I'm glad you shared your view on the Coastal Pacific. It was difficult to see how I could fit it in. As there doesn't seem to be a return flight to Picton, I'd have to fly to Nelson and then catch a bus which didn't sound ideal. The whole thing was taking up too much time so I was about to knock it on the head.

Thanks again

Rik

[ge_rik]

I've now more or less finalised my itinerary

Day 1 - Arrive Auckland. Pickup camper. Glenbrook Ry. Supermarket shop
Day 2 - Coromandel, Driving Creek Ry
Day 3 - Rotorua
Day 4 - Taumarunui, Forgotten World Ry
Day 5 - Wellington
Day 6 - Wellington
Day 7 - Ferry to South Island, Picton to Punakaika
Day 8 - Greymouth, ShantyTown
Day 9 - Hokitika, , Franz Josef, Helitrip
Day 10 - Wanaku
Day 11 - Queenstown
Day 12 - Milford Sound (Plane out bus back)
Day 13 - Dunedin, Otaga Peninsula
Day 14 - Dunedin Railway
Day 15 - Oamaru, Steam & Rail
Day 16 - Christchurch
Day 17 - Tranzalpine to Greymouth, Fly back from Hokitika
Day 18 - Christchurch (lazy day)
Day 19 - Fly to Vietnam

Any thoughts, observations, suggestions gratefully received

Rik

[Lonsdaler]

Looks a great itinerary Rik. Are you taking the camper on the ferry to South Island? We found it cheaper to book separate vehicles for each island, and travel as foot passengers. Hokitika used to have a combined road/rail bridge, but I think it's 2 separate bridges now - it added a certain frisson whilst driving over it. https://youtu.be/1ATJLAn0SMg?si=q8Iu6PtdC9E1NpWC

[ge_rik]

I tried to book two vans as I wanted to take the Coastal Pacific to Christchurch but they preferred me to hire just one van for both islands.

Rik

[Lonsdaler]

I tried to book two vans as I wanted to take the Coastal Pacific to Christchurch but they preferred me to hire just one van for both islands.

Rik

Certainly saves the hassle of collecting a second van. I'm sure you'll enjoy it