Ann and Ned Down Under: Kiwi Rails

Wednesday, 9 December

Kiwi Rail TranzAlpine from Christchurch over the Southern Alps to Greymouth on the western coast of the South Island of New Zealand - well worth the $100USD per person - more picturesque and MUCH easier than driving!

We were picked up at Centre Point on Colombo at 7:15 AM by shuttle ($7NZ per person) to train station at Addington. Saw lots of evidence of earthquake damage that we had not seen the day before. Learned that there was a significant aftershock as recently as a year ago. Many buildings have stacks of containers alongside, almost as though shoring up the structures.

The train pulled out of the station at 8:15.

We went through the farm and pasturelands of the Canterbury Plain before the ascent into the foothills then mountains.

The geology was stunning: glacier carved valleys and deep river gorges. The journey is 223 kilometres (139 miles) and took close to five hours.

Lupin and Scotch Broom

Grey River - Altiplano

We went through 19 tunnels and over four viaducts. We summited and crossed at Arthur’s Pass (920 meters) – the highest of only three roads crossing the Southern Alps. Soon thereafter, we entered a 5.5 km tunnel and began our descent.

Greymouth is unremarkable except for the Monteith’s BrewHouse where we had a lovely lunch.

Check it out: http://www.monteiths.co.nz/Brewery/brewery-history

After lunch we drove north along the Great Coast Highway (Highway 6) along rugged coastline reminiscent of Highway 1 in California. Ned had done his research, and we took two gorgeous hikes in Paparoa National Park. The first was Pancake Rocks where we witnessed "pancake rocks" and amazing blowholes.